I have to say ask questions about the programs you promote and when I say ask I mean ask other affiliates. While no one can say a certain program is 100% safe, will always pay you and will always take care of your players, we can tell you with 100% accuracy who will not pay you and who will not take care of your players. You can have the best design, them most accurate content and the top SEO key words, but if your programs stiff you or your players, what good is it.
I know this is not your first step, but believe me, get stiffed once or twice and it will become one of your most important steps. It’s not that it happens often, I don’t think it does, but even once is too much so ask about a programs and the aff manager’s reputation and find out if the gaming site itself is reputable. Join the sportsbook yourself, speak with customer service, make a deposit and when you win, find out if they pay you without a hassle.
Good luck and keep coming back.