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Amazon Associates Hate it or Love it?

by Blackmediaprop08
15 replies
I've been working with Amazon Associates for about 4 months now and the payout in my opinion is just horrible. I've done mostly fashion based products and that could be the reason, but nothing I sale is less than $20 and I'm just not seeing the numbers I was with CJ.com or connect commerce.

Any thoughts? Anybody really banking from Amazon Associates?
#amazon #associates #hate #love
  • Profile picture of the author thrigrri
    I have been an Amazon affiliate since mid 2007 and have been receiving checks from them every single month...

    As far as commission levels are concerned, I personally think that Amazon has one of the best commission payout levels for physical products (where they pay a flat 4% for electronics products and 4% - 8.5% for all other product categories).

    When I first started off with promoting Amazon products, I do have the same thinking that they are paying out way too low to the affiliates, but that was before I looked at other merchants in networks such as CJ, Performics (now being Google Affiliate Network) and Share A Sale... Most of those merchants are offering, as far as electronic products are concerned, 1% - 3%... Though not too much lower than what Amazon is paying out, but at least they are lower...

    And also, if you have not noticed, most of these merchants have a telephone number right smack on the top of almost every single page that people can call in to directly order the product (instead of ordering online). And if these people decides to call in and order instead of ordering online, there goes your commissions...

    I've actually spoken to some of the merchants sometime back and they confirmed this. However, I was told that they are trying to come out with something such that even for telephone orders, they are able to pay the affiliate accordingly (that was way back in 2007 when I talked with them). Not sure what's the status now so I can't comment.

    Also, as far as paying of commissions is concerned, I have been receiving pay checks from them every single month without fail... So if you are worried about not getting the commissions you deserve, not to worry there, as you will definitely get them...

    Hope this helps...


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  • Profile picture of the author Amanda_Davis
    The truth is, the margins on the products they sell are low, so they won't pay you much.

    With amazon you'll do a LOT of work for very little reward. Much better to work with merchants that offer a bigger commission.
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    • Profile picture of the author Katharin
      Originally Posted by Amanda_Davis View Post

      The truth is, the margins on the products they sell are low, so they won't pay you much.

      With amazon you'll do a LOT of work for very little reward. Much better to work with merchants that offer a bigger commission.
      I came to this same conclusion a few years ago and never went back to Amazon. It just didn't feel worth the effort when so many other things require less effort for larger rewards.
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      • Profile picture of the author bay37
        Originally Posted by Katharin View Post

        It just didn't feel worth the effort when so many other things require less effort for larger rewards.
        People should stop making generalizations like this.

        I have tried Clickbank, CPA, CJ... And Amazon is by far the easiest program to work with/get conversions. Apart from perhaps some slightly "dodgy" CPA offers - but those never last.

        My average Amazon conversion rate is over 14% this month. Stop building crap websites and do a bit of work to get traffic. It's really that simple.

        Search the forum - there are so many threads about Amazon. Why is there a new one posted almost every week?

        Do more work instead of complaining that "it just doesn't work".

        Commission rate too low? Sell more items - make up to 8% per sale.

        Commision amount per item is too low? Sell more expensive items. If you're expecting a huge payout on $9.99 sales - try promoting dating or info products. Just don't come back a month later saying that "dating doesn't work because it's too saturated" and "info products don't sell because they're scams".

        Everything works if you know what you're doing. Plan, build, test, optimize.
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        • Profile picture of the author TheNewGuy2010
          I can always count on my man Mantas to put a stop to the nonsense about Amazon.

          Ron


          I don't think Amazon commissions are low, it's just some of those other Affiliate programs pay higher because they sell digital products.

          With a digital product, you only need to create it one time and it get's instantly downloaded.

          MOST businesses that sell physical products, their commissions to their in store sales associates are in in line with what Amazon pays. Go ask someone that works at Best Buy, Radio Shack or Home Depot.

          Take into account Amazon has employees( not $1 per hour Asian workers) that it pays real salaries and bennefits to, company overhead as well as other fixed costs. Do you really expect to make $80 on a $800 laptop when you have costs of a REAL business?

          I think Amazon is on par with what every retail store pays.

          (I may be bashed for this) But I think many IMer's have never really engaged in a real sales job nor have any REAL business experience and have been mislead by the higher commissions by Clickbank and CPA offers therefore they thinks it should the norm. It's actually abnormal to get high commission's like that.









          Originally Posted by bay37 View Post

          People should stop making generalizations like this.

          I have tried Clickbank, CPA, CJ... And Amazon is by far the easiest program to work with/get conversions. Apart from perhaps some slightly "dodgy" CPA offers - but those never last.

          My average Amazon conversion rate is over 14% this month. Stop building crap websites and do a bit of work to get traffic. It's really that simple.

          Search the forum - there are so many threads about Amazon. Why is there a new one posted almost every week?

          Do more work instead of complaining that "it just doesn't work".

          Commission rate too low? Sell more items - make up to 8% per sale.

          Commision amount per item is too low? Sell more expensive items. If you're expecting a huge payout on $9.99 sales - try promoting dating or info products. Just don't come back a month later saying that "dating doesn't work because it's too saturated" and "info products don't sell because they're scams".

          Everything works if you know what you're doing. Plan, build, test, optimize.
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          Gone Fishing....
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    Maybe it is time to promote other products online that can pay you more money.

    There is Shareasale.com that pays out good commissions.

    There is clickbank.com which you can find products that pay you recurring fees each month.

    So you have other options too.

    Tal
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  • Profile picture of the author PetraW
    Here you can read my story: The Amazon Affiliate Program - Is it worth it?
    I am sticking with it for now because even if it is a very low payout, it's still money that is coming in automatically now.
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  • Profile picture of the author monitorit
    amazon by far is the best. Massive brand people believe in. I have had conversions as high as 25%
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    • Profile picture of the author teatree
      Like others have said, the conversion rate on Amazon is excellent.

      Other affiliates might pay a higher %, or have a longer cookie, but they don't convert. I can send 100 visitors to Amazon (that is 100 clicks on the ad) and 10 will buy. With the others it's less than 2%.

      IMo it's all down to how Amazon have laid out their website. They make it really easy for the buyer. There's the free shipping for starters. Why would someone buy from Sears at the same price when they have to pay for shipping there, but get free shipping from Amazon?

      It's also how they have all the pertinent info right above fold - within seconds of clicking through you can see above the fold what the price is, what the discount is, whether it's in stock and whether you get free shipping.

      Other retailers don't have such a decent layout.

      Here's a true story:

      I'm an affiliate of a book publisher who pays 15% and has a 30 day cookie. They are trying to promote ebooks - but what does the customer see when they click through? "Out of stock, available in Adobe reader".

      The average visitor simply sees "out of stock" and backspaces. Even though you can never be out of stock of an ebook! And lots don't connect Adobe reader with ebooks, espcially if they have iPads or Sony readers.

      What they should have said is "out of stock in paperback form, available as ebook". But they don't, so Amazon are converting at a rate of 10:1 even though in theory I should be making more from the publisher, given the high commission rate and long cookie.

      If you are having difficulties it might be down to trying to sell fashion - people like to try clothes on before they buy. Try to sell a physical good that's identical no matter if you buy in store or online, and you should do better.
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  • Profile picture of the author mainstreetcm
    I love Amazon and the conversation rate, plus the ease of promoting amazon products within blogger blogs and hubpages makes it a no brainer. The only thing I hate about AMZ is that they dropped support for Colorado associates--which means that I had to open a PO box and bank account in New Mexico so I could continue getting direct deposit. A small inconvenience for the amount of product I move for them.
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    • Profile picture of the author GoodnightSweetRatRace
      Originally Posted by mainstreetcm View Post

      I love Amazon and the conversation rate, plus the ease of promoting amazon products within blogger blogs and hubpages makes it a no brainer. The only thing I hate about AMZ is that they dropped support for Colorado associates--which means that I had to open a PO box and bank account in New Mexico so I could continue getting direct deposit. A small inconvenience for the amount of product I move for them.
      Hey.

      What kind of conversion rates are you getting promoting through Hubpages? I know it varies, but if you had to give a number what would it be?

      I'm thinking about promoting Amazon Products, as well as Clickbank and I've found an easy keyword to rank. Just trying to work out the potential reward, to see if it's worth it or not.

      Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author ajmorgans
    Try to change your game plan... Don't test one way for 4 months. Each month you should have separate goals you need to accomplish. Try focusing on selling 7 small items to get your % to increase to 6% where you make more money... Then start selling big ticket items.
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