What does an affiliate network do? If you start with affiliate marketing, you will (in most cases) use an affiliate network. But what is an affiliate network? And is a network necessary? This article is discussed in more detail.
What is an affiliate network?

Affiliate marketing is a way for a webshop to realize additional sales via partner websites (affiliates). An advertiser (webshop) works through affiliate marketing with blogs, email files, apps, comparators and many other types of affiliate websites. If an affiliate transfers a visitor and this decision about a purchase then the affiliate receives a commission from the advertiser. The affiliate receives a fee for the installation of a new customer. An affiliate network ensures that the advertiser and the affiliate can find each other and start a collaboration.

What does an affiliate network do?
An affiliate network takes care of the following matters (depending on which network you work with)

1 – Dashboard: In the affiliate network system, as an affiliate you can see how many orders you have made and how much commission you have earned. The advertiser can see how many sales have been realized by the various affiliates within the program. In addition, many different statistics can be seen, such as number of clicks, ecpc, best-performing banners, invoices, etc. etc.

2 – Measurement (tracking) of the transactions: The affiliate network ensures the correct measurement of the afflable orders. Learn more about how affiliate tracking works.

3 – Invoicing: As an affiliate you have no invoice relationship with the advertisers you are promoting. The affiliate network sends 1 invoice to the advertiser. If this invoice is paid to the network, all affiliates are then paid separately by the network.

4 – Marketplace: An affiliate network is a platform as an affiliate you can search for new advertisers within this platform. You can easily register with the various affiliate programs. In addition, the advertisers can look for new affiliates within the affiliate network marketplace.

5 – Tooling / technical support: There are affiliate networks that offer technical tools to affiliates, such as easy to install compliant or widgets.

Is a network necessary?
A network is useful but not necessary. As a web shop owner you can also investigate which 10 partners you would like to work together. You can approach these partners and start a collaboration with them. This can be done, for example, by means of a cpc deal. A cps appointment can also be used by google analytics to determine how many orders have been realized.