Affiliate marketing: what is it and how can you as a local business benefit from it 

Traditional advertising methods can be costly, and that’s where affiliate marketing steps in as a game-changer. If you’re a local business owner looking to expand your reach and boost sales, this blog post is your guide to understanding affiliate marketing and using it to your advantage.

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where businesses reward affiliates (partners) for driving traffic and sales to their website through the affiliate’s marketing efforts. The process is simple: affiliates promote a business’s products or services through unique tracking links, and in return, they earn a commission for each sale or action generated from their referrals.

Affiliate programs work by allowing businesses to create partnerships with individuals or other businesses who then promote their products. When a customer clicks on an affiliate’s unique tracking link and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission. It’s a win-win situation, as businesses gain exposure and sales, while affiliates earn a passive income.

Select affiliates whose audience aligns with your target market. Local influencers, bloggers, or businesses in complementary industries can be excellent partners.

For example, if you are selling clothes a great affiliate could be an instagram influencer who regularly posts about fashion related topics.

Motivate affiliates by offering competitive commissions. A well-structured commission plan can encourage affiliates to put more effort into promoting your products.

Usually this works through an affiliate link that the affiliate places on their platforms. Whenever a customer visits your website by clicking on this affiliate link and actually purchases something, the affiliate will get their commission. Usually the commission is a percentage of the total selling price.

Equip affiliates with compelling marketing materials, including banners, images, and copy. This ensures consistent branding and makes it easier for affiliates to promote your products effectively.

Most affiliates or influencers are not graphic designers and do not have the necessary know-how on creating marketing materials. This is why it would be wise to hand them the marketing materials for your company so they can focus their energies on distributing the materials on their platforms.

Optimize your affiliate marketing strategy for local search engine optimization. Use location-specific keywords and encourage affiliates to create content with a local focus to attract nearby customers.

Who does not like a bargain? Provide affiliates with exclusive discounts or promotions to entice their audience to visit your website and check out your products. This not only boosts sales but also incentivizes affiliates to actively promote your products.

Don’t go into this blind! Use affiliate tracking tools to monitor the performance of each affiliate. Analyze data to identify top-performing affiliates and optimise your strategy accordingly. A good example of a tracking tool you can use in this case is Google Analytics.

Not sure how to use Google Analytics? Check out our blogpost Google Analytics: how does it work and how do you use it to benefit your company? where we show you how to use this tool and what to do with the data it provides!

Aim to build relationships with your affiliates. Regular communication, providing timely updates, and offering support contribute to a positive partnership that benefits both parties. If this collaboration goes well, the affiliate will be more likely to work with you in the future.

Most affiliates tend to ask for references before choosing to work with you and link their name to your product or service. Having other affiliates speak highly and positively of you can really help you secure future deals.

Ensure that your affiliate program complies with regulations and is transparent. Clearly outline terms and conditions to build trust with your affiliates and their audience.

Make sure to get written confirmation of your affiliate to ensure there will be no misunderstandings in the future.

In the world of digital marketing, affiliate marketing is a more affordable way for local businesses to promote their business. By carefully selecting affiliates, offering attractive commissions, and providing valuable resources, you can build a network that drives sales and expands your business’s reach. As you delve into this exciting new marketing strategy, remember that successful partnerships are built on collaboration, trust, and mutual success. 

Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Don’t hesitate to contact us!