OIOpub BlogA quick reminder that the affiliate coupon codes for May are now live.
All affiliates will receive their updated code in the monthly email report. You can also view the code by logging into your account and clicking on the Affiliate Stats link.
This means that all April codes have now expired, and are no longer valid.
The release of the latest version (v2.1) has gone well, and it seems that users are enjoying the new features and look.
Even though we had a beta period, a couple of bugs made their way into the official release. It’s always stuck me that the first official release is the time when most of the bugs are actually found, rather than any beta periods!
Just in case any more are reported, we’ll wait until this weekend to officially release the updated version, including all known bug fixes. In the mean time, if you have experienced any of the issues below, re-downloading the current release will also fix them:
Fixes to all these bugs are already included in the download. A bug tracker has also been added to the support forum.
The first official release of v2.1 is now available for download. The changelog from the previous stable version can be found below:
v2.10.b1 (beta release)
- new beta program established
- removal of excess componenets (socialposts & viralblogads modules)
- improved ad expiration process
v2.10.b2 (beta release)
- added several new payment options (google checkout, 2checkout.com, authorize.net)
- fixed multiple error notices occurring in php E_STRICT mode
- added “forgotten password” routine in standalone mode
v2.10.b3 (beta release)
- add support for swf (flash) banners
- link exchange option for banner / text ad zones
- various small fixes & enhancements to purchase templates
- added uploading capabilities to admin editor
Installation Options: web installer | manual download
Firstly, a quick note with regards to the previous entry on the OIO affiliate program. I’m now happy with it, and user feedback has been positive, so I’ll be starting work on integrating it over the weekend.
I also had an email the other day from someone requesting a refund. They cited a couple of reasons (it didn’t quite match what they wanted it to do), but the one that stuck out most in my mind was that the admin panel was a bit clunky.
Quite simply, there are too many clicks involved to get to where you want to be.
I’d discussed the possibility of re-designing the admin panel with Hyder from Weborithm previously, and the email prompted me to push on with it. We’re working on a first design draft at the moment, and whilst I don’t think it will be a particularly quick project (lots of usability and organisation elements to get through), it should be well worth the effort.
Once we have something in place, I’ll be sending out an email to the focus group (I haven’t actually sent them anything since setting it up!) to get user feedback on it. If you haven’t signed up to the group already, and would like to give your feedback, simply login to your account and click on the “edit profile” link. You’ll see an option to join the focus group from there.
UPDATE: the changes have now been implemented. Please see the Affiliate FAQs for further information.
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who contributed their feedback via email for the initial draft of the OIO affiliate proposal. Please bear in mind that whilst all feedback was considered, not all of it could be used.
Proposal, Draft Two:
1.) Instead of rewarding active affiliates with increased coupon discounts (the original plan), the focus will instead be on commission. The more sales an affiliate brings in during one month, the higher their commission rate will be the next month.
2.) An affiliate will be able to create a unique affiliate code every month. The code will last for one month, then expire. Discount rates will be the same for all affiliates (but vary between $5 and $10 off per month). The other purpose of the code will be to ensure that the right affiliate gets the sale – if your unique coupon is used, you get the commission.
3.) If the affiliate has purchased the product themselves, then any coupon discount will be matched by OIO. For example, if the coupon value is $10 in total, $5 would be taken from the affiliate commission and $5 from OIOpublisher.com.
Further Discussion:
Another good idea raised by a couple of users was the issue of split commission. Imagine a scenario where a user signs up via affiliate A, then several days later the sale is closed by affiliate B (using their affiliate code). Should the commission be split 50 / 50, or just awarded to one of them?
As ever, all thoughts are welcome and appreciated.