Affiliate marketing definition is actually quite easy to define. It’s an online marketing practice in which an affiliate is rewarded for each visitor or client brought about by the affiliates marketing efforts. In its simplest form, the affiliate program may be defined as a program in which an affiliate is rewarded for simply sending a visitor or client to a particular web page. The affiliate would be compensated for each action that this visitor or client takes within the site or blog in return for a commission. In most cases, the affiliate marketer would be compensated based on the revenue generated from the action and not for the actual sale generated from the site or blog.
The affiliate marketing definition has changed quite a bit over the years. In fact, there are so many different variations on the theme that it would be impossible to mention them all in one article. However, there are some general trends that most affiliate marketing definition documents will agree on.
Probably one of the biggest changes from the original affiliate marketing definition is the emphasis on content. Many affiliates today place an emphasis on providing content in blogs and the newsletters in order to drive traffic and increase sales. While this certainly helps to drive traffic, it also helps to increase sales and profit potential. In fact, some affiliates who were previously building their business around pay-per-click advertising may now choose to focus on content in order to maximize their return on investment (ROI). This is because they are paying for advertising based on the perceived value of the advertising and not necessarily the actual sales that have been realized through those clicks.
Another change from the original affiliate marketing definition was the move away from the traditional website. Instead of relying on traditional advertisements in order to promote the business and attract new affiliates, many affiliates today choose to build an affiliate network instead. An affiliate network, in essence, is a website and often a blog where affiliates can promote their website. These networks offer advertisers an opportunity to directly advertise to new affiliates who join the network and create more affiliate sales and visitors to the site.
Other changes in the affiliate marketing definition have to do with the actual promotion of the advertising. In addition to using the website to drive traffic, the affiliate marketing definition has indicated that an advertiser should use several different types of advertising methods to increase sales. This may include banner advertising as well as pay-per-click advertising and Ezine advertising. In addition, the advertiser should consider different forms of media, such as email, classifieds and even video. The purpose of all these advertising methods is to increase sales and profits.
With all of these methods available, it can be difficult to decide which form of affiliate marketing best suits an individual business. In general, however, the affiliate marketing program has become the preferred method of advertising among affiliates. As it is, the affiliate marketing definition continues to evolve to better meet the needs of affiliates while providing them with a wider base of potential customers. For merchants, this represents another important aspect of the online business world: the ability to attract customers from all over the world, rather than just within the company’s own country or within the company’s local area.