Setting up an affiliate programme: concept, network and launch

A programme concept that fits your range and margins
Choice of network: Awin, Tradedoubler, ADCELL or in-house
Technical setup, tracking and launch handled by one team

Partner programmes enquiry

Customer satisfaction

4.9

Based on 32 reviews

The foundation of your affiliate channel

An affiliate programme is more than an entry in a network

In the partner programme you define what you pay publishers for, on what terms and with which technology. These decisions determine which partners apply and whether the channel pays off. We build your programme from concept to launch and choose the right network with you. Rheinwunder has managed affiliate programmes since 2016 and is a certified agency with Awin and Tradedoubler.

Concept before technology

Product range, margins, competition and goals determine the commission model. Only then do we turn to the choice of network.

The right network

Networks differ in publisher base, industries, countries and costs. We know the major networks from our daily work.

Everything ready for launch

Tracking, programme description, creatives and the first publishers are in place before the programme goes public.

What we take on when building a programme

Six building blocks for your affiliate programme

Whether you are starting a new programme or moving to another network, we handle every step through to day-to-day running.

Market and competitor analysis

Which programmes do your competitors offer, with which commissions and cookie periods? Your programme has to be competitive for publishers, otherwise they promote the competition.

Commission model

Commission per sale, per lead or as a hybrid model, with tiers for strong partners. We test the model against your margins and cancellation rates.

Programme terms

What publishers may and may not do: bidding on brand terms, vouchers, creatives, cookie period. Clear rules avoid later conflicts.

Choice of network

A public network such as Awin, Tradedoubler, ADCELL or Webgains, a private programme for selected partners or an in-house solution. We recommend what fits your industry and target markets.

Tracking and technology

We coordinate the integration with network and shop, tie it to consent and check it with test orders. A tracking switch ensures that a sale is paid to only one channel. More on the technology under web analytics.

Programme launch

Once the programme description, creatives and first publishers are in place, we launch the programme and promote it actively.

Which network suits your programme?

We compare the options for your industry with you.

Contact person:
Katharina Wiest
0228 243 313 53

Partner programmes enquiry

From concept to running programme

How your affiliate programme takes shape

Six steps from concept to day-to-day running.

Analysis

Product range, margins, competition and existing channels: we clarify whether and how a programme pays off for you.

Concept

Goals, metrics, commission model and programme terms are defined.

Network and contract

We obtain the offers, compare them and support the coordination with the network.

Technical setup

Tracking, product data and creatives are set up and tested.

Launch

The programme goes live, and the first publishers are approved and informed.

Ongoing management

After launch, we take on publisher management and reporting on request.

Programme check

Does an affiliate programme pay off for your product range?

We tell you openly whether a programme pays off for you, even if the answer is no.

Partner programmes enquiry

The forms at a glance

Public network, private programme or in-house

Cooperation between advertiser and publisher needs a platform that provides tracking, creatives and billing. Three forms are common:

Public affiliate network: the network provides the technology, mediates between advertiser and publishers and handles payment. Publishers can apply directly to your programme. There are cross-industry and specialised networks, and local and international ones.
Private programme: in a “private affiliate network”, the advertiser manages selected publishers personally and exclusively. The programme is not publicly visible and often complements the public programme for the highest-earning partners.
In-house programme: affiliate partnerships without the infrastructure of a network. Tracking, billing and creatives are managed by the advertiser, who also has to take care of publisher acquisition.

Which form fits depends on your market position. If your competitors are well represented in a network, you will find the right publishers there too. If the market is hardly served, we check whether a programme is worthwhile at all. Our knowledge section explains what an advertiser and an affiliate link are.

You are in good company

A selection of our affiliate marketing clients

Frequently asked questions about partner programmes

FAQs on affiliate programmes and networks

The essentials on timing, cost and choice of network.

How long does it take to set up a partner programme?

Once goals, products, margins and tracking requirements are available and you supply what is needed promptly, a new programme can be live in about two weeks. After that, the publisher portfolio is expanded.

What costs are involved?

A partner programme usually involves three kinds of cost: commissions for publishers, network fees and the agency fee. Commissions are only due once a sale or lead has occurred.

Which affiliate network is the right one?

The right network depends on your industry, target markets and the publishers you want to reach. We compare the networks for your case and give reasons for our recommendation.

Can an existing programme move to another network?

Yes. We plan the move so that important publishers come along and there is no gap in attribution. An affiliate audit beforehand is worthwhile.

Is a partner programme suitable for every company?

No. It takes a clearly measurable target action, sufficient margins and an offer that publishers want to promote. We check this before the launch.

Let us talk about your partner programme

What should your affiliate programme look like?

In an initial conversation we clarify where you stand today, which goals you are pursuing and how we can support you with partner programmes and networks. There is no obligation, and you get an honest assessment.

Customer satisfaction

4.9

Based on 32 reviews

Reviews from our Google Business Profile. We check every review against our client projects.

Partner programmes enquiry

Katharina WiestTeam Lead Affiliate MarketingCall: +49 228 243 313 53