What is an inhouse affiliate program?

[Nail Yener]

Hi,

I just heard the term "inhouse affiliate program". Could somebody explain me what it is? What's the difference from other affiliate programs? Samples would be great.

Thanks in advance.

[Wide]

I read somethign about that a few days ago, this was related to Hostgator though.

Well,

Example:

Hostgator run adwords compaigns for their own hosting plans, they call this "inhouse affiliate program".
If a visitor click one of those ads, a 60 days cookie is set.

Lets say you refer this specific user to hostgator within 60 days, then the commision will go to the "inhouse affiliate program" (hostgator) and not you, since they belive they are the real referer. Or this is how it used to be (not sure if it changed).

Think the topic was about a year old though, so things might have changed.

[Riz]

Hi,

There are 2 ways for companies to set up their affiliate programs:

1) In house
2) Outsourced

In house affiliate programs are used by companies who have their own (developed or bought) software/script to handle their affiliates. They pay their affiliates directly and are able to save on commissions etc.

Outsourced affiliate programs are used to cut out the hassle of dealing with your own affiliates. Clickbank is used by many who sell digital products.

Hope that clears your query :-)

Riz

Originally Posted by ademmeda

Hi,

I just heard the term "inhouse affiliate program". Could somebody explain me what it is? What's the difference from other affiliate programs? Samples would be great.

Thanks in advance.

[Catalyst eMarketing]

Well in the retail affiliate world with physical products and big brands the meaning is slightly different than what anyone has described so far.

There are 2 primary type of affiliate programs.

1) Programs that are on affiliate networks

2) Programs that are in-house - companies that run their own software and aren't on an affiliate network. Most in the trade call these programs "Indys"

Many big brands have both network and Indy programs in order to cater to affiliates that prefer one option over the other.

Some affiliates prefer the convenience of a network. Others prefer Indys because many times they offer a closer relationship to the merchant and sometimes higher payouts.