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Are associate programs a good way to start off making revenue instead of advertising? I am planning to use the Amazon associates sytem and i was wondering if i am heading in the right direction:)

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Target the buy-intent and make the path from discovery to purchase as frictionless as possible. For 's mix of Amazon Product Advertising and a niche publisher program (Viz), the work that pays off is content and conversion: focused product pages, short buying guides, timely roundups (new releases, box sets, collectors items) and one clear call-to-action per page. Keep descriptions original, add context that fans care about (editions, extras, compatibility with collectors), and surface price/availability near the top.

Practical checklist to apply immediately:

  • Pick 10–20 core SKUs that fit the audience and build pages for each (reviews, comparisons, alternatives).
  • Put the primary affiliate link and a short disclosure above the fold, with a second link at the end of the content.
  • Capture emails (price drops, restock alerts) to convert non-buyers later.
  • Use simple A/B tests (button text, image size, placement) and measure page-level conversion in your affiliate reports.
  • Create distinct tracking IDs/tags for different site sections so you can see which pages and promotions actually sell.

Technical and compliance notes: read the current Amazon Product Advertising API docs before integrating to avoid common pitfalls and to follow display/caching requirements (Amazon PA-API docs). Use the Amazon Associates dashboard to monitor performance (Amazon Associates). Always disclose affiliate relationships per FTC guidance (FTC endorsement guidance) and check each partner’s terms for localization, coupon/cookie rules, and prohibited practices.

Diversify gradually. Niche affiliate income swings with seasonality and releases, so add direct sponsorships, fan merchandise or membership options once you have steady traffic. Note: the tag “amazon-web-services” refers to AWS (a separate set of cloud products) — avoid mixing that up when searching documentation (AWS).

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Member Avatar for Dani

Generally, you don't make as much with affiliate (CPA) programs as you do with banner ad networks (such as FastClick, ValueClick, Burst!Media, Tribal Fusion, MaxOnline, Casale Media, and so on and so forth) that pay on a CPM or CPC basis.

The problem with the ad networks is generally you don't have a choice what ads you show, and most ad networks only want your U.S. traffic. For example, ad networks generally only fill 40 to 60% of your inventory. Therefore, it's good to daisy-chain ad networks together. You can do this because all the major networks allow you to set up defaults when they can't show an ad. At the last tier of your daisy chain, you should put banners to affiliate programs (such as via Amazon or those from Commission Junction) because they generally don't pay out nearly as much, and also because it is a guaranteed ad to show up.

It is possible, with a select few very good converting affiliate programs, to setup a mini-shop on your site, and really push one particular advertiser, and do pretty decently. The problem with that is you would really need to keep other advertising on the site to a minimum, and be selling products that are of direct interest to your visitors. Usually it's not worth the effort or risk IMO.

Member Avatar for Antonbomb22

well i am planning on using amazon web api as my site's store so i do not risk loosing money if products dont sell. i am also taking up an associate account with Viz, LLC which is a publisher of anime/manga which is pointed directly at my site's audience. i think if i promote it well the store will do good;)

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Good luck with it!! It's just that with associate programs such as Amazon, you only make money when you sell a product. With the banner networks, you make money for your traffic, each time an ad is viewed (regardless of whether it's even clicked on). That's why there's usually more money to be made there. But some affiliate stores do, indeed, do very well, if promoted the correct way.

Member Avatar for Antonbomb22

thanks dani, im doing this till im 18 because i cant get adsense and i dont think my site is worthy of selling advertising space yet...

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