Alternatives To eBay Partner Network (ePN) To Monetize Websites

Posted by Powder Dog

September 6, 2009

So anyone in the Internet Marketing world knows ePN AKA eBay Partner Network is making some big changes. This has become a regular theme of all eBay programs. Weather it is the selling and buying aspect or the affiliate network part. About the only thing dependable about anything to do with eBay is that it will change again. Could be 3 months or a year. It will make another major change at some point.
As with lots of affiliate marketers I started with little knowledge. I took advice and listened to so called experts and guru’s that I wish I didnt in some cases. I also reacted to changes to fast.
One example is when eBay moved from CJ to ePN in April 2008. They abruptly told everyone they needed to move all there sites to ePN in 30 days and most users did. Big mistake in my opinion. Once those sites had a campagn number they became impossible to delete from ePN. Now these sites even if archived still affect the new EPN Quality Click Pricing. The moderators on the ePN forum have said the only way to prevent any poor performing sites from effecting EPC is to remove the links. Well that sucks, but what can you do.
My feeling is if I’m going to take the time to remove links from ePN Monetized pages I am going to put something else there. I’m already on the page.

This is more than putting all your eggs in one basket. This is survival. Unless you have super strong high performing websites your EPC at ePN could possibly take a huge hit in loss of income. It’s a little early to tell, but some ePN users are reporting big drops in everything from ePC to overall earnings in both the beta data they gave us and the actual report good till October 1st.
Sad to say everyone but if you have site dedicated to ePN monetized pages it’s time to consider changes IMO.
Over the last 5 plus years I have used many affiliate networks. (eBay was the best) some of these networks didn’t really perform for me until I took the time to see just what they offered.
Many affiliate networks have link building tools that help get relevant products on your pages. Some even tools that scan your page and place relevant items automatically.
A couple of hints before applying to any new affiliate network have a Content Rich N1WAY type of site. Networks want to see content and useful tools on websites not tons of auctions and ads. Ive actually had other networks demand I remove eBay auction to get approved. Sorry the days of building a website in a day and making money are over.

So you put your best foot forward and start considering some of the networks and tools on the list below.

PepperJam

Most associate PJ with the back door to ePN, but that is probably the least of the advantages of the network. PJ has been building away. Making very useful and intuitive tools for there users.
Pepper Jam has a RSS Feed Builder and a Store Builder to help users put target products on pages. I find the tools a little difficult to learn at first. After a few try’s I was able to build out some pages of relevant products. The RSS doesn’t work like some I’m use to, but does build a feed that can be aggregated.

Amazon Associates

Amazon is a great alternative to ePN for some good and some not so good reasons. The bad is the short cookie they set. One day. Doesn’t seem like very long, but if you can get highly targeted traffic to your site it works. You need people who are ready to buy but haven’t been able to find a item. If site builders can focus on this targeted traffic Amazon is a great way the make money online.
Another advantage to Amazon is two word press plugins for the Amazon Associate network.
A great Amazon Tool is phpZon. It was created by the PHPBay Pro Builders. Works just like PHPBay Pro, but user must sign up for a Amazon WebServices Account. Amazon has increased security and if a tool doesnt have a place to input a Web Service Codes it will not work. See Amazon Web Services for details.

The other Amazon website tool is ReviewAZON. ReviewAzon is more for building complet review website using all of what the Amazon API has. Site builders can use all the content associated with a item. I have just recently started using & looking into this tool. It looks very promising as of now.

LinkShare

They have been around for awhile and have tons of advertisers. The thing I really like about this network is they have RSS Product Builder and there are approve wordpress plugins. The network is a little difficult to get started with. As with any program start with your best site when applying. Keep in mind with these guys is each site you put links on must have a channel. If you are not on your relevant channel you wont get approved by a advertiser if they think your site is nor relevant to there links.
Join LinkShare Today!

Commission Junction

We all know these guys. Did you know that CJ has been adding tools and hot zone links. CJ is still a excellent affiliate network. Agin targeted traffic is key. We are not looking for people browsing. We need highly targeted traffic. The great thing about CJ is the amount of advertisers. If you havn t been to CJ in awhile you should get over there and see the tools they have now.

AvantLink

These people are my new favorite affiliate program. They have so many tools. Some detect whats on a page and places ads. They have the highest commissions I have been able to find with the longest cookies.
AvantLink has the coolest tools. RSS Builder, API and Ad Widget Builder. I was able to build a link for every page I have built out with ePN. They don’t have as much to chose from as far as advertisers as other networks. This could be because I haven’t looked for any outside my niches too. Here’s the link AvantLink.com

Incent Rewards

This network is so big I have a hard time finding what I need. Saying that they are well built and have lots off link building tools. They really focus on promotions that are incentive. Like coupons and rewards. Join Here

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