Worst Affiliate Networks - Best Blogs Asia
I’m sorry to have to write this, but this is my experience of the worst affiliate networks I’ve used.
I’ve used alot of good affiliate networks in my time, in the beginning of my marketing career I signed up for as many as I could as I wasn’t picky and wanted the most offers. I realise now that the problem is upkeep and maintainance, so I’ve now selected only a few networks (see Sign up page) which I use for the majority of my websites.
Reasons for being a terrible Network
I’ve written about the “worst affiliate programmes” before and I’m sure alot of the networks on this list are great for particular groups of users, but I’m basing myself as an affiliate marketer in Asia with specific niche sites and for one reason or another I faced problems with the following networks. I’m afraid I can’t recommend the following.
Neverblue
Neverblue is labelled as “Neverblue is a premier global performance-based affiliate network that brings together choice affiliates and quality online advertisers as partners through carefully monitored, custom advertising”.
With the reference to “global” and hearing positive messages about the company, I’ve tried to sign up on many occassions only to fail. I’m not sure why I’m failing after filling in a long and boring signup form (which also has an annoying requirement of “where I found out about Neverblue”), I get a generic email back detailing that I haven’t been accepted, example:
The possible denial reasons for your application include, but are not limited to:
* We are not accepting applications from the country in which you applied
* Business practices and promotional methods are inconsistent with our Terms and Conditions
* Incomplete or missing application information
* Inconsistencies and conflicting application information you provided
* Failure to meet our minimum website requirements
* Your site or marketing methods do not compliment our offers
* History of improper affiliate practices
* Inability to reach you by phone or email
* Failure to reply to our phone or email correspondence within a 2 week period
I’ve filled out the form correctly, my submitted sites get lots of hits as well as following the terms of conditions. I believe it’s because I’m in Asia and my .asia domains, which goes against them being a “global network”.
u2mee
u2mee looks impressive, it’s based in China and has content in English and Chinese. So why is it rubbish? It’s because their signup process is terrible. First it’s extremely hard to find the link to signup (why??) and after signing up you get no confirmation that you’ve been accepted or not?
Their offers look good like Amazon joyo (although you can signup directly via Amazon) as well Dell and Global Sources. It’s a shame since I really wanted to try them out. Perhaps they need to handle their emails better!
Commission Junction
I sort of have a love/hate relationship with CJ. Sure, they’re probably the biggest network in the world but applying for specific programs, having extra windows open up and closing, as well as implementing old school Javascript links make them difficult to use. I’ve used them in the past when they were in control of the eBay affiliate program, but since then they’ve gone downhill.
I want a network which lets me join programs automatically (if my site was initially approved, why can’t I join any programs on their network), then I want text link codes available to me on the page, banner graphics optional and other creatives if available. What I don’t want to do, is use a site like Commission Junction for hours to find a single link!
Lucky Pacific
I previously recommended this company to my users, but having recently logged in and checked their offers I found them to be pretty poor. Mainly aimed at publishers outside Asia, I can’t promote them to my users. Also the fact they removed my campaigns without telling me is a bit no no.
Conclusion
I’ll keep this updated, but I do find it annoying that spending alot of time researching offers, filling out forms and then finding that my site isn’t accepted or that the offers aren’t displayed is a pain.
One Reply:
I have tried using neverblue in the past as well and was turned down. When i aske d why they said that i couldn’t fullfill he minimum requirements for website traffic.. I guess they only want to deal with sites with alot of traffic. Commission junction i’ve been using for a couple years and don’t really have too many problems with them other than that you have to reapply for affiliate status if you aren’t getting a low CTR. Clickbank is still good though. A great place to find cpa offers and compare them is offervault.com