Web Services, Data APIs, Affiliate Programs

If you look at either Amazon Web Services Product Advertising API or go a step further and look at vary array of the AWS Products and Services offering you cannot help but be AMAZed by the depth of resources available to re-build your auction business into a 21st century web business ready to serve your customers better than ever.  Companies like Amazon have recognized that their business is not only dependent on their mastering the integration of information technology and logistics into their business, they also want their data and their systems to be the core building tools used by other companies that are also mastering the integration of information technology and logistics into their businesses.  Companies like Amazon want to be the hub that other companies rely upon.  

And yet, as much as Amazon offers, it is only the tip of the iceberg -- there are more than a few other companies, governmental entities and other organizations who are providing a range of resources starting with Data APIs out there -- a typical company [that isn't quite up to Amazon's speed yet, but is racing to get there] is eBay.  If you are serious about providing a range of accelerated marketing alternatives for your customers, you will want to explore eBay's offering:

• eBay Developers Program – tap into eBay’s marketplace with tools and services to meet the diverse needs of buyers and sellers on eBay
• eBay Market Data - get access to rich historical data about what is bought and sold on eBay, and who is purchasing it
• eBay Certified Program– get certified as a best-of-breed eBay Platform innovator who helps eBay users grow their businesses through services, including technology or data licensing services
• eBay Solutions Directory - a one-stop shop of hundreds of tools from eBay, service providers, and third party developers who have developed tools and services for use with the eBay.com website

Of course, many companies are not far along enough in the maturation of their information and marketing strategies to offer a range of web services [like Amazon, Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, IBM, HP, Cisco, Dell, Force.com, and many others] ... many are not even far enough along to offer Data APIs yet -- but the population of companies engaged in affiliate marketing programs is large.  Of course, you may want to carefully consider whether or not the companies that are at this level are going to be good partners for you -- either as an advertiser on your webpages OR as a publisher of your ads on their pages -- perhaps the best way to take advantage of these programs is to search for an "affiliate" page on the website of solid partner companies that fit well with your business and look for a way to fit that company's affiliate program into your strategy.  If you are looking for additional affiliate programs to add, you might start with the Google Affiliate Network [since Google has the inside track on this because of the importance of search and the integration of AdWords and AdSense into Google's network] ... if that's not enough for you, check out some of the different programs at AffiliateScout.com, Commission Junction, AssociatePrograms.com, AffiliateGuide.com, AffiliateBot.com, Click2Sell, CX Digital Media, or search for even more ... it's safe to say that you'll probably never exhaust all of the different opportunities in set of affiliate programs.