LinkShare New Publisher Dashboard

I started from scratch, beginning with the sign up procedure (more about that later) but after signing up, you log in and you are greeted with a pop up box to chose the “Quick tour” get started Video tutorial – LS really have thought about things from a beginners perspective, so its informative without being patronising. Nice graphics without being pretentious and very informative, told me everything I needed to know how to get going (god send for newbies)

The welcome page goes straight to the heart of the matter, the who, the what and the how much. Even has a little prompt to remind you what you need to do. For me my priority according to Linkshare was for me to complete my tax info (nearly burst into tears having just gone through the trials and tribulation of submitting and paying tax online) of course this important and I think what would really help UK affiliates is a quick explanation about the US tax form, why it’s needed. This has got to be one of the greyest areas for UK resident affiliates when working with a US network or merchants. It can be a barrier to entry or put off potential affiliates.

There is a dynamic top ten affiliate FAQ section which updates according to the most commonly asked affiliate questions, nice touch.

Attention to detail is evident and usability well surprise… it’s very user friendly and intuitive. How many developers are hot when it comes to developing software? Now how many are intuitive when it comes to navigation and usability? I was expecting the old clunky style that I had become used to re: the old platform, it’s a pleasant surprise how easy it all is.

I submitted a few comments to LinkShare.com re affiliate sign up form which still needs a bit of tweaking and they are on the case. Please do use the feedback link in the affiliate welcome page, if you have an idea or you found something that you think other affiliates could use or perhaps something is missing, if you dont tell anyone then it cant be added, fixed or removed. The only real negative comment I have is that… well it does not make me coffee in the morning ;0P

One platform facilitating cross border affiliates, I have to say LinkShare are almost there.It’s not perfect as everything is still set in $ but the new interface is well on its way and it’s a subject close to my heart. YES! Its heaps and heaps better then the old platform and credit where credit is due, you guys listened to what affiliates and merchants wanted and even though there are a few more tweaks to be done which I know the guys and girls at linkshare.com are working on as I type. Yes… you get it!

I think I can speak for everyone here at AffiliateProgramAdvice.com, we hate confinement, rigidity, boundaries and barriers and locked gates. Create an affiliate network platform that allows affiliates and merchants freedom to create, explore, expand and cross promote then collectively we can open up the eyes of consumers to show them the internet offers choice and flexibility beyond their own geographical location/confinement. Yes we have a long road ahead of us, import and export red tape as just one example. But where there is a will there is a way.