Your affiliate site visitors are really getting pretty sophisticated in searching the web, and in addition many receive ezines, newsletters, RSS feeds, research subscriptions and other sources of information. They have a multitude of options for shopping and services both on the internet and off. They can easily find many of the merchants you have as affiliate vendors without going through your site.

So why should these visitors continue visiting your site? Because you have spent your time creating an environment for the niche market they belong to. You provide them with value added products and services , and your site is the place they go to see what is new on your particular subject, what is fashionable, what the latest statistics are – whatever they want to find in one place. And you're continually doing the following:
Continually upgrading the site – the look, the navigation, and features Polling your visitors to understand how they use your site and what they want that you don't have Evaluating your merchant statistics, to understand which sellers and products are successful, and fine tuning as site visitors change and new options become available Adding relevant copy, articles, studies and other information they want Providing great customer service, promptly answering their questions and proactively upgrading service Creating forums for them to express their opinions and share information Asking experts to share information on your site Giving site visitors the ability to review products and services and write articles about relevant topics Promoting your site both offline and online venues Speaking at seminars and conferences

Site visitors return because you've earned their trust and allegiance. And you have to keep earning it over and over.

Karen Kari's articles and more information on the affiliate business can be found at:

http://www.affiliatebandit.com
http://www.advertisingcellar.com
http://www.billionfreeads.com