2017 Merchant Q4 Checklist

Every brand should be in full Q4 planning and execution by now. If you aren’t quite there yet, do not fear. There is still time to get your program ready for all the big online shopping holidays in Q4. The heaviest shopping days are yet to come.

Sales numbers during this season are projected to surpass last year’s numbers and the earning potential for your affiliate program is nothing to neglect. To help prepare your brand and your partners for this shopping season, we’ve gathered a checklist of our top tasks to accomplish. Take a look!

2017 Q4 Merchant Checklist

Update Contact Info

Remove any outdated email addresses or logins and update with current information. Respond quickly to new applications or emails.

Set up Auto-Deposit

Affiliates don’t like programs that routinely go offline. Avoid your links from going inactive by updating your payment setting to auto-deposit.

Create a Marketing Calendar

Highlight shopping days, big shipping deadlines and your own promotions

Avoid Website Changes

Now is not the time to make any major website changes. To minimize the risk of broken tracking, make sure any necessary changes are done before November.

Focus on Activating Current Affiliates

Identify your top publishers YTD to determine key partners for the upcoming season. You are also able to keep up with activity by regularly viewing Saved Reports or the API functions.

Create Incentives

Engage with affiliates by offering incentives based on performance or for reaching certain sales thresholds.

Plan on Regular Communication with Affiliates

Make sure you have key Affiliate’s contact info, know of any time they will be out and if there is a backup contact.

Schedule Newsletters and use Event Triggered Newsletters

Provide information on your products to Affiliates highlighting gifting ideas. Give notice on deals/promotions in advance, so that Affiliates have time to work it into their schedule.

Prepare Creatives & Promotions

Schedule your creatives, promotions, and bonuses! Make sure banners are available ahead of time and are relevant to the holiday/season.

Gain Exposure through the Holiday Center

Promote specific products that fit with specific holidays and maximize the potential that affiliates will be interested in your program.

Enhance Your Datafeed

Optimize your feed by ensuring it is always up to date. Utilize FTP access to automate the Datafeed upload process.

Monitor Your Program

Now more than ever, keep a close eye on your program!