An introduction and a partnership are not the same thing. Both can be valuable, but the right path depends on how close you want to stay to the client, the work, and the outcome.
Start with the relationship you want
At LER Web Services, we work with businesses that need better websites, stronger digital systems, and dependable support after launch. That work often starts with a conversation from someone the client already trusts: a designer, consultant, developer, marketing lead, or another agency.
Sometimes that person simply wants to make a useful introduction. Sometimes they want a delivery partner they can bring into projects repeatedly. Those are different jobs, so they deserve different expectations.
What an affiliate relationship is for
An affiliate relationship is built around a relevant introduction. You know a business that may need LERWS, you share an approved link or connect us directly, and we take the lead on learning what the business needs.
This can suit a consultant with a wide network, a creator whose audience asks for website help, a developer who does not offer design, or a current client who knows another business that needs a better web presence. You do not need to manage the project or become responsible for delivery.
Any commission, store credit, qualification event, attribution window, or payment timing should be confirmed in the applicable written terms. The important part is that the introduction is honest, relevant, and made with the client's interests in mind.
What an agency partner relationship is for
An agency partnership goes beyond the introduction. It is for a team that wants to collaborate on delivery: perhaps you need trusted overflow capacity, a specialized web team, or a partner who can own a part of the build while you stay close to strategy and the client relationship.
The details matter more here. Before work starts, the teams should agree who owns communication, discovery, design direction, development, approvals, maintenance, billing, and support. A good partner relationship does not hide those decisions; it makes them easier for everyone to understand.
This model is usually more involved, but it can create a repeatable delivery bench that helps an agency take on the right work without overextending its internal team.
A third lane: the customer referral program
LERWS customers also have access to a separate customer referral program inside the portal. That program is designed for active clients who refer a new business to LERWS. The current offer, tracking details, and available credit are shown in the customer's portal, and the program has its own terms.
That is different from an external affiliate approval and different again from an agency partnership. Keeping the lanes separate helps us apply the correct rules without making customers decipher a complicated partner structure.
See the Customer Referral Program Terms for eligibility, exclusions, and qualification details.
Affiliate program or agency partner program?
| Question | Affiliate | Agency partner |
|---|---|---|
| Your role | Make a relevant introduction and use the approved referral path. | Collaborate on strategy, delivery, client context, or overflow work. |
| Client relationship | LERWS leads the project after the handoff. | The teams agree who owns the relationship and each part of delivery. |
| Best fit | Connectors, consultants, creators, developers, and professionals with a trusted network. | Agencies and specialists with recurring collaboration or capacity needs. |
| Commercial terms | Any reward is defined in the written affiliate approval or program terms. | Terms are shaped around the project, responsibilities, and ongoing relationship. |
| Time commitment | Usually limited to a thoughtful introduction and occasional context. | May include planning, meetings, reviews, delivery, and ongoing support. |
Can the two models overlap?
Yes, but the role should be clear for each opportunity. An agency might refer a client when LERWS is the better fit for the full project, then work with us as a delivery partner on another project. A consultant may begin with a referral and later ask for a deeper collaboration.
Problems usually appear when a referral is presented as a managed partnership, or when a partner assumes a commission, client ownership, or scope that was never agreed. A short written confirmation prevents a lot of confusion.
How to choose your next step
- Choose affiliate if you have a specific introduction and want LERWS to handle the project conversation.
- Choose agency partner if you expect shared delivery, recurring work, or a defined role for your team.
- Use the customer referral program if you are an active LERWS customer and want to refer another business through the client portal.
If you are unsure, tell us what you want the relationship to look like. We can usually identify the right path quickly once we know who owns the client conversation and who is responsible for the work.
What we ask from every partner
Use accurate language. Do not promise a price, timeline, ranking, revenue result, or deliverable that has not been confirmed. Disclose an incentive when the law, platform, or audience expectation calls for it. Do not send spam or represent yourself as LERWS without permission.
Most importantly, make introductions where there is a real fit. A partner relationship works when the client gets a better next step, not when a name is added to a list.
Next step
Have a client or collaboration in mind?
Tell us who you serve and how close you want to stay to the work. We will help you choose the clearest way to move forward.
Explore the partner paths
