Hi,

I run a Web Hosting Company. I have been thinking of starting a Web Hosting Affiliate program where affiliate will earn money for referring visitors to us and if they buy a hosting plan I will pay them some commission. The commission will be on recurring basis means I will pay the affiliate as long as the client is with us. For example, if a person orders a reseller account which is on monthly basis than I will pay him some commission on monthly basis. As an affiliate, he will not need any tech. skills, he doesn't need to be a our customer first and it will be 100% free.

What do you think about this?
Do you think people will be interested?
Do you think it will be fruitful?
Do you have any suggestions?

Regards,
Sonia

I have some recommendations for you:

1: I would advise towards a flat fee rate paid to your affiliates instead of a recurring commission. Recurring is great, however, they will be more interested in seeing a larger $ amount and seeing their commissions add up much quicker (to then be interested in sending more). They also don't like the idea of their money tied up in the host/customer in case something goes wrong, support isn't provided, etc. They want a quick flat rate (larger than recurring) for their referral.

2: People are always interested in money. You just have to tell them why they need to be interested in your program instead of the other 10,000 hosting affiliate programs. Web Hosting affiliate programs are very competitive, be prepared to give a sales pitch to recruit sites/affiliates.

3: Properly manage the program. One option is an affiliate network like ShareASale. They have a large number of affiliates ready to sign up for numerous programs, this will help you to achieve your initial affiliates. This will also automate the payment to your affiliates (make sure you audit all of your sales on a regular basis, I believe shareasale allows you to audit 20 or so days back).

4: Recruit new affiliates. This will take promoting your affiliate program, and directly contacting other hosting related sites, current affiliates of other programs, etc. Keep active with your affiliates, run contests, keep communication open and give a reason for your inactive affiliates to start promoting your services.

There's a million other keys to running an affiliate program, If you have any questions, let us know.

I run a Web Hosting Company. I have been thinking of starting a Web Hosting Affiliate program where affiliate will earn money for referring visitors to us and if they buy a hosting plan I will pay them some commission. The commission will be on recurring basis means I will pay the affiliate as long as the client is with us. For example, if a person orders a reseller account which is on monthly basis than I will pay him some commission on monthly basis. As an affiliate, he will not need any tech. skills, he doesn't need to be a our customer first and it will be 100% free.

What do you think about this?
Do you think people will be interested?
Do you think it will be fruitful?
Do you have any suggestions?

Regards,
Sonia

There are tons of hosting affiliate programs. Many of them pay up to $100 just for one new client.

If you are going to do it, use a third party affiliate network which will protect you and the affiliate as well.

Good luck.

?? you know of an affiliate provider that pays 100 bucks per client???

bluehost pays 85 Bucks Per Client

I have some recommendations for you:

1: I would advise towards a flat fee rate paid to your affiliates instead of a recurring commission. Recurring is great, however, they will be more interested in seeing a larger $ amount and seeing their commissions add up much quicker (to then be interested in sending more). They also don't like the idea of their money tied up in the host/customer in case something goes wrong, support isn't provided, etc. They want a quick flat rate (larger than recurring) for their referral.

2: People are always interested in money. You just have to tell them why they need to be interested in your program instead of the other 10,000 hosting affiliate programs. Web Hosting affiliate programs are very competitive, be prepared to give a sales pitch to recruit sites/affiliates.

3: Properly manage the program. One option is an affiliate network like ShareASale. They have a large number of affiliates ready to sign up for numerous programs, this will help you to achieve your initial affiliates. This will also automate the payment to your affiliates (make sure you audit all of your sales on a regular basis, I believe shareasale allows you to audit 20 or so days back).

4: Recruit new affiliates. This will take promoting your affiliate program, and directly contacting other hosting related sites, current affiliates of other programs, etc. Keep active with your affiliates, run contests, keep communication open and give a reason for your inactive affiliates to start promoting your services.

There's a million other keys to running an affiliate program, If you have any questions, let us know.

Thanks Taylor. Your comments and suggestions are mucy appreciated. I will def. keep them mind.

I am trying to make it a little different from others. For example, I will be offering 1 year cookie life, low payment rate (only $30) etc.

I hope I will able to attract some genuine people.

bluehost pays 85 Bucks Per Client
How can a company can offer $65/$85 per referrals while they offer hosting plan for $6.95/mo i.e. $83.4/year :confused: What if that particular client leaves the hosting account after 3 months?

How can a company can offer $65/$85 per referrals while they offer hosting plan for $6.95/mo i.e. $83.4/year :confused: What if that particular client leaves the hosting account after 3 months?

Must be a startup fee or minimum contract. Other wise you could join, collect your $80 then leave after a month, hehe.

How can a company can offer $65/$85 per referrals while they offer hosting plan for $6.95/mo i.e. $83.4/year :confused: What if that particular client leaves the hosting account after 3 months?One must not forget about the branding, all the banners ads on your affiliate sites not producing any sales, dedicated server sales, reseller sales etc.

One must not forget about the branding, all the banners ads on your affiliate sites not producing any sales, dedicated server sales, reseller sales etc.
Plus viral marketting. People are like sheep and if their friend has a hosting plan with HostX, then they'll go for the same cause they assume their friend's done the shoe leather work for them. Word of mouth is a powerful marketting tool if you keep your customers happy, but you need customers to get other customers by word of mouth :).

How can a company can offer $65/$85 per referrals while they offer hosting plan for $6.95/mo i.e. $83.4/year :confused: What if that particular client leaves the hosting account after 3 months?

Bluehost can do that because in order to get the plan for $6.95 per month you have to prepay 24 months in advance.

I have seen a lot of companies offering 80-100$ per referral, but they always say "up to xx$", so it depends on the plan someone buy. Of course nobody will pay you 80$ if you refer a customer who buy only the basic plan.

They are up to $150 a referral now. Average is about $90-$110. You have to sell volume to get the higher rates though. If you have your own customers, and a large base, they will be happy enough to refer for free, and some even for a "free month".

Those who make a business out of it, will want more.