The first thing anybody generally does after selecting and paying for a technology to run their affiliate program is to have second thoughts. Did I buy the right software, ASP, or whatever?
As soon as the deal is signed, you inevitably run into somebody who is using the competitor, and they’re fantastically satisfied with their solution. Let me break it to you – tracking and reporting is a commodity that doesn’t vary greatly from one provider to another.
There are certainly various classes of affiliate management software, and I don’t want you to think I’m saying they are all equal. Some are most assuredly more equal.
The options break down as follows: network, ASP hosted, licensed stand-alone, solutions integrated into shopping carts, and then you can always roll your own.
Complete article at http://affiliatetip.com/news/article0072.php