One of the very first things you have to do is ask questions. Research the affiliate programs that you intend to join. Find out whether it will cost you anything to join? Today, most affiliate programs are offered absolutely free of charge. So you really shouldn't settle for those that charge money.

When are the commissions paid out? Every program is different. Some affiliate program owners issue their checks once a month, every second week, etc. My advice is to choose one that pays out at least ones a month.

What is the hit per sale ratio? Basically, how many hits to a banner or text link does it take to generate a sale. This factor is extremely important because this will tell you how much traffic you must send to you link before you can will earn a commission.

What affiliate tracking system do they have? You need to be confident that the program will track your sales correctly. Some visitors do not buy initially but may want to return later to make the purchase. Will you still get credit for the sale a month later.

What kinds of affiliate stats are they providing? The program you join should be capable of offering detailed stats. Constantly checking your individual stats is important to know how many impressions, hits and sales are already generated from your site. Impressions are the number of times the banner or text link was viewed by a visitor of your site. A hit is when someone clicks on your banner or text links.

Will you get paid for for the hits and impressions besides the commissions on sales? Some affiliate programs offer this as well it will add to the earnings you get from the sales commission. This is especially important if the program you are in offers low sales to hit ratio.

Is it a credible company? Find out whom you are doing business with to know if it is really a solid company. If possible, try the product or service. The more you know about the retailer and the products, the easier it will be for you to know if that program is really for you and your site.

Do they offer a one tier or two tier program? A single tier program pays you only for the sales you refer. A two tier program also pays you you a commission on the on the sales generated by any affiliate you sponsor in your program.

Lastly, how much do the pay? 5% - 20% is the commission is normal. 01% - .05% is usually the amount paid for each hit. As you can see from the figures, you will now understand why the average sales amount and hit to sale ratio is an important factor.

These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself before joining an affiliate program. These can help you select the right program and succeed as an affiliate.