Last week I have talked about how the scammers are using old and new scamming techniques to con affiliate marketers. So today I thought I would write how to be safe from these and avoid them.
1. Listen to others – Search and read reviews
I shouldn’t have to tell you this but I thought I might tingle your common sense.
Whenever you see an affiliate program opportunity, Google it directly. Sometimes, you will see the reputation of that program on the top of the search. If not, look below and read through the reviews on different review sites. There are some dedicated websites where they only review the affiliate sites. You can check those sites to check the legitimacy of the affiliate program.
There are other options to verify through online searches. Another popular way is through YouTube. There are hundreds and thousands of YouTube channels dedicated to talking about these affiliate programs.
But a disclaimer for you. There are some YouTubers, more specifically, scammers who will try to convince you that the program is legit. Some scammers even go beyond their limit and show fake payment proof from the company. So, be very careful whose review you trust.
2. Check out the company website
This is something you just know – there is no universal way to check the website and decide whether it seems legit or not.
But there are some boxes that I check when I have to decide the legitimacy of a website.
First of all, I look for any grammatical or logical error on the site. We can agree on the fact that a legit, genuine company won’t make any mistake on their website. So, when you see a major mistake, be sure the company is not dedicated, serious or legit at all.
Secondly, I look at the color pallet. This might seem weird but I have noticed a pattern on the colors. Bigger companies, more specifically genuine companies use a subtle setup of color on the site. On the contrary, fake websites use vibrant bright colors that feel uncomfortable to look at.
Lastly, a fake website will hide important information and contact information from the visitors. So, whenever I see a website compromising transparency, I quit the site and forget about it entirely.
3. Is the commission rate too good to be true?
The primary concern is, if something is unrealistic, you are in an ideal position of being suspicious about it. Be careful about ridiculous offers, work-free income plans and any organizations (particularly foreign companies) offering to assist you with something out of nowhere.
Utilize your good judgment, common sense and wit. There are several veritable and totally authentic approaches to profit as an affiliate. Know about the affiliate marketing scams, however, don't give them a chance to keep you up at night!
Bottom Line At the end of the research, it is up to you whether you should trust a program or not. Don’t let others decide for you. As long as you are using your common sense, you won’t fall into a scam pit.
