With all of the different choices in affiliate promotional methods, there are many ways to provide affiliates with a variety of linking options. Some may prefer text links while others have an affinity for graphics. Still others use a combination of both. The smartest move is to give affiliates the option to create their own links. However, most will not be graphic designers, thus they won't be savvy in the techniques behind it. This is why it is vital that you give customers lots of options.

When you undertake the task of designing graphics for affiliates, there are several things that you must consider regardless of whether you are designing them yourself or you are hiring a graphic designer to do them for you.

Size

When constructing the layout of a website or a newsletter, the size of the graphics can make or break it. If the graphics or too large or too small, they can throw off the balance of the whole website, making it look unprofessional, amateurish or just plain cheap. While it is possible to resize most graphics, this should also be done with caution. Making a large graphic too small or a small graphic too large can distort the graphic and cause it to become blurry or pixilated.

Banners and buttons are a type of graphic that is often used for promotional purposes. The most common sizes for these are the 468X60 banner and the 125X125 button. You want to have several varieties of graphics in these sizes on hand. You should also offer graphics that are larger as well as smaller than the popular sizes. A type of graphic called "skyscrapers" is popular among affiliates. Skyscrapers are usually 100 to 200 pixels wide and as much as 600 pixels high. This provides a very good showcase for several products, or it can serve to make the graphic more prominent.

Colors

Color can attract people to a website and it can encourage them to buy products. It can also make your website look like a complete disaster area if it isn't used properly. When you offer graphics in a variety of colors you can allow affiliates to choose the ones that best match their websites. However, make certain that the colors go well together. Clashing colors are not attractive and can turn off customers and discourage buying.

You may want to consider offering graphics that have different levels of contrast. Good contrast is important to ensure easy reading of the text on the graphic, but on lower contrast websites, lower contrast graphics may be a better option.

Static vs. Animated

One or two animated graphics catch the eye and encourage the visitor to look further into the website. Too many animated graphics on a page, however, will only serve to annoy the visitor and drive away potential customers. Some affiliates may steer clear of animated graphics altogether. With this is mind, it is important to offer both static as well as animated graphic options.

When you offer affiliates a good variety of graphics from which to choose, you allow them to find one that fits well with their company as well as their website. It also affords them the opportunity to experiment with different colors and types of graphics to see which ones convert traffic the best and most efficiently. When your affiliates find a good graphic that works for them and works with the style and theme of their website, it is a win-win situation for all.