Using Search Arbitrage to Support Your Affiliate Program Work
If you’ve been working with an affiliate program for a while, you may already know the importance of securing a good return on investment (ROI) for any advertising campaign. Because while you usually have to spend money to make money, there’s not much point if you only make a little bit. Search arbitrage can be a great way to maximize your affiliate program conversions while helping to generate extra income. So, what do you need to know?
How to Use Search Arbitrage for Your Affiliate Program Work
What is search arbitrage?
Search arbitrage is a digital marketing strategy that involves the purchasing of search engine traffic. Paid search campaigns are used to redirect traffic to a different website with a higher cost-per-click rate. While you can do this through your usual platform, most people create dedicated landing pages intended to generate high conversion rates. But it can only work if you can generate more profit from the clicks than you’ve paid for the search campaign.
How does search arbitrage work for online affiliate program members?
There are a number of steps you need to follow to get search arbitrage right for affiliate work.
Research
This is the most important part of the process. You need to find high value, low-competition keywords or long-tail keywords/phrases. However, this is made more complicated by the need for them to be directly related to the affiliate network’s products or services that you are promoting. If you can’t, it’s going to be difficult – if not impossible – to attract the right traffic.
Create your ad campaign
Once you’ve identified your keywords, you need to create pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns. You should have one designed for each of the search engines you’re intending to work with. And the ads will be displayed whenever searchers use your keywords.
Create your landing pages
Once your ads are clicked on, users will be directed to your landing page. You must design this landing page to effectively promote the action required by your affiliate program. Whether it’s a pay per signup dating site, or a pay per sale retailer.
The result
If you can do all of that, you open the potential to enhance your income. Because on top of your affiliate program’s commission, you’re receiving revenue from your ads.
Are there any negatives?
While it can deliver awesome ROI, search arbitrage holds considerable risk. If fact, there are four key places that you can go wrong. You will end up losing money if:
- you don’t do enough research
- you select the wrong keywords
- Get the creatives wrong for your ads
- Or fail to make your landing page appealing enough.
It’s also important to know that many search engines dislike search arbitrage. Google has been particularly hostile to the process. And has been known to close accounts. But it seems to be a little more relaxed now, as long as you follow the platform’s guidelines. So, be careful which platforms you use. And how you use them.
Can you avoid risk?
Any advertising campaign holds the potential to flop. It’s the nature of the game. That’s why it’s important to strategize your approach. And to go in with a budget you can afford to lose. Focusing on low-competition keywords will help improve the likelihood of your success. You should also carefully track your analytics. That way, you can adjust your landing page or ad if it fails to convert.
Search arbitrage can be a highly effective marketing strategy. It can help increase your income, building your ROI while delivering great results for the affiliate program you’re working with. But it’s important to be aware of the risks before you start. That way, you can create the best strategy to reduce risks and suit your needs.