You build a website or blog, add some banners and links to a bunch of products and eagerly wait for your affiliate sales to start rolling in. A few days later still no sales and you think affiliate marketing doesn’t work and want to throw in the towel.

Have you done this? I did when I first started working with affiliate marketing. Instead of giving up, I decided to research everything I could about affiliate marketing so that when applied properly it most certainly works and it’s has turned into a fantastic way to make money online.

Here are a few tips to help you avoid those dreaded mistakes many beginners make in affiliate marketing.

Mistake #1. Banner Central

Banners don’t often work as well as text links. Of course, it does depend on your subject and you should test both individually to determine what works best but often times you’re better off sticking to text links rather than turning your website into banner central.

Mistake #2. Unrelated Products

Make sure all offers on your website are related to the context on your site. For example if you have a site about baby care don’t offer pet care products. Sometimes it’s tempting to promote other products but stick to what your target market is looking for.

Mistake #3. Missing your Target Market

Before starting your affiliate marketing site, you should always know who your target market is. To become a super affiliate you’ll need to build a website which caters directly to the market you are trying to attract and you’ll need to understand the needs of that specific market. So who’s your target market?

Mistake #4. Using Hype to Promote

Avoid it all costs. People can smell hype a mile away and will run quick with their credit card clutched tightly in their hands. If you review products on your website makes sure those reviews are honest. If possible, try to take the time to actually use the product (or at least look into it) so that you can honestly speak about its features and benefits; and don’t forget to add the not so good sides of the product too. If the product is lacking in some way, say so. People will appreciate your honesty and grow to trust you.

Mistake #5. Not Tracking Your Sales

In order to know whether a program is worth promoting or not, you’ll need to track how well it converts. Try out different things in your promotions and track each one of them. If a program or product is not working, remove it and try another one.


Recommended Product: Ready to get started in affiliate marketing? Super affiliate Rosalind Gardner can show you how with her Super Affiliate Handbook.