There are many decisions that you have to make before you join a affiliate programs. Too often affiliates will just focus on the program without checking what kind of tracking software that the program is using. This may mean that you might have lost 10% of your affiliate incomes.

A good affiliate program will be using good tracking software that will not only able to track your sales online, but also sales from phones, mail and fax order. This will make sure that even if the customer uses other forms to order and buy the products, you will still be credited.

Another thing that you have to take note of is the “stickiness” of the cookie. You will want to ensure that you will be credited for sales from people who actually came back and buy at a later date although they did not buy the first time they came to your website.
You will want to check the terms and condition to see how long your cookie will last. Go for the one that will last for at least 90 days. Do not accept any programs whose cookies will last for less then 90 days.

So before you even want to join any affiliate programs, be sure to check whether the program is using good tracking software or not to prevent you from not getting the full profits and to find out how long the cookie will last. This will make sure that you will not face any problems in the future if you do these 2 checks before you join the program.




Zack Lim is an up and coming affiliate marketer who owns http://www.MyAffiliateMarketingOnline.com providing information on Affiliate Marketing. To get Free "7 Days to Affiliate Marketing" course, go to http://www.MyAffiliateMarketingOnline.com