Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Share Results?
   Share Results is an affiliate marketing company. We provide software, support and management services to help advertisers run affiliate marketing programs. In addition, we maintain an extensive affiliate network across all retail categories.
   
   
2. How do we connect merchants and affiliates?
   Once a merchant or affiliate joins Share Results, they become a member of the Share Results Network. They have access to profiles, demographic statistics and performance metrics that help them decide which websites best compliment their own. We believe that you know your members and visitors best; who better to decide what products, services and sites will interest them?
   
   In addition, Share Results plays an active role in fostering mutually advantageous partnerships between merchants and affiliates. New merchants are introduced in our regular affiliate newsletter, and like-minded sites may be contacted individually with opportunities especially relevant to their users. One-on-one, Share Results can help merchants with affiliate recruiting, on a start-up, ongoing or ad-hoc basis.
   
   
3. Can I participate if my site is outside North America?
   Absolutely. Some countries may have restrictions on Internet products and services. As a merchant or affiliate, you need to be informed about your home country's legislation. If you have any questions, please contact our team and we will be happy to help.
   
   
4. What if a visitor isn't accepting cookies?
   The majority of web users have enabled cookie use. If by chance a visitor has chosen to block cookies, any sales he or she generates after visiting your site may be recorded, but sales made in future sessions will not be able to be tracked.
   
   
5. How does Share Results get paid?
   Share Results charges merchants a system usage fee equal to 22 percent of the commission that a merchant pays to its affiliates. In addition, we require a one-time set up fee, as well as minimal monthly services fees, which usually account for only a small percentage of a merchant's budget.

1. What are the requirements for becoming an affiliate?
   By joining the Share Results affiliate network, a publisher agrees to avoid spamming and adhere to generally accepted standards of good business and Internet practices. Most countries have adopted directives and guidelines regarding spam. All publishers should familiarize themselves with local spam laws. In addition, please review our Terms & Conditions.
   
   
2. How much does it cost affiliates to join Share Results?
   Nothing. There are no costs associated with joining Share Results. Click here to apply.
   
   
3. How many merchant programs can I join?
   You may join as many merchant programs as you like, provided the merchant accepts your site into their program.
   
   
4. How do I get paid, and how can I be sure the payment is accurate?
   Share Results functions as an unaffiliated third-party. Merchants upload or post their sales and revenue data to our system; our software tracks and calculates your commissions and earnings; and we issue you a check. (Some merchants may opt to issue payments themselves.)
   
   
5. What resources are available to affiliates?
   Share Results distributes a regular newsletter with the latest merchant additions and promotions, as well as tips and guidance for increasing traffic and performance. In addition, you can sign up to receive helpful email newsletters from merchants you are interested in. You will also find a resource center online (after logging into your account) that can address many of your concerns or troubleshoot common problems. Our technology support department offers 24-hour turnaround service.
   
   
6. How do I get the code to link to merchant sites?
   Once you have signed up with Share Results, you can log into the system and access our library of merchant creative, links and automatically generated code. Usually it is a simple cut and paste procedure.
   
   
7. Do you support a referral program (tiers)?
   Yes, assuming a merchant chooses to offer this option to its affiliates. You can earn commission on the earnings of affiliates whom you refer to Share Results. For example: WebsiteABC is an existing Share Results affiliate. WebsiteABC refers Website123 to Share Results. Website123 signs up with 3 merchants and earns $X in commission. WebsiteABC earns commission, which varies depending on the merchant program, on the commission earned by Website123.

1. What are the requirements for becoming a merchant?
   We evaluate a variety of factors including company size, e-commerce practices, number of years in operation and marketing budget. Details vary depending on industry; we are looking for serious businesses and brands that maintain responsible business practices. Fill out an information request online and a member of the Share Results business development team will contact you.
   
   
2. Can I choose which affiliates I partner with?
   We encourage you to play an active role in your program's affiliate recruitment. Our affiliate management software allows you to manually review and approve affiliates after viewing their websites, statistics and site offerings.
   
   
3. Can I offer different payment structures (commissions)?
   Yes. Share Result's software supports tiered or flat percentage rates (calculated from revenue or sales), individualized percentages, flat/CPA fees and referral commissions. We can also help you determine the right commission model for your industry and business, or create special rewards and incentives for outstanding affiliates.
   
   
4. Can I offer promotions or partnerships with only select affiliates?
   Of course. The system allows you to offer commissions to select affiliates or groups of affiliates. You can control the amount, time period and type of commission offered.
   
   
5. Will I have a dedicated person working on my account?
   Account management staff will be assigned according to the services you require. In some instances, a dedicated account manager is required; for others, our clients find that they prefer weekly, monthly or ad hoc services. In all cases, your satisfaction is our priority and we are committed to giving your company and program the resources it needs to succeed.
   
   
6. How do I get information on how my affiliate program is performing?
   Once you partner with Share Results, you have access to our proprietary web-based affiliate management software. You can track results and create reports, analyzing data by creative, campaign, affiliate or time period.
   
   
7. What resources are available to merchants?
   We encourage you to take advantage of our online services and reporting features, which will give you an indication of what areas to focus on in your affiliate program. Our self-help resource area can address many of your concerns and troubleshoot common problems. Most importantly, our technology support department offers 24-hour turnaround service and will be able to help you with any additional questions that you may have about the program.
   
   In addition, you can contract our services, and a Share Results account manager or marketing consultant can help you develop strategies to meet your goals.
   
   
8. How do we get trained?
   We provide all merchants with our comprehensive Getting Started manual. The manual ensures that you can access and use the Share Results system, track ads and affiliates, upload sales information and files and make changes to your affiliate program.
   
   An easy-to-follow (truly) integration process walks you through technical integration, after which our affiliate software will be able to seamlessly calculate and issue payments to your affiliates.
   
   
9. How do I update creative (banners, links, pop up's)?
   If you choose to create your own advertising, a simple step-by-step process, similar to attaching a file to a document, helps you load creative into the system for affiliate use and ensures that you have the appropriate corresponding tracking code attached.
   
   
10. Can I run my affiliate program independently (ie. do you offer a white label option)?
    Share Results gives you the option of licensing our software and running your own branded affiliate program. We recommend you have dedicated resources and experienced affiliate managers if you choose our white-label option.

1. Can I allow multiple people to access my program?
   You can create an unlimited number of users and designate access levels for each.
   
   
2. What does Share Results do to protect against fraud?
   Share Results adheres to responsible business practices. If kept unchecked, website fraud and careless marketing such as spam or misleading advertising will harm affiliate programs and the web marketing community as a whole. For our part, we monitor websites for bogus, obscene or hate-inciting content and review statistics for any unusual results or practices. We expect our merchants and affiliates to do the same, and ask that you report any questionable practices to watchdog@shareresults.com.
   
   
3. What systems does your software support?
   Since our affiliate management software does not directly interface with your backend or server, it is compatible with all common payment systems and shopping carts. The software is optimized for Internet Explorer 5.5+ and Firefox 2+ on all PCs.
   
   
4. How do you ensure that my customer database isn't compromised?
   Merchants provide only required information to Share Results - individuals are identified on an anonymous basis and personal information is discarded - ensuring that your customer database is not compromised in any way.