Promote Products. Make Money.

• What are the advantages of being an Affiliate on Plimus?
• How do I become an Affiliate? What fees do I have to pay?
• How and when do Affiliates get paid?
• What reporting do I have for my activities? Is there real time reporting?
• Can I use Google Analytics to track my sales?
• Does Plimus support Affiliate Tracking IDs?
• What emails & notifications do I get regarding my sales?
• If I am selling on another platform can I also market as an Affiliate on Plimus?
• How can I verify that the sales I am driving are assigned to my account?
• If an order is refunded, does an Affiliate keep the commission?
• How does Plimus track Affiliate sales?
• How do I know if the customer has my affiliate cookie on his computer/device?
• Can I turn my Affiliate account into a Seller account?

Plimus Products 

• What sort of products can Affiliates sell on Plimus?
• What type of links can I promote for each product?
• How long do tracking cookies last?
• Can Affiliates sell recurring charge or subscription products on Plimus? Do I get paid for ongoing subscription payments?
• Is there a Plimus ‘feed’ for products and offers?
• Do you provide marketing materials such as banners or images of Sellers’ products for Affiliates?
• If I promote one Seller’s product, but a different product by the same Seller is sold, do I still get a commission?
• Can I market Forex-related products as an Affiliate?

Plimus Marketplace:

• What is the Plimus Marketplace?
• How do I find the best products for me to market?
• What do the different terms mean in the Plimus Marketplace?
• Why do I need “Seller (Vendor) approval” to sell some products? How do I get it?
• How can I find creatives and materials to promote products?
• Are certain products recommended by Plimus?

Plimus Sellers:

• How do I initiate a working relationship with a Seller?
• Can I ask for better commission and coupons from Sellers?
• Are there any marketing limitations as an Affiliate
• Can I make the order (BuyNow) page look like my website instead of the Seller's?
• Can I use an existing Seller account to act as an Affiliate?
• What’s the difference between a Cross Seller sale and an Affiliate sale?
• In the case of multiple Sellers and Affiliates, how are commissions divided?  

What are the advantages of being an Affiliate on Plimus? (top)

It’s free to become an Affiliate marketer on Plimus. After registering, you have immediate access to a global network of digital product and service providers with thousands of great products that you can sell across the world. Credit for sales is easy -- just use the unique affiliate sales links attributed to you for the items you wish to sell.

Commission rates are extremely attractive -- digital products and services typically run at three or more times the rates commonly offered for physical products. You receive your commission payments at the rate agreed with your product providers directly from Plimus at the end of each payment cycle, and there is no limit to the number of products and services you can sell.

Sign up is quick and easy, and you have a choice of payout methods. You can literally register and be selling your first products and services in a few minutes. Our Marketplace lists popular affiliate offers, but you can search for other suitable products as well.

 How do I become an Affiliate? What fees do I have to pay?  (top)

Just register as a Plimus Affiliate by completing the short registration form, and agreeing to our terms of use.

Registration is free - there are no set up or service fees. Payouts are done on a monthly basis each time a minimum payment of $35 or more is due to you, as shown on your payment report. A payment processing charge of $2.00 is currently payable for each monthly payment made to you.

 How and when do Affiliates get paid?  (top)

Affiliates are generally paid on the 15th of each month for commissions derived in the previous month. Payment is through a choice of methods, and Affiliates can select their preferred mode of payment, such as check, wire transfer, Paypal, and pre-paid credit card.

There is a minimum payment level of $35, and commissions accumulated below that sum will be carried over and paid out once the payment level is reached.

 What reporting do I have for my activities? Is there real time reporting?  (top)

All sales are tracked, and you will be advised by email. Advanced Affiliate users may also take advantage of our free Instant Notification features. Online sales reports are updated in real time so you can see how effective your sales efforts are and the commission generated on each sale and for each product. These reports can also be downloaded and saved in Excel format.

In the event that there is a return, refund or chargeback, you will be notified of these events, and the reports adjusted accordingly.

 Can I use Google Analytics to track my sales?  (top)

Plimus sales pages (which Plimus refers to as ‘BuyNow’ pages) can be tracked by Google Analytics. It just takes a couple of clicks to add Plimus’ Google Analytics tracking to an existing Analytics account.

 Does Plimus support Affiliate Tracking IDs? (top)  

Affiliate Tracking IDs are supported by Plimus so that Affiliates can assess the effectiveness of different marketing campaigns, such as newsletters, banners, text links, and blog postings, etc. Click here to access our tutorial on setting up Affiliate Tracking IDs. 

 What emails & notifications do I get regarding my sales? (top)

Each time a sale is made using one of the affiliate marketing links that you are promoting, you will receive a notification by email setting out the transaction and product details. This email will confirm the sales amount and commission as well as the identifying invoice number for future reference.

Advanced users that have set up Instant Notifications will also receive this information, as well as any subsequent cancellation details. 

If I am selling on another platform can I also market as an Affiliate on Plimus? (top)

Even if you use another Affiliate marketing platform or are a Seller, selling your own products, you can still use Plimus. We do not require exclusivity. We believe that in just a short time, you will enjoy better results from the higher commissions offered for sales of digital goods and services on Plimus.

 How can I verify that the sales I am driving are assigned to my account? (top)

After registering, you will receive a unique Plimus Affiliate ID number which is added to your sales and marketing links. This number also appears on your Affiliate BuyNow pages from which sales are conducted, so you know that you are being fully credited for sales. You will also see sales updated in real time in your online sales reports which can be accessed anytime.

 If an order is refunded, does an Affiliate keep the commission? (top)

If an order is cancelled, refunded or subject to a chargeback then no commission will be paid. The customer will be refunded in full and, in such a circumstance, it is not commercially feasible for any commission to be charged. 

If an Affiliate has already received the commission and a transaction is subsequently reversed, the commission payment will need to be repaid or deducted from future payments.

 How does Plimus track Affiliate sales? (top)

For each product that you are entitled to market, you receive sales links that include the product and your unique affiliate id. A cookie is added to the potential customers computer/device each time an affiliate link is visited, and said cookie is tracked to the point of purchase. Plimus uses pixel-based and flash-based cookies. Flash-based cookies are more reliable and persistent than ordinary cookies and work across multiple web browsers, resulting in greater revenues.

How do I know if the customer has my affiliate cookie on his computer/device? (top)

To check that, you can issue an HTTP request to: http://www.plimus.com/jsp/check_affiliate_cookie_exist.jsp?contractId=XX... where XXXX = the contract ID, and YYYY = your affiliate user number ID. This will return FOUND, NOT_FOUND, or ERROR. 

 Can I turn my Affiliate account into a Seller account? (top) 

Unfortunately an account that has been opened for our Affiliate program cannot be “upgraded” or changed to a Seller account. However, you are free to open a Seller account at any time (registration is also free), and it can act as an Affiliate account as well. In other words, you can make requests to sell products for other Sellers from your Seller account, utilizing our cross-sales/network sales feature (as well as selling your own), but you cannot sell products of your own from your Affiliate account.

Unless you have your own products, we do not advise opening a Seller account.

Plimus Products:

 What sort of products can Affiliates sell on Plimus? (top)

The Plimus network offers a huge selection of digital products and services. Digital products typically offer better commission rates than physical products.

Some products are ready for you to sell immediately, and by clicking on the 'Sell Now' link they will be ready for you to market. Many product providers will require that you first request permission to sell, so that they can review your site before granting access to sell their product. This process is built into the Plimus system. You just press on the relevant ‘Sell Now’ link, provide some basic information and your request should be promptly reviewed by the relevant product or service provider.

 What type of links can I promote for each product? (top)

Affiliates can promote the order (BuyNow) page for a product or service, and where applicable, a free trial download link and a product information link. All these links will be tracked. The advantage with free trial download links is that commission will be paid, if during the tracking period, a customer decides to upgrade from a trial to a paid version.

The three types of links are structured as follows:

a. Direct link to the order (BuyNow) page: https://www.plimus.com/jsp/buynow.jsp?contractId=XXX&referrer=YYYY

b. Link to a trial download the file (as entered by the Seller in "Product Download URL"): http://www.plimus.com/jsp/download_trial.jsp?contractId=XXXX&referrer=YYYY .

c. Link to the product website (as entered by the Seller in "Product URL": http://www.plimus.com/jsp/redirect.jsp?contractId=XXXX&referrer=YYYY

Where XXXX is the contract ID and YYYY is your Plimus User ID Number. 

 How long do tracking cookies last? (top)

When a customer uses an Affiliate link (to an order page, trial download or product URL), we install a cookie on their computer/device that is active for 90 days. When the customer purchases the product, we use the Affiliate ID from that cookie to credit your account. Use of cookies is covered in the Plimus Privacy Policy.

Can Affiliates sell recurring charge or subscription products on Plimus?Do I get paid for ongoing subscription payments? (top)

Affiliates can market subscription services and recurring charge products, and more and more marketing opportunities in this area are occurring all the time.

The product or service provider has the right to decide whether to grant commission just on the initial payment or on ongoing payments as well, and you can tailor your searches in the Plimus Marketplace to reflect your preferred commission structure. The commission details should make it clear whether commission is offered on all payments or not.

 Is there a Plimus ‘feed’ for products and offers? (top)

Plimus provides a free XML product feed for download and directory sites comprising of products and services that Sellers have agreed to include in the feed. To receive the feed we will need to review the site to ensure that it meets our required standards.

 Do you provide marketing materials such as banners or images of Sellers’ products for Affiliates? (top)

Plimus does not supply marketing materials for Affiliates, as this is an area of control left to each individual Seller. We encourage Sellers to provide such materials, and we suggest that Affiliates request such materials if they are required. Some Sellers see themselves as primarily product suppliers and prefer to leave the ‘marketing aspect’ to their respective Affiliates.

 If  I promote one Seller’s product, but a different product by the same Seller is sold, do I still get a commission? (top)

Payment of commission will depend on whether you have been approved to sell the other product(s). We encourage Affiliates to seek approval to sell multiple products for a Seller rather than just one -- this option is available for Affiliates to request when asking for approval to sell a product.

If permission is given to market all products, an Affiliate can then freely pick and choose which products to promote.

 Can I market Forex-related products as an Affiliate? (top)

There are certain Forex-related marketing offers in the Plimus network. We suggest that you start with Forex offers featured by Plimus in the Marketplace.  

Plimus Marketplace:

 What is the Plimus Marketplace? (top)

The Marketplace is an extensive interactive catalog of Affiliate products and services that you can search to find products to market. In addition to products recommended by Plimus, you can search according to a large variety of criteria such as average earnings per sale, lifetime value, etc.

Some items are pre-cleared for Affiliate sale, while others require that you complete a 'Sell Now' request after clicking on the 'Sell Now' button to the product or service provider. Once approved by the Seller, you will receive an email from Plimus with the appropriate product links.

 How do I find the best products to market? (top)

The Plimus Marketplace is the best place to start. You can review recommended product offers from leading suppliers, or search for products according to category and many other methods of search refinement. We recommend that you search and browse the catalog and review the Marketplace Help page. The default view in the Marketplace is listing by ‘Marketplace Score’ which is based on conversion rates and commission percentages less chargebacks and refunds. This will help you choose the most effective products for your market.

What do the different terms mean in the Plimus Marketplace? (top)

All the Marketplace terms are explained in the Marketplace Help page and there are ‘hover over’ explanations in the Marketplace itself.

 Why do I need “Seller (Vendor) approval” to sell some products? How do I get it? (top)

Plimus Sellers have the right to decide whether or not they wish to individually approve their Affiliate marketers, and what specific commissions they wish to offer. Some offers are ready for you to sell and are shown with a 'blue rubber stamp' as being pre-approved and will be added to your inventory after you press the 'Sell Now' button. If approval is required just press the ‘Sell Now’ button and then complete the brief details in the submission form. Most product and service providers will respond to your request promptly. If you do not get a reply don’t be shy about following up with a polite email.

How can I find creatives and materials to promote products? (top)

Marketing promotional materials are handled by the individual product and service providers. Some Sellers do not have ready-prepared marketing collateral. If no materials are available such Sellers are usually agreeable to you creating your own marketing materials.

 Are certain products recommended by Plimus? (top)

A number of products are featured in the Marketplace as Plimus recommendations, and it’s a good idea to start with these products if they suit your market.  

Plimus Sellers:

  How do I initiate a working relationship with a Seller? (top)

The Plimus Marketplace is a good starting point as it contains links to the individual Seller’s web site and email contacts. You can review their site and product base and then contact them. Some products are pre-approved for Affiliate sale, but many require you to issue a Sell Now request. This short form includes space for you to explain why you would be a good marketer of their product, and it’s a great opportunity to provide some extra information about your Affiliate skills and knowledge.

It takes time to build a relationship, and once you have some sales under your belt, you may wish to develop the relationship further. Most Sellers are interested in creating enticing products and affiliate offers, and the most network conscious are fully aware of the power and tremendous value of effective Affiliate marketers.

 Can I ask for better commission and coupons from Sellers? (top)

Commission rates are negotiable, and you may wish to apply for special rates if you feel this is justified or discount coupons to help drive sales performance.

 Are there any marketing limitations as an Affiliate? (top)

Affiliates are bound by the terms of the Plimus Seller Agreement which defines the certain duties and responsibilities relating to your acting as an Affiliate. In particular, Affiliates are not allowed to engage in any spam or unlawful marketing, and failure to adhere strictly to these legal requirements may involve criminal and civil penalties, as well as account suspension.

Product and service providers may limit the period for which an item can be marketed at the stated commission.

Can I make the order (BuyNow) page look like my website instead of the Seller's? (top)

Yes, you can create a HTML template in the "BuyNow Setup" area and use the appropriate template id in your Affiliate BuyNow links as follows: http://www.plimus.com/jsp/buynow.jsp?contractId=XXXX&referrer=YYYY&templ... Where XXXX is the contractId, YYYY is your user number ID at Plimus and ZZZZ is your template id.

 Can I use an existing Seller account to act as an Affiliate? (top)

Your can use your current Seller account to act as an Affiliate selling other products in the Plimus network.

 What’s the difference between a Cross Seller sale and an Affiliate sale? (top)

A Cross Seller sale takes place when a Plimus Seller sells the product or service of another Plimus Seller, when acting as an Affiliate. One unique aspect of the Plimus system is that Sellers can also act as an Affiliate marketer for other Sellers.

If you do not have your own products or services to sell, we recommend that you use the Plimus platform as an Affiliate, as this will simplify your interactions with our e-Commerce system.

An Affiliate sale is a sale generated from a Plimus Affiliate’s marketing link.

 In the case of multiple Sellers and Affiliates, how are commissions divided? (top)

Commissions are divided according to the ratios agreed by the parties. In some complex situations there might be two (or more) parties claiming for the same commission particularly where Cross Sellers and Affiliates are involved. Plimus does not split commissions or manage “sub-commissions.” As a result in these more complicated situations where transactions include multiple Sellers and Affiliates, two or more parties might have a justifiable argument to share commissions. Accordingly Plimus has devised situational rules to direct the commission to just one party in such instances.