I'm working for iDrive4x4 and we are setting up our affiliate program.
💭 Our dream: Big and small travel bloggers from Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Oman and Georgia promote travel by 4x4 with rooftent, sending their readers to idrive4x4.com and earning commission once they book.
I'm being overwhelmed by the amount of Affiliate Marketing Software Platforms that present themselves online. Some are really expensive, others more affordable.
We need to choose one, but we are not ready to invest 1000s of euros into this. I think there is maximum of 100 euros a month and 500 euros for installation. Which affordable platform can we use that travel bloggers are also comfortable with?
I'm with Awin. We also own the ShareASale platform. I'd be glad to talk to you and answer any questions you may have about how it all works and the things to consider as you make this choice. Does that sound good?
Awin is super popular with travel bloggers. They are attracted by the other programs we have on our platform, like Booking.com, Viator, Grupo Xcaret, Caesars Rewards, Medjet and more. In total, we have over 125 travel programs on Awin US, Globally we have almost 900 travel companies on our platform.
Yes, many of our advertisers, like Booking.com and Viator, offer sites in Spanish as well if that's easier for your readers. Some change via an IP sniffer using that to identify where a reader is based; others give the reader the chance to select the language they prefer.
I’d love to learn more too. I’m a travel blogger looking for the right platform for my itineraries so I can get affiliate income when I share then (they’re filled with smaller sized places that don’t have affiliate programs so I’m having trouble picking one).
Helping identify good affiliate programs for a blog is my specialty. I'd be very happy to have a call with you about this. I just followed you; if you follow me back, we can chat!
Have you looked at Travel Payouts? It's a small platform but is solely focussed on travel companies. I like them because I can consolidate most of our partners on one dashboard and reach payout thresholds much quicker. www.travelpayouts.com/brands/en/
Looks good, but it's a network not a software tool, correct? I would like to start with the software tool first and then take the step towards a network platform later :)
Ah. Ok. I must have misunderstood your request. From my POV aS a blogger, I see AWIN, Double trader etc. the same as Travel Payouts. I sign up. I get links and resources for products and services I want to represent and I promote. Travel Payouts is one of the easier platforms for me. I'm not sure what it offers to brands.
Yes, there are plugins, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you go that way. You will not have the most advanced technologies, like cross device tracking or automated GDPR updates. You will have to find your own affiliates to recruit from when you do it yourself, rather than drawing from the network's affiliate database. You also will not have anyone else reviewing the sites to ensure they are not fraudulent, You won't have easy access to companies which do things like retargeting, basket abandonment, or upselling. It also will be more difficult to work with sub-networks such as Skimlinks or Sovrn, which both have memberships of hundreds of thousands of influencers, bloggers and YouTubers who use those services to monetize their sites. So if you do choose a plug-in, make sure to fully understand what it does and does not do. Oh yeah, and RentalCars.com chose Awin, so you could also pursue their affiliates through the platform.
Hi Sharyn, I’d love to ask you a few questions. I’m also a travel blogger and I’m trying to find the right space for my itineraries. I just followed you. Do you mind following me so I can message you? Thanks :)
Most important is that the platform can integrate with our website and booking system. We have zapier, stripe, wordpress and then Booqable as our rental software/basket. Affiliate dashboard and payment reporting are definitely needed, automatic payout system too.
Publisher, editor, writer, blogger, Al Centro Media
I only recognize one on that list so I would never even see your offer unless it's on AWIN. There are even more publishers on CJ and TravelPayouts. Keep in mind that every successful travel blogger is besieged by requests to join affiliate programs every month (I got 14 requests just this week) and it's worse than 80/20 on which ones pay off consistently. More like 95/5. If it doesn't pay off, we're just providing free advertising so we tend to ignore the ones that aren't a perfect fit. In your case, I'd poll the people who would realistically join and promote, maybe bloggers you've done paid campaigns with or hosted on press trips. None of the tech specs matter if you don't have anyone promoting the tours who is already reaching the right audience in those limited geographies. And if the bloggers aren't already on the platform you partner with, they're not going to join just for you most likely.
I totally agree with Tim's advice. In addition, we must consider that many bloggers do not have enough space to recommend dozens of affiliate products that in the end only leave pennies. What works best for most is to bet on the dissemination of direct collaborators in a strong message, on the cover of their travel channels, on the cover of their blogs. Leaving just one affiliate link hidden among dozens of articles in most cases does not work for the bloggers or the company.
That's so true! Adding affiliate links is something which must be done consistently. I usually recommend adding no more than 3 to a post, but it's also not hard to find 3 links which fit the content. To me that's the key - offering links to a product/destination/service that fits the content, where the reader could naturally think "I want more information." Link stuffing doesn't work, but properly selected links placed in the right spot can be very successful.
Hi there I'm new on here, so I have a question. I'm also considering some affilliate programmes once my website is complete. When it comes to airlines what platform/s do you recommend one should link to? thanks
Rather than a single platform, consider instead joining the platforms used by the programs you want to promote. They won't all be on a single platform, but it's worth joining multiple platforms to optimize your chance for success.
What affiliate marketing platform should I use for a small tour business?
What affiliate marketing platform should I use for a small tour business?
was posted by Linda Ris
in
Discussion,Marketing,Travel Tech,Blogging.
Updated on Oct 30, 2023 (1 year ago).
What affiliate marketing platform should I use for a small tour business? is not rated yet.
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I'm working for iDrive4x4 and we are setting up our affiliate program.
💭 Our dream: Big and small travel bloggers from Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Oman and Georgia promote travel by 4x4 with rooftent, sending their readers to idrive4x4.com and earning commission once they book.
I'm being overwhelmed by the amount of Affiliate Marketing Software Platforms that present themselves online. Some are really expensive, others more affordable.
We need to choose one, but we are not ready to invest 1000s of euros into this. I think there is maximum of 100 euros a month and 500 euros for installation. Which affordable platform can we use that travel bloggers are also comfortable with?
Examples of platforms I found are:
AffiliateWP: affiliatewp.com
FirstPromoter: firstpromoter.com
Tradedoubler: grow.tradedoubler.com
Leaddyno: www.leaddyno.com/pricing
Awin: www.awin.com
And many many more...
👉 Would love to hear from travel bloggers what they recommend and then also what is within our budget :)
Thank you for your help!
I'm with Awin. We also own the ShareASale platform. I'd be glad to talk to you and answer any questions you may have about how it all works and the things to consider as you make this choice. Does that sound good?
Sounds great! Does Awin fall within our conditions? Is it popular with travel bloggers? :)
Awin is super popular with travel bloggers. They are attracted by the other programs we have on our platform, like Booking.com, Viator, Grupo Xcaret, Caesars Rewards, Medjet and more. In total, we have over 125 travel programs on Awin US, Globally we have almost 900 travel companies on our platform.
HI, AWIN works for Spanish travel bloggers, I mean, for Spanish content blogs?
Yes, many of our advertisers, like Booking.com and Viator, offer sites in Spanish as well if that's easier for your readers. Some change via an IP sniffer using that to identify where a reader is based; others give the reader the chance to select the language they prefer.
I’d love to learn more too. I’m a travel blogger looking for the right platform for my
itineraries so I can get affiliate income when I share then (they’re filled with smaller sized places that don’t have affiliate programs so I’m having trouble picking one).
Helping identify good affiliate programs for a blog is my specialty. I'd be very happy to have a call with you about this. I just followed you; if you follow me back, we can chat!
Have you looked at Travel Payouts? It's a small platform but is solely focussed on travel companies. I like them because I can consolidate most of our partners on one dashboard and reach payout thresholds much quicker. www.travelpayouts.com/brands/en/
Hi, Sharyn. I've been with TravelPayouts for about 4 months but haven't seen any results.
Looks good, but it's a network not a software tool, correct? I would like to start with the software tool first and then take the step towards a network platform later :)
As a brand or affiliate?
Ah. Ok. I must have misunderstood your request. From my POV aS a blogger, I see AWIN, Double trader etc. the same as Travel Payouts. I sign up. I get links and resources for products and services I want to represent and I promote. Travel Payouts is one of the easier platforms for me. I'm not sure what it offers to brands.
Brand :) We are a rental car company, to shortly say it.
Ok, so how do you get paid then? The product you promote has a software through which you get your commissions? Which softwares are these?
Thank you for asking. As an affiliate
I don't know about the software. I just see when people have clicked, made a purchase, and then I'm paid.
So are your more successful on other platforms? Or just not seeing results?
I am not using any other platform, just a ferry affiliate which is bringing results. Was just wondering why. thank you.
Yes, there are plugins, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you go that way. You will not have the most advanced technologies, like cross device tracking or automated GDPR updates. You will have to find your own affiliates to recruit from when you do it yourself, rather than drawing from the network's affiliate database. You also will not have anyone else reviewing the sites to ensure they are not fraudulent, You won't have easy access to companies which do things like retargeting, basket abandonment, or upselling. It also will be more difficult to work with sub-networks such as Skimlinks or Sovrn, which both have memberships of hundreds of thousands of influencers, bloggers and YouTubers who use those services to monetize their sites. So if you do choose a plug-in, make sure to fully understand what it does and does not do. Oh yeah, and RentalCars.com chose Awin, so you could also pursue their affiliates through the platform.
You are correct. Awin, TradeDoubler, Travel Payouts are all networks, each with different tools, tracking methods and payout schedules.
That sounds great!! Would love to meet up for a chat :) Will pm you ok? Thanks for the advice!!
Absolutely! I always love having a conversation with TM members! Message me via the system or I can be emailed at jeannine.crooks@awin.com.
Hi Sharyn, I’d love to ask you a few questions. I’m also a travel blogger and I’m trying to find the right space for my itineraries. I just followed you. Do you mind following me so I can message you? Thanks :)
What are the main software features you are looking for in an affiliate platform?
Eg. affiliate dashboard, widgets, payment reporting, referral tracking, etc.
Most important is that the platform can integrate with our website and booking system. We have zapier, stripe, wordpress and then Booqable as our rental software/basket. Affiliate dashboard and payment reporting are definitely needed, automatic payout system too.
Just thought I'd mention that Awin is also using Zapier.
I only recognize one on that list so I would never even see your offer unless it's on AWIN. There are even more publishers on CJ and TravelPayouts. Keep in mind that every successful travel blogger is besieged by requests to join affiliate programs every month (I got 14 requests just this week) and it's worse than 80/20 on which ones pay off consistently. More like 95/5. If it doesn't pay off, we're just providing free advertising so we tend to ignore the ones that aren't a perfect fit. In your case, I'd poll the people who would realistically join and promote, maybe bloggers you've done paid campaigns with or hosted on press trips. None of the tech specs matter if you don't have anyone promoting the tours who is already reaching the right audience in those limited geographies. And if the bloggers aren't already on the platform you partner with, they're not going to join just for you most likely.
Thanks, very clear. I'm very much leaning towards AWIN now :)
I totally agree with Tim's advice. In addition, we must consider that many bloggers do not have enough space to recommend dozens of affiliate products that in the end only leave pennies. What works best for most is to bet on the dissemination of direct collaborators in a strong message, on the cover of their travel channels, on the cover of their blogs. Leaving just one affiliate link hidden among dozens of articles in most cases does not work for the bloggers or the company.
Good advice. I have a small UK based travel site, I use AWIN as a way to monetise via affiliate.
That's so true! Adding affiliate links is something which must be done consistently. I usually recommend adding no more than 3 to a post, but it's also not hard to find 3 links which fit the content. To me that's the key - offering links to a product/destination/service that fits the content, where the reader could naturally think "I want more information." Link stuffing doesn't work, but properly selected links placed in the right spot can be very successful.
Hi Linda, you might want to create a listing on Horizon Guides too – it works similar to affiliate networks but as a direct channel.
Great, I'll have a look! Although we don't guide tours, we let people drive and guide themselves :)
Linda,
YouLi offers Affiliate tracking (plus all the other sources too) as part of our services if you use YouLi as your booking platform for trips.
You can see our webinar on the topic: youli.io/t/production-team/start-your-affiliate-program
And you can get started for free - you only pay to take bookings: youli.io
Join a demo here: go.youli.io/youli-demo-videos
-Jen
Thanks! I'm going through a real learning curve here! :)
Hi there I'm new on here, so I have a question. I'm also considering some affilliate programmes once my website is complete. When it comes to airlines what platform/s do you recommend one should link to? thanks
Hi Joe,
Have a look at Travelpayouts.com — we featured a Q&A with them earlier this year.
Hi Ian
Thanks so much Ian, I'll have a look. Much appreciated!
Regards
Rather than a single platform, consider instead joining the platforms used by the programs you want to promote. They won't all be on a single platform, but it's worth joining multiple platforms to optimize your chance for success.
Thanks a ton Jeanine, appreciate your response. I'm having a look at Awin. Will be in touch in the coming weeks.
Kind regards
Joe