How to Convince Affiliates to Migrate to a New Platform? Expert Strategies for Trust, Transparency & Automation
Migrating affiliates to a new platform can be a daunting challenge for many brands, especially within competitive sectors like iGaming, Forex, and complex IB programs. How do successful affiliate managers address affiliate concerns about switching platforms? What strategies can they use to effectively highlight crucial benefits like transparency, automation, and trust?
We gathered insights from 6 thought leaders in the affiliate and digital marketing space to provide you with actionable strategies for a smooth affiliate migration. Their collective wisdom reveals that proactive communication, building confidence, and demonstrating tangible value are paramount.
1. Build Trust with Phased Migration
Harmanjit Singh, Founder and CEO, Origin Web Studios emphasizes building trust through a phased migration:
“Building trust is crucial when migrating affiliates to a new platform. I’ve found that transparency and clear communication make all the difference in easing affiliate concerns. One strategy that works well is implementing a phased migration approach. Rather than forcing an abrupt switch, we let affiliates gradually transition while maintaining access to both platforms temporarily. This minimizes disruption to their revenue streams. For example, when migrating one of our e-commerce clients, we first moved our top 20% of revenue-driving affiliates. We provided them dedicated support and gathered feedback to optimize the process before rolling it out more broadly. Their positive experiences helped convince others. The key is highlighting concrete benefits that matter to affiliates – like faster payments, better reporting, and automated tools that save them time. Raw numbers speak volumes; showing how other affiliates increased earnings after migrating is very persuasive. Remember that affiliates care most about their bottom line. If you can demonstrate how the new platform will help them make more money more easily, they’ll be far more receptive to change. Give them confidence in the migration by having a clear plan and a robust support system in place.”
2. Offer Sandbox Programs for Affiliates
Matthew Goulart, Founder, Ignite Digital highlights the power of hands-on experience and continuous feedback:
“Managing affiliate concerns in a platform migration starts by predicting what problems affiliates care about most – such as lost tracking or access to accurate data. Affiliates need the security of knowing that their hard work will be safe during the move. The way to provide that is by offering a seamless and transparent migration process. A sandbox program for affiliates to experiment with the new platform in advance is incredibly powerful. It allows them to test the tools, run simulations, and build trust in the changes before fully committing. This, coupled with real-world support such as custom walkthroughs or bespoke onboarding, helps remove the unknown when transitioning to new systems. Just as crucial is being openly communicative throughout the migration. Affiliates don’t just want technical updates; they want regular assurance that their feedback is being acted upon. Schedule frequent check-ins during the transition to give them an explicit avenue to voice concerns or questions. And by releasing regular reports on how their campaigns are performing in the new system, affiliates experience the ROI of the transition right away.”
3. Highlight Long-Term Benefits with Clear Comparisons
Adnan Jiwani, Assistant Manager Digital Marketing, PureVPN emphasising
“To address affiliate concerns about switching platforms, affiliate managers should focus on clear communication and demonstrate the long-term benefits. One strategy is to offer a detailed comparison between the old and new platforms, explicitly highlighting how the new system will improve transparency, such as better tracking and real-time reporting. For example, I’ve seen brands hold webinars or one-on-one sessions to walk affiliates through the new platform, showing them how automation can save time and increase efficiency. It’s also important to reassure affiliates that their trust is a priority. Offering a trial period where they can test the platform without committing fully is a great way to build confidence. By showing the practical advantages, like easier payments or more detailed insights, affiliates can truly see the value, making the transition smoother.”
4. Replicate Current Setup for Continuity
Anders Bill, Cofounder/CPO, Superfiliate advises minimizing anxiety through consistency:
“If you are transitioning affiliates to a new affiliate management platform, it’s very easy to minimize anxiety through consistency and by continuing to leverage what is already working. Affiliates are often concerned about disruption to their processes or potential data loss, so it’s important for them to feel like they aren’t losing anything valuable. I recommend establishing a setup that is as close to their current setup as possible on the new platform, at least during the initial implementation period. Replicating common structures, such as familiar reporting dashboards or tracking methodologies, gives affiliates a sense of continuity. This allows them to incrementally recognize the value of the new system, helping them understand that the transformation is manageable. Additionally, you should proactively address unforeseen concerns with advice and reassurance. Providing examples or testimonials of affiliates who have successfully migrated builds credibility and proves the move works. Offering on-demand, live training sessions is another great way to meet affiliates where they are and enable them to learn as they go.”
5. Communicate Migration Plans Early & Involve Affiliates
Sheraz Ali, Founder & CEO, HARO Links Builder stresses the importance of early engagement and showcasing automation:
“Moving brands and their affiliates can be a complex process. Therefore, an affiliate manager should employ several strategies to address affiliate concerns about changing platforms, always emphasizing transparency, automation, and trust. First and foremost, communication is essential. Affiliates need to be well-informed about the migration plans ahead of time. This includes clearly stating the reasons for the switch and explaining how the new platform will be more beneficial in terms of advanced tracking capabilities and robust reporting features that enhance transparency. Providing comprehensive resources, such as FAQs and dedicated training sessions, can significantly alleviate fears and ensure affiliates feel supported throughout the transition. Involve affiliates in the process. Early engagement can substantially reduce resistance to change. Affiliate managers can work collaboratively with them, asking for feedback and input to foster a sense of ownership and trust in the new system. This approach makes the transition smoother and encourages adoption. Third, explicitly show the benefits of automation. Demonstrate how the new platform will streamline processes, allowing affiliates to better manage campaigns and track performance. For example, showcasing automated reporting tools illustrates how affiliates will gain real-time insights into their performance without manual effort. This not only improves efficiency but also builds confidence in the brand’s commitment to its partners. Lastly, monitor the migration closely. After transitioning, keeping a close eye on affiliate performance and promptly addressing any issues is crucial. Regular check-ins help identify lingering concerns and demonstrate that the brand values its affiliates’ contributions. Successful examples from other brands who have undergone similar migrations can also serve as motivational case studies to reassure affiliates about the positive outcomes they can expect.”
6. Establish Clear and Transparent Communication & Showcase Features
Fahad Khan, Digital Marketing Manager, Ubuy Nigeria emphasizes clarity, security, and unique feature presentation:
“Affiliate migration can be a challenging struggle for brands, but with an appropriate strategy, it can transform your brand into a partner-preferred choice, leading to greater transparency, trust, and automated tasks. Here’s how you can facilitate brand growth through migration: Work on establishing clear and transparent communication with early engagement plans, providing detailed migration roadmaps, and addressing concerns with an open mindset. Highlight crucial security aspects like data protection, platform reliability, and stability to build profound trust. Showcase the unique features of your new affiliate management platform, such as more visibility into campaign performance, automated payment cycles, reduced manual work errors, and access to smart tools. Make a positive impression with testimonials and existing case studies. Consider offering incentives, such as early bird offers or special bonuses, to encourage the effective participation of managers and affiliates during the migration.”
Smooth Your Affiliate Migration Journey with a Powerful Platform
Successfully migrating affiliates to a new affiliate management platform hinges on proactive strategies that build trust, ensure transparency, and clearly demonstrate the long-term benefits of automation and enhanced reporting. The insights from these six industry leaders underscore a universal truth: affiliates prioritize their bottom line, data security, and ease of operation.
Whether you’re managing an iGaming affiliate program, a Forex IB program, or any other performance marketing network, having the right technology is non-negotiable for a seamless transition. A robust affiliate tracking software must be able to replicate existing setups, offer granular real-time reporting, and automate complex commission structures to maintain affiliate confidence.
Ready to see the difference Cellxpert can make in the success of your iGaming affiliate program, Forex affiliate program, or IB program? Schedule a demo now and discover how our platform can help you achieve your goals and how we’ve learnt how to sugarcoat affiliate migration and make it a smooth transition.
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