An Awin Review – Are They Worth Your Time?

Awin is one of the best affiliate networks out there and has been in the game for a while. Working with them is a good move as the network comes with a range of benefits.

Before you invest in them, know that there are a few drawbacks. To help you stay as informed as possible, we’ll be running through a complete review below.

Awin – At A Glance

Awin is an affiliate network that has been around for a while. As a result, they’re an award-winning global marketplace. That being said, they weren’t always known as Awin. Previously, they went under the name ‘Zanox’.

The affiliate network came into existence after Zanox rebranded, merging with its European sister company, Affilinet.

Since it’s a major affiliate network, they’re a huge company. Awin is based in Berlin, Germany and has over 1000 employees, 100,000 contributing partners, and 13,000 advertisers. The countries represented by them are over 180.

With that out of the way, let’s dive into why you should and shouldn’t work with the brand.

The Pros

They Are Free

No one likes spending a lot of money. With Awin, you don’t have to pay to use their services as they’re free.

That being said, you need to make a $5 security deposit. Once your account has been opened, you get it back when you make your first commission.

The signup process involves 4 steps. However, they are very detailed. This lets Awin get a clear understanding of your business. This is beneficial if you’re new to affiliate programs.

Awin is Easy To Use

Payments are easy as they’re done by major E-wallets like PayPal. Once a transaction is made, the advertiser can decide if they want to accept or deny it. If they accept it, it’s marked as ‘Uncleared’ until the advertiser pays Awin. Then, it changes to ‘Cleared’. Awin will accept the payment after reviewing the payment frequency and minimum threshold amount.

To help you choose who to work with, Awin has a Traffic Light System. This lets you know if you should work with someone by showcasing the risk of doing so. This is by showing a green, orange or red light as their status.  If you’re new to Awin, this is very useful.

If the advertiser has a green light, commissions will be paid to publishers when their payment is due.

If the advertiser has an orange or amber light, commissions will be paid when payment for corresponding invoices have been received by Awin. There are different levels to the amber tier, so keep this in mind.

If the advertiser has a red light, stay away from them. Publishers will get their commissions only when corresponding invoices and outstanding payments have been received by Awin. As you can imagine, Awin suggests that publishers don’t work with individuals who have a red light as their status.

Awin Has A Name To Live Up To

The marketplace is one of the largest out there. They know what they’re doing which is why they’ve established a great reputation. This is why there are many affiliates who’ve been happy with the network.

This is also because there are so many advertisers to work with. Awin boasts over 10,000 advertisers, after all.

What’s more, you can easily find advertisers as well. They are divided in terms of niches, helping you find the best person to be an affiliate.

These categories are:

• Finance and Insurance
• Retail and Shopping
• Telecommunications and Services
• Travel

The Plug-In

Being an affiliate is easier than ever with Awin. With it by your side, you’ll get hold of their trusty convert-a-link plugin. It lets you convert any link on your website into an affiliate link.

This lets you make money even if you’re not a part of its programs as you’d be linked to a product on Awin. (If you get approved to do so).

Their Convert-A-Link plug-in is arguably their best tool. However, it isn’t the only one. The marketplace has a ‘create-a-feed’ tool that provides you with data on various advertisers, and what they are offering.

You Can Make A Lot Of Money

You can make a lot of money on Awin. The commissions you get depends on who you’re working with, but at times, you could get around 50% off sales. Depending on the niche the advertiser works in, they may provide amazing commissions.

What’s more, you can make a lot of money promoting good quality products. Awin quality checks their advertisers so you know you’re not misleading your readers.

The Cons

Although Awin has a range of benefits, the marketplace comes with a few drawbacks. Let’s run through them.

Signing Up Is A Hassle

There are only 4 steps to the signing up process, but at the end of the day, they’re a hassle to complete. You’ll be asked extensive questions that would take a while. If you’re an impatient person, this could prove difficult for you.

What’s more, not everyone can join Awin. There’s a range of prerequisites you have to meet. One of the major things you need to answer is whether your site already has a considerable audience.

You Have To Pay A Security Deposit

Not only does it take a while to create an account, but you also have to make a deposit of $5. For many, this may seem unnecessary. However, security deposits are common when it comes to large marketplaces.

What’s more, if you don’t make a commission, you’re not getting your $5 back.

There Is No Training

If you’re new to affiliate programs, joining a network may seem daunting. To make it less difficult, marketplaces have training programs. Sadly, there’s little to no training on Awin. So, you’re expected to do your own research or come into it with considerable knowledge.

You May Not Make Much Money

The commissions you get depends on the advertiser you’re working with. If the niche the advertiser works in isn’t in demand, you’re not going to be making large sums.

Conclusion

All in all, Awin is one of the best affiliate networks out there. This is why they have a large network of advertisers to work with. However, you won’t be able to take part in their programs if your website doesn’t have a considerable audience. Then again, the hassle of signing up may put you off as well.