What are affiliate programs
Affiliate programs, known as associate programs as well, provide individuals and brands with a third-party platform to connect and collaborate. Both parties join the platform, engage in discussions about a potential partnership, and commence working together.
These affiliate programs provide essential services to both parties, but they are complex behemoths that do much more than just assist merchants and affiliate companies.
How do affiliate programs work
Affiliate programs function by allowing individuals or businesses to establish a profile on their platform and select the brand they wish to promote.
The programs create a distinctive link that can be shared by affiliates with their site visitors, customers, and followers on social media. If someone clicks on the link and buys something from the brand, the affiliate earns a commission.
Affiliate programs are utilized by companies in order to enhance their sales. These programs are established on platforms equipped with tracking technology that enables monitoring of the affiliates.
The best affiliate programs for beginners
1. Amazon associates
The first affiliate program on the list is Amazon Associates, which has been a popular choice for beginners since 1996. In fact, it holds the distinction of being the world’s first online affiliate marketing program.
Since it was established, it has been assisting online marketers in generating income through advertising to the millions of customers who shop on Amazon annually. Amazon affiliates receive referral fees from transactions when they share a link that results in a sale.
With an increasing number of businesses joining Amazon each year to learn how to sell, the opportunities for affiliates to expand appear to be endless. To begin as an Amazon affiliate, simply click on the Sign up button located on the Amazon Associates page.
2. ClickBank
With its affiliate programs, ClickBank is one of the leading companies that attract marketers from all backgrounds. It provides open access to its affiliate information, making it an advantageous platform to consider for achieving your goals.
In 1998, ClickBank began in a garage and swiftly expanded to become one of the leading online retail and affiliate platforms worldwide. At present, it proudly houses a vast network of affiliates, who have collectively earned billions of dollars in commissions by promoting products available on ClickBank.
Due to its track record of success and two decades of experience, it is a great choice for beginning regardless of your level of expertise. With numerous products available for promotion and a diverse range of companies to collaborate with, it is difficult to overlook.
Categories that you should think about step by step are:
- Business and investing
- Arts and entertainment
- Travel
- Sports
- Green products
- Home and garden
In order to become a ClickBank affiliate, you will first have to create an account. Once you have done that, you will need to enter your personal and payment details, and then complete the account setup process in order to begin.
3. eBay partner network
eBay’s affiliate program, known as the eBay Partner Network, provides one of the most lucrative opportunities for earning money on the internet. By registering as an eBay affiliate, individuals can earn commissions ranging from 50% to 70%. eBay offers a variety of efficient tools to help affiliates effortlessly promote their products. Regardless of the marketing strategy employed, eBay’s affiliate program is highly versatile and can be effectively utilized.
Unlike the other affiliate marketing programs mentioned, as an eBay affiliate, you will directly collaborate with eBay and promote their products. While you will contribute to assisting sellers to some extent, your main partnership is with eBay.
Similar to Amazon, you will have the chance to work with a platform that is sought after by businesses for selling purposes. Taking advantage of opportunities such as eBay dropshipping will lead to guaranteed growth. Additionally, eBay does not demand exclusive commitment, allowing you to be an eBay affiliate while collaborating with other merchants and programs to earn extra income.
To begin, you will be required to submit an application to join its affiliate program, which typically takes around five minutes. This application process is considerably simpler compared to others.
4. BigCommerce
With BigCommerce, you have the ability to sell a wide range of products online. Additionally, there are numerous BigCommerce apps available that can assist you in increasing your online earnings. It should be effortless to sell due to these factors. As an affiliate, you will receive a commission of 200% of the initial monthly payment made by the customer. If you are working with an enterprise client, it is possible to earn up to $1,500.
Their page does not provide any information. Therefore, it is advisable to reach out to them in order to obtain further details regarding their payment schedule. In addition, affiliates are provided with pre-made banners and emails. Furthermore, they are given direct access to a specialized account manager in the field of affiliate marketing, which aids in boosting their sales.
5. Refersion
Refersion provides a platform for e-commerce store owners to incentivize their customers to promote their business.
Merchants can utilize Refersion to create various offers, generate links and coupon codes, personalize commission structures, monitor sales, and merge the software with their e-commerce solutions. Refersion seamlessly combines with major platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. Additionally, it offers API keys for tailored integration with other programs.
Merchants are able to efficiently assess the contribution of each affiliate to their ROI using three important performance indicators provided by the software: effective earnings per click, average order value, and total revenue per affiliate.
Continuing its commitment to engage with affiliates, Refersion provides a means for brands and affiliates to communicate directly via its Message tab on the dashboard. By integrating with Mailchimp and Klaviyo, online sellers have the capability to send newsletters that inform partners about new products, creative assets, or images to effectively promote their brand, as well as update them on any modifications to commissions.
Affiliates who register with the platform using their link or by responding to an email for a direct-billed Refersion subscription are offered a 15% commission. There are three payment options available for affiliates: utilizing the integrated PayPal feature, sending gift cards to affiliates via email, and providing payment through check or deposit.
Refersion offers the assistance of its customer success and development team to optimize customers’ settings. To begin, customers can utilize the Refersion Marketplace, where they can find numerous potential affiliates. By placing an offer on the Refersion Marketplace, customers have the opportunity to be discovered by more than 8,000 affiliates.
6. Sandals
Travel influencers and writers can consider exploring the affiliate program provided by the brands Sandals and Beaches, as another option. This program is particularly advantageous when targeting an audience that has a strong desire for a Caribbean vacation. Moreover, since these getaways cater to both couples and families, it enables the opportunity to engage with a wider range of potential customers.
Affiliates can earn a minimum commission of 4% for all travel products, and they also have the opportunity to receive free trips and additional performance bonuses. The program operates through the CJ Affiliate network, so interested affiliates should contact them directly to inquire about their payout policies.
When you join, you’ll get access to a large collection of vibrant banners. Additionally, a monthly newsletter will keep you informed about promotions and deals. Furthermore, a dedicated affiliate marketing manager will be available to assist and support you.
7. Brand24 partner program
Digital marketers and entrepreneurs should consider exploring Brand24’s Partner Program, as it presents a lucrative opportunity. This program is particularly suitable for individuals with audiences interested in efficient online marketing tools. It provides potential customers with top-notch solutions for online monitoring, social media management, and competitor analysis.
The program guarantees significant earnings by offering a recurring commission of 20% on all payments made by customers referred by you. What makes it even more attractive is that the commission keeps coming in whenever the customer renews their subscription.
Generally, payments are processed using PayPal and Stripe, and disbursements usually happen on the 13th day of every month.
The affiliates of the Brand24 Partner Program are provided with support. This support includes a selection of marketing materials that are ready-to-use and can be used to aid in promotional efforts. Additionally, early access to high-quality materials and updates on product releases are provided to ensure that the affiliates are constantly well-informed. Moreover, professional support, useful tutorials, webinars, and a personal manager are available to assist the affiliates throughout their journey.
The dedicated panel of the program includes a powerful tracking system that enables affiliates to effectively monitor their performance and closely observe their referrals.
8. GiddyUp
GiddyUp is a program that is ideal for beginners due to its provision of an affiliate manager and useful tools to support various aspects of its program. It allows partnering with over 150 DTC brands in various industries such as travel, electronics, health and wellness, and more. Exclusive access to these ecommerce businesses is granted to GiddyUp’s affiliates.
In addition to the creative library, the company offers robust tracking and real-time data to aid your digital marketing campaigns. This allows you to analyze your performance on a monthly basis, enabling you to identify areas for improvement and potentially increase your commission in the future.
