by Samantha Leigh

Created on: March 11, 2009   Last Updated: March 13, 2009

My theory about using affiliate marketing to monetize your website is that you really have nothing to lose! To register with a UK affiliate network and have access to their retailers links and promotional tools costs absolutely nothing, but can help you to add an additional revenue stream to your site. There are many companies now dedicated to building and maintaining a portfolio of sites that all make money through the affiliate marketing 'Cost Per Action' or 'Pay Per Performance' model, but in my opinion it is the little guys that often forget what an easy and flexible method affiliate marketing can be to create extra money.

For example, take your average UK Primary School. It probably has its own website, using it to house their Prospectus, school ethos and maybe photos of the latest school trip or play. But by utilizing free tools such as banners, text links and ContentWidgets, that are all ready available through most UK networks, they can also start raising extra funds for the school. The best part of it is that parents or friends of the school would not need to donate or pay a penny extra in order for them to do this.

"How?" I hear you ask, simple. Affiliate marketing works on the basis that each time the schools website refer a genuine/complete sale to a retailer they are given a commission for doing so. This commission can range from anything from pennies to pounds, depending on the retailer and the size of the sale, but regardless it is at no extra cost to the person making the purchase. If the school had affiliate links out to a retailer such as Marks & Spencer or Bhs then every time a parent decided to purchase an item of school uniform online then the school would make some 'free money'. If there were links to Borders then every time they purchase a book the school would receive money. If they had links to Currys or Comet then every time a parent needs a new washing machine or fridge-freezer then the school would make money - you can see how all these free pennies would soon add up!

And if a school promotes their website to parents and friends of the school in the right way, explain the benefits of making their purchases through their links, even send out e-mail newsletters twice a year with a polite reminder to buy online through the school's site, you can see how it can really take off. And this idea is not limited to schools either; the same concept can be applied to local clubs or charities who might also be in need of additional funding.

Yes, affiliate marketing depends on a sale taking place, but promotes the right stores to the right audience and it can be a completely free way to generate cash for your school, club or charity.

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