Affiliate Programs can be an excellent way to start an e-business with minimal start up cost. Thousands of merchants have launched online affiliate programs. If you have a website, promoting other people's products at your site offers a great way to make your web site profitable.

If you are unaware of how affiliate programs work, here is a brief explanation;

First, you must sign up with the company to market it's products. Signing up normally involves filling out a form with your name, address, a phone number where you can be reached and the name and URL of your website.

Once you have been approved by the merchant, the next step is to place links to the merchant's website on your site. The link will contain an identifier so the merchant will know who sent the customer to their site. When someone clicks on your link, visits the merchant's website and makes a purchase you will receive a commission for that sale.

WARNING: Legitimate affiliate programs will allow you to sign up completely free. You should not have to pay anything to promote someone else's products. You promote the product for the merchant and in return are paid a commission on any sales and / or leads you generate for the merchant. Avoid scams and programs requiring you to pay fees or order products.

There are a huge range of affiliate programs available on the Internet. You can sign up with independent affiliate programs being run in-house by the merchants themselves, or you can join one of the many Affiliate Networks. These networks have hundreds, or even thousands of merchants available in their network for you to affiliate with. You should have no problem finding something that will suit you and be a perfect fit with your site.

Some of the programs are 2-tier programs, which means you will make an additional bonus if you refer someone to the program who signs up to become an affiliate as well. The person signing up does not pay for this in any way. It is a bonus paid by the merchant as a thank you for referring another affiliate to their program.

We have listed some of the affiliate marketing programs we use on our sites which have done very well for us. If you find something you may be interested in, please sign up through the links we have provided for you. Some of the programs pay a "thank-you" bonus for referring new affiliates. This does not cost you anything at all, and we would appreciate your support in consideration for our providing you with this valuable information.

Thank You,

Here's to Your Success!