I was looking for a quick way of selecting the best affiliate marketing software, after extensive web research, found it here http://aceaffiliates.com/affiliate-education/affiliate-marketing-software-solutions-review.html

Thanks!

Keep in mind that it's not necessarily the actual software that you use, it's the affiliate network that you use that makes a big difference. So, it is helpful to use a network like Commission Junction or Linkshare or Shareasale because they already have affiliates.

To be successful, you'll need to actually recruit affiliates and keep them. You can do that yourself or outsource the program management to an outsourced affiliate program manager, like http://www.eaccountableopm.com/ eAccountable OPM.

I second Bill's advice. Also, one of my clients uses a company called Schaaf for affiliate marketing who isn't bad either. Affiliate summit or those conferences put on by WebMaster Radio aren't a bad place to look. Honestly if you're a company than it's all about good content, a good product, and a good offer for the affiliates. If you're an affiliate, it's all about building kick-a** websites that can rank organically because they're great and not spam, and directing people to products you believe in because you actually think they're great.