Merchants, note an update to the Co-branded Application Forms post from March 14th. We’ve added functionality to automatically submit an application to your program once an Affiliate you refer completes your co-branded application form.

Here’s how to link to your co-branded application form:

1. Take our standard application form URL, which is:

   https://www.avantlink.com/affiliate_app.php

2. Add the parameter of “mi=MERCHANTID” to that URL, with MERCHANTID being your merchant ID in AvantLink.

So for example, Wakeside.com would use the following href to link to their co-branded application form:

<a href=”https://www.avantlink.com/affiliate_app.php?mi=10089″>

This URL in the link above would pull in the Wakeside logo and auto apply the applicant to their program once s/he is approved at the network level.

If you don’t know your merchant id in AvantLink feel free to email support/at/avantlink.com and we’ll send it over. Or you can just go to your public branded detail page, which will be linked up from our Merchant Directory, and note the # in URL that’s before your name. For example with “10089/wakeside.html”, 10089 is the merchant ID.

Gary & AvantLink

We’ve been watching Greg iron out a killer concept and site that features product deals by the hour! Daily deals are pretty cool, but a new deal every hour from a different store? Face it, that’s beyond cool.

Here’s the kicker. The entire HourDeal.com site is powered by the Deal of the Day tool and Affiliate embedded RSS feeds from AvantLink.

Here’s a testimonial from HourDeal.com Founder Greg Blasko:

“Based on the concept of sites like RedTagSports.com and Steepandcheap.com, we came up with a similar model based on the ‘HourDeal’ where a new heavily discounted item is featured every hour. AvantLink’s Deal of the Day tool is the foundation for the functionality of HourDeal.com.

Using the Customized Text/HTML Ad integration method, it was very easy for us to define a featured item and RSS template for the HourDeal that could be used for multiple merchants. As always, AvantLink’s support team was very helpful answering the few technical questions we did have.”

Follow HourDeal on Twitter!

Introducing a new exclusive AvantLink merchant:

AppOutdoors.com

We would like to welcome yet another quality outdoor retail in Appalachian Ski & Outdoors (AppOutdoors.com), the adventure source for quality outdoor gear, clothing and apparel since 1974. AppOutdoors.com is a dealer for practically every major manufacturer in the outdoor, ski, and snowboard industries. They have a customer satisfaction guarantee, and a commitment to the best customer service that can be delivered. Couple that with a generous 10% payout on all orders, and we have a winner.

Appalachian Ski & Outdoors has had a store in State College, PA for over three decades. They have a dedicated Affiliate program manager who will be accessible, and regularly posting promotions that will convert nicely on your outdoor site or category. With that 10% payout, you’ll also get 120 days on the cookie. Outstanding baseline terms for a killer site in the Outdoor/Recreation category.

From the Appalachian Outdoors Affiliate program description:

Welcome to Appalachian Ski & Outdoors (Appoutdoors.com), the adventure source for quality outdoor clothing and equipment since 1974. We carry the following products within our online store; hiking boots, sleeping bags, tents, rock & ice climbing equipment, water filters & purifiers, child carriers, sandals, alpine & cross country skis, snowshoes, and outdoor clothing.

Read the program launch announcement on ABestWeb.

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting Appalachian Ski & Outdoors. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Tyler Donaldson, appoutdoors/at/gmail.com.

Gary & AvantLink

Time for another blog article for the Best Practices category of AvantShare.

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Affiliates, with this article I would like to discuss a unique tool that’s available to you only through AvantLink. It’s officially called the Coupon Feed Syndication tool in the network tool center, but a similar variant of the tool comes with the dynamic Deal Of The Day campaigns we provide as well.

This is a unique proposition because it allows you to syndicate your Affiliate feeds (product content or ad campaigns) to your site visitors by way of RSS feed distribution. When one of your site visitors in fact subscribes, the outbound links from these subscriptions will have your Affiliate tracking embedded in them. This provides a new level of customer ownership for you that moves well beyond that of a cookie placed on an end user’s PC.

With these powerful Affiliate feed syndication options, you can effectively promote RSS subscriptions to deal feeds, as well as display the feed content on your site(s). So it’s very much in your interest to become proficient at not only selling the products, but selling subscriptions to the feeds from AvantLink!

This is sometimes hard to explain to folks because it doesn’t fit the traditional mold of any type of Affiliate marketing campaign that you may have seen before. But I’m here to tell you that it’s VERY effective, and from those who have embraced these syndication techniques for the deal feeds, we’ve seen impressive sales volume.

Your question at this point might be: “How do I go about promoting subscriptions to RSS feeds for coupons and daily deals?”

Ok it’s simple. Really simple. Just remember that every merchant on our platform has the ability to easily flag text links to be included in the Dynamic Coupon Feed. Once they do that, it’s accessible to you.

Here’s how to offer RSS subscriptions to merchant coupon feeds:

1. Login to your Affiliate account, and click “Tools” from the main menu.
2. Under “Coupon Feed Syndication”, click “Get Merchant RSS Coupon Feed Syndication Links”.
3. Select the merchant for the coupon feed RSS subscription you want to promote, and your website.
4. Click “Get HTML”.

After you click “Get HTML”, in part, here are the instructions you’ll find:

“Subscribe icons for some of the most popular RSS readers are available below. Simply grab the code, paste to your site, and encourage your customers to sign-up to the feed. This creative has your Affiliate tracking ID embedded, which gives you lasting control over that customer.”

So in essence, you’re retrieving the RSS reader subscription icons through our system just like you would retrieve a banner.

Paste this code on your web page next to the coupon feed itself, and offer a call to action like “Subscribe to the REI deals feed and have their latest sales, promotions and coupons delivered directly to you.”

Note that you can find these same RSS subscription icons in the output HTML for the RSS integration option of the Deal Of The Day tool. So the same call to action (encouragement to subscribe) can be applied to those as well. Both the coupon feeds and the daily deal feeds are compelling subscriptions for shoppers, because it saves them some bucks. Take a stab at it, and you may just secure long term subscribers who will set your Affiliate cookie on every click from the feed for months, even years, to come!

Comments, questions and suggestions are certainly encouraged!

Gary & AvantLink

Merchants in the AvantLink Affiliate Network now have the ability to configure ads that are only viewable and usable by a particular Affiliate. To create an exclusive Affiliate ad, use the standard “Add/Edit Ad Campaigns” page under the “Tools” menu and look for the new “Affiliate Restriction” option.

Ads configured with an Affiliate restriction are validated during the click-through process to make sure they contain the correct Affiliates tracking information before being redirected to the merchant website.

Scott & AvantLink

Introducing the Patagonia.com Affiliate program on AvantLink!

It goes without saying that we’re proud to present Patagonia.com to our high-value Affiliates. Promote one of the most recognized brands in the outdoor industry, sending your traffic direct to Patagonia’s world-class web store. In case you don’t know already, Patagonia offers outdoor clothing, technical apparel and gear for climbing, hiking, skiing, fishing and much more. In addition to their award winning products for adults, Patagonia manufacturers children’s clothing, kids apparel and baby clothes.

There are obvious benefits of promoting a direct to manufacturer Affiliate programs like Patagonia. For one the power of the brand alone will increase conversion. Combine this high conversion with a 7% payout and a 60 day cookie life, and your efforts will be rewarded. There is also the added benefit of knowing you are supporting a company dedicated to environmental stewardship and responsible, low impact business practices.

From the Patagonia Affiliate program description:

Patagonia grew out of a small company that made tools for climbers. Alpinism remains at the heart of a worldwide business that still makes clothes for climbing – as well as for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling and trail running. These are all silent sports. None requires a motor; none delivers the cheers of a crowd. In each sport, reward comes in the form of hard-won grace and moments of connection between us and nature. Check out our website. If you like what you see, please apply to our affiliate program.

Read the program launch announcement on ABestWeb.

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting Patagonia.com. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Mark Shimahara, mark_shimahara/at/patagonia.com.

Gary & AvantLink

Introducing a new exclusive Affiliate program on AvantLink:

Chifly.com

At Chifly.com, the online version of Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, shoppers will find a comprehensive inventory of top brand names in fly fishing equipment, tying supplies, clothing, books, videos and everything else you can imagine fly fishing.

This is a new and growing ecommerce site that’s part of a well respected full service fly fishing outfitter located in Chicago. They are offering a 7% commission payout on all Affiliate sales, with a 60 day cookie life. With Chifly.com, promote the top brands in the fly fishing industry like Simms, Patagonia, Ibex, Sage, Scott, Winston Rods and many more.

From the Chifly Affiliate program description:

Chifly.com is the online version of Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, which have been serving the needs of Chicagoans and beyond since 2001. Since our customers fish some of the most diverse locations, we have an incredible variety of gear and expertise. If it pertains to fly fishing – we have it.

Read the program launch announcement on ABestWeb.

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting Chifly.com. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Andy Kurkulis andy/at/chifly.com.

Gary & AvantLink

Introducing a new AvantLink Affiliate program:

WetSuitWearhouse.com

We’re excited to offer you the WetSuitWearhouse.com Affiliate program, another addition to our growing Sports category. Simply stated, WetSuit Wearhouse Inc. is the largest wetsuit specialty shop in the world. They proudly serve individuals, clubs, organizations, fire and rescue, the US Government, and all branches of the military. Folks, this is a one stop shop for surfing, wakeboarding, kayaking and SCUBA diving wetsuits, neoprene accessories and much more.

From the homepage of their site: “We know wetsuits! Our expert staff has created an easy to use website that makes sense out of complicated wetsuit technology. Check out the Wetsuit Buying Guide for everything you need to know about choosing the right product for your needs. We love to talk about wetsuits, so feel free to call us with any questions.

The Affiliate program management team at WetsuitWearhouse.com is experienced, and they have taken extra steps to support your efforts and convert your traffic. If you have a relevant site or category, take a close look at what they have to offer. For starters, a competitive 10% payout on their high dollar average order value should peak your interest!

From their Wetsuit Affiliate program description:

WetSuit Wearhouse Inc. is the largest wetsuit specialty shop in the world. Our website features 128-bit encryption and a completely safe checkout experience. We accept VISA, MC, AMEX and Discover and ship anywhere in the US or internationally via UPS or Federal Express.

Read the program launch announcement on ABestWeb.

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting WetSuitWearhouse.com.com. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Alisa, affiliates/at/primevisibility.com.

Gary & AvantLink

Introducing a new exclusive Affiliate program on AvantLink:

RedTagSports.com

We’re excited to bring you the first daily deal Affiliate program on the AvantLink platform! RedTagSports.com offers HUGE daily discounts on gear and apparel. This new deal site is powered by an established warehouse of outdoor overstock and closeout items. To start, RedTagSports.com will offer one deal a day. But once the site gains traction they will move to a platform were more than one product each day will be featured.

Just a reminder that AvantLink offers the only network integrated Deal Of The Day tool for Affiliates, so it’s very easy to add dynamically updated campaigns which pull in to your site the daily discounted product. Options for the Deal Of The Day tool include dynamic text ads, RSS feeds or html ads. Click here for DOTD campaign examples.

Please note that with the RSS integration option for the Deal Of The Day tool, you can offer your site users the ability to subscribe with RSS feeds to the daily offers through your Affiliate creative! Just select any of the RSS integrations options and you’ll be presented with RSS feeds and icons for popular aggregators. The note on the link retrieval page will read: “Add the following links to your website to allow your visitors to subscribe directly to your Affiliate encoded Deal Of The Day feed.”

The nature of the RedTagSports Affiliate program alone should drive huge conversion because the popular outdoor products they feature will be so heavily discounted. To make the offer even more compelling, consider the terms of 7% baseline payout, with incentives that will pay you up to 10%. Plus there is a 90 day cookie life on the traffic you send!

From the RedTagSports Affiliate program description:

By selling overstock items from our warehouse RedTagSports.com will be able to offer Massive Savings on name brand gear. All of us at RedTagSports.com live the sports we sell. We are all gear junkies that burn through equipment like Richard Simmons burns through calories…

Read the program launch announcement on ABestWeb.

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting RedTagSports.com. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Dana Westbrock, danaw/at/the-house.com.

Gary & AvantLink