ShareASale is a leader in so many areas, that I won’t begin to list them now.  Their reputation – which is 10 Years Strong! – speaks for itself.

The only area that ShareASale has needed improvement is the user interface.

People like “slick” user interfaces, and often (inaccurately) judge the quality of technology based on its interface.  As a result, I feel that ShareASale may have lost a few merchants to networks that have slick interfaces.  Luckily for us, ShareASale has focused their efforts to date, on their network quality.

Well – after the launch of this new interface, there should be no under-estimating the quality of this technology and this amazing network.

I can’t wait to see the new interface.

..and you can too.

ShareASale is putting on daily webinars to introduce this new interface.  The webinars will be available twice daily for the next two weeks.  (Join me at one of the scheduled webinars!  The full list of available times are available by clicking here.  I’m going to be there on Wednesday or Thursday.  I can’t wait.)

This announcement is straight from ShareASale’s blog:

ShareASale Launches New Merchant Interface!

From Brian Littleton, CEO of ShareASale:

We are excited to announce the release of the ShareASale Merchant Interface Generation 6!
*insert your personal happy dance here*

You can take a look at our new makeover when you log into your merchant account.

Much of the tools within the interface have remained the same in functionality. However, the look and organization of the tools has changed dramatically. The biggest changes and newest functions to note include the following:

• The ShareASale Hockey Puck: Located in the upper left hand corner, the hockey puck guides merchants to the Home Page, Help Center, Deposit Page, and/or Saved Reports.
• Saved Reports: Merchants now have the ability to save recent report queries. You may opt to save the settings of favorite reports and recall them later for use.
• Search Function: With the new search function, merchants can search their affiliates, groups, text links, banners, widgets, videos, transactions, the help center and more in one central area.
• Quick Navigation Sidebar: Easily find all the tools and resources you need with the visual pull out menus organized by affiliate program management tasks.
• Main Page Social Announcements: Keep up to date on all the latest ShareASale Blog news and happenings in the ShareASale Affiliate Aquarium with the homepage realtime scroll.
• Homepage Graphs: These graphs quickly pull from your reports to graphically display Program Vitals (EPC, Voids, Avg. Commission, etc) and Weekly Progress (Clicks, Gross Sales, Net Sales, etc).

In conjunction with the new merchant interface, ShareASale Client Services will host training webinars twice a day for the next two weeks. Webinars will be held daily at 12:00pm and 4:00pm Central Time.

Well, it’s been almost an entire year — and I’ve finally published these videos. (Takeaway: don’t procrastinate! It only took me a couple of hours to edit these videos, put them into ScreenFlow and record myself on the webcam.)

(Note: apparently, my computer had a lot of processes going when I recorded my intro, as the video was a little choppy. But, the interviews are all good.)

Here’s another video that was created by our friend, Matt McWilliams of Legacy Learning Systems. I almost didn’t want to publish this video, since it puts my videography to shame! (Matt couldn’t record his video with me live, so he spent the time in his studio making this video.)

So there you have it.

Merchants, Affiliates and Affiliate Program Managers love ShareASale.

I know I do.

If you’re a merchant considering an affiliate network to launch your affiliate program, I highly recommend you check out ShareASale. Or, if you already have an inhouse program, or an existing affiliate program with a different network, you’d be well-served to consider layering in a second affiliate program with ShareASale.

We asked some industry leaders that know and understand the networks to give us their take on the differences. We started with outsourced program managers (OPMs) because they work with a variety of networks and a range of client programs.

First up, Heather Paulson president of the Paulson Management Group, Inc. PMG offers Affiliate Program Management, Search Management, and Social Media Management services. PaulsonManagementGroup.com is the only OPM currently producing and integrating affiliate videos into the affiliate networks as well as worked with an eco friendly client to introduce a patent pending affiliate widget to the affiliate community. Advancements in affiliate media technology are dependent on the networks technological capabilities and Paulson is in a position to know the networks intimately since over the last 10 years she has launched and managed programs on all of the major networks – Commission Junction, Google Affiliate Network (formerly Performics), ShareASale, PepperJamNetwork and more. Ms Paulson is on the Advisory Board for Affiliate Summit and Affiliate Classroom.

We asked her a few questions to get her take on the networks.

AffPlan: What are the major network differentiators?

Paulson: Cost, vertical strengths and technology are primary differentiating factors. There are tier one networks such as Commission Junction, Buy.at, Linkshare, Zanox, Google Affiliate Network, which offer unique technology differences surrounding affiliate communications, reporting, media integration, and regional as well as vertical strengths. There are also many CPA networks such as Bridaluxe, Market Health, XY7.com, MediaTrust, ROI Rocket, AzoogleADS, which ride off either proprietary tracking solutions or are on DirectTrack or LinkTrust tracking and reporting platform which all offer unique differences and opportunities.

A great example of a prime difference in the system architecture within a network is the AzoogleAds network this is an open network system where affiliates can apply to the network and once accepted can run any of the offers within the network rather than having to have their individual applications be vetted (Manually approved) for each program that they apply for within that network, such as would happen in many of the other 350 US networks that exist today.  In an open network environment the affiliate partner once approved and active is quickly able to start marketing all of the programs that reside within that network where in a closed network system the affiliate would have to apply to each program within the network separately and wait for their application to be manually approved for each program (Vetted by the program manger) unless of course the program was an an auto-approve system.

Another example of network technology differences that a merchant might want to be informed of before choosing the right affiliate network partner would be sub id level tracking data. PPC affiliates are attracted to networks such as AzoogleAds and Commission Junction as well as other affiliate networks that offer SUB ID tracking so search affiliates can track their performance at a keyword level. SUB ID tracking is also helpful to remnant ad buying affiliates who purchase remnant ad space across mass network ad distribution platforms and need to have each campaign monitored per page or site across the distribution points within that ad network.

There are many different “types” off affiliates within all affiliate networks that can be categorized by their marketing style or performance. Some networks offer you the ability to group these affiliates so you can easily send each affiliate group specific updates and announcements via intra network emails by either textual content or HTML newsletters concerning their marketing media needs, or other brand or product related news. The ability to group and manage affiliates within a network also allows the merchant to reward and incentivize specific performance groups with custom media, coupons, or campaigns. There are affiliate networks that do not offer the opportunity for you to perform “intra network” communications or grouping and this can impede the merchants’ ability to communicate with affiliate partners if it is imperative that the merchant strategies depend on direct communications with the affiliates.

Consulting with a professional affiliate management agency concerning which network and network launch plan is right for their brand and their program goals and terms of conditions is a “significant” factor in the success of the program and the overall dependencies of the success of their other online channels as well. Affiliate management agencies or OPM’s (outsourced program managers) are experienced with working with many networks and have experience to help merchants ascertain which direction should be taken concerning choosing the right affiliate network. Often times as well an OPM will have a relationship with that network and can offer discounts and savings to the merchant concerning launch fees and other network fees by negotiating on behalf of the merchant.

One important new development in the affiliate space is that many merchants who find success with one network are now inclined to launch their product or service within multiple networks to increase their online presence as well as sales through the affiliate channel.  Multi-network launches and management take an extreme amount of organization, collaboration, as well as vast knowledge concerning each networks strengths, opportunities, threats, and trends. Tools such as AffiliateReporting.com is something that Paulson Management Group, Inc will be using to ensure multi-network reporting is streamlined and well attuned to the goals for each of our clients. Affiliate Reporting.com is the first and only multi-network reporting aggregation service in existence and will lend itself as a vital tool in streamlining a merchants multi-network reporting efforts.

AffPlan: What’s not so obvious?

Paulson: Program strategies. There will be many technical differences that merchants will not be aware of unless they have firsthand knowledge of each network’s core technological strengths. An affiliate programs brand management and overall media strategies will be determined based on the networks technology and how that technology is wielded to ensure success of the program.

As an example in Commission Junction merchants are able to locate affiliates within the network via a recruiting tool that can assist merchants in pushing offers for their program to new affiliates, this is an intra network recruiting strategy that we at PMG use for our Commission Junction affiliate program accounts and many of the other networks do not offer this type of technology. Another example would be if the merchant wants to allow social media affiliates to market their brand; WebGains is the only network currently that has incorporated a shortened URL function within their network allowing for social media traffic monitoring of affiliates in Twitter as well as other social media venues. The merchants affiliate program strategies have to be able to be realized with the technology the network provides so careful scruitinization of each networks technological capabilities is an important factor in choosing the right network for the merchants needs.

An important consideration as well for merchants concerning what might not be realized is the relationships that the affiliate network might hold within the affiliate community. Relationships that affiliates hold with these affiliate networks are the primary factor that propels success of the program within that network and the transparency level in this channel is high especially on affiliate forums such as AbestWeb.com and AffSpot.com. So merchants should research and learn how affiliates regard each network as it can vastly affect the success of an affiliate programs sustainability within that network. Merchants need to understand that affiliate partners are the marketing force behind their programs and any affiliate networks success, it is important to hear affiliates as a community to ensure their needs are being met and respected by the networks.

AffPlan: You seem to like CJ, do you have a special relationship with them?

Paulson:  Over time we have developed relationships with many affiliate networks, we have a running affiliate network list and are now offering single and multi-network launch strategies so building affiliate network  relationships has always been a  focus for PMG. I have years of experience working with the Commission Junction affiliate network either as an affiliate or affiliate manager so their technology is well known to me. Most of the clients we work with are larger eCommerce brands that need dedicated pro active affiliate management and support. Commission Junction is able to offer a high level of reporting as well as technology factors to those larger brands that assist PMG team members in launching new media initiatives such as affiliate videos which are easily integrated into Commission Junction. ShareaSale, PepperJamNetwork, Google Affiliate Network, LinkShare, Buy.at, Zanox, there are so many fantastic affiliate networks in our space all offering varied opportunities to each merchant so a thorough check of the channels landscape is important when choosing to work with any affiliate network.

AffPlan: What else makes you want to work with a specific network?

Paulson: We choose the network based on our clients goals, strategies, vertical, as well as many other factors. As an example some merchants might need to batch their sales or leads after carefully scrutinizing them to ensure they are valid and commissionable, the merchant can then batch or send sales or leads to the network to ensure affiliates are commissioned. Other merchants might prefer a pixel tracking system. Not every network offers batch processing so it is extremely important for merchants to speak with a professional management company concerning this choice and options and  if they are not having their programs professionally launched and managed by an affiliate management agency with experience then at least to have a consultation would help save them undue time and cost.

http://PaulsonManagementGroup.com

Lisa Picarille is an online content strategist and consultant. She blogs at www.lisapicarille.com.

Serving multiple parties is a balancing act and requires the networks to be trusted partners, data keepers, trackers, facilitators, matchmakers, technical advisors, payment processors and much more.

The bulk of affiliate networks may perform the same rudimentary functions, but each seems to have developed has a slightly different flavor.  Some are geared towards big etailers, others focus on lead generation and still others tend to work with major catalogers. The reasons that an advertiser or publisher choices a specific network can depend on a variety of factors.

Here’s is some information on the Top Affiliate Networks (in no particular order), so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you.

Click on the name of the Affiliate Network to learn more about each of them more in-depth, or click on their URL below their name to be directed to their website.

Share-A-Sale
http://shareasale.com

Founded by Brian Littleton (President, CEO), Share A Sale is a great affiliate network, upholding the highest of standards and ethics, along with facilitating significant volume of transactions between its loyal network of affiliates and over 2,500 merchants.  Low setup fees and monthly minimum fees charged by Share A Sale to merchants provides a low barrier to entry for Merchants to setup an Affiliate Program and launch within the SAS Affiliate Network.  Highly recommended.

LinkShare
http://linkshare.com

Linkshare caters to big-brand merchants, with high service levels and corresponding high costs.  LinkShare also provides a CPA Network within it’s Network, called LeadAdvantage.

Commission Junction (CJ)
http://cj.com

CJ is one of the first affiliate networks and has a few flavors of its services for merchants and affiliates.  Not quite as expensive as LinkShare, and CJ doesn’t have a required “Exclusivity Clause” for Merchants in their network, but their costs are pretty close to the premium prices LinkShare Merchants pay.

Google Affiliate Network
http://www.google.com/ads/affiliatenetwork/index.html

Previously known as Performics, the Google Affiliate Network is a premiere, and relatively elusive Affiliate Network.