[1.5.x] Request for advanced Affiliate System
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 7:13 pm
At this point the built in affiliate system is quite basic. I'm thinking that as time goes on and more 3rd party developers have a chance to go over the new system, there will be those that create advanced affiliate system extensions that can be added onto the cart. At least that's what i'm hoping if a more advanced system won't be added to the core. So, these are the things I would like to see in an advanced affiliate system:
1.) Ability to add payments. As of now if you want to subtract affiliate commissions, you have to enter a negative number. The affiliate will get an e-mail that says "You have earned -$x.xx in commissions". It would look better if there were a dedicated mail for commission additions, payouts, adjustments, etc.
2.) The ability to pay commissions in either a percentage or a flat fee.
3.) A tiered system. For example, you refer a customer to me and you get 10% commission on his or her first purchase. If they come back 2 weeks later to make a second purchase, then you get 7% commission. If they come back a month later and make a third purchase, you get 5% commission, and so on. Of course it would be great if this was all done automatically without me having to add the commissions manually. I guess the way to achieve this would be to tie the customer to the first referrer, so that all their future transactions are credited to the first referrer.
4.) Do away with the Tax ID field, or make it kick in only once a certain payout amount is reached. For example, I read online that in the United States you don't actually have to report affiliate payouts to the IRS unless you pay them more than $600 a year. There are many affiliates who won't make $600 a year so they wouldn't need to enter their Tax ID (which will most likely be their Social Security Number). People are very protective of their social security number, and the Tax ID field might deter them from signing up for your affiliate system in the first place. No need to ask for it unless it's absolutely necessary you have it.
That's all I can think of for now. If anyone else has any ideas about how to expand the affiliate system feel free to chime in.
1.) Ability to add payments. As of now if you want to subtract affiliate commissions, you have to enter a negative number. The affiliate will get an e-mail that says "You have earned -$x.xx in commissions". It would look better if there were a dedicated mail for commission additions, payouts, adjustments, etc.
2.) The ability to pay commissions in either a percentage or a flat fee.
3.) A tiered system. For example, you refer a customer to me and you get 10% commission on his or her first purchase. If they come back 2 weeks later to make a second purchase, then you get 7% commission. If they come back a month later and make a third purchase, you get 5% commission, and so on. Of course it would be great if this was all done automatically without me having to add the commissions manually. I guess the way to achieve this would be to tie the customer to the first referrer, so that all their future transactions are credited to the first referrer.
4.) Do away with the Tax ID field, or make it kick in only once a certain payout amount is reached. For example, I read online that in the United States you don't actually have to report affiliate payouts to the IRS unless you pay them more than $600 a year. There are many affiliates who won't make $600 a year so they wouldn't need to enter their Tax ID (which will most likely be their Social Security Number). People are very protective of their social security number, and the Tax ID field might deter them from signing up for your affiliate system in the first place. No need to ask for it unless it's absolutely necessary you have it.
That's all I can think of for now. If anyone else has any ideas about how to expand the affiliate system feel free to chime in.
