Affiliate marketing is an industry worth $12 billion. Considered as one of the top cost-effective customer acquisition tools, affiliate marketing generates 15 to 30% sales for global brands. Yet, in Australia, only 70 out of 100 top retailers currently have an affiliate program, and uptake in other industries are estimated to be even lower.
As the industry grows, it’s time for Aussie brands to pick up the momentum and find the right Australian affiliate networks that fit your business’s needs and grow your brand. With the U.S and the European Union leading charge, it’s expected that Australia will follow suit with more affiliate marketing opportunities.
What’s an Affiliate Network?
An affiliate network serves as a trusted mediator between a brand and an affiliate. It displays the brand’s affiliate program to a large pool of affiliates who belong to the network.
The network hosts the brands’ creative links, manages performance and reporting, and automatically disburses commission to affiliates according to the brand rules. Australia has several affiliate networks, making the decision to find the right affiliate partner in Australia challenging.
How to Choose the Right Affiliate Networks in Australia?
Categories of Affiliates You are Targeting
Australian affiliate networks come in various shapes and sizes. However, some networks tend to specialise in certain verticals. Assess if the affiliates in their network match with your ideal target audiences. Fashion is the most popular affiliate marketing category in Australia, followed by sports and health and wellness.
It’s essential to find the right niche and then select a network that focuses on your niche. As a result, there is a better chance of your products being viewed by the right audience.
Advanced Tracking Capabilities
Ensure that the local affiliate network you choose can track KPI metrics and offers reporting facilities to enable you to make data-driven decisions. This way, you can track progress on which channels provide the most conversions and identify top performers to reward and incentivise them accordingly.
Mobile is the most preferred medium in Australia, with 1 in 4 marketers receiving about 40% affiliate-driven sales. You can examine different attribution techniques in this space to leverage the best touchpoints in your mobile marketing funnel.
Competitor Analysis
It’s vital to research which Australian affiliate networks your competitors use. Where high competition is present, you will likely find relevant affiliates for your business. As a result, you can offer an attractive affiliate program that stands apart and appeals to established affiliates in the segment.
Fees and Binding Arrangements
It’s best to opt for a network that charges fees based on performance rather than upfront or fixed monthly fees. Seven out of 10 advertisers in Australia who run affiliate programs stated that they expect to increase their affiliate spend in the future. Assess the different fee structures of affiliate networks and choose the right one that works for your marketing budget.
Support International Activity
Presence and capabilities outside Australia can vary significantly. If you have a business with international customers or anticipate using a global affiliate program, it’s essential to look for an affiliate network with international expertise and the capability to run multiple programs under a single solution.
According to a survey of prominent Australian organisations, most affiliate marketers claim that the ROI is more significant than their average marketing expenditure. With the growing affiliate marketing ecosystem in Australia, it’s now time for local brands to leverage affiliate networks and get the best ROI by choosing the right Australian affiliate networks.
