ClickBank began operation in the late nineties, and now has developed into a huge online retailer with thousands of affiliates. The Clickbank site has a simplistic user interface, with straightforward fields and contact detail area. One of its admirable features is the lack of many requirements during initial sign up. This makes it attractive to basic, novice and intermediate users who are still relatively new in the online market. Furthermore, it does not insist on preapprovals like many other affiliate networks. Almost anyone can sign up and begin marketing. Further, it can have affiliates from over 150 other countries as can be seen in their drop down list on the homepage.

After signing up, the user has the option of exploring the ClickBank marketplace. Here, there is a wide range of products and equipment, almost in any category. Users are usually encouraged to bide their time while promoting. One has to differentiate between quality products and below-par artefacts. Now that is left at the user’s discretion. One way of verifying quality is by confirming an item’s gravity score. This is a computation of the number of affiliates to make a sale in a particular category for a specified period of time. A high gravity score is preferred, maybe thirty or more.

Clickbank has a simple tracking system, capturing both standard and encrypted modules.

Encrypted HopLinks hide vendor and affiliate unique ID. However, if an item is bought through a link, the affiliate ID will display on the payment webpage.

Payments are made twice in a month, i.e. after every two weeks. These commissions can be set at a minimum threshold of at least $10. Depending on the destination, payment can be made via cheques by post or a straight deposit for selected countries. A user can qualify for a direct deposit only after receiving payment of three physical cheques within three months. This is a not so easy feat but once established, the user can enjoy direct deposits henceforth. ClickBank boasts of commissions of over 50%. Therefore, users’ efforts are duly rewarded.

Because of money transfer operations, ClickBank naturally has to have an anti fraud mechanism. ClickBank rewards users straight out of the resultant payment; no intermediaries or agents are used. This safeguards the recipient.

Another ClickBank upside is the ease with which an individual can become a merchant.

One needs only $50 to activate single merchandise. Most of the accepted products are e-books and software items. They are categorized into Computer and Internet, Fun and Entertainment, B2B (Business to Business), Money and Employment, Sports and Recreation etc.

However, Clickbank has its disadvantages too. First, most of the products are relatively cheap. There is rise in get rich quick schemes at the expense of actual quality. Further, ClickBank does not create automatic links like other affiliate programs. Then again its interface is so basic, so some important modules cannot be included.

All in all though, ClickBank is so easy to use. You just have to key in an affiliate name into a uniform resource locator so as to activate merchandise. Then Clickbank also provides attractive commissions to the users.