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Who is Lammo?
Posted by Lammo in 
Today has seen the launch of CleverAT, a new UK network. I have to wonder whether UK affiliates really need yet another network – I honestly have lost count of the number of networks there are in the UK, and I really don’t see the need for this many – If I can’t keep track of how many there are, how am I supposed to keep track of all my links, deal with the flood of “promotional” emails (or check my stats! ouch!) across 15-20 different sites.
There doesn’t appear to be that many merchants on CleverAT, and the few that are there appear on other networks (including the by-now obligatory plethora of PrimeQ/freerewardcenter sites that have appeared on almost every low-end network)
Networks have to do something special to stand out from the crowd in order to persuade affiliate like myself to work with them, and until they do that, I’ll continue to work with the “big boys” until I see an opportunity that is only available with one of these smaller operations.
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[...] established players. There are a couple of blogs asking these related questions: do we need more affiliate networks in the UK and whether new networks will be able to attract [...]
[...] Do affiliates really need another network? [...]
How can you say there are too many networks? Would you approve more of a monopoly? What’s wrong with offering affiliates a choice of programmes to run from many differing sources all with their own policies in areas such as payments!
I’m not suggesting a monopoly at all – When you already have 25 different networks (10-15 of which are pretty much identical in terms of software, tracking, (lack of) support, payment terms etc), I’m simply asking whether a new player brings anything of value to the table?
Seeing new networks springing up almost every week, all with the same direct track software, the same merchants, no real support, no self billing, you have to ask what is the point? Personally, I don’t think we need half of the networks that are currently out there – That would leave plenty of Market competition, and would mean that all networks would have to provide something of value in order to stay in business.
I completely agree! I don’t really bother looking at my main 5 networks these days. I just can’t be bothered looking through them all trying to find merchants.
Basically the way I work now is look at a product/category to promote > Look through my current networks for merchants > do a few Google searches around that product > see if they have affili progs and then promote them.
At the moment I’m in the process of simplifying my business. I’m seriously reducing my exposure to PPC, clients and site’s I work on. The last thing I need now is another network to build up a relationship with and track sales and payments – I just can’t be bothered!
We definitely need another affiliate Network, the current networks at present seem to have a sense of security and order over all internet affiliates. With new blood maybe more competition will arise making commission rates higher and affiliate satisfaction better. At the moment a lot of affiliates are down in the dumps with the attitudes of some affiliate networks, as they’ve cornered the market many think affiliates have no other options. We want more options!