Howdy, welcome to my review of the SFI Affiliate Center!
It boasts about being “the world’s largest affiliate network”.
But that doesn’t automatically make it “the best” or even mean that every member is raking in the bucks.
Heck, for all we know, it could be an MLM, and even a scammy one at that.
But if you wanna know the truth from someone who’s already had a look on the inside of the program.
Then dive right into this unbiased article…
Quick Overview
Name: SFI.
Cost: Free + $100s in product purchases.
Owner:Β Gery Carson.
My Score: 4/10.
Verdict: (LEGIT) – Offers great support options, but it lacks video tutorial training and is a difficult program to get your head around.
Especially, if you’re an absolute beginner when it comes to making money online.
However, what I dislike about SFI is that “recruiting” others is involved, which, unfortunately, makes it a Network Marketing opportunity.
Basically, masking itself as an “Affiliate Marketing” business model.
But speaking of the MLM world, see my friend’s blog (SmartAffiliateTrends.com) – where he does a pretty good job of reviewing MLMs. π
Want a better option for earning an income on the internet as a beginner?
(Click Here For My #1 Recommended Program!)
Table of Contents
What’s The SFI Affiliate Center All About?
SFI claims to be “the world’s #1 affiliate program” helping people like you to earn a 2nd income on the internet.
From selling over 90,000+ products worldwide.
As a member, you’ll receive free custom-made websites and plugin marketing tools/programs for generating a continuous income 24/7.
The program works in 3 ways:
Firstly, You head over to ‘Triple Clicks’ and choose a product that you’d like to promote.
Secondly, Grab your special affiliate link for that product and follow training on how to promote it.
Thirdly, You make a 45% commission when somebody makes a purchase.
These steps will be explained in more detail shortly.
But it all sounds pretty straightforward, right?
Unfortunately, the platform isn’t that simple because it’s really an “MLM” in disguise – which involves A LOT of moving parts.
Everything about it makes your head spin – making it challenging to generate an income, in my opinion.
If you wanna know how affiliate marketing should really be done (without having to recruit others)…
==> See The 4 Steps to Making Money via Affiliate Marketing Here.
Who Will Benefit From SFI, Huh?
The program is for anybody who wants the opportunity to earn affiliate commissions from selling products as well as building a downline.
In addition, it’s for folks who want their own eCommerce stores and also wanna earn from profit sharing, which I’ll discuss in this review.
However, if you’re a total newbie, then it’s not really an ideal money maker because you will struggle to make sense of the platform.
As I’ve already pointed out.
Over the years, I’ve acquired heaps of internet and affiliate marketing experience, and even I struggled to navigate the platform.
Talk about feeling like Captain Jack Sparrow with a broken compass! LOL.
What Training do You Get From SFI?
Once you’re a free member, you begin with the “Launch Pad” training which consists of 11 different topics.
That basically cover how to get up and running to start earning from SFI.
You’ll be introduced to:
- Zing Network Basics
- SFI Basics
- VersaPoints
- Rewardicals
- Localvantia
- TripleClicks… Your Store!
- Sponsoring
- Getting off the Anti-Wealth Plan
- Internet Sales
- At Your Service!
- Taking it to The Next Level
- Team Building
- Learning is the beginning of wealth
- The SFI Mission Statement
You’ll also find a bunch of lessons within each section – giving you a total of 59 lessons to walk through and implement.
YUP, there’s a TON of learning to be done – which can take quite a while to get through, particularly as a newbie.
But unfortunately, the training is in the form of generic articles.
With no actual step-by-step video tutorials on how to get a Biz started up and make money with the program.
I especially don’t like the fact that the amount of written training makes things feel incredibly overwhelming.
Inside The Affiliate Center Itself…
Once you’ve worked your way through the Launch Pad training.
You can access the “Affiliate Center” which contains HEAPS of resources – as you can see in the screenshot below.
Plus there’s even MORE training on generating sales, sponsoring affiliates, and rules of success, to name a few topics.
Basically, helping everything to sink in as a new SFI member.
An Example of The Training.
To top that off, there’s a course called “Internet Income 2.0”.
Which, gives you training on internet marketing methods – from starting your own blog to WordPress Plugins to Google Analytics to social media, etc.
The training’s in written format (although some of it includes audio).
BUT again, there’s zero solid video training on walking you through the steps to success.
Also, there are no step-by-step screenshots either which makes the training difficult for newbies to implement.
In my own newbie experiences (many moons ago), I simply could not get started off on the right foot online without screenshots and videos.
So this is an issue that needs addressing by SFI – to give members’ a fighting chance of success.
==> See My #1 Recommendation to Get Step-by-Step Training For Affiliate Success!
What About Tools Inside The Affiliate Center?
When it comes to the tools, you can get your own ‘TripleClicks’ eCommerce storefront if you have your own products to sell on the web.
But not everybody is keen on that online biz route because affiliate marketing is a better and easier option, in my opinion.
Within the Affiliate Center itself…
You can also gain access to team building and communication tools as well as hit tracking and marketing aids for generating product sales and commissions.
So there are quite a few resources to keep you busy with your SFI marketing efforts.
What Support Does SFI Offer You?
There are various options for help with this program:
- There’s a Glossary page
- A contact page with email, phone, fax, and address details
- A community forum of members
- The opportunity to contact your sponsor & upline team
- Live chat is also available with other members
You certainly can’t complain when it comes to support.
In fact, it’s probably my favourite part of the opportunity because there’s always something or someone to fall back on when you’re stuck.
How Will You Make Money With SFI?
As I mentioned at the start of my review, there are 3 ways to earn with SFI – that include:
#1 – Internet Sales
For starters, you can earn a 45% commission each time you sell a product through an affiliate link or banner on your site.
You’ll also earn royalties whenever a business you refer to the program also make sales with the program.
Plus, if you already have your own products that you wanna shift, you can open up an eCommerce store with TripleClicks.
#2 – Team Sales
When you introduce other affiliates, you’ll earn “override commissions” for the internet sales they also generate month in, month out.
Which, basically means SFI is also a Network Marketing BizOpp.
#3 – Profit Sharing
You can earn your share of the profits generated by ALL affiliates of the program.
But in order to claim your share of the revenue sharing pool.
You must have at least 1,500 VP every month which are awarded to you for setting up a standing order to buy products yourself.
So you must be prepared to invest $100s for your fair share.
Unfortunately, this is how most MLMs/Network Marketing businesses grab you by the kahoonas (if you’re a guy).
A few more ways to make money with the opportunity:
- Bounties for Pay-Per-Click actions
- Become a Team Leader & reach specific milestones
- TCredit Bonuses
But I’m not gonna fry your brain with the over-complicated compensation plans that come with MLM programs like this lol.
So I think it’s reasonable to say that SFI goes far beyond the scope of “affiliate marketing” – which should really be highlighted before you join.
PROS vs CONS of SFI
PROS
- It’s free to join
- Up to $100 in free bonuses
- Launch Pad getting started (+ extra) training
- Multiple income streams to earn from
- Help & support is accessible
CONS
- Far too many tabs & links makes the affiliate center overwhelming
- There’s no real step-by-step training – just a bunch of articles
- A very confusing program combining affiliate marketing, MLM & eCommerce
- The compensation payment play is way overcomplicated
- Claims you can start earning within “hours” – I find it misleading
- It’s not upfront about being an MLM from the beginning
- You’re encouraged to set up a monthly standing order to buy products just to qualify for “VersaPoints” (VP) used for bonuses, commissions & profit sharing
- Newbies will find it very difficult to make money
Final Thoughts: Is SFI Worth it or a Scam?…
SFI delivers a great level of support and offers some “OK” training, in my book.
BUT it certainly doesn’t get my vote for being the “best/top affiliate network” for folks to earn an online income.
Because, there are some major downsides to it.
To begin with, Gery fails to provide noobs with step-by-step video tutorials.
There’s also far too much written training which can create “info-overload”.
Secondly, there are way too many tabs within the dashboard area which makes the program extremely frustrating to navigate and overwhelming.
Thirdly, not only are you manipulated into buying products yourself.
But I think the commission and overall income structure is over-complicated.
The Bottom Line: SFI is LEGIT since it offers some degree of value.
But members (noobs especially) will have a tough time earning a full-time income.
Want a better way of earning online that DOESN’T involve confusing/complicated MLM opportunities and spending a fortune on products?…
==> Start Your Affiliate Marketing Biz Free Here!
Your Friend, Neil π
Do you have any questions or thoughts on Gery Carson’s program? We’d LOVE to hear your comments below…
Hi,
Great article, I have to say, if any website is confusing to me, I rarely stay and try to figure out how it works. All the great websites have been over their training, again and again, to see how it can be improved and made easier to use. Like you mentioned, already a red flag. Also, the fact that they want you to deposit something… My way out of there. Thanks for the info and the warning. Will be sure to tread lightly around SFI.
Thanks, Ninene!
You’re right in doing that because why should you stick with an over-complicated program? EVERYTHING should be laid out in an easy to follow step-by-step format but the owner of SFI makes it really difficult to make money with his program. So any newbie will be screwed lol.
I agree because training sites should be tried and tested to make the learning process a great experience for online marketers.
SFI is the exact same as any other MLM program you’ll come across… pressure to buy the products in order to qualify for bonuses, etc.
You’re very welcome!
Hi, Neil.
WOW, that was a great review of SFI, I surely won’t be wasting my time going there lol. But in saying that I have tried them before and I believe after 2 days I left their platform. It really was confusing and disorganized to the point where if you weren’t a rocket scientist you really needed 1on 1 coaching to make sense of it all. That was years ago. Doesn’t sound like they’ve changed much. Thank god for Wealthy Affiliate of which I am one Happy Member, having tried lots of different platforms before, I finally found THE ONE at WA. Did I mention how easy WA is to navigate and use? Stick with what works. WA all the way!
Cheers
Milton AKA Kadlak
Cheers, Milton!
I don’t blame you! Save yourself from the confusion and the headache. As long as that?! I lasted less than a day with SFI! LOL. It’s just a “cowboy-built” program. The owner really needs to return to the drawing board with it and strip it down to the bare basics. As the program stands at the moment, it’s definitely not “the #1 affiliate network”.
Perhaps SFI has been built to be as complicated as possible so they can make more money from private coaching lol. Unfortunately, it hasn’t changed much over the years and I don’t understand why members join and hang around, to be honest.
I totally agree, WA is the bomb!!
Good for you for finally finding your feet in the affiliate marketing world!
Actually, no you didn’t mention how simple and easy it is to use the WA training platform! π
I am researching about SFI to decide if it is worthwhile, and was on the fence about joining the program.
Now, after your review, I’m not too sure if I am going even to bother. From your experience does their disorganized training seem to copy from others? Or is it fluff?
Plus, I am honestly surprised that this affiliate program is an MLM underneath!
As someone who has done several MLM programs, I’m appalled in the required VP to claim a “share.” Many give tiered percentage “shares” for anything over $1.
Also how much do 1,500 VP converts to/from? Is it $1.00 per point, so $1,500 per month?
I thought I had done my due diligence, but it seems not.
If I was you, I’d jump off that fence and run in the direction of the hills! HA HA.
Trust me, when you join SFI, you’ll be so confused and frustrated with the number of tabs and information, that you’ll want to close your account. There didn’t appear to be any duplicated training but it was just generalized advice, in the form of articles.
I think a lot of opportunity seekers will be as surprised as you. When you discover it’s an MLM, you’ll be disappointed. Like every MLM program, product purchases and recruiting will be required of you. A real honest affiliate program doesn’t involve earning from people on multiple levels and doesn’t cost any money either.
Yes, it is disgusting when these types of programs pressure members into buying products for points just to earn a little extra. It’s an insult to affiliate marketing, in my book.
You’d be so lucky with Versa Points being worth that much lol. Every Versa Point is roughly worth around $0.0004 but this value is always increasing and decreasing. So I wouldn’t get your hopes up with making a ton of money from your purchases and the executive revenue sharing pool.
I’m a member of Wealthy Affiliate, and I can surely say there isn’t anything around as such a type of platform.
It is really a school with blocks of training and tutorials for all marketers.
I’ve bumped too into SFI, but couldn’t compare it with WA, so I didn’t even bother staying there.
I do recommend WA as the best place to get rolling.
That’s awesome, Andrea!
I couldn’t agree more. When it comes to poorly constructed programs like SFI, we all need a legit training platform like WA to SHOW us how to build a really successful affiliate marketing business.
YEP, anybody with any level of internet marketing experience, whether a newbie or an expert will benefit from WA’s training, tools, and support.
I also don’t blame you for quitting SFI, man!
COOL, thanks for the recommendation. π