Synopsis Information on how to obtain affiliate links to place on your website.

Chapter Contents Introduction Key Concepts Some Ideas Evaluating an Affiliate Program Types of Affiliate Links Product Placement Building a Website

Getting Links

"Getting links" refers to the process of placing affiliate links on your website. An affiliate network will provide you with the HTML code you need to make your affiliate links work. You will select an affiliate link, copy the code from the affiliate network, and paste it into your web page. For details about performing this task, refer to the instructions offered on each of the affiliate networks' websites.

Learning to do this correctly is a very important step. If you do not copy the code exactly as the affiliate network provides it, your affiliate links may not work correctly. This could result in the loss of commissions. Fortunately, getting the correct HTML code from an affiliate network is really very simple.

Joining a merchant's program

Before you will be allowed to use a merchant's links, you will have to join that merchant's affiliate program. This is different from joining the affiliate network itself. You must specifically apply for each of the merchants' affiliate programs that you wish to participate in. You apply for a merchant's affiliate program through an affiliate network's website. Some merchants may want to review your website before allowing you to join their affiliate program. If this happens, you will have to create your website and get it online (chapter 7), and then re-apply for the affiliate program.

Putting it all together

Below we have outlined the steps you will take to place affiliate links on your website. Each affiliate network's website works differently, but you can expect the steps listed below to be similar for each:

1. Join an affiliate network.
2. Log in to the affiliate network's website.
3. Choose a product to promote.
4. Join the merchant's program.
5. The affiliate network will provide you with the code necessary to make your affiliate link work.
6. Copy that code from the affiliate network's website.
7. Paste the code into your web page.