1) Yes it’s certainly a dynamic industry. In the travel arena we have of course have had quite a few merchants going under which can be a nightmare thanks to the arrears that affiiates are paid – especially if using PPC. Another thing people thinking about going full time need to think about is the lack of pension scheme, sick pay and all the rest of it that comes with working as an employee.

2) ” that won’t stop “comet+voucher codes” search traffic still filtering through to directories or other sites. ”

Suggestion to merchants who drop voucher code affiliates – create a page e.g. coment.co.uk/voucher-codes which will rank highly in search engines. The page could say, “no discount codes at present, and then have a feed of the top offers / discounts.

Yeah I’m kinda keen to get through 2009 and to see what is on the other side. At the moment we’re seeing increased competition from moneysavingexpert, a drop in good lead programs and then the bits and bobs we do with networks rapidly falling – so a bit of rejigging in some areas plus focusing on what we’re good at (rather than run off and set up new sites willy nilly) is required and that’s now underway. I think awkward times helps focus you more – as when the going is good it’s quite easy to just enjoy the ride.

@Ray – I think this has probably been the roughest week I’ve seen in AM and if you’re an affy with the likes of Figleaves, Comet, Empire Direct etc… and they’re important to your income, then it’s a massive massive blow.

But, you never know with AM – as one door closes another opens. We used to earn a few quid off Uproar and Supanet – but as our revenue streams ended with them (and at the time we didn’t know whether Loquax would survive) along came AM and MyOffers – then other things cropped up as others fell. It is going to be harder now – for a lot of affiliates, but once the dust has settled (soon hopefully) there may well be new opportunities.

However, with a closure I’ve not really lost “everything” I still have my site and traffic and have already set up another site targeting a more stable economy (Australia) which looks set to make up the difference in EPC between Figleaves and smaller rivals. I’ll basically be working harder to maintain the same income.

I wonder if we will see any high profile names quitting AM due to these tough conditions this year? Personally I doubt it, although anyone relying on all their AM income to fund their lifestyle might be in for an interesting ride.

I for one am more than up for it, and know we will all come out at the other end much stronger for it. Go affiliates, Go!!

Always good to be on your toes though and try and stay ahead in this game.