When an audit makes sense
An affiliate audit is useful when growth has stalled, costs are rising or you are unsure which partners genuinely contribute to your goals. It can also help before taking over a programme, changing platform or bringing management in-house. I review the evidence available and separate issues that need immediate attention from longer-term opportunities.
Partner mix and activity
I examine where sales come from, how concentrated the programme is and how many partners are actively promoting the brand. Recruitment gaps, inactive relationships and missed campaign opportunities become part of the review. Partner fit matters as much as volume: activity should support the customers you want to reach and how you want your brand to be seen.
Tracking, commissions and reporting
The review can cover tracking configuration, referral journeys, commission rules, order validation and the reports used to make decisions. Where a technical check requires developer or platform support, I identify the question and coordinate the next step. I also examine whether commission and placement costs align with your margins and whether reporting distinguishes total sales from evidence of additional demand.
A prioritised plan, not just a list of problems
The output is a clear assessment with recommended actions, the reason each matters and the dependencies involved. We discuss what to address first, who needs to be involved and which measures can show progress. Implementation can remain with your team or form a separate support project. The audit does not assume a migration or increased spend is the answer.
What I need to get started
Useful inputs include access to your affiliate platform, recent performance reports, programme terms, commission details and your business objectives. The final scope depends on the available data and how broad the review needs to be. I flag evidence gaps rather than presenting assumptions as findings, and agree the deliverables and timing before work begins.