Affiliate Marketing is currently one of the most popular and lucrative business opportunities online. It is an agreement between the merchant, or the one with the product to sell, and the website owner or the affiliate, or the one who allows the use of his site to promote the merchant's product or service. Thus, affiliate marketing is a relationship between the merchant and the affiliate.

Meanwhile, an affiliate-marketing network is a program that involves a network of individuals and organizations with the purpose of helping each other through affiliate marketing. There are many affiliate-marketing programs where both merchants and affiliates can go to find what they need. In such affiliate marketing networks, affiliates can choose from thousands of products to advertise. Similarly, the merchants can proffer their products and look for affiliates who will advertise their products.

The Commission Junction Affiliate Program is, one of, if not the largest affiliate marketing networks in the internet today. It is a leader in performance based online marketing offering excellent opportunities for both merchants and affiliates. The company serves millions of clients making it one of the largest ad networks today.

It facilitates the relationship between advertisers and affiliates and leverages its expertise in the affiliate marketing business to ensure the best results for its clients. Commission Junction has affiliate programs mostly for physical goods. The company excels in niche markets, as most niche markets require physical goods as affiliate products.

As the market leader in affiliate marketing solutions, Commission Junction offers many advantages for both merchants and affiliates. The Commission Junction system is excellent and full of good features for both parties. As a Commission Junction merchant, you only need to sign up and have your affiliate program available to thousands of potential affiliates. New merchants are listed on the homepage of the Commission Junction Account Manager. Affiliates will be able to see this listing upon log in, ensuring maximum exposure for the merchant. In this manner, the merchant has the opportunity to attract the best affiliates to carry his product or service.

Another advantage that Commission Junction offers to merchants is the promotion to the Commission Junction affiliate network upon sign up via the Commission Junction email newsletter. Being in the Commission Junction affiliate network provides excellent opportunity for the merchant to find quality affiliates who can bring in more clients and more sales.

Since the key to affiliate marketing success for merchants is finding the right affiliates, Commission Junction offers the best way for merchants to succeed, by bringing merchants and affiliates together. The merchant's affiliate program will also be listed in the Commission Junction Account Manager for life giving you more exposure. You can also purchase special listing for higher affiliate exposure.

Commission Junction also has many advantages for affiliates. It has more merchants than any other affiliate marketing company today. An affiliate of Commission Junction has access to the largest directory of affiliate programs encompassing thousands of products and services. Affiliates have the luxury to choose what product they will advertise.

Commission Junction has an excellent record of accomplishment in the affiliate marketing business, so it makes sense for any affiliate to be a Commission Junction affiliate. The company offers a huge number of affiliate programs in every category of products and services. In addition, affiliates of Commission Junction receive notices via email whenever new affiliate programs are added. Commission Junction offers the best opportunities to make a profit for both merchants and affiliates. It combines resources to further the sales or profit of each party.

However, Commission Junction also has its downsides. For one, the commissions are relatively lower, being in the 7% to 20% bracket. Yet, despite of the lower income potential, Commission Junction is still one of the best options for affiliate marketers. Commission junction has also had its share of setbacks such as during the early part of 2002 when merchants dropped out because of the hike in prices.

All the same, Commission Junction remains as one of the best choices when it comes to affiliate marketing. It offers the best features and opportunities for merchants and affiliates. Its marketing solutions help marketers increase their profits. Indeed, there are many reasons why any affiliate or merchant who want to succeed should join Commission Junction.