Top 7 Affiliate Marketing Myths Busted
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which the publisher is paid a commission for delivering a specified result to the affiliate network or advertiser.
The result is enumerated by the affiliate network or advertiser when the campaign is allotted. It could be a confirmed sale, store visit, impression, install or lead generation.
While the concept of affiliate marketing sounds really simple, there are a lot of myths surrounding the entire affiliate marketing ecosystem.
Whether you are new to the system or thinking about taking the plunge, listed below are a few myths besieging the affiliate marketing industry. Most of them have been around for quite some time now and have been a deterrent in new marketers entering this profitable business.
Myth #1 – It’s Too Competitive.
Some marketers assume that affiliate marketing is too competitive and crowded to make money. In reality, the opposite is true.
High competition is a manifestation of high user demand, which in turn indicates that tons of money can be made in this industry.
According to IBEF, the Indian e-commerce market is expected to grow to US$ 200 billion by 2026.
This growth, fueled by the launch of 5G networks, rising smartphone penetration and increasing consumer wealth, is expected to provide even more opportunities to merchants and publishers.
Myth #2 – Affiliate Marketing Links Aren’t Good for SEO.
Many people believe that Google hates affiliate links and affiliate websites. It penalizes a website that uses such links and does not rank them high in SERP. This, however, is not true.
Google is not against affiliate links and websites. Google is against thin content, irrelevant content, duplicate content and link spamming.
However, if your website follows all the SEO guidelines, there is no reason for Google to penalize it.
Myth #3 – It’s Difficult To Get Involved With Affiliate Marketing.
Another myth surrounding affiliate marketing is that it’s difficult to get involved with it. Only people who have deep pockets can succeed in the affiliate marketing industry. This is not true.
Anyone who is willing to learning about the nuances of affiliate marketing can become a well-to-do affiliate marketer.
However, it is important to understand that it’ll take time for your affiliate marketing business to be successful.
You cannot expect your website to start making revenue as soon as it is launched. It can take anywhere between 6 months to a year before you start earning and at least 2 years before your business becomes profitable.
Myth #4 – Affiliate Websites Don’t Need Much Management.
You cannot create a stunning affiliate marketing and then just forget about it. Google likes websites that are regularly updated and makes them rank higher on SERP.
You need to regularly post something new on your website and keep making changes to it. This requires a lot of management.
Myth #5 – You Should Always Pick a Niche That’s Most Profitable
People think that if they choose a niche that’s most profitable, they will be able to generate higher revenues. However, this is not true.
Instead of choosing the niche that’s most profitable, choose a niche you know about.
If you pick a niche you like and know a lot about, you’ll actually enjoy building an affiliate website around it.
Myth #6 – You Can Get Rich Quick With Affiliate Marketing
It is important to understand that you won’t become successful overnight with affiliate marketing.
Yes, there is a ton of money to be made through affiliate marketing, but it will take at least two years if not more.
Before you start earning through affiliate marketing, you need to create useful and highly credible content and build some trust & authority within your niche.
Myth #7 – The More Website Traffic You Get The More Money You Can Make
Getting more website traffic doesn’t guarantee that you’ll also make more money. It’s more important to get traffic that will convert.
Getting traffic from various organic and paid sources is easy, getting conversions, on the other hand, is extremely tough.
You need to do a lot of research about your target audience base and understand what they want. This will help you offer your target audience something they are looking for. This will most likely give a boost to your conversion and, therefore, your revenue.
Final Thoughts
The best part about affiliate marketing is that you can make money even while you sleep.
You just need to build a certain level of trust and credibility with your target audience. You just need to have the ability and creativity to sell things with your content.
Always remember…
Focus on quality rather than quantity.
