Batch Process Affiliate Programs

Ok, it’s bad enough not knowing if a lead you’re sending is going to be tracked by a network in real time, but what happens with batch process affiliate programs? A batch process program is one where stats and sales are not reported in real time but are uploaded on a daily, weekly and even monthly basis to a network. In many cases these tend to be casino or bingo programs, but there are examples of hotel and credit card affiliate programs too using this option.

However, there is little or no transparency regarding these programs. Affiliate’s just have to sit and wait until either some stats appear, hopefully on a regular basis. When those programs are monthly batch reporting, for example Ladbrokes on Tradedoubler, or even worse unknown batch reporting, for example Crown Bingo on Buy.at, it does mean an affiliate is sailing blindly in the dark, wind and any other element nature wishes to throw at them.

So here’s my suggestion on how to improve the problem’s that arise due to batch processing.

1. Batch processing should be at the most done weekly! Waiting a month for stats is not useful - and if stats can be generated every 4 weeks, there’s no reason why they can’t be generated weekly.

2. A page should be set up on the network called “batch process programs”. It should show which programs run by this system. It should show time of the last batch update, and the time of the next batch update.

3. If the time of the next batch update is past the current date, emails, alarms, bells, whistles and sirens should be sounding at both the network and merchant. Both should make sure the update is sorted out asap.

4. When the update is made, an email is sent out to affiliates on that program, telling them that the batch process has been completed for the week.

What shouldn’t happen is this…

A program gets launched - and then nothing! No indication of last batch update, no indication of next batch update, no communication to affiliates and no waiting around for affiliates to email asking for confirmation of details of batch processing (and that also includes no replying saying “oh, we hadn’t noticed, we’ll do it now).