If you’re having trouble filling availabilities or want to increase your business’s exposure, working with affiliates could be just the ticket. 

Affiliates are companies that sell other operators tours and activities for a commission. While there are bigger affiliates, like Get Your Guide or Viator, that any business can opt into, some affiliates are more selective. Smaller or lesser known affiliates include influencers, travel blogs, niche companies, and partners of our (unbiased) favorite, the FareHarbor Distribution Network (FHDN). 

To capture the attention of more affiliates, it’s vital to have a professional, up-to-date online presence. This guide will provide three easy ways to make your business stand out from the crowd. 

Three ways to attract more affiliates

Your digital presence is a reflection of your business. Affiliates who don’t know your business personally will base their decision to sell your experiences on the quality of your website or listings. 

By giving these aspects some extra love, more affiliates will jump at the opportunity to partner with you — which in turn will get you more bookings.

1. Give your website a sleek, modern design

Your website should be easy to navigate, include high-quality images, offer a clear navigation bar, and load quickly. You should also have a prominent “Book Now” button so potential affiliates can easily see what you have to offer. 

You want your website to look like it’s from the 21st century AND that you put in effort to keep it current. 

Pro Tip: Have a family member or friend book a tour from your website. Collect and review their feedback to discover if there are any ways to improve their experience perusing your offerings, learning about your company, or going through the booking process.

2. Add three or more  pictures to each of your listings

One picture per activity simply is not cutting it these days. We have found that listings with three or more high-quality, engaging photos will convert more easily. Customers and affiliates alike want to know what your experiences will entail before they decide who to book with. 

Provide photos of customers enjoying your activity, your top of the line equipment, the beautiful scenery they will see, or anything else that would convince someone to book with you. 

3. Craft captivating item descriptions

People book where they find the best and most complete information. Your item listings should be short, yet informative and appealing. Include all relevant information like location, duration, start time, and what to bring. 

But also, use this space to really sell the experience — for example, write about aspects that your customers typically rave about or what sets your business apart from the competition. 

Affiliates want to know what makes your tour special to ensure it will be a fruitful partnership!

Manage when affiliates can book with affiliate rules

Affiliate rules is a powerful tool that allows you to take control of your affiliate partnerships. You can tailor which days or items each affiliate can book to further maximize your revenue. 

During your high season, add rules that limit affiliate bookings to avoid their high commissions. And during your low season, allow affiliates to book to leverage those partnerships. 

When you connect to the right affiliates you will bring in more customers and increase your revenue. For example, FareHarbor client SeaMaui made over $109k in FHDN bookings in just the first six months of 2024. 

If you’re looking for a low-risk way to dip your toes into the world of affiliates, sign up for the FHDN today!