Website Magazine's February 2012 issue "Building the Ultimate Affiliate" is now available! Check it out here!

If the downturn of the global economy has forced the community of Web workers to do anything, it has been to focus their collective attention on ways to extract the greatest amount of value from every interaction, every platform and every relationship. To do this, merchants and advertisers are increasingly turning to affiliates to generate brand awareness, website traffic and, of course, conversions.

But to excel in the performance-marketing space today — and actually make a profit — affiliates must surmount many technical challenges, learn how to use many different tools and resources, leverage their social propensities, ideate and innovate in the face of emerging trends and constantly explore new opportunities and offers. Sound impossible? Not for those who are built for success.

In Website Magazine’s feature article for February 2012, we address how affiliates can thrive in the performance-based online marketing business today. Only with a formal understanding of your audience’s needs and wants, a dedication to developing community around knowledge and expertise, and a willingness to push forward despite the well-documented obstacles and challenges in the marketplace, will you be able to realize the fullest version of your affiliate self.

This edition of Website Magazine also provides a wealth of insights on subjects of vital importance to ’Net professionals. This month our editors and contributors have addressed important topics including video for the enterprise, social commerce, website navigation, site search, behavioral data, and a whole lot more, including interesting articles on virtual fitting rooms, Web design trends and search engine optimization.

Enjoy this issue of Website Magazine and share your stories of ’Net Success with us online at WebsiteMagazine.com.

Best Web Wishes,
Pete Prestipino
WM Editor-in-Chief