---
title: Network Selection and Program Setup — RGM Training
url: https://realgrowthmatters.com/training/affiliate-marketing/network-selection-and-program-setup/
updated: 2026-06-10
source_html: https://realgrowthmatters.com/training/affiliate-marketing/network-selection-and-program-setup/
---

[Home](../../../index.html) › [Training](../../index.html) › [Affiliate Marketing](../index.html) › Network Selection and Program Setup

RGM° · Training

# Network Selection and Program Setup

Network constrains capabilities for years. Major networks, selection, setup, integration, management, migration.

### What you will learn

1. [Why network choice matters](#why)
2. [Major networks](#major)
3. [Selection criteria](#selection)
4. [Setup](#setup)
5. [Integration with stack](#integration)
6. [Ongoing management](#management)
7. [Migration considerations](#migration)
8. [Advanced](#advanced)
9. [Mistakes](#mistakes)
10. [Checklist](#checklist)

## Why network

Affiliate networks intermediate between brands and partners, providing technology, partner discovery, tracking, payments, fraud detection. Network choice constrains capabilities for years.

## Major networks

| Network | Strengths |
| --- | --- |
| Impact | Modern; partnership automation |
| Awin | Global; broad partner network |
| CJ (Commission Junction) | Established; large brand support |
| Rakuten Advertising | Tier-1 brands; loyalty integration |
| ShareASale | SMB / mid-market friendly |
| Refersion | Shopify-native; DTC |
| Partnerize | Enterprise partnership management |
| TUNE | Mobile-focused |

## Selection

- Partner availability in your category.
- Geographic coverage.
- Mobile vs web tracking.
- Fraud detection capabilities.
- Reporting depth.
- API access.
- Cost structure (% override + fees).
- Multi-channel attribution support.
- Compliance features.

## Setup

- Account creation.
- Tracking pixel / postback configuration.
- Product feed (for content affiliates).
- Creative assets uploaded.
- Commission structure defined.
- Terms of service drafted.
- Approval workflow.
- Test transaction.

## Integration

- CDP / warehouse integration.
- Conversion tracking integration.
- Cross-channel attribution.
- CRM enrichment with affiliate source.
- Reporting consolidation.
- Analytics dashboard.

## Management

- Partner recruitment ongoing.
- Partner approval criteria.
- Performance monitoring.
- Commission adjustments.
- Communication with top partners.
- Fraud detection review.
- Quarterly business reviews.

## Migration

- Existing partner relationships.
- Historical data preservation.
- Tracking continuity.
- Commission obligation honoring.
- Phased migration possible.
- Communication to partners.

## Advanced

- Multi-network strategy possible.
- Network vs direct program decision.
- API integration for automation.
- Cross-channel attribution integrated.
- Fraud detection tuned.
- Top-partner direct relationships layered on network.
- Annual network performance review.
- Migration planning if needed.
- International expansion considerations.
- Compliance ongoing.

## Mistakes

- Network chosen by inertia.
- Cost structure not understood.
- Fraud detection capabilities not assessed.
- Multi-network not considered.
- API integration absent.
- Cross-channel attribution naive.
- Top partners not directly managed.
- Migration planning skipped.
- International gaps.
- Compliance reactive.

## Checklist

- Network selected with rationale
- Cost structure understood
- Fraud detection assessed
- Multi-network considered
- API integration
- Cross-channel attribution
- Top-partner direct management
- Annual performance review
- International coverage
- Compliance ongoing

## Sources and further reading

- Impact, Awin, CJ documentation
- Rakuten Advertising
- ShareASale, Refersion
- Partnerize, TUNE
- Affiliate Summit conferences
- PMA Performance Marketing Association
- RGM Performance Marketing series
- Affiverse research
- Affiliate Insider
- Andrew Faris affiliate playbooks
- MMA affiliate guidelines
- Marketing Brew affiliate coverage

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Part of the [Affiliate Marketing](../index.html) series.