Affiliate Programs, often referred to as Affiliate Programs, are created by companies and individuals to increase sales of their products or services.

In return for marketing their goods, you receive a commission, also known as a referral or bounty. The amount you receive varies with each program operator.

Because the types of goods and services available on the Internet are so varied, a program operator can choose from a number of programs types.

Advertising (CPM)
This is the easiest type of program. You simply get paid to display banners on your site. The rate varies, but is always based on a thousand impressions. i.e. you receive zyx for every thousand banners you display across your site (known as impression), regardless of how many people actually click the banners.

Pay Per Click (PPC)
You simply show a banner or link on your site or in emails* you send. Every time someone visits the program operators site by clicking the link, your receive a payment or a few Cents**.

Pay Per Sale (PPS)
You receive a commission on sales made as a result of your visitors going to the operators site and making a purchase.

Pay Per Lead (PPL)
This is only different to PPC in that you receive a commission on referrals. These are the least popular types of program.

Two Tier Programs
These are simply program operators that offer you an addition income for referring other webmasters to them. This can be a single fee when the webmaster joins the program, a small commission on their sales or both combined.