Why does a consumer buy from an affiliate site instead of Amazon?

9 replies
  • ECOMMERCE
  • |
I have created several product sites that link to Amazon products and even though I have modest commissions with my social media efforts I am having trouble understanding the concept of why a consumer would go to a an affiliate site instead of directly to Amazon.

Can any successful affiliate provide insight based on your experience as to why a consumer goes to you instead of the source?
#affiliate #amazon #buy #consumer #site
  • Profile picture of the author tdanz
    Maybe they want to read some more reviews before buying off Amazon..maybe they want to read some more information about the product before buying.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8576344].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kite6w
      Originally Posted by tdanz View Post

      Maybe they want to read some more reviews before buying off Amazon..maybe they want to read some more information about the product before buying.
      Also, most good affiliate sites will be on first page of google when they searched. They will click those sites with targeted keyword product and if they like the site, they will click the affiliate link and purchase the product. It is all how they position themselves.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8577238].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    I think it all depends on the test below the title, and probably the title to some extent, that gets the click. Once on the site, it is easier to just click the link than go back to google and then click the Amazon site. I doubt that 2% even know about affiliate commissions.
    Signature

    Tim Pears

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8577647].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheRankedReview
    Shoppers tend to see what other people think about the product before buying it.

    For example, if I am in the market for a TV, I would first see reviews on a particular TV I am interested in buying. So if I arrive on your site reviewing that TV, I would click on your link to lead me directly to that TV instead of going on Amazon and searching for it.

    Lastly, once your links is clicked on, its usually kept for 60 days in their cookies. So, if the customer does not buy the TV today, he can go directly on Amazon tomorrow and buy the TV and you still get credit for it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8577693].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author IM Player
      When people buy something online and they have doubts, they are looking for an expert opinion. They are looking for someone who will them whether this product is worth buying or not, and why. And you should be that expert. If you have an honest, professional, trustful review of a product, your review will be exactly what will take their doubts away. So, they get confidence in their purchase, you get commissions. Everybody's happy, win-win situation.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8577826].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
        It also missed the point of what many affiliate sites are doing. As an example, if you read a cooking blog consistently and the author talks about a great frying pan he bought and used, it is highly likely you click through to see it for yourself and maybe buy. In this case here, you weren't specifically looking for something but were directed past the site to where you could buy it, hence dropping the affiliate cookie.

        Same thing for the mommy blogs out there, talking about different strollers, bottles etc, many people find the value in not just company boilerplate but what the author provides.

        At the same time, if you are able to provide an affiliate store that parses how someone searches for things compared to Amazon or other affiliate sites, people will come and search on your site since you are again, providing value. A quick example off my head might be, if you are big into Paleo, Amazon (as far as I know) doesn't have a paleo category in their stores, so if you provide that value and make it easier for people, they will come to you.

        But you are right, without some type of value add, most people will go direct to Amazon which is why Amazon only generates about 20% of their revenue through affiliate referrals.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8579434].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author newy711
      Shoppers tend to see what other people think about the product before buying it.

      For example, if I am in the market for a TV, I would first see reviews on a particular TV I am interested in buying. So if I arrive on your site reviewing that TV, I would click on your link to lead me directly to that TV instead of going on Amazon and searching for it.

      Originally Posted by TheRankedReview View Post

      Lastly, once your links is clicked on, its usually kept for 60 days in their cookies. So, if the customer does not buy the TV today, he can go directly on Amazon tomorrow and buy the TV and you still get credit for it.
      The cookie lasts for 24 Hours. The 60 day cookie only works if the item link/ product is added to the customers basket.

      Also worth pointing is that if your link gets clicked but the visitor decides to look for more reviews and clicks someone elses link on another review type website etc your cookie is lost.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8583440].message }}

Trending Topics