Affiliate marketing in the UK grew by an estimated 45% in 2007. The total affiliate marketing sales in 2007 were more than £3 billion, according to research published in E-consultancy’s Affiliate Marketing Networks Buyer’s Guide this week. The £3.13 billion total for 2007, compared to £2.16 billion in 2006, illustrates a vibrant UK affiliate marketing industry, […]

Affiliate marketing in the UK grew by an estimated 45% in 2007. The total affiliate marketing sales in 2007 were more than £3 billion, according to research published in E-consultancy’s Affiliate Marketing Networks Buyer’s Guide this week.

The £3.13 billion total for 2007, compared to £2.16 billion in 2006, illustrates a vibrant UK affiliate marketing industry, which is expected to continue growing strongly during 2008.

“Affiliate marketing continues to gain momentum because the performance-based model is so popular with advertisers. When the biggest consumer-facing brands in these industries do not have a well-defined affiliate strategy, it now tends to be an exception rather than the rule,” commented Linus Gregoriadis, E-consultancy’s Head of Research and author of the guide.

“The whole industry is getting more professional and 2007 was definitely a big year for affiliate marketing. The channel has become much more strategic and boardrooms are starting to take notice. Media agencies are becoming increasingly involved in this sector as a consequence of its increased profile,” continued Gregoriadis.

Commissions and fees paid out to affiliate networks (covering payments for both networks and affiliates) amounted to £186 million in 2007, according to the research.

This figure is up 40% from £133 million in 2006 and £83 million in 2005.

The 2008 Affiliate Marketing Networks Buyer’s Guide (read a free sample) assesses the UK marketplace for affiliate marketing with a focus on 17 leading affiliate networks.

The 17 affiliate networks profiled are Advertising.com, AffiliateFuture, Affiliate Marketing UK, Affiliate Window, affilinet UK, Brand Conversions, buy.at, Clash-Media, clixGalore, Commission Junction, dgmAffiliates, Online Media Group (OMG), Paid On Results, Stream:20, TradeDoubler, Webgains, Zanox.

The 167-page report also contains an overview of market trends and profiles of those companies offering related services.

Some trends highlighted in E-consultancy’s Affiliate Marketing Networks Buyer’s Guide…

• Blue chips and SMEs continue to invest as sector matures.
• Cashback sites gain ground while paid search affiliates decline.
• More merchants, networks and affiliates grasp the importance of communication.
• Agencies play increasingly important role in affiliate marketing.

More details at http://www.e-consultancy.com/publications/affiliate-marketing-networks-buyers-guide-2008/.

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Affiliate Blog by Shawn Collins - www.affiliatetip.com/blog