DATAFEEDS: The successful foundation to many successful Affiliate sites.
Ok, that’s not the Webster dictionary definition of the term “datafeed,” but I’m here today with some stats and compelling reasons why you should be using a datafeed; that is if you aren’t already!
(Not familiar with what I’m referring to when I say “Datafeed”? Start HERE)
Affiliates: If you’re not using datafeeds today, check out these convincing numbers.
2,102,401 – The single highest number of products a ShareASale Merchant offers in their datafeed – more than two million!
2,225 – Number of ShareASale Merchants with an available datafeed.
56.21% – Percentage of ShareASale Merchants with an available datafeed.
15 – Total number of ShareASale product categories.
186 – Total number of ShareASale product subcategories. That’s a lot of variety!
435– Approximate number of ShareASale Merchants who updated their datafeeds between March 25th and April 1st , 2013.
Merchants: ShareASale Client Services recommends Merchants have a datafeed on file to truly round out their program.
5-10% – The number of conversions from datafeed specific links.
40 gazillion (just checking to see if you’re paying attention :) ) – The average number of datafeeds ShareASale processes daily.
1366 – The most common upload warning, usually when the column headers are left in the file. No need to worry!
6 – The number of required columns in the Merchant datafeed (SKU, URL, Price, Category, Subcategory, MerchantID). These will always be provided.
7 – The minimum number of extra places in ShareASale your program will be seen by Affiliates when you have a datafeed.
Derek Weedon says
April 26, 2013 at 2:05 amHi Ryan,
I love using datafeeds and have been doing so for around 5 years. Whilst Shareasale has some great and several datafeeds available, my biggest problem is obtaining FTP access.
Not only that seeing that most of the programs are USA based I don’t have the same availability to auto accept on many of the programs. Basically what I’m saying is, first I apply for a program, then wait for acceptance (days to weeks or never) when’ if accepted I then have to apply for FTP access and again have to wait for acceptance (days to weeks or never).
Unfortunately, because this procedure take so long I quite often forget about programs, sometime whilst waiting I might find the program on another network (e.g. Commission Junction) that doesn’t require FTP access and therefore speeds up the process.
Sorry for the long winded comment, I am a Brit after all.
Regards
Derek