Horror stories abound about affiliate programs and networks that don't live up to promises. Many of these stories are always related in some way to illegal programs or pyramid schemes and scams.

You must try to avoid these programs at all cost, and to do that, you must find high quality programs that offer excellent products and service that you can readily endorse and be proud of. There is already enough proof online to support the fact that these affiliate programs and honorable companies exist.

Participating in marketing affiliate programs allow you to work part-time from home and earn additional income. You get the opportunity to build and create residual income. You become an owner of a small business. Many entrepreneurs have become wealthy from marketing affiliate programs online.

To choose a good affiliate program, take note of the following time tested suggestions.

You should love the program and product that you will be promoting. This should be one of those programs that you can't wait to get your hands on and can't wait to show and tell friends and relatives about. This will be a product you will purchase and use personally. If this is the case, there could be many others like yourself who are also awed by this particular affiliate program along with the products.

The quality of the program must be excellent with an established reputable company. This company should be a leader in that particular industry. Knowing this, you can be assured that the standard of the program will be high.

Look for companies that offer real and useful products. Get testimonials, contact some users of the product, research your chosen product before endorsing it. If possible, track down some of the affiliate members and customers and get their opinion on the credibility of the product and the program itself.

Be sure that this program caters to a wide audience to ensure continuous demand for both the product and opportunity. Join forums related to your particular niche and participate and ask pointed questions, you will be amazed at the quality of feedback.

The compensation plan should payout a high percentage of 30-40% or more to the affiliates. You must make sure you're paid handsomely for all your effort advertising and driving traffic to the company's website and producing the sales. Stay away from those programs that do not reward substantially for your efforts.

Avoid affiliate programs that set minimum quotas that you must fill or sales targets. Many of these affiliate programs even impose pre-requisites you must meet, before you get paid your hard earned commissions.

Select programs that offer many tools and resources to help you build your business. All affiliate programs are not equal, therefore, search and choose the ones with lots of helpful and usable tools.

The program you decide on should have a proven system to allow you to check your referrals and commission 24 hours a day online, a strong incentive for members to stay with the program with consistent product upgrades and program improvements.

Be sure to immerse yourself in total knowledge of your product and the affiliate program that you are marketing. Knowing your business inside out is a sure way to success, promoting your program on and off-line.