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CJ's Javascript Links
May 26, 2006
I just bought a ton of domain names - 15 out of the 25 or so that I will be buying for my Challenge - the rest will be folders and subdomains on existing domains, or the new domains. But now I'm going to have to do some rethinking before I start working on getting my content up.
If you haven't logged into CJ yet, check it out and read about their new link management initiative. On June 23, they will be moving to Javascript links, and you'll have to use these Javascript links if you sign up with any merchant after this date. While you can continue to use the regular html links for your existing merchants, these will be phased out within the next nine months to a year. In other words, CJ will be making Javascript links mandatory, except for search marketing and email marketing.
I have a number of CJ merchants picked out for my new niches, and the problem is, I have no idea what these Javascript links will look like. I'm adding affiliate links directly into my content, as this has worked the best for me in the past. Banners are great for filling up holes in my templates, but they don't do that much for me conversion-wise. Until I can see what these new Javascript links will look like, I won't know whether I can add them to my content. And I definitely don't want to add the regular "legacy" links to my new sites right now, not if it means I will have to go back in and switch them all out in the coming year!
My pages usually contain a handful of links, and that brings up another problem - how will this affect how fast my pages load on visitors' browsers. According to the FAQs, they don't think slow page load will be a big problem, but I already see it on various sites I have with Adsense, so I'm not too excited about having to use more Javascript.
There are a bunch of other issues, too, with having Javascript links. What I can't understand is why CJ wants to make these links mandatory. Optional would be much better.
The various affiliate marketing boards are discussing this change at great length. You can check out the conversation at ABestWeb and WebmasterWorld Forums.
As for me, it's not back to the drawing board exactly, but I'm going to have to find some backup merchants at SAS and Linkshare, and possibly some reputable independents, to potentially replace the CJ ones on my list right now. Good thing is, I can still work on my content and start getting my sites up.
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Posted by BJ at 04:08 PM in 50 Affiliate Sites Challenge, Affiliate Marketing | Permalink
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Comments
When the news about CJ changing over their html links to JS links hit the fan, all 25 of us (that's how many of us work here at Share Results) had our eyes peeled for blogs from affiliates. We wanted to hear the feedback on what was important especially when communicating such a massive change just as this.
We provided our perspective on our own blog as well. In summary, our approach is to offer all types of alternatives as our commitment to supporting our affiliates in being successful.
Glad to hear from you about your point of view, it's valuable input for networks such as ourselves!
Susan
Posted by: Susan Arts | May 29, 2006 3:18:36 PM
You should still be able to use the JS ads directly in your content, just enclose the text you want to be "linkified" with the JS that CJ provide.
As for page loading speed, that is a worry for all of us.
Posted by: Peter | May 30, 2006 5:30:23 AM
I have been taking a look at ShareResults, Susan, and it looks like a great network. I'll be applying soon!
Posted by: BJ | Jun 1, 2006 3:56:35 PM
