One think that stops me using affiliate schemes.

scwebsites · Sep 15, 2010

For some time now I have created websites that have earned good money from adsense, but although I have an account with all of the UK affiliate networks, I have never really added affiliate products or links to my sites.

The thing I worry about is that if I download a data feed, add all the products to a database and display them on my site, how do I know if the company who sells the products change the prices or stop selling the product entirely? I don;t have time to keep checking every product is still valid, and I certainly don't want a website full of broken affiliate links.

Even mini sites with fewer products would be nightmare if I had several mini sites to manage.

I know with some affiliate schemes you can use XML to display life data feeds, but these seem few and I have little experience with XML.

How do you guys mange to keep things in shape with affiliate schemes, is there something I am missing?

stender · Sep 15, 2010

major bug bear of mine. I used to have a site with a product feed from buy at and it was always changing on the merchants site yet the product feed wasn't updated enough. And even when it was there was no notification email or option to be notified.

accelerator · Sep 15, 2010

I wouldn't let this stop you benefitting from affiliate feeds.

Either learn XML webservices and use Awin, or there's Easy Content Units which I think are autoupdating, or if you have your own server you can write code to automatically update xml feeds via urls.

Failing that, just update your XML feeds weekly, and maybe put a disclaimer on your site saying prices subject to change at merchant.

Rgds

wonder_lander · Sep 16, 2010

I would give another thumbs up for Easy Content Units.

E-mails when products go out of stock, updates to the latest prices when the merchant feeds are refreshed.

Even when it goes out of stock it displays "Check Price" so the visitor can still go through and see what else might fit the bill. Here is an example of one of our sites. http://www. iceskates .org.uk/buy-online/figure-skates (have spaced the url so it doesn't become a link)

You'll see at the bottom of the page there is a pair that is out of stock and is displaying the check price.

ECU has a free model where there is a revenue share or a pro model where you earn 100% of the commissions.

I'm not affiliated with ECU in any other respect than a happy customer!

Another consideration would be price tapestry, take a look at their offering too!

boozt · Sep 17, 2010

Adsense is definitely easier (self optimising) but if you have the right type of traffic (people in buying mode) then affiliate schemes may offer the best returns (still relying on the merchants to make the best of your traffic).

easycontentunits are just that - easy.
Haven't looked at price tapestry.

mally · Sep 17, 2010

I've spent alot of time using price tapestry. There is a support forum run by the own David, so you post a question, and he'll add the answer which normally includes the code showing how to do what you want! I use price tapestry DEMOS : > Magazine Subscriptions, Mountain Bike, Adult Magazines, Security Store

They all self update, as in download daily the latest feeds, and auto import.

Defo recommend it!!

scwebsites · Sep 17, 2010

That's interesting Mally, and do those sites you list get natural SE traffic?

Some nice domains you have there too Mally.

stender · Sep 17, 2010

Mally that first link has image not available on 3 mags. exactly what i'm moaning about.

mally · Sep 17, 2010

Yep, they all get natural seo as you can implement your own strategy's on the page whilst showing the info. Having a good domain name helps with normal type in traffic aswell