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Overall:
As you likely already know if you're reading this article, affiliate programs in the Internet dating industry can be highly lucrative. Therefore, anytime you get the opportunity to participate in up to 25 different dating affiliate programs through one website, it's time to take a look at that option. This is what happens at Cupid plc, a U.K.-based dating affiliate network that operates a number of mainstream and niche dating sites, including Cupid.com, Flirt.com, BoomerDating.com, and PlanetSappho.com. You can promote any of these sites based upon the needs of your audience, and with so many sites to choose from, it's pretty easy for most affiliates to find at least one or two that are a good fit. Commission rates at Cupid plc can be impressive, too, with $15 paid just for free sign ups, and up to 90 percent commission paid on paid memberships. Also worth noting, Cupid plc is active and aggressive in developing Facebook and mobile phone applications for their affiliates.
Ease of Use:
Cupid plc provides many great tools to get you started as an affiliate. There tools are meant for people who have only a basic knowledge in website creation. There are also advanced tools that let experienced affiliates do even more. Affiliates have access to comprehensive marketing and promotional tools including hundreds of banners and landing pages. There are also tools that allow you to track traffic and sales across multiple websites. We would particularly urge you to take advantage of the Cupid plc landing page templates; these people have the landing page down to a science, and this can really show through in your conversions.
Reputation/Security:
Reviews of Cupid plc are generally favorable and with good reason, because this is a company that treats its affiliates like true partners. The biggest draw for Cupid plc affiliates is probably that they offer three different commission structures, allowing affiliates to choose the commission model that works best for their particular situation. They also deal with legitimate and recognizable dating services; some Cupid plc sites, such as BeNaughty.com, may be slightly racy, but certainly not disreputable like many other dating sites. Generally speaking, Cupid plc is known in the affiliate community for large payouts and high traffic—the best reputation/security that's available in this industry.
Customer Service:
Cupid plc offers a few ways to receive customer service. Affiliate support issues are mainly handled through emails from the website or through a customer service forum. Because there are already so many Cupid plc affiliates, sometimes the best way to get affiliate help is to visit the forum and ask a peer. If you want a more personal approach, Cupid plc does provide a personal account manager for each affiliate. This way, if you are having trouble with an affiliate concern, you can call your account rep directly.
Commission Rate:
The Cupid affiliate program offers different ways to receive commission depending on how you want to earn. The Cupid plc pay-per-lead program sees affiliates earn $15 for every referral that becomes a free member on any one of the websites that Cupid plc represents. With the Cupid plc pay-per-sale program, an affiliate will receive $110 for every referral that becomes a paid member. We would advise you to spend some time thinking about your audience before choosing a commission arrangement. If your traffic seems to be mostly people "just looking," the free sign-up payments will work for you. If your traffic has lost of buyers, don't pass up that $110. Cupid plc also offers a percentage program which combines the pay-per-lead and pay-sale-option. An affiliate can receive up to 90 percent on any sale and a bonus for each confirmed registration—view the Cupid plc affiliate page for details on how this "hybrid" structure works.
Ease of Commission Payment:
Cupid plc commission payments can be made through PayPal, Alert Pay, electronic bank transfer, or paper check. Paper checks are only sent through post mail to U.K. residents. An affiliate must earn a minimum of $25 in order to withdraw funds. If you don't make $25 by the end of the month, it carries over to the next month. Commission payments are made 15 days after the last day of the month.
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