(Scroll down for the directory of affiliate program directories)

Recruiting affiliates can be challenging. As an advertiser (those actually operating the affiliate program), services such as CommissionJunction, ShareASale, LinkConnector and others can be cost prohibitive to get started. This is why many merchants simply never get in the game. For those that do however, the rewards are great which is why an entire industry has developed around the business of independent affiliate sites selling the products, services and software of merchants on a cost-per-sale, cost-per-lead or cost-per-click basis. 

If you simply don't have the funds to outsource the promotion and management of your affiliate program, there is an alternative - do it yourself. Website Magazine has written a few articles on starting a DIY affiliate program and even provided guidance for those looking to be affiliates in our feature story from back in August 2006.

With millions of potential partners online though, you need to separate your program from that of the competition. Marketing to marketers is often like selling ice to eskimos, so the more clearly you can express the benefit of being your affiliate, the more competitive you can make the payout and the more support you offer (through resources, newsletters, etc.) the more affiliates will join your program and the greater the potential to sell more product.

But where do you find affiliates? We've developed a list of eight top affiliate program directories below with some important statistics on their place in the affiliate industry, how well each of these affiliate directories is performing and what you can possibly expect from a listing at these free resources. Since many affiliate use these directories to locate independent affiliate program, these are a great place to find those that are willing and able to sell what you're offering.

AffiliatesDirectory.com One of the most established affiliate directories on the Web (at least eight years old). Google Pagerank of 4, nearly 8,000 pages indexed, over 2,700 inbound links and an Alexa Rank of 112,521.
AssociatePrograms.com Well respected collection of affiliate programs (over ten years old). Google Pagerank of 5, over 17,000 pages indexed, 32,000 inbound links and an Alexa rank of 32,679.
AffiliateSeeking.com Well structured directory of affiliate programs (four years old). Google Pagerank of 5, nearly 6,000 pages indexed, over 42,000 inbound links an an Alexa rank of 57,190.
AtHomeDirectory.com Pretty new directory (less than two years) of work at home affiliate programs. Google Pagerank of 4, over 6,600 pages indexed, 3,400 inbound links but a rather low Alexa rank of 500,000 plus.
AffiliateShowcase.com A member of the old guard of affiliate directories (more than five years). Google Pagerank of 4, 4,000 pages indexed, over 11,000 inbound links and a respectable Alexa rank of 238,000.
AffiliateTips.com Hands down, one of the top affiliate program directories (aged at over 8 years). Google Pagerank of 4, just 478 pages indexed and only 1,200 inbound links with an Alexa rank of 134,000, AffiliateTips is well structured and helpful from the home page on down.
AffiliateRanker.com Less a directory and more of a search portal, a good resource (at only two 1/2 years old). Google Pagerank of 4, indexed pages at 2,000+, a whopping 27,000+ inbound links and an Alexa rank of just over 134,000.
AffiliateScout.com Another well-structured directory of associate programs (aged at over 4 years).  Google Pagerank of just 3, but 7,700+ pages index, 37,000+ inbound links and an impressive Alexa rank of 37,000.