 season with Black Friday, followed by Cyber Monday next week. As the song goes, 

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,"

. If we were to sum up these two weeks in words, they'd be overwhelming, stressful, fun, exhilarating, and non-stop coupons and sales. So, what do we do during this exciting time of the year? Our various departments, including the Coupon and Deal Optimization team, Account team, Marketing and Engineering team, have their hands full with tasks and strategies.

: This dedicated team works around the clock because we receive more than triple the number of offers from retailers compared to a standard day. While we've built automated systems behind the scenes that activate recent offers, we still maintain manual oversight because we have a hybrid system in place. Our automated system handles coupon distribution based on factors like coupon type, discount value, and user interest. Additionally, our team of around 10 specialists dives into our backend offer pool, deciding which offers to activate and display on our sites. This year, we're busier than ever due to the recent launch of 

, which currently serves four geographical locations, including the UK, Australia, the US, and Canada. We're thrilled to see more aggressive 

 from our retailers in light of the economic downturn, and we're eager to provide strong discounts to our savvy shoppers. Some of the standout offers we have included up to 60% off sitewide at 

: Our account team plays a crucial role in bringing recent updates and news from our partners to the Coupon and Optimization team. Partners may update their offers, replace offers instantly, or seek last-minute placements. Our account team handles these last-minute requests and runs daily sales reports to track partner performance. If the numbers don't meet expectations, they collaborate with retailer partners to devise last-second strategy shifts. If any 

 arise, they promptly notify their close partners. Their role is meaningful in our company's success.

: Our engineers keep a close eye on overall server traffic and complete optimization tasks to ensure our websites respond to user interests swiftly without any slowness. They also ensure that our sites can handle a sudden surge in traffic during this busy period.

: Our marketing manager runs a wide variety of ads across platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and search engines. We invest heavily in advertising during this time because it's when we experience the highest conversion from our marketing budget.

 involved savvy shoppers waiting in line for hours in front of retail shops, while 

 signaled a digital shopping spree. However, times have changed, and shoppers now prefer the convenience of online shopping. We've observed that shoppers start their digital shopping early in the morning, much like the traditional in-store rush.

As we look over our backend and offer details, we're delighted with the strong offers coming our way. We anticipate increased traffic until the last week of December, after which traffic will gradually decline. With the new year, we'll see a surge in traffic for specific categories like 

, and more. Each quarter presents unique challenges and goals, and our team's focus evolves accordingly.

In conclusion, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a fantastic shopping season ahead. May your holiday season be filled with great deals and savings!

As the song goes, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and indeed, it is for us as a coupon and deal publisher.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Madness!

When we initially entered the affiliate marketing industry in the early 2000s, the concept of sub-affiliate networks was nearly nonexistent. Back then, the affiliate landscape was characterized by a limited number of affiliate networks. As publishers, gaining access to advertisers' programs often required considerable effort, involving direct outreach and negotiations. Program managers were also relatively new, navigating the uncharted territory of identifying high-quality publishers and establishing approval criteria.

The era of OPM agencies was just beginning to dawn, and affiliate marketing was in its early stages. However, as the industry continued to evolve, sub-affiliate networks began to emerge organically. This development paralleled 

, as internal program managers from affiliate networks branched out to establish their own agencies.

Now, let's take a closer look at the core topic at hand: the significance of sub-affiliate networks.

Unlocking the Value of Sub-Affiliate Networks: A Two-Way Street

A fundamental question arises: What value do sub-affiliate networks bring to both publishers and advertisers? Why would a publisher choose to collaborate with a sub-network instead of directly engaging with an advertiser through the primary affiliate network? Conversely, what motivates an advertiser to work with a sub-network instead of directly managing relationships with individual publishers via the main network? The answers to these questions are multifaceted, and we'll explore them thoroughly.

At Surfmyads.com, Inc., whenever a team member presents a new sub-network request, our standard inquiry is: "

What unique value does this sub-network offer that we currently do not receive from the parent network?

" If you're considering launching your own sub-network, we encourage you to read this article attentively.

When Do We Consider Partnering with a Sub-Network?

: Occasionally, our program activation team faces rejection or non-approval of our applications. In such cases, we turn to sub-network APIs to verify if an approved status exists. If a sub-network can provide an approved status, we retain the page and its offers, employing tracking links from the sub-network. This situation often drives our collaboration with sub-networks, sometimes initiated by sub-networks reaching out to us, offering immediate earning opportunities on declined programs.

 Commission structures can vary across affiliate programs. During program activation, our team reviews program details, including commission terms. When a program operates across 

, the choice of which network to map the store with may hinge on commission differentials. However, we don't solely prioritize commission rates, as we've observed tracking issues with certain sub-networks, potentially leading to reduced sales.

: Historically, some prominent sub-affiliate networks arose due to the main networks' limited focus on product development. The primary networks concentrated on expanding their advertiser and publisher bases. This created opportunities for tech-savvy sub-affiliate networks to develop user-friendly interfaces, offering publishers access to improved UIs, comprehensive reports, and visually appealing data representations. Over time, we've witnessed enhancements in main network interfaces, but some sub-networks maintain their appeal.

 and deal sourcing process involves receiving data from network APIs and an array of other data sources integrated into our backend. When evaluating whether to collaborate with a sub-network, one significant factor is the accessibility and compatibility of their 

 API. If a sub-network provides a user-friendly API that seamlessly integrates with various data sources, it captures our attention. We conduct a comprehensive analysis, comparing the data to our internal records. If we find that the sub-networks coupons and deals API offers a superior selection of verified, higher-value offers, we are more inclined to partner with them.

: Our industry is vast but tightly knit. When one of our trusted contacts transitions to a sub-network and requests our promotion through that sub-network, we often accommodate such requests. The affiliate marketing world thrives on 

. If we perceive that a key contact at a sub-network can serve as an extension of our sales team, facilitating direct communication with advertisers, negotiating 

, and securing higher rates, we prioritize collaboration with that contact.

Looking Ahead: The Prospects and Challenges

In upcoming articles, we'll explore the pros and cons of working with sub-networks from the advertiser's perspective. We'll delve deeper into the evolving landscape of this industry, offering insights into the direction sub-networks should take for success.

In conclusion, the proliferation of sub-affiliate networks is evident worldwide. We receive daily emails and LinkedIn messages from new sub-networks spanning Asia to Europe. Our standard query to these newcomers remains consistent: "

What value do you believe you can provide us

? What sets your sub-network apart and makes it unique compared to others?"

When we initially entered the affiliate marketing industry in the early 2000s, the concept of sub-affiliate networks was nearly nonexistent. Back then, the affiliate landscape was characterized by a limited number of affiliate networks. 

The Emergence and Business Value of Sub-Affiliate Networks

, we delved into our Q4 preparations and offered insights into essential considerations for our Retailer Partners to enhance their outreach strategy.

As you gear up for the Q4 shopping frenzy, we've compiled a to-do list to help you make the most of this vibrant season:

: Reach out to your affiliate publishers immediately if you haven't already. Timely communication is key to aligning your strategy with theirs.

 for your top-performing products or offers. This can incentivize affiliates to promote your 

 more effectively. There are a lot of hidden exposure opportunities and affiliate publishers give those placements to those partners who create exclusive offers.

 across coupon and deal websites. Strategic positioning can significantly impact your reach and conversion rates. Also, that can reduce the visibility of your competitor offerings.

: Share your promotional calendar as soon as possible. Include essential details such as the retailer's price, discounted price, high-resolution product images, start and expiration dates of promotions, and relevant tags. Accuracy is vital. This is very important for especially last-minute newsletter drops where we share best deals and promotions with our users.

: Keep a close eye on your sales numbers. Daily check-ins with your top-performing affiliates can help identify any additional support they may need, such as more images or marketing content related to the discounts.

: Keep a watchful eye on your competitors' promotions, 

, and their placements on top coupon sites. Be prepared to act swiftly to maintain your competitive edge.

: Monitor your partners' performance closely throughout the shopping season. Should you encounter a new partner or witness exceptional results from an existing one, consider boosting their commission rates for the duration of this peak period. Promptly communicate this adjustment to encourage them to seize the moment and generate more opportunities during this bustling shopping period.

By following these steps, you can streamline your Q4 strategy, enhance your collaboration with affiliates, and optimize your sales potential during this exciting season.

Your Q4 Roadmap: Strategies for Retailer Partner

Welcome to Q4, the most thrilling and intense period of the year for 

! During this season, the digital landscape awakens with anticipation, and within our organization and internally, it's all hands on deck as we prepare for the shopping extravaganza that unfolds in November and December. In the midst of this hustle and bustle, our coupon and deal team steps forward as dedicated heroes, tirelessly preparing our coupon brands for the incoming wave of visitors.


Picture this: our coupon and deal team is flooded with a lot of daily offers. Each one is thoroughly evaluated, uploaded to our backend application, and assigned a score based on the value it offers. Behind the scenes, we deploy a sophisticated array of algorithms to strategically distribute these offers across our sites and marketing channels. What used to be a concentrated frenzy during 

 weeks has evolved into a season-long shopping spree, thanks to retailers' early-bird promotions.

Indeed, the landscape has changed dramatically. We're now seeing campaigns like "Black Friday in October" and "Early Black Friday Promotions in November." Retailers are capitalizing on shoppers' curiosity, and if the deal seems right, the purchases start rolling in. The transformation is most evident from November 1st onward, as our website experiences a daily, steady increase in visitors. When you come across an appealing deal that fits your budget seamlessly, it's crucial to seize the moment. Not all stores maintain the same level of promotion year-round. Some run similar discount-based promotions just a few months apart. This variance is influenced by factors like inventory management and new product launches etc.


Now, let's shift our focus to the retailer's perspective. Effective communication with publishers is crucial. Sharing your promotional calendar as early as possible and involving your affiliate partners in discussions can be incredibly beneficial. Having insights from seasoned professionals who understand shopper behavior, competition, and market trends can help fine-tune your promotional strategy. Remember, we're an extension of your marketing team, and we're just a phone call away.


This year, our excitement is tangible, thanks to the 

. The rapid success of our new global site has not only motivated our internal team but also provided fresh talking points for our sales team. We're thrilled to welcome new partners like 


As we gear up for an action-packed Q4, we encourage you to reach out to us without delay to discuss your store's Q4 strategies. We're here to collaborate, innovate, and help you maximize your Q4 success.


In closing, Q4 promises an abundance of discounts, promotions, and shopping opportunities. Our primary goal is to assist you in saving money and stretching your budget further. When we achieve this, we consider it a victory. Let's make this Q4 the most remarkable one yet!

Welcome to Q4, the most thrilling and intense period of the year for coupon sites!  During this season, the digital landscape awakens with anticipation, and within our organization and internally, it's all hands on deck as we prepare for the shopping extravaganza that unfolds in November and December. 

Q4 Insights: The Coupon Site Perspective and Your Role

Ever since its commencement in the early 2000s, Surfmyads.com, Inc. has been on a relentless mission to help 

 and facilitate millions of successful transactions for our partners. The journey of pioneering in this industry for such a significant period has been nothing short of gratifying, as we continue to sculpt and nurture tools and initiatives that empower consumers to save while enriching the partner experience.

The cornerstone of our accomplishments fundamentally rests on a resolute vision, fueled by our strong engineering skills. Embracing innovation and consistently discovering new ways to enhance the value we offer to our retail partners has been our guiding principle. A stellar testament to this ideology is 

, a clear representation of our dedication. 

The recent launch of our revamped brand website

 has already proven to be a benefit for our partners, surpassing even our most ambitious projections. And yet, we're barely scratching the surface; our most game-changing project for this platform is still under wraps, scheduled for a potential introduction in 2024, as our energies are presently absorbed in gearing up for the upcoming 

Yet, the long-lasting success of a coupon-focused business doesn't solely rely on visionary leaders, but also on how well all departments work together in harmony. Spanning the globe, our multicultural team of dedicated contributors plays a pivotal role in realizing our mission. Let me provide you with a brief overview of these departments:

Numerous third-party providers offer coupon and deal feeds, yet their quality is often lacking, leading to numerous complications. Our experience with these coupon feeds showed that their quality is not good – they have a lot of expired deals, incorrect promo codes, and an overall questionable feel. In response, since our inception, we've nurtured a robust coupon team dedicated to fine-tuning promotions and deals, with great support from our engineering experts. This team takes immense pride in ensuring our offers not only save consumers' wallets but are also monetized effectively.

The backbone of any thriving enterprise, our engineering team stands as a testament to the importance of technical prowess. With the constant influx of thousands of new deals and the management of millions of transactions, our engineers build numerous productivity tools. They've carefully crafted API-based systems for our coupon department and even created applications similar to Salesforce, acting as repositories for partner communications and details. Moreover, they built a comprehensive reporting backend structure that our account management team when working with partners. Our discount sites work well due to many internal-built automated tools, exemplified by one such tool that intelligently processes diverse data points to dynamically prioritize offers on category pages, increasing conversion rates. For instance, we've enabled a partner to target specific locations and mobile devices, thanks to the tools built by this team.

In our industry, relationships are the most important. Our enduring presence has cultivated a strong brand reputation, which the account management team diligently nurtures. Their dedication extends to engaging in conferences and on-site visits, building deeper connections with partners, and comprehending their expectations. All these ideas come together to create special plans that match what partners need, building strong connections.

In conclusion, the Coupon and Optimization Team, Engineering Department, Account Management, and Marketing divisions collaborate, using a collection of tools that analyze and work automatically If you're interested in forming a strong partnership with us, we invite you to 

, and let's work together to boost sales.

Ever since its commencement in the early 2000s, Surfmyads.com, Inc. has been on a relentless mission to help consumers save money and facilitate millions of successful transactions for our partners. 

Consistent Value: How Our Coupon Portfolio Continues to Benefit Partners and Consumers Over Time

As the sun sets on Q3 and we gear up for the holiday season in Q4, a flurry of excitement fills the air at surfmyads.com. The anticipation of a bustling quarter is palpable, despite the lingering concerns of an economy that shows no signs of yielding to lower inflation rates. With nearly two decades of coupon industry expertise under our belt, we're poised to make this year's holiday shopping season truly exceptional.

Navigating economic uncertainties, consumers are becoming savvier than ever, and that's where we come in. At surfmyads, we've observed a surge in traffic to our portfolio of websites as shoppers seek out ways to maximize their budgets through coupons and discounts. Our array of coupon code websites becomes a treasure trove for those who hadn't previously considered coupon hunting a part of their shopping routine.

Preparation is the cornerstone of our success, and our Account Team is already primed for the upcoming holiday shopping extravaganza. If you're an advertiser who's yet to tap into our network of publishers, it's important to act swiftly. The choicest placements are vanishing quickly, as brands recognize the value of prime real estate during this season. Reach out to us ASAP to discuss your holiday goals and strategies. Together, we'll craft a custom plan that leverages the potential of our extensive website portfolio.

On the frontlines, our flagship website, 

, is set to shine across the US market. Across the border, the Canadian counterpart, 

, has broken traffic records, while our UK website, 

, is charting new territory, particularly for emerging brands. The recent launch of 

 has exceeded all expectations, resonating remarkably well with a fresh wave of savvy shoppers. The conversion rates witnessed on discountcodes.com have left us awestruck, a testament to its relevance in the holiday shopping landscape.

Our arsenal of categories and tags readies us for the holiday rush, with enticing offers across 

, and more. Our media kit is en route to advertisers, and discountcodes.com presents an unparalleled opportunity. Our HERO COUPONS section, a crown jewel of the website, displays four prominent coupons atop the homepage. Trial results have been promising, capturing the attention of brands who appreciate the visibility this placement brings. We're committed to expanding the array of paid placements on discountcodes.com, ensuring prime exposure for your brand.

In closing, seize the moment and join hands with us for a rewarding 

. Contact us promptly to ensure a slot within our coupon website portfolio, and let us weave success for you this festive season. Your brand's journey towards Q4 greatness starts here with surfmyads.com.

Contact us promptly to ensure a slot within our coupon website portfolio, and let us weave success for you this festive season. Your brand's journey towards Q4 greatness starts here with surfmyads.com.

Secure Your Q4 Holiday Shopping Success: Grab Prime Paid Placement Spots Now

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the brand new Discountcodes.com! After months of hard work and collaboration, we have given our website a complete makeover to enhance your coupon shopping experience. The initial design work began late last year, and since then, we have made significant updates based on valuable feedback from our loyal savvy users and close advertiser partners. We are truly excited to share the result of our efforts with you.

Throughout this journey, we have been in constant conversation with our 

, striving to understand their preferences and desired exposure. We wanted to ensure that we are catering to their needs while maintaining our user-centric approach. Our primary goal has always been to provide you with the most important and easily accessible 

, enabling you to save more on your purchases.

When you visit our homepage, you'll immediately notice our impressive "Hero" section. This section showcases four prominent coupon containers, grabbing your attention right away. Directly beneath, we have the "category spotlight" where we highlight two categories along with the top three stores and their featured coupons. This prime section offers incredible visibility for advertisers looking to showcase their leadership and top coupon offers.

Additionally, we have introduced streamlined homepage coupons that highlight the most important deals of the week. At the top of the homepage, you'll find a dynamic banner that we update daily with fresh new coupons. This ensures that you stay up to date with the latest and greatest savings opportunities.

To improve your mobile browsing experience, we have optimized our store pages to be fully compatible with all devices. Now, you can effortlessly access mobile-friendly coupons and easily navigate through the offers that interest you. We also recognize the importance of email marketing, so we have prominently placed a subscription option on our store pages. When you sign up, you will receive automatic email notifications whenever we have a coupon code available for that particular store. Our upgraded backend system efficiently manages these notifications, tagging user location, device type, and time zone information. As we add new discount codes to our backend, the system seamlessly communicates with a third-party email service provider, ensuring that you receive the codes based on your preferred email frequency. This project aims to maximize transactions for our valued partners and presents an excellent placement opportunity for them.

Moreover, our category pages have been meticulously optimized. You will find the best offers from various stores listed on each category page, accompanied by multiple algorithm metrics such as coupon value and store ratings on our site. We have also made enhancements to our navigation bar. The top parent categories are now highlighted, and you can easily explore the most popular stores under the Trending tab. Furthermore, we have integrated a 

 tab, as we continuously strive to educate our users and empower them to become true Savings Experts.

Unlike other coupon websites, Discountcodes.com is a global hub for stores. In addition to working with retailers in the US, we are expanding our reach to include stores from the UK, Australia, and Canada. In the second half of the year, we will further integrate European stores, bringing you an even wider selection of savings opportunities. Exciting features and updates lie ahead, and we can't wait to share them with you.

If you are interested in having your store listed on Discountcodes.com and discovering the various placements we can offer, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We would be delighted to collaborate with you and help you maximize your exposure.

Thank you for being part of the Discountcodes.com community. 

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the brand new Discountcodes.com! After months of hard work and collaboration, we have given our website a complete makeover to enhance your coupon shopping experience.

Introducing the New and Improved Discountcodes.com

In the early 2000s, when we initially ventured into the domain of 

 in Santa Barbara, CJ and Rakuten Advertising (previously known as Linkshare) dominated the US market. Rakuten Network, one of the oldest affiliate networks, has maintained its prominence. Since then, we've seen niche networks carve out significant spaces for themselves through targeted strategies. Take Shareasale, for instance, which has experienced impressive growth by focusing on small and medium-sized programs. Many of these programs began their journeys on the Shareasale network, gradually migrating to Tier 1 networks like CJ and Rakuten as they expanded. Similarly, Avantlink has become a pivotal player by primarily catering to outdoor and sports category-specific programs – a highly effective strategy indeed!

The industry has also been a witness to a variety of acquisitions, such as the agency-turned-affiliate network, Pepperjam, which was acquired by Partnerize. Moreover, during this period, the Impact affiliate network was founded in Santa Barbara by industry veterans from CJ. With several robust competitors in play, the industry has been driven towards innovation, pushing networks to devise advanced tools for both advertisers and publishers.

With the multitude of networks in existence, it's common to see advertisers switching their alliances. The reasons for these shifts can vary widely, and each has its pros and cons. However, our focus here is on the ripple effect such changes have on the publisher's side.

As soon as our merchant activation team is notified of a merchant transitioning from one network to another, they promptly inform the account team about the new point-of-contact at the new network. If our account team had prior communication with the network representative, they must update our internal records, shift their interaction to the new contact, and arrange a meeting to apprise them of the account history. Our reporting team assists in this process by assembling all necessary documents to facilitate the transition.

Simultaneously, our merchant activation team updates the backend program links. Our coupon optimization team also ensures that all coupon redirection links are revised to prevent any link errors for that program. Post-transition, our campaign optimization team vigilantly monitors incoming sales numbers from the new network. It's crucial to understand that conversion rates may vary between networks. For instance, if a drop in the conversion rate is noticed - say from 12% with the previous network to 8% with the new network - our campaign analytics team alerts the account team. This anomaly is then raised with the new network representative for identification and resolution of any underlying issues.

As a publisher, we maintain professional relationships with a majority of networks. Yet, we have our preferences, including certain network representatives who we work closely with and regard as friends. Therefore, when they lose a program to another network, it does evoke a sense of disappointment – a sentiment we occasionally share with the in-house program manager.

In conclusion, network transitions are a common occurrence in this industry. In fact, our merchant activation team sends us daily updates on such changes. We also observe similar patterns on the agency side, which we'll delve into in a future article. Additionally, we'll explore the pros and cons of network transitions more comprehensively.

So, are you satisfied with your current network or pondering a switch? Whatever your position, remember that as a publisher, we share your journey.

Navigating Network Transitions: A Publisher's Perspective

Affiliate marketing conferences are significant in our industry, providing pivotal opportunities to connect with high-profile advertisers, network employees, and, most importantly, agency contacts. These events provide a sense of belonging to our remote employees and offer a chance to escape the confines of home offices and engage with partners in a face-to-face setting. After countless Zoom meetings, we yearn for the genuine interaction these conferences facilitate. Moreover, these gatherings are renowned for their exceptional seminars and distinguished speakers. The recent DealMaker conference, hosted by 

, showcased a multitude of informative sessions alongside delightful festivities, such as a disco in the desert and an exhilarating pickleball tournament. Rakuten never fails to ensure a good time. However, beyond the entertainment, the primary purpose of these conferences remains fortifying existing partnerships, building new connections, and enjoying quality time with like-minded individuals in our affiliate industry.

In the past, Dealmaker USA traversed various cities, including Austin, last year. This time, it chose Palm Springs, California's picturesque location as its backdrop. We were thrilled to have two of our senior team members attend this prestigious event, where they had an extraordinary experience. They seized the opportunity to meet with our cherished agency contacts and respected retailer partners, including 

, and the exceptional Rakuten Account Managers. During our discussion, we thoroughly explored their 

 strategy for the year, examined seasonal events, emphasized exclusive coupon opportunities, and revealed new placement opportunities exclusively designed for our close partners. Upon their return from the conference, they were filled with anticipation, eager to embark on the upcoming partnerships they were set to forge.

Typically, when our team returns from these conferences, we promptly set to work, prioritizing our to-do list based on the conference outcomes. Gathering the entire team, we brainstorm ideas based on the valuable feedback and insights shared by our attending members. For newcomers to the affiliate marketing realm, attending conferences of this nature is an absolute must. Beyond their professional significance, these events contribute to personal growth, enabling attendees to refine their skills in running meetings and organizing events. They also provide opportunities for individuals to identify and address their weaknesses as businesspeople, all while cultivating a network of connections that can positively shape their career trajectory.

In reality, the event commences long before the official start date, as we thoroughly review the attendee list and prioritize the meetings we wish to schedule. With limited time, it is crucial to ensure that we accomplish our main meeting goals. The involvement of various departments in the meeting preparations, including the collation of marketing and sales documents to support our attendees and optimization team, helps us determine which meetings to prioritize. Accordingly, our attendees book their meetings, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

Take a glimpse at some captivating moments captured during this remarkable event:

At Surfmyads.com, attending affiliate conferences is deeply ingrained in our company culture. We encourage and enable our team members to participate in these events throughout the year. If you're curious about which conference we'll be attending next, contact us. We would be delighted to arrange face-to-face meetings with our team members or even have our senior representatives join your event as expert speakers. Until next time, we look forward to meeting you!

Affiliate marketing conferences are significant in our industry, providing pivotal opportunities to connect with high-profile advertisers, network employees, and, most importantly, agency contacts. 

DealMaker Conference: Networking with Prominent Advertisers and Industry Titans 2023

We're excited to share the exceptional Q1 we had at Surfmyads.com. Thanks in part to the support of our close partners and agency contacts, our savings sites saw higher traffic as consumers made more efforts to save with coupons and coupon codes. Recent UI updates also helped us increase our conversion rates, resulting in one of our best quarters.

, was particularly successful, thanks to the amazing partnerships we have with leading Canadian brands. While we don't have a physical office or Canadian employees, our US account team has built strong relationships with retailers such as 

 etc. In Q1/2023, we generated solid sales for these brands and delivered additional types of users through search campaigns. Our data-centric search team ran comprehensive market and competitor analysis for these partners and optimized search campaigns, delivering value and additional sales.

At Surfmyads.com, we pride ourselves on being an extension of our partners' marketing teams. We believe that our success is tied to the success of our partners, and we are committed to providing them with the best possible service. By running search campaigns and offering prominent placements on Coupons.ca, we aim to add additional value to our partners and bring more sales and leads to their programs. We want our partners to see us as a valuable asset to their team and to know that we share the same goal of growing their business.

Our goal is to be the number one coupon site in Canada. We're actively seeking a local Canadian employee to help us grow and strengthen our partnerships with Canadian stores. While the Canadian affiliate market still has a minimal number of affiliate stores compared to the US and UK markets, we believe that more can be done to increase the affiliate marketing pie in Canada. In the past couple of years, the Australian market has experienced rapid affiliate marketing growth, despite only beginning to adopt it. However, Canada has not seen the same growth level in the number of affiliate stores. It is clear that there is room for improvement and growth in the Canadian affiliate marketing industry. Networks, agencies, and publishers should collaborate to explore new opportunities and strategies to expand the affiliate marketing pie in Canada. In our upcoming articles, we will explore this topic in more depth

If you have a program that gets users from Canada or ships to Canada, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We'd love to see how we can promote your brand through coupons.ca and help bring more sales and leads to your program.

We're excited to share the exceptional Q1 we had at Surfmyads.com. Thanks in part to the support of our close partners and agency contacts, our savings sites saw higher traffic as consumers made more efforts to save with coupons and coupon codes.

Surfmyads.com's Coupons.ca Dominates Canadian Market in Q1/2023

Seasonal periods present significant opportunities for both coupon websites and retailers, as consumer interest and demand peaks. Our websites also experience a significant influx of 

 during seasonal periods. Our dedicated optimization team members work tirelessly to ensure all seasonal offers and deals are promptly added to our backend to benefit our savvy shoppers.

In this article, we'll discuss the importance of seasonal shopping events, how our 

 prepare them, and offer insights for retailers seeking to maximize their success during these key periods.

Maximizing Seasonal Opportunities for Coupon Websites:

1. Preparation and Planning: Our coupon website experiences increased traffic and a surge in available offers during seasonal events. To stay ahead, we maintain a full-year calendar, listing all seasonal retail shopping dates, and schedule strategy meetings well in advance. We also coordinate with our partners for early access to seasonal promotions and 

, ensuring our shoppers get the best deals possible.

2. Partner Outreach: Drawing from our years of experience and internal data, we have developed custom retailer lists based on the type of seasonal event. This targeted approach allows us to work with relevant affiliate programs for each event, such as flower brands (

) during Valentine's Day and stores like 

 during Mother's Day or educational retailers 

3. Additional Placements and Partnerships: During seasonal events, we collaborate with close affiliate partners from various categories to provide users with various promotions and deals. Retailers can access these additional placements by sharing their promotional strategies early and offering special commission increases or paid placements.

4. Content Creation: During seasonal events, content plays a crucial role in guiding our shoppers, many of whom are still undecided about their purchases. Our content team crafts informative blog articles to meet this need, drawing on the promotions and deals identified by our coupon optimization and account teams. Meanwhile, our PR Manager develops captivating stories to pitch to the media, further enhancing our users' shopping experience.

Strategies for Retailers during Seasonal Periods:

1. Be Creative and Flexible: Regardless of your product or service, you can likely make a connection to a seasonal event. Creativity and adaptability are key to crafting compelling promotions that resonate with consumers and appeal to coupon publishers.

2. Craft Engaging Content: Emphasize storytelling and create engaging content related to seasonal events. For example, a security software company like 

 could develop a Father's Day-themed article on the risks of not protecting devices with their solution. Share this content with your publisher partners to increase visibility.

3. Utilize Giveaways and Sweepstakes: Collaborate with publisher partners to run giveaways or sweepstakes during seasonal events. This can help increase exposure for your products or services and drive consumer engagement.

4. Leverage Public Relations Opportunities: Seasonal periods offer PR opportunities, as online and offline media outlets frequently discuss the best deals, discount codes and promotions for these events. Partner with savings experts from coupon websites to share your unique offers with their networks, potentially reaching TV, radio stations, and online publications.

5. Commission Increases: Offer commission increases during seasonal shopping events. Although you may have budget constraints and can't offer increases for all your publishers, consider raising the commission by 1 or 2 percent for select publishers who are likely to deliver value during that particular shopping period.

As an affiliate program manager, creativity and storytelling are often undervalued skills, particularly for those managing small or mid-sized programs. While it's true that coupon websites tend to prioritize promotions from well-known brands like 

, managers of smaller programs need to be resourceful and inventive storytellers to persuade publishers to grant additional exposure across their platforms.

In conclusion: Seasonal shopping periods are a prime time for coupon and deal websites and retailers to capitalize on increased consumer interest. Savings websites can provide users with the best offers by diligently preparing, tailoring outreach efforts, and leveraging additional placements. Retailers should focus on creativity, engaging content, giveaways, and PR opportunities to maximize success during these important events. 

So are you ready for the following seasonal shopping event? Start by contacting us, and let's work together to make the most of the upcoming seasonal shopping period.

Seasonal periods present significant opportunities for both coupon websites and retailers, as consumer interest and demand peaks. Our websites also experience a significant influx of coupons and coupon codes during seasonal periods.

Coupons in Bloom: Mastering Seasonal Shopping Events

Affiliate marketing is a space that's similar to the coupon industry, and just like coupons, affiliate agencies face a lot of competition. When we apply for a new program, one of the first things our team does is look up who manages it. Is it managed by the retailer in-house, an affiliate marketing agency, or launched and represented by an affiliate network directly? Knowing who manages the program tells us a lot as a publisher.

Suppose the program is managed by an affiliate agency we have a strong partnership. In that case, we immediately start promoting it on our coupon and deal websites and assign the program to one of our account managers to start running initial meetings with the partner. If it's managed by a coupon-friendly agency, we will take further steps to grow its exposure. On the other hand, if the program is managed by an agency that doesn't offer a value-centric approach, we hold off taking actions compared to what we do for its competitors.

Choosing the right affiliate agency is a big deal for retailers, and there are many factors to consider. We will explore this topic in more depth in future articles.

In the early 2000s, there were only a few affiliate marketing agencies, and the affiliate networks were just starting to provide network services by employing in-house account managers. Over the years, the consulting market has become increasingly competitive, with lots of affiliate marketing agencies and general marketing agencies building their affiliate-centric teams in-house. Many account managers have also moved on and created their consulting services.

While there are many affiliate marketing agencies, the services they provide are essentially the same, although the quality varies from one agency to another. As a publisher, our willingness to work for a program may vary from one agency to another. Typically, an agency has a sales/biz-dev person who brings new accounts, and some agencies focus on browsing the existing affiliate programs and reaching out to them to get them as a client. When an agency sees a new program launch at an affiliate network, some immediately send a sales email to that client to manage that program. However, respectful agencies won't do so if they see that a competitor manages a program.

This kind of behavior reminds me of how we deal with other coupon and discount sites in our industry. For example, our account managers work hard to obtain exclusive 

 from a partner. We often see a competing coupon website copying the discount code and sharing it on their website. Similarly, in the agency world, some agencies will send out sales emails offering free X months of service to a client, even though another competitive agency already manages the client.

As a publisher, we believe that the industry should continue to grow, and we want to see agencies bringing new programs to the space and spending their time reaching out to existing programs to try and close those accounts. This approach is much more constructive than poaching other agencies' clients. Working together to grow the industry can create more opportunities for everyone involved.

Former network employees typically establish affiliate marketing agencies with a good idea of what is needed to run a successful campaign. They build their consultant company and start running one program, and their agency grows from there. You can also find many agencies established by people who worked at an affiliate marketing agency.

Account managers from affiliate networks have access to performance reports and know who works best. Affiliate marketing agencies have similar data if they've launched and run similar programs through other affiliate platforms. Some clients hire an affiliate marketing agency and also get additional services from the network account management team. While it is somewhat understandable, it doesn't necessarily make sense or, in some cases, make much of a difference. This is usually the case for large brands like 

If you've built great relationships, friendships, and partnerships with publishers from various verticals and have entrepreneurial skills, you can start your affiliate agency. From a publisher's standpoint, it doesn't matter if a small or big affiliate marketing agency manages the account. What matters is who's managing the account. Is this someone we've worked with before? Did they provide good support and value to our relationship over the years? Did they come to us with opportunities? Are they good with numbers and entirely on top of the programs they've managed before? Did we, as a publisher, feel their support? If yes, we would love to work with them and provide great support to make their program successful!

We currently work with 30 affiliate marketing agencies and have our favorites when it comes to those agencies and network reps. We receive daily emails from retailers asking how they can work with us, and we typically send these leads to the affiliate agencies we know provide excellent service. Providing quality service is how you grow in this industry.

 Our next article will discuss who we like to work with as a publisher, our affiliate agency partners, and why we give them free extra exposure across our 

Affiliate marketing is a space that's similar to the coupon industry, and just like coupons, affiliate agencies face a lot of competition. When we apply for a new program, one of the first things our team does is look up who manages it.

Publisher Insights on Affiliate Marketing Agencies and Networks

As a merchant program manager, you know that one of the key things a coupon site will ask for when you approve them to promote your products and/or services at an affiliate network is an exclusive coupon offer. You might be wondering why is this important to a publisher. Well, let's dive into the details.

 are essential for a number of reasons. First, they represent the value of the coupon site. When shoppers land on our website and see a wide variety of exclusive codes from different stores, they immediately build trust in our site. They recognize that if a retailer partner provides us with an exclusive coupon, we have a close relationship with them and a good reputation. So, exclusive codes help build and strengthen the positive brand image of the coupon website.

Exclusive coupon codes also help increase conversion rates, as our internal research has shown over years of data. From-impression-to-click and click-to-sale conversion rates both benefit from exclusive coupons. Most publishers display their exclusive offers with an "

" tag that quickly grabs website visitors' attention.

Offering exclusive coupons is also a display of power, especially considering our number of competitors. An exclusive coupon from a brand shows other publishers that you're running a good and strong team, sending a message to the sector overall.

Additionally, search engines prioritize websites with unique and value-added content. Since exclusive codes offer users substantial value, search engines tend to rank publishers with exclusive codes higher.

On the advertiser side, offering exclusive coupons to your selective publishers is an intelligent marketing strategy. Let's say you're a small brand that recently launched an affiliate program. One way to recruit and get the attention of strong publishers, such as solid coupon websites or influencers, is to offer them an exclusive coupon. You can create an exclusive code branded with the influencer or website name, then reach out to them with a personalized email that shows you've done your research and that you value their audience.

Offering exclusive coupons also shows that you're here for your partners. When publishers see an exclusive code on your competitor's website or other content properties, they immediately feel that a friendly affiliate account manager must manage your program. It creates an opportunity to discuss what you can do together.

You can also use exclusive coupons as part of a rewarding strategy for your strong performers, showing them your appreciation for their efforts. Additionally, if you're tight on budget and can't offer a commission increase, offering an exclusive coupon can motivate your partners to promote your brand.

Exclusive coupons also provide extra exposure for your brand across publishers' websites, even without a paid placement budget. Publishers have specific pages to display exclusive coupons. Certain data-centric coupon publishers, like our coupon brands, use algorithms on homepage, category, and seasonal pages that give exclusive coupons extra weight for more exposure on the site.

Finally, offering an exclusive coupon is a great way to get all our departments interested in your brand. During our team meetings, account managers review any exclusive codes they've received from their programs, and all of our departments take note.  When our team receives exclusive coupon offers, we involve all departments to ensure maximum exposure for the brand. For example, the content department may determine whether the brand could be included in a future blog post, while the PR department considers whether to mention the brand in a future media pitch. Additionally, the Coupon Optimization Team adds the brand to its weekly watch list to closely monitor its performance. By offering an exclusive coupon, your brand has the potential to gain exposure across all our departments, increasing its chances of being featured in various promotional channels.

So, why not offer us an exclusive coupon now? Check out our 

 on promocodes.com. We're excited to partner with you and drive sales together!

As a merchant program manager, you know that one of the key things a coupon site will ask for when you approve them to promote your products and/or services at an affiliate network is an exclusive coupon offer. You might be wondering, why is this important to a publisher? Well, let's dive into the details.

Why are Exclusive Coupon Offers Important to Coupon Sites?

At Surfmyads.com, we take pride in our wide range of 

 that cater to different markets. We understand the value of premium domain names and have implemented them in our business strategy to improve our conversion rates. Our portfolio includes some of the most expensive premium domain names, such as promocodes.com for the US market, codes.co.uk for the UK market, coupons.ca for the Canadian market, codes.de for Germany, codepromo.fr for the French market, desconto.com.br for the Brazilian market, discountcodes.com and many more.

As a coupon business, we must differentiate ourselves from the competition and build trust with our users. Our premium domain names help us achieve this goal. For instance, when a shopper searches for "promo codes," seeing our domain name promocodes.com instantly creates trust and confidence that we are a reliable source for coupon codes. Similarly, for French shoppers who search for "code promo," our domain name codepromo.fr builds that trust and helps us stand out from the competition.

In fact, our extensive research and A/B testing has revealed that the use of premium domain names can yield significant benefits for coupon businesses. We have seen up to a 25% increase in click-through conversion rates, up to a 10% increase in transaction conversion rates, and up to a 6% increase in 

This is because savvy shoppers are likelier to trust and spend more time on a website with a strong domain name.

On the retailer side, it's essential to pay attention to the quality of a publisher's domain name during the publisher approval process. A strong premium domain name can increase a company's branding image and improve conversion rates.

However, it's important to note that owning premium domain names is not easy. The value of premium domain names in the coupon business is so significant that one of our competitors spent seven figures to acquire another premium coupon domain name just a few years ago in an effort to compete with us. At Surfmyads.com, we have been fortunate enough to own these premium domain portfolios for the past 15 years. Acquiring these valuable assets very early was not easy. 

At Surfmyads.com, we take pride in our wide range of coupon websites that cater to different markets. We understand the value of premium domain names and have implemented them in our business strategy to improve our conversion rates.

The Signal

Access insider data, expert insights and in-depth interviews about affiliate marketing, promotional marketing and search engine marketing.