What are affiliate programs?
Affiliate programs, also known as associate programs, serve as third-party platforms that facilitate collaborations between individuals and brands. Both merchants and affiliate companies join these platforms to connect, negotiate partnerships, and begin working together.
However, beneath their surface simplicity, affiliate programs are intricate systems that offer more than just a meeting point for merchants and affiliates. They also deliver essential services to both parties, ensuring the smooth functioning of these collaborations.
How do affiliate programs work?
Affiliate programs operate by allowing individuals or businesses to create profiles on their platforms and select the brands they wish to promote.
These programs generate unique tracking links that affiliates can share with their website visitors, customers, and social media followers. When someone clicks on the link and makes a purchase from the brand, the affiliate earns a commission.
Companies utilize affiliate programs as a means to boost their sales. These programs are typically hosted on platforms equipped with tracking technology to monitor affiliate activities.
The 8 best affiliate programs for beginners
1. ClickBank
ClickBank is a prominent player in the affiliate marketing industry, appealing to marketers of all backgrounds. The company offers complete transparency when it comes to its affiliate program information, making it a valuable platform for affiliate success.
Founded in 1998, ClickBank started in a garage but rapidly evolved into one of the world’s leading online retailers and affiliate marketing platforms. It now boasts a vast network of affiliates who have collectively earned billions in commissions by promoting ClickBank products.
Given its long-standing success and two decades of experience, ClickBank is an excellent choice for both newcomers and seasoned marketers. It offers a vast selection of products to promote and a diverse range of companies to partner with, making it an opportunity that’s difficult to overlook.
ClickBank’s categories encompass various niches, including business and investing, arts and entertainment, travel, sports, green products, and home and garden.
To become a ClickBank affiliate, you’ll need to create an account, provide your personal and payment information, and then finalize your account to get started.
Commission rate: Between 50% and 70%, on average.
Payment cycle: Weekly or bi-weekly.
Payout method: Payoneer, wire transfer, check, direct deposit.
2. Commission Junction (CJ)
CJ, also known as Commission Junction, is a well-established affiliate marketing program with a two-decade history of assisting both affiliates and merchants.
As stated on its website, CJ collaborates with twice as many Internet Retailer 500 companies compared to any other affiliate program. Additionally, CJ highlights that merchants exhibit a preference for its platform twice as often as other affiliate marketing programs.
Upon closer examination of its offerings, this claim appears to be well-founded. CJ provides an extensive list of niches, including a comprehensive ‘other’ category, making it a versatile platform for affiliates.
Given its stellar reputation and impressive track record, CJ should undoubtedly be at the top of your list when evaluating affiliate programs.
3. Amazon Associates
First on the list of affiliate programs is Amazon Associates.
Amazon Associates has been a top choice for beginner affiliate marketers since 1996. It was, in fact, the world’s first online affiliate marketing program.
Since its inception, Amazon Associates has been enabling online marketers to earn money by promoting products to the millions of customers who shop on Amazon annually. Affiliates earn referral fees for sales generated through their shared links.
As thousands of businesses continue to learn how to sell on Amazon each year, the potential for affiliate growth appears limitless.
Becoming an Amazon affiliate is simple. Just click the ‘Sign up’ button on the Amazon Associates page to get started.
Commission rate: Anywhere from 1% to 20%, depending on product type.
Payment cycle: 60 days after the current month ends. Amazon also holds payment until you earn at least $10 as an Amazon Associate.
Payout method: Check, direct deposit, or Amazon gift card.
4. eBay Partner Network
eBay offers one of the most lucrative affiliate programs available on the internet, with commissions ranging from 50% to 70%. The eBay Partner Network is the platform where you can enroll as an eBay affiliate, and it provides an excellent opportunity for affiliate marketers to earn substantial income.
eBay simplifies the process for affiliates to promote its products, ensuring minimal hassle. Regardless of your chosen marketing method, eBay’s affiliate program offers versatility and effectiveness.
Unlike some other affiliate marketing programs, when you become an eBay affiliate, your primary partnership is with eBay itself. While you’ll indirectly assist sellers to some extent, your main focus will be on eBay’s products and offerings.
Similar to Amazon, eBay is a sought-after platform for businesses looking to sell their products. This presents significant growth potential, especially in fields like eBay dropshipping.
An additional advantage is that eBay doesn’t require exclusivity, allowing you to collaborate with other merchants and affiliate programs to diversify your income streams.
To kickstart your journey, you’ll need to submit an application to join eBay’s affiliate program, a process that typically takes around five minutes. This straightforward application process is one of the program’s many advantages.
Commission rate: Varies between 50% and 70%, depending on the product type.
Payment cycle: Around the 10th day of each month to accounts that have made more than 10 units of a country’s currency (i.e., $10 US, £10, etc.).
Payout method: PayPal and direct deposit (if the affiliate’s country supports it).
5. Impact
Impact stands out as an affiliate marketing program that facilitates partnerships between individuals and renowned brands like Airbnb, Uber, Adidas, and many others. What sets Impact apart is its range of automation tools designed to streamline your campaigns and drive increased sales.
The platform offers free registration and management of partnerships with a diverse array of brands across various sectors, including beauty, travel, retail, fitness, and more.
Upon joining Impact, you gain access to a marketplace where you can discover top brands and establish direct contact with their affiliate managers.
In terms of payment, Impact generally operates on a CPA (cost-per-action) model, which means you earn a commission when your audience makes a purchase through your affiliate link.
Commission rate: Varies depending on the brand.
Payment cycle: You can decide which day you want to withdraw your affiliate earnings each month.
Payout method: BACS, PayPal, or direct transfer.
6. Awin
Awin is another excellent affiliate program, particularly suitable for beginners. What sets Awin apart is that it doesn’t require you to have a website; you can join using your social media profiles, such as Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube.
When applying to Awin, all affiliates go through a compliance check to verify their details. Additionally, there’s a $5 deposit required to join the program, which Awin reimburses once you reach your first payment threshold.
Awin provides access to a vast network of over 21,200 brands, including well-known household names. You can explore the company’s advertiser directory to find specific programs you’d like to join or reach out to brands directly to discuss potential collaborations.
Commission rate: Varies based on rates decided by individual sellers.
Payment cycle: On the 1st and 15th of the month for the previous month’s commissions. You need to earn at least $20 in order to cash out.
Payout method: ACH, BACS, or international wire transfer.
7. GiddyUp
GiddyUp is an excellent choice for beginners due to its provision of an affiliate manager and a suite of useful tools designed to assist you in various aspects of its affiliate program.
You have the opportunity to collaborate with over 150 DTC (direct to consumer) brands spanning various industries, including travel, electronics, health and wellness, among others. As a GiddyUp affiliate, you gain exclusive access to these ecommerce businesses.
Additionally, GiddyUp offers a creative library to aid your digital marketing campaigns, robust tracking mechanisms, and real-time data analytics. This allows you to assess your performance on a month-to-month basis, enabling you to identify areas for enhancement and increase your commission earnings in the future.
Commission rate: Varies based on referral types.
Payment cycle: The 1st and 15th of each month. You must earn at least $25 in order to make a withdrawal.
Payout method: Foreign bank transfers, ACH, and checks.
8. Rakuten Affiliate
Last but certainly not least is the Rakuten affiliate publisher program. This program holds the third-largest market share among affiliate networks, at 7.25%.
Rakuten boasts connections to over 2,500 different retail brands, offering a wide array of products. To get started, simply find the product and merchant that align with your interests, and click the ‘Apply’ button to begin the process.
One distinctive aspect of the Rakuten affiliate program is that many of the companies are actively involved in the affiliate screening process. This means that if you’re not a good fit, you may receive a rejection.
However, once you’ve gained approval, the rest of the process is straightforward. Discover the offer that suits your content or ad, generate your affiliate link, and start earning money as an affiliate.
Commission rate: Varies based on the partner merchant’s commission rates.
Payment cycle: Rakuten pays out 90 days after it has been paid by the merchants. You must also earn a minimum of $50 in commissions in order to receive your payment.
Payout method: Check or direct deposit.
Summary: The Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners in 2023
Now that you have gained insights into some of the most promising affiliate programs for beginners, it’s time to dive in and explore them further. Finding the ideal affiliate program and brand that aligns with your niche might require some research, but the effort will pay off in the long run. Remember to exercise caution, conduct due diligence, and steer clear of potential scams.
Once you’ve selected an affiliate marketing program, you’ll have embarked on your journey into the world of affiliate marketing. You’ll officially have your dream side hustle, and who knows, it may eventually lead you to new and exciting opportunities.
Were you already familiar with these affiliate marketing programs? What does your affiliate marketing strategy entail? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
