Your conversion rate is perhaps the most important factor to improve if you want to create a successful affiliate marketing campaign. If you have a 2% conversion while your competitor only has a 1% conversion, it becomes very hard for them to compete.
How do you raise your conversion rates as an affiliate marketer?
==> Start by Getting More Targeted Traffic
Start by improving the quality of your traffic.
One easy way to do this is to narrow down your keywords. For example, if you’re selling sports shoes, instead of bidding for keywords like “Nike shoes” try going for specific models like “Nike Sprint Runner 2011.”
Also try cutting down on broad match or phrase match terms, and go for exact match terms instead.
The principles of getting more targeted traffic apply no matter what kind of traffic source you’re using.
==> Use Keyword Pass-Through & Geotargeting
Let’s say someone who lives in Boulder, Colorado typed in “Nike Shoes” and landed on your site. Which of these headlines would be more appealing?
“Buy Sports Shoes Online Today” or “Buy Nike Shoes Online, Delivered to Boulder in 48 Hours”?
Naturally, the latter is going to be more appealing.
Two quick ways to increase your conversion rate on anything you’re promoting is to add keyword pass-through and geotargeting.
Keyword pass-through simply means passing the keyword someone typed in to get to your website to your landing page, and using it in the headline or body copy.
Geotargeting involves using the IP address of the browser to detect where they’re located and then using that to increase conversions. There’s a free script you can use from MaxMind.
==> Split Testing
Ultimately, the only way to really increase your conversions consistently is to split test on a regular basis.
If you have a small amount of traffic, start with basic A/B split tests that tackle large differences in your website.
If you have a profitable campaign that’s getting significant amounts of traffic, try using multivariable testing to figure out the best possible combination of factors.
==> Starting an Email List
If you have a campaign that’s profitable or breaks even on the front end, you might want to consider setting up an email list.
Setting up an email list will allow you to promote multiple affiliate offers to the same traffic source. Since you’ve already proven that you’re able to get buyers to your landing page, you’re likely leaving money on the table if you don’t try to get them on a list.
These are a few proven tactics for increasing your conversions as an affiliate marketer. The most important habit you could get into is regularly trying out different ideas. Affiliate marketing is often just about trying out as many different things as possible until one sticks.