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Which is More Lucrative? Amazon Link to Product or Direct Affiliate Link to Manufacturer?

by Builder154
12 replies
  • SEO
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Say you sell a product on your site. The manufacturer of the product has an affiliate program but the product is also on Amazon.

It would seem like using affiliate links to the manufacturer directly is a better route since the commission is higher. But the thing with Amazon is the cookie means you can get a commission on other products, including even ones bought at a later visit.

Has anyone had to make this choice or done any testing?
#affiliate #amazon #direct #link #lucrative #manufacturer #monetizing #product
  • Profile picture of the author Ashera
    I can't be bothered to be registered to 90 affiliate programs. With Amazon I know I'm going to get paid, when I'm going to get paid, and how I'm going to get paid, and I can track it all via one login. Plus the commissions from the various sales on the cookies adds up if you get enough traffic.
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  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    Amazon. Definitely.

    Amazon is the most trusted online marketplace. Almost all of my online purchases from the past few years have been from Amazon. (Aside from the rare purchase from Newegg.) I'm sure I'm not the only one.

    Plus it's a LOT easier to manage a single affiliate account and the added income from unrelated sales is a bonus.
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  • Profile picture of the author webdevpro
    Amazon, because of the trust of the people on Amazon. This is just the case as we prefer to use PayPal than any other mode of payment that the sellers directly offer on their sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author jgant
    Try both. This way if they click both links and buy from one, you earn the commission.

    I earn far more from merchants than Amazon.

    If placing both links hurt conversion, test each link and see which converts the best.

    The biggest disadvantage to the merchant is when they have a telephone ordering option - you don't get paid. If you discover your conversion rate is lower with the merchant, stick with the Amazon link.
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  • Profile picture of the author markowe
    You can always split-test - that's the smart way. But I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon actually got you higher earnings overall just because they convert so well and cross-sell so effectively. Seems paradoxical but Amazon are a selling machine - they are just so darned good at it, they might well be better at it than the manufacturer themselves.
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    • Profile picture of the author Builder154
      Thanks for the responses guys. Sounds like most think Amazon is better. It's a tough call if you have a reputable seller with a direct affiliate program that pays 30 or 40% or something compared to Amazon's tiny %. But there are other benefits to Amazon as you say.

      Of course in the end split testing is the only sure answer.
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    • Profile picture of the author Builder154
      Originally Posted by markowe View Post

      You can always split-test - that's the smart way. But I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon actually got you higher earnings overall just because they convert so well and cross-sell so effectively. Seems paradoxical but Amazon are a selling machine - they are just so darned good at it, they might well be better at it than the manufacturer themselves.
      I don't doubt this at all. But if Amazon gives, say, 6% commission and the manufacturer gives 30%, I could get 1/4 the sales on the direct affiliate route and still make more.
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      • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
        Originally Posted by Builder154 View Post

        I don't doubt this at all. But if Amazon gives, say, 6% commission and the manufacturer gives 30%, I could get 1/4 the sales on the direct affiliate route and still make more.
        There is a reason that some merchants offer such high commissions. I'd take Amazon versus just about anyone. Also, if you are only getting 6% from Amazon, you are doing something wrong.
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        • Profile picture of the author Builder154
          Originally Posted by wolfmmiii View Post

          There is a reason that some merchants offer such high commissions. I'd take Amazon versus just about anyone. Also, if you are only getting 6% from Amazon, you are doing something wrong.
          Ok so maybe you sell a bunch and get to 8 or 10%. The principle holds.

          I'm not sure having a high commission means anything bad about the merchant necessarily.
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          • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
            Originally Posted by Builder154 View Post

            Ok so maybe you sell a bunch and get to 8 or 10%. The principle holds.

            I'm not sure having a high commission means anything bad about the merchant necessarily.
            The problem with other merchants is Amazon's huge diversity. I'd guess that over 60% of my sales are not what my visitors originally clicked on. You just don't get that with JoesPhones-n-things.net
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            • Profile picture of the author Builder154
              Originally Posted by wolfmmiii View Post

              The problem with other merchants is Amazon's huge diversity. I'd guess that over 60% of my sales are not what my visitors originally clicked on. You just don't get that with JoesPhones-n-things.net
              Right that's exactly my argument for Amazon that probably puts them over the top.

              But I'd love to hear from anyone who actually split test Amazon vs. a direct manufacturer affiliate program, especially on a site very targeted to that product.
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  • Profile picture of the author codecreative
    All my purchases are done online via amazon
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