Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding our services. If you are an existing Brokers Web member and are looking for support, please login and refere to the 'FAQ' tab in the main menu. Our Affiliate Program frequently asked questions and Referral Program frequently asked questions are listed below.
- What is Brokers Web?
The parent company of Brokers Web is Allhealth Insurance Services, Inc. We have been in the health insurance business for 15 years, and started out with local marketing efforts in California to sell individual and group health insurance. We created HealthInsuranceFinders.com in June 2001 as a source for marketing health insurance, dental insurance and travel insurance. We have sold and marketed these products in several states and also generated leads in other states through affiliations with lead resellers. Our corporate focus is no longer selling insurance direct to the consumer. We are now an advertising portal that provides insurance agents across the country an additional source of online marketing. We are now a tech company, but come from a health insurance sales background, so we understand the industry and the needs of agents more than other PPC portals might.
- Why would I want to place an ad on the Brokers Web network?
Because it is going to drive high-quality, targeted traffic to your website. The current main source of traffic to our advertisers comes from http://www.healthinsurancefinders.com , which is a domain that is owned and controlled by the developers of Brokers Web. This domain is widely recognized and has excellent search engine placement, including top Google placement on highly search keywords, such as "health insurance," "health insurance quotes," "medical insurance," and "medical insurance quotes." Other health insurance related sites that are part of our affiliate network increase the volume of traffic to our advertisers.
- How does it work?
Pretty simple!! You choose the product line you want to promote (individual health insurance, group health insurance, short term health insurance, medicare supplemental insurance, student health insurance and dental insurance) and the state(s) where you want to promote this product(s). You create an advertising account through our account management portal at http://www.brokersweb.com and bid against other advertisers displaying an ad listing for that product(s) in that state(s). Your placement on the ad listing display page is determined by what you bid in relation to others. The highest bidder appears at the top of the page, the second highest bidder in the second spot, and so on.
- Is the quality of traffic from the affiliate network the same as the quality I will receive from HealthInsuranceFinders.com?
We place a strict set of participation requirements on any website that wishes to be a part of our network and display the listings of our advertisers. Although we may not have the same control over our affiliate network as we do our own domain (HealthInsuranceFinders.com), we understand the importance of maintaining the overall quality of the traffic we send to our loyal advertisers.
- Do I have to advertise on the affiliate network?
No. We give advertisers the choice of displaying their ad on the affiliate network of sites. This is easily managed when you log into your account. You may choose to display some of your listings on the affiliate network, while "opting out" on other listings.
- Can I only advertise in the affiliate network, and not on HealthInsuranceFinders.com?
No. All active listings will be displayed on HealthInsuranceFinders.com. You may only opt out of displaying your ad on the affiliate network.
- How many places can my ad listing appear on HealthInsuranceFinders.com or the affiliate network?
There are 312 ad listing pages on HealthInsuranceFinders.com and the affiliate network. For individual health insurance, there is a separate ad listing page of each U.S. state (plus D.C. and the Virgin Islands), and the same amount of ad listing pages for group health insurance, short term health insurance, student health insurance, medicare supplemental insurance, and dental insurance advertisers. For any other website that participates in our affiliate network, the number of ad listing pages they display will depend on which products and states they choose to promote.
- How does a site visitor get to my listing from the HealthInsuranceFinders.com home page?
First, they select the type of health insurance they are seeking (individual, group, short term, medicare supplemental or dental). Then, they are directed to a map of the U.S. where they select the state where they reside. Once they have done this, they view the ad listing page that displays the advertiser listings for that specific state and type of health insurance.
- How does a site visitor get to my listing from the affiliate network of sites?
Very similar to the way they must navigate HealthInsuranceFinders.com. An affiliate site may display a drop down menu where the consumer selects a product type and then a state. The appropriate page displaying advertisers will be displayed to the consumer based on their selection. Some affiliate sites may have product specific pages on their site, in which case they will only display a drop-down for a state selection that will take the consumer to the ad listings for that state, within that product line. Other affiliate sites may display a text link or banner that will direct the consumer to the HealthInsuranceFinders.com home page, where they will navigate through the product type and state map selection method.
- How many other ads can appear on an ad listing page?
There is no limit to the number of advertisers that may appear on a specific ad listing page. For affiliates displaying the ad listings on their website all advertisers opting into the affiliate network will be displayed for that specific state and product type.
- What is the pricing structure? How much does it cost?
Pricing is on a "pay-per-click" basis. You only pay when a website visitor clicks on your ad listing. The minimum bid amount depends on the product type, and can range from $.10 on dental up to $.30 on individual health. Bid spots are available in $0.05 increments and no two bidders can have the same bid amount. Our Bid Gap Feature calculates your click charges at $.05 above the bidder directly below you, regardless of your set bid amount.
- Is it less expensive to advertise on the affiliate network?
Yes and no. There is one bidding structure that combines all consumer traffic sent to advertisers. However, because of the gap bid protection feature, the amount you are charged for a click on the affiliate network could be potentially less than the same click on HealthInsuranceFinders.com. This is because you are only charged $.05 above the bidder directly below you, based on where your ad listing appears. If an advertiser directly below you "opts out" of displaying his ad on the affiliate network, this will create a larger gap in the bid amount, thus lowering your click charges.
- Can I get charged for a click if the same consumer visits more than one site in your network?
Not if the same consumer visits multiple sites in the network within the same session. There are two safety features that we have built in to prevent this: 1) click-fraud technology prohibits the same advertiser from receiving multiple clicks from the same consumer during a given session, for the same product in the same state, and 2) if a consumer clicks on your listing on one site, your listing will not display on other websites within the network, during that same user session. A consumer visiting multiple websites within our network will view different results on each website they visit, none of which will include advertisers that they have already visited.
- What about the potential of click fraud from your affiliates?
This is a major concern of any advertising portal that uses a network of affiliate sites. Although we can?t guarantee that this will not occur, we have taken great measures to prevent this from happening. Traffic generated from affiliate sites will be closely monitored and any affiliate suspected of click fraud activities will instantly be removed from participating in our network. We feel that the measures and technologies we are implementing to prevent this will keep the overall quality of the traffic to our advertisers amongst the highest in the PPC industry.
- How much traffic can I expect?
This depends on the type and number of the listings you have created and your placement on the ad pages. The higher your placement, the higher will be the volume of traffic to your website. You may contact us directly for more information on current traffic expectations based on your advertising strategies.
- How do I pay?
When creating your user account and ad listings on http://www.brokerswebcom , you will also set up your billing account. You may make a credit card payment that will immediately be credited to your account balance. You may also pay by check using our automated invoice generator. The value of each click to your ad listing is automatically deducted from your account balance.
- Can I control my spend amount?
Yes. You can pause your listing(s) at anytime. However, pausing your ad listing(s) will open your bid amount to other advertisers. You may also control your spend by only adding to your account balance what you wish to spend for a specific period of time. Once your balance is depleted, your listings will automatically be paused.
- Can I see what other advertisers are bidding before I sign-up for an account?
Yes. Our PPC Bid Tracker is accessible from the home page of http://www.brokersweb.com and can be viewed by anybody. The red asterisk indicates a gap in bidding and the AFN column shows a green circle next to all bids that are participating in the affiliate network.
- Do I need a website to advertise on Brokers Web?
No. If you do not have a website, you can create a Branded Broker Site at no additional charge. This feature allows you to display all of your company and contact information and also format a quote request form for gathering leads.
- Am I committed to advertising for a specific length of time?
No, you may come and go as you please. But, remember, if you stop your listing, your bid amount becomes available to other advertisers, and we can't guarantee that a spot will be available in your "per-click" price range when you return.
- Can I talk to somebody if I have more questions?
Yes. We have a helpful staff on hand, waiting to assist you. Once your ad listing has been created, you will be assigned a personal account manager who will be available to you by phone or email during regular business hours. Call 1-877-887-5267 and ask for advertising support (8am - 5pm PST M-F).
- May I choose the states and products that I affiliate with you on?
Yes, but only if you are integrating the listings into your website design. Banner ads and text links must link to our home page or one of our main product pages, in which case you will be potentially sending traffic to us from all states.
- Can I affiliate with you if I am already an affiliate with another website?
Yes. We have no exclusivity requirements from our affiliates.
- Am I obligated to contract with you for a specific period of time?
No. You may come and go as you please.
- How difficult is it for me to integrate your advertiser's listings into my site?
Not difficult at all. During the sign-up process, the code to place on your website will be automatically generated. If you have problems, we provide personalized technical support.
- How much will I earn?
This depends on the volume of traffic that you direct to us, and also the product lines and states in which you affiliate with us on. We pay you 65% of the revenue that is generated from the traffic that you send to us. For estimates on average revenue per-visitor, contact our affiliate support department.
- How will I know how much I am earning?
As an affiliate, you will have access to your daily revenue reports once you log into your account. These reports will show you the number of visitors you have sent to us, as well as their click activity to our advertisers.
- Can I place your banners on my site, even if I have integrated the listings into my site?
Sure. You may create and monitor multiple campaign methods to generate affiliate revenue from your site.
- What if I have other sites that are not health insurance related? Can I put banners on those sites as well?
This depends on the nature of that site. We have strict guidelines on where our banners or ad listings appear. This is important in maintaining the targeted traffic to our advertisers. The site must be relevant to the insurance industry. In rare cases, quality health related websites may be acceptable. Any domain that wishes to affiliate with us must first pass our review.
- How often do I get paid?
We process affiliate payments at the beginning of each month for revenue generated the previous month. We can send payment by check or automatic deposit into your bank account. Your money will be received no later than the 15th of the month. If your total earned revenue is less than $50 for the month, we may elect to hold payment until the month when your total revenue exceeds $50.
- Do I need to create a separate account for each website I want to use for affiliation?
No. You will be able to manage multiple domains from one account log in.
- Can I affiliate with you if I am also advertising with you?
Yes, and you can do this all from one single account. However, you may not affiliate with us in the same state and product type that you are advertising under, if it is for the same domain name.
- Will I get paid for a click if the visitor to my site was on another one of your affiliate sites first?
Yes, because the same advertiser's listing will not appear on your site if you obtain a 'cross-over' site visitor. The only listings that will be displayed are the ones that have not been clicked on by that visitor. This prevents repetitive click charges to our advertisers and also maximizes the revenue potential to our affiliates.
- Will all of the same advertisers that appear on HealthInsuranceFinders.com also be displayed on my website?
Not necessarily. Our advertisers have the ability to opt-out of having their listing displayed on our affiliate network.
- How quickly can I get started?
Your website will be reviewed within 24 hours for approval in our affiliate network. Once you receive approval, you can start earning revenue as soon as you add the provided code to your website.
- Can I advertise on other websites, like Google or Yahoo, to bring traffic to my website that will earn me affiliate revenue?
Certainly. Once you begin earning revenue, you will have a clear understanding on the average value of a visitor to your website. This will help you determine what you can spend on your advertising to receive an adequate return on your investment.
- How does the Referral Program Work?
When you register with Brokers Web as a Referrer, we provide you with a custom link to http://www.brokersweb.com that you put on your site. You refer potential advertisers and affiliates by having them click on this link. When visitors come to our site through your link, our system recognizes you as the 'Referrer' and gives you credit when any potential Advertiser or Affiliate registers with us for either of these services. You earn a 10% monthly commission for any amount that your Referred Advertiser spends in CPC charges with Brokers Web. You earn a 5% monthly commission for any amount that your Referred Affiliate generates with Brokers Web through their Affiliate website.
- When and how do I get paid?
Referrers are paid by the 15th of each month for any commissions earned during the previous month. You may choose to be paid by check or automatic deposit into your bank account.
- How will I know how much I have earned?
Referrer reports are available by logging into your Brokers Web account. You will be able to see the production for both Referred Advertisers and Referred Affiliates, broken down by referral and your selected date range.
- Is there a limit to the number of people I can refer?
No, absolutely not. The more you refer, the greater will be your monthly referral commission.
- What methods can I use to obtain Referrals?
You may place a link to http://www.brokerswebs.com, use CAN-SPAM compliant email campaigns, contact friends or associates, place ads on affiliate program directories and websites, or contact prospective Advertisers or Affiliates by phone. Use the method that works best for you.
- Can I refer myself?
No, that is not the purpose of a Referral program. A Referrer seeking referral commission may not be an employee, owner, officer or paid representative of the person or company that they are referring to the Brokers Web Programs.
- How much can I potentially earn as a Referrer?
This depends on how much your Referred Advertisers and your Referred Affiliates generate in revenue for Brokers Web. Top Advertisers with Brokers Web spend well over $10,000 per month. Affiliate websites can generate well over $30,000 in revenue. If you referred us only 5 advertisers, each of whom spend $10,000 a month in click charges, your monthly commission would be $5,000 per month.
- Can I refer any type of website to your Affiliate Profit Sharing Program?
We only accept contextually relevant websites into our Affiliate network. These include sites that provide a theme in which the average visitor may reasonably be in the market for, or have a need for health insurance. Insurance, health, student, senior and financial websites are all examples of contextually relevant websites.
- How long will you recognize me as the Referrer if the Referral I send you does not sign-up right away?
We place a 365 day cookie on any potential Referral you send us. If that Referral creates a Brokers Web account within that time frame, you will be recognized as the Referrer. If more than one Referrer sends us the same prospective client, credit will go to the initial Referrer.
- How will I know when one of my Referrals signs-up with Brokers Web?
You will receive an automated email notification immediately when your Referral signs-up as a Brokers Web Advertiser of Affiliate.