A Step-by-Step Guide To Choosing An E-Commerce Affiliate Software

E-commerce has become a booming industry with increased internet access and smartphone penetration. Sellers Commerce suggests 33% of the global population, be it consumers from Asia or America, shop online. 

Businesses that operate online need partners to help them grow their customer base. It does so by partnering with affiliates that promote their products to potential buyers. However, running a large pool of affiliates can be a tough task to manage. That’s where an e-commerce affiliate software comes in to handle tasks like monitoring the performance of affiliates. 

It assists brands in overall campaign management by giving it the right direction. Thus, brands can rely on data offered by such platforms to optimize their marketing operations and carry out campaigns at scale. 

Factors To Consider While Comparing Different E-Commerce Affiliate Software

It’s crucial to consider factors responsible for a successful marketing campaign for an e-commerce business. Parameters such as usage and scaling can deeply impact efficiency. Here are some factors you should consider while drawing a comparison between tools:

• Easy Usage- A software that’s easy to use needs minimal technical knowledge, saving time wasted on learning how to set up.
• Pricing- The pricing models vary for different tools, small businesses should look for affordable pricing, while big businesses can choose advanced tools.
• Support system- Technically sound teams may need minimal support tools, while beginners might need comprehensive setup guidance.
• Customization- Brands can opt for personalization as custom dashboards help filter out irrelevant details.

How Brands Can Choose An E-Commerce Affiliate Software

Finding the right software is a key step in building campaigns that can reach it’s right audience. Here are four key steps to choosing an affiliate software that gels well with your business:

Step 1: Look For Key Features

An E-Commerce affiliate software should have important features like live tracking with dashboards that are updated in real-time. This ensures flexibility in making campaign adjustments. Platforms like Trackier offer flexible and automated payouts that confirm error-free and timely payments to affiliates. Such essential features are non-negotiable when it comes to building a marketing campaign that runs on trust amongst stakeholders involved.

Step 2: Leverage E-Commerce Referral Software

We Can Track reports 90% of the companies would use affiliate marketing in their sales practices by 2026. By leveraging an E-Commerce referral software, brands can use affiliates as their unofficial brand ambassadors for their campaigns. Such platforms create shareable links that can expand your brand’s awareness and lure customers into making continual purchases. Such referrals via software have a chain effect leading to exponential growth.

Step 3: Choose A Software That Integrates Well

Your existing tech stack should integrate with the software you’re picking. A tool that does not integrate well may hinder workflow. 

For instance, if your existing CRM tool integrates well with the software that you sign up for, the available customer database can be synced automatically for a better workflow. Such integration across multiple platforms reduces friction in managing data.

Step 4: Opt For Free Trials 

Use free demos to your advantage. A software may have features that you don’t really need. 

A trial run for the software you choose is the best way to test what really works. It also helps you identify which software is the best fit for your specific business needs. For example, A B2B brand might have totally different software needs from a D2C brand. 

Challenges That Come With An E-Commerce Affiliate Software

Although an e-commerce affiliate software offers numerous benefits, it comes with certain challenges and limitations. Some of which are:

• Limited Insights- Some tools offer limited analytics that are not practically useful to your campaign, as it lacks in-depth analysis. 
• Non-Compliance- Tools that aren’t compliant with recent stringent laws may run the risk of legal penalties affecting a brand’s image. 
• Multi-currency issues- A software that does not offer multi-currency payouts may hamper partner relations, further affecting sales.
• Scalability- Some tools may offer features on a smaller scale and may not be able to handle a large pool of affiliates for large businesses.

To Conclude

What makes a campaign stand out amongst its competitors? It lies in its ability to capture consumer sentiment. As consumers today look for convenient ways to purchase products or services online, the need to ethically track their behaviour online becomes necessary.

The right tools help businesses target the right audience for their business by capturing crucial consumer data like preferences, purchasing patterns, and more. Brands can leverage such tools to turn an affiliate’s niche community into their active consumer base. Thus, they can take their e-commerce business to newer heights.