Affiliate Marketing may be the most misunderstood words to those who aren’t in this field of opportunity, or who are just beginning to enter it. Simply put, affiliate marketing is not that much different than being a salesman for other companies. However, there is a difference. Rather than actually remaining with a customer on the sales floor and being sure they buy, you are more like a “barker,” who stands outside the doors of businesses, inviting people to enter and look around. As they enter the store you stamp them with your I.D. If they buy something the owner sees it was you who convinced them to enter and he gives you a commission of the sale.

On the Internet, you, as a salesman, are using your own websites (or other avenues of your Internet presence) as a way to send people to the store you are affiliated with. Your “barking” is done through banner ads, text links, articles, and a variety of other methods to convince people to visit the site or product you are referring. Through coding, a unique identifier is created which informs the other website that it was you who sent them a visitor. This identifier is called a “cookie.” Most often, a reputable affiliate house, that may track hundreds of different business and many thousands of transactions, will keep track of clicks generated, commissions earned, money owed to the affiliate, and records of payment.

Affiliate Marketing is a legitimate and truly lucrative way to make money at home, on your computer. The problem is that far too many unscrupulous affiliate marketers have given this low start-up cost industry a black eye due to dishonest statements, false promises, and generally dishonest practices that fool many people into buying worthless products. This is especially true if the products are programs that promise overnight wealth or the ability to immediately generate money from home. Once Mr. & Mrs. Average are scammed they are unlikely to ever again make a purchase over the Internet, or believe that an honest living can be made from home as an affiliate marketer.

Because of the numerous Internet scams and ripoffs that are reported on news broadcasts (some not even involving AM) or in the newspapers, it is a common misconception that anyone who makes money on the Internet, as their primary business of affiliate marketing, is somehow involved in trying to steal the unsuspecting computer user’s money. The fact is that 99.9% of those already involved in this field are not dishonest.

If you desire to be an affiliate marketer, please remain honest and never mislead your customers. Also, don’t be afraid to expose those who do. The industry needs more good people who are willing to sell honestly, thus helping the consumer and earning their trust.

Matthew A. Dees, a successful webmaster and affiliate marketer, teaches website creation in NE Pennsylvania. His download program, for those outside PA is available at HomeIncome30.com, where you will receive a FREE Affiliate Marketing ebook. Matthew’s forum, HomeIncomeForum.com, is open for all who wish to honestly discuss any aspect of website creation and affiliate marketing.