The affiliate marketing industry had some major changes in 2009. These changes forced many to re-think they way they market online. With new FTC rules and Google banning affiliate Adwords accounts it’s become a whole new ball game.

Going forward into 2010 affiliate marketers will have to adapt to these changes. With a major traffic source like Adwords turned off testing new traffic should be a priority. If you have some sites that did well with PPC you might want to try SEO and getting natural search results.

If you can’t advertise on Google at least get your sites to get index and enjoy some free traffic even if it’s just a small drip. Thinking outside the box is going to make many rich in 2010 just as it has in the past. If you test traffic and different offers you might hit the jackpot. You never know what offer or traffic source is going to work. Keep trying new things and split test your offers.

The fact is you might lose a bit of money coming out of the gate, but if you test enough you will find a profitable campaign. It’s not going to be easy to make the same amount of money with all these new rules, but you can comply and keep at it. Way before Google was around people made money online and just because you do not have this traffic source don’t give up.

Keep reading forum posts ask questions and track down new ideas to promote your sites. Its funny how many sources I found since my Adwords account was banned. In an industry that changes as much as affiliate marketing you need to have back up plans.

Again I will say it diversify your online business. Never count on any one thing being around forever. If you diversify you at least know some money is coming from another source. Now go get ready to kill it online in 2010.