From StartupSkills Entrepreneurial Marketing section

For the startup software company, a well-run affiliate program can be a good source of competitive advantage. From what I've seen, the direct profits from affiliates are not all that impressive. However, the indirect sales effect can be staggering. Referrals, word-of-mouth sales, and brand awareness all increase dramatically as a result of a well-run affiliate campaign.

Technically speaking, you don't need a high-tech setup to get your affiliates up and running. You will need the following:

1. An entry page
2. A signup page
3. A backend alert page
4. Affiliate Support page
5. Affiliate Account Page
6. Finally, the URL integration