In truth, none of those are correct. If you want to find the best affiliate program for you, here's what you should do:

Find a Product or Service You Believe in.
All affiliates programs are selling products or services, but only a few of those may be the best affiliate program for you. To identify which one qualify as the best, review the products and services that are on offer then look for something that interest you. Interest is essential because it's what motivates you later on to tirelessly write and advertise about the products or services.

Secondly, look for something that gains your trust. Take the time to research about the products and services that capture your interest. Are they made of good quality? Do they make empty promises or do they truly stand by their word? Check how the website advertises its goods: are they prone to using false or inaccurate facts and exaggeration? Do they provide excellent customer support and service?

When you find affiliate programs that qualify for both conditions, then one, some, or all of them might be the best affiliate program for you, but you can't be sure just yet.

Also, don't make the mistake of choosing an affiliate product or service by the strength of its commission rate. If you don't believe in it, you won't be able to market it effectively so there'd be no point to having a high commission rate if you can't take advantage of it. Choose what you can sell; it's as simple as that!

Find a Payment Mode that Appeals to You.
Where payment modes are concerned, you have to think about the objectives as well and which of them you're likely to find it easier to achieve. There are presently two payment modes that are being used: pay-per-sale and pay-per-lead.

Pay-per-sale programs are ideal if you passionately believe in the products and services on offer and your website content actually matches your affiliate products and services.

Let's say that you own a website about being an equestrienne. A good affiliate product to sell would be horse products because it's something you can write about with firsthand knowledge and experience. Those are, in fact, the two most important determinants when choosing a pay-per-sale scheme: do you have the requisite knowledge and experience to write convincingly about what you're promoting?

On the other hand, pay-per-lead programs are simply better for you if you don't have enough time to constantly update website content about affiliate products and services. With a pay-per-lead scheme, you don't really have to sell anything. Rather, you just have to convince your readers that it would be in their best interest to know more about the product or service by performing a specified action.

Lastly, the best affiliate programs always pay fair rates and do so on time. They don't hesitate to reward deserving individuals, businesses, or websites and they're always willing to lend a helping hand to their affiliates.

The Best Affiliate Programs Need Your Help to Get Better
The best affiliate programs owe its success not only to its management but also to its hardworking affiliates. As an affiliate, it's your responsibility to do your best in promoting affiliate products and services.

Firstly, don't be satisfied with the links, buttons, and banners provided by your affiliate merchant. Invest in making your own advertisements about your affiliate's products and services. Use a combination of text and graphics.

Research, research, research! Enroll in free affiliate marketing courses provided in the Internet. Read articles, join forums, participate in workshops and seminars and exchange tips with fellow affiliates.

Dedicate as much time as you can to promoting your affiliate products and services. Yes, an affiliate program is an automated business: it can operate without your help or supervision. The affiliate management software is able to keep track of sales and leads that your website generates. You don't really need to lift a finger if you don't have to, but there's no harm in investing your spare time, is there? In fact, there's everything to gain and nothing to lose so why hesitate?