Disclosure Statement

Thank you for your interest in learning more about how I operate my website. Running an ethical and honest business is very important to me, so I'm happy to share this information with you.

I provide all content on this website free of charge, to help people who are interested in learning more about Vancouver Island. However, I could not afford to devote the time required to do this without being able to earn an income.

In order for me to bring you free, high quality, useful information, I use various methods to earn an income from my website. These methods include the use of Google Adsense, placement of third party ads, and various affiliate programs.

An affiliate program is a type of online pay-per-sale or "finder's fee" arrangement. Typically, the way it works is that a company will pay out a commission for every sale sent to them by any website owner who has been approved to participate in their affiliate program.

I work mainly with hotels and travel services, partnering with them to make you aware of special offers or deals they may have. If you make a booking or a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission.

This is a legitimate business model that's very popular online. Even big companies like Amazon and Ebay use affiliate marketing. In fact, Discover Vancouver Island.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in the Amazon.ca Associates Programme at Amazon.ca.

An affiliate is kind of like a mortgage broker. Your broker shops around and finds the best rate for you, and is paid a commission by the bank or mortgage company when your mortgage closes.

It doesn't cost you any more, and it's an honest way for the mortgage broker to make a living by doing the legwork for you and matching you up with the best mortgage product for your needs. Affiliate programs work the same way.

Trouble is, some folks with websites just sign up for an affiliate program because they can make a buck, regardless of whether or not they actually think the product is a good one.

I'm telling you all this because I want you to know that while I do earn a commission if you click through to a site I recommend and make a purchase, I am very selective about which products, services, and companies I represent.

In other words, I'll only recommend a product or service if I truly believe it's a good one. And you have my promise that I will never recommend a product solely because I can earn a commission.

In fact, if I don't think a company or its products is worthy of your business, I'll say so. And I certainly won't provide a link on which I might be paid a commission. After all, I'll never earn your trust by recommending low-quality products or companies that don't provide great service.

This website is my business. I love my topic and I'm proud of what I do. I also sincerely enjoy helping my visitors learn more about this beautiful island that I call home. I can afford to do this in part because of the affiliate commissions and advertising revenue I earn.

I appreciate your support in visiting my sponsors and considering my recommendations. This site takes time, effort and money to maintain and to deliver on-going original content free of charge. Supporting my sponsors is a WIN-WIN-WIN for you, for me, and for them.

If you have any questions at all about this disclosure statement, please feel free to contact me. I'm always happy to chat with my site visitors!