What does an affiliate network do?
A network manages the tracking links, records conversions and handles the financial settlement between both parties. As an advertiser you sign one contract and one payment flow, while working with hundreds of publishers.
On top of that, a network offers a marketplace where publishers discover programmes and apply themselves. Reporting, sales validation and payouts all run through the platform.
Network versus in-house software
With your own affiliate software you control everything yourself: tracking, contracts and payouts. That is more flexible and often cheaper per sale, but you miss the built-in reach of a network.
A network typically charges a fixed fee plus a percentage of commissions, but gives you immediate access to active publishers in your market.
When should you choose a network?
For international growth, a network with strong coverage in your target countries is often the fastest route. Publishers in Germany or France simply work with the networks that dominate their market.
Choosing a locally strong network per country increases the chance that the right partners find your programme at all.
What should you look for?
Look at the quality of publishers in your category, the cost structure and the quality of tracking. Always ask for references from your own industry.
DIKKE KASSA selects and manages networks per country as part of the fixed €299 per country per month, so you never have to make network choices alone.