Q: I have been affiliate marketing for several years for my travel site. I have had success by dealing directly with key affiliate programs versus going through ad farms like CJ. I am wanting to add to my affiliates in the area of cruises. I’m aware of Orbitz, IAN, and some others. The most I’ve seen is just over $20 per cruise or a set percentage. Who pays the most in cruises?
A: I get variations of this question frequently – not only which affiliate program in a given vertical pays the most, but which has the best conversion rate, longest return days, best EPC, etc.
The short answer there, and likely not the one you were hoping to hear, is that you will need to check out what’s available on the affiliate networks, as well as indie affiliate programs to determine which affiliate programs pay the most in your sector.
All snarkiness aside, I’m here to answer questions on how to do things in affiliate marketing to help you grow and succeed. I’m happy to assist with tips, suggestions and ideas, based on my past experience as an affiliate and affiliate manager.
But I’m not going to do the busy work that you don’t feel like doing.
As far as which affiliate programs have the best EPC, conversions, and the like, there is one solid practice for gathering this information: TEST.
Test drive the affiliate programs in your vertical and allow for natural selection to determine which affiliate programs work best for you.