What is an Affiliate marketing Program?
An affiliate marketing program is a deal where a business pays a third-party promoter, called an affiliate, for promoting their products or services and bringing in sales or visitors.
In 2024, the U.S. affiliate marketing sector is projected to approach $10 billion in spending, with the industry forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.86% from 2023 to 2032.
Are affiliate marketing programs legit?
Affiliate marketing is not a scam but a legitimate business model. When conducted in compliance with relevant laws, such as the FTC’s guidelines, it is entirely legal. It is also ethical when there is transparency about the affiliate relationship, and only trusted products are recommended.
Major platforms like The New York Times, NerdWallet, and The Verge successfully use affiliate marketing as part of their revenue strategy.
How to choose the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners?
When starting with affiliate marketing, it’s important to choose the right and the best affiliate marketing program for beginners. Here’s a simple guide to help beginners pick the best ones:
1. Match your interests (Niche)
Pick programs that are related to topics you enjoy or know about. It’s easier to promote products or services when they fit your interests or expertise. Plus, your audience will trust you more if you’re passionate about what you share.
2. Look for good commission rates
Check how much money you’ll earn for each sale or action. Higher commission rates mean more earnings, but also make sure the product is something people will want to buy. A fair balance between good commission and trusted products is key.
3. Follow popular trends
Choose programs that offer products people are currently looking for or talking about. Products tied to popular topics or seasonal trends tend to sell faster. Do a little research to see what’s in demand in your niche.
4. Check the platform features
A good affiliate platform makes your job easier. Look for platforms that offer:
- Easy-to-use tools: Simple dashboards to manage links, track sales, and see your earnings.
- A variety of products: Options to choose from so you can find what fits your audience best.
- Strong security: Platforms that protect your account and payments.
- Good tracking tools: Accurate data to ensure you get paid for every sale or click.
5. Keep costs low
Some programs might charge fees to join or use their platform. As a beginner, look for free or low-cost options that fit your budget.
Top 11 good affiliate marketing programs for beginners
1. Shopify
Shopify is a good affiliate marketing program, which is a versatile ecommerce platform that makes it simple to launch, grow, and manage your online store. Whether you’re selling through a website, social media, marketplaces, or in person, Shopify gives you the tools to customize your store and reach your customers wherever they are.
The Shopify affiliate program is apt for influencers, creators, educators, and review sites. Affiliates help people start successful businesses by referring new merchants to Shopify’s eligible plans, while earning impressive commissions. Best of all, it’s free to join, making it a great way to earn money while supporting entrepreneurs.
| Product range | Shop, Shop Pay, Shopify Fulfillment Network, Shopify Plus, Linkpop, Commerce Components. |
| Customer service | 24/7 customer support |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | $10 USD |
| Commission range | https://help.shopify.com/en/partners/how-to-earn |
| Payment method | PayPal or Bank Transfer |
| Cookie duration | 30 days |
| Approval type | 5 working days |
| Average earnings | $58 for every user who subscribes to a paid plan. |
| No of years in market | 18 years |
| No of advertisers | Countless instructors, content producers, review hubs, and influencers. |
| No of publishers | NA |
| Affiliate interface | Accessible through the Shopify admin |
| Niches | SAAS products |
2. Amazon Associates
Amazon, one of the largest online marketplaces, runs the Amazon associates program, allowing affiliates to promote its vast range of products. Affiliates can earn up to 20% in commissions and monitor their progress effortlessly with a user-friendly dashboard that tracks clicks, sales, and revenue.
Bloggers and influencers can use Amazon’s program to recommend products their audience will love. For example, Brian Lam, the creator of Wirecutter, partners with Amazon to review gadgets and is then acquired by the NewYork Times for $30 million.
Here’s how it works:
1. Website administrators register for an Amazon Affiliate account.
2. Amazon assigns each user a unique Associate ID upon approval.
3. After the application is approved, affiliates can start generating custom links using Amazon’s portal.
4. They share these links on their platforms and start earning.
| Product range | Electronics, Clothing, Accessories, Toys, Home and garden, Beauty, Music, Books, Computers, Games |
| Customer service | 24/7 customer support |
| Joining cost | Free |
| Payment threshold | Gift card or direct deposit: The minimum threshold is $10· Cheque: The minimum threshold is $100 |
| Commission range | 1% to 20%, depending on the product category |
| Payment method | Direct deposit, Cheque, Amazon gift card |
| Cookie duration | 24 hours |
| Approval type | 1 or 2 days |
| Average earnings | $1000-$9000 per month |
| No of years in market | 28 years |
| No of advertisers | 9.7 million sellers Worldwide |
| No of publishers | NA |
| Affiliate interface | Amazon associates page |
| Niches | Ecommerce marketplace |
3. Rakuten
Rakuten is a popular cashback platform that rewards shoppers for buying through its marketplace and is a good affiliate program for beginners. Its affiliate network connects brands (advertisers or merchants), affiliate marketers (publishers), and consumers, creating a win-win system for everyone.
Being a trusted leader in the industry, it has partnered with top global brands such as JetBlue, New Balance, and Sephora. If you’re new to affiliate marketing or run a small business, joining Rakuten can provide access to affiliate deals from well-known brands your audience already trusts. Similar to other affiliate platforms, commission rates differ depending on the product and the merchant offering it.
| Product range | Loyalty programs, Coupons, Deals, AI-driven forecasting, Global benchmarking, Data-driven insights, Strategic expertise, User-friendly dashboard, Analytics portal. |
| Customer service | 24/7 customer support |
| Joining cost | Free |
| Payment threshold | $50 per network |
| Commission range | $30 per referral |
| Payment method | PayPal, direct deposit (ACH), or check |
| Cookie duration | 30 days |
| Approval type | Based on the advertiser’s criteria |
| Average earnings | $1500-$8000 per month |
| No of years in market | Over 25 years |
| No of advertisers | over 150K advertisers, publishers, and marketing agencies |
| No of publishers | over 150K advertisers, publishers, and marketing agencies |
| Affiliate interface | Dashboard, tools, and portals |
| Niches | Ecommerce, digital content, communications and fintech. |
4. eBay Partner Network
Since 1995, eBay has been a leader in online marketplaces and has embraced affiliate marketing through its eBay Partner Network. Affiliates earn a percentage of each sale, with commission rates depending on the product category. For example, collectibles offer a 3% commission (up to $550 per item), while business and industrial products earn 2.5% (up to $225).
eBay serves over 135 million users globally across 190 markets, and its user base continues to expand each year.
| Product range | Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles and art, Home and garden, Clothing and accessories, Toys and hobbies, Sporting goods, Books, movies, and music, Health and beauty |
| Customer service | 24/7 support |
| Joining cost | Free |
| Payment threshold | $10 USD or more |
| Commission range | 1%–4% of the total sale price of an item |
| Payment method | Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or PayPal |
| Cookie duration | 24 hours |
| Approval type | Within 24 hours |
| Average earnings | $1000 per month |
| No of years in market | 29 Years |
| No of advertisers | Over 9,40,000 advertisers |
| No of publishers | NA |
| Affiliate interface | Join the eBay Partner Network |
| Niches | Ecommerce marketplace |
5. Leadpages
Leadpages is a popular website builder designed to help small businesses create their online presence. Its free affiliate program allows you to earn up to 50% recurring commissions on every sale, including plan renewals, upgrades, and one-time purchases. Best of all, you don’t need to be a Leadpages customer to join the program.
To help affiliates succeed, Leadpages offers a range of resources like promotional materials, tutorials, and training guides to boost sales and maximize your earnings.
Here’s how you can join the program:
1. Sign Up for Leadpages – Begin by creating an account with Leadpages.
2. Apply to Join the Affiliate Program – Fill out a short application to kick off the process. Most applications are reviewed and approved within one business day.
3. Get Approved – Once approved, check your email for the welcome kit, which includes helpful resources and promotional tools to get started.
4. Promote and Earn – Share your unique referral link on your website, social channels, or email campaigns to earn up to 50% commissions for every new customer you bring in.
| Product range | Banner ads, Blog images, Animated gifs, and Swipe copy for emails and social media posts. |
| Customer service | 24/7 support |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | Its variable |
| Commission range | 10% to 50% |
| Payment method | PartnerStack system |
| Cookie duration | 90 days |
| Approval type | Typically approves applications within 24–48 hours |
| Average earnings | Up to 50% recurring commissions |
| No of years in market | 11 years |
| Affiliate interface | Affiliate dashboard |
| Niches | SAAS product |
6. Kit
Kit’s affiliate program is perfect for creators looking to reach other creators. Its email marketing tools are designed to make campaign creation, sending, and management effortless.
With Kit, you earn a 50% commission for the first 12 months on each signup through your affiliate link, paid monthly as long as the account stays active. Plus, your earnings can grow as your referrals upgrade their plans or spend more, with extra bonuses for bringing in more accounts. Upon achieving 10 or more sales, affiliates are upgraded to a higher tier, gaining access to recurring commissions of 10-20% for subscription renewals. This program is particularly beginner-friendly, offering a variety of resources like a comprehensive training course led by successful entrepreneur Pat Flynn. Affiliates also receive ready-made promotional materials, including graphics and video content, to enhance their marketing efforts.
| Product range | Email software (formerly ConverKit) |
| Customer service | help@kit.com |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | Check official site |
| Commission range | 50% commission for the first 12 months for each customer signup |
| Payment method | PayPal |
| Cookie duration | 90 days |
| Approval type | 4-6 Weeks |
| Average earnings | $1000-$3000 |
| No of years in market | Was launched in March 2013 |
| Affiliate interface | Affiliate dashboard |
| Niches | SAAS product |
7. Semrush
Semrush is a top SEO tool that helps marketers and online businesses with keyword research, SEO, and tracking rankings. Its free affiliate program is perfect for bloggers, agencies, paid search experts, and online course creators. You can easily sign up through the Impact Radius affiliate network.
As an affiliate, you can earn commissions at every step of the customer journey whether they’re just discovering Semrush or making a purchase. Also, Semrush is trusted by more than 10 million marketers and utilized by 30% of Fortune 500 companies.
Eligibility criteria: Applicants must provide links to their website and social media profiles. Additionally, creators should have a minimum of 1,000 monthly visitors and at least 1,000 genuine followers.
| Product range | Semrush’s services |
| Customer service | 24/7 support |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | $50 |
| Commission range | Get $200 for every first-time sale and $10 for activating a trial |
| Payment method | PayPal and electronic funds transfer (EFT) |
| Cookie duration | 120 days |
| Approval type | Within 4 days |
| Average earnings | Get $200 for every first-time sale and $10 for activating a trial |
| No of years in market | Over 8 years |
| Affiliate interface | Located in the Affiliate Dashboard on Impact |
| Niches | SEO, Online marketing, and Content marketing |
8. Fiverr
Fiverr is a popular platform where freelancers can connect with businesses in over 300 service categories. Customers pay upfront for “gigs” based on their needs, and freelancers then apply for these projects.
Fiverr’s affiliate program provides different ways to earn, including a fixed payment for each new customer, a percentage of the order, or a mix of both offering a fixed fee for first-time purchases and ongoing revenue for repeat subscriptions.
The program provides attractive commission opportunities, offering 20% on first-time freelancing service purchases and 10% on repeat orders. For the logo maker service, affiliates earn $30 on the first order and 10% on subsequent sales. Promoting top freelance talent yields an impressive 70% commission on the initial order and 10% on future purchases.
Signing up is straightforward, requiring only an active website with recent activity within the past 60 days or a solid social media presence. Comprehensive tools are readily available to help affiliates begin promoting the platform effectively.
| Product range | Digital services |
| Customer service | 24/7 support |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | $100 |
| Commission range | 5% to 30% commissions |
| Payment method | PayPal, Payoneer, or bank account |
| Cookie duration | 30 days |
| Approval type | 48 hours |
| Average earnings | $150 per customer they refer |
| No of years in market | Launched in 2010 |
| No of sellers | Over 3,80,000 sellers |
| No of buyers | Over 4.2M buyers |
| Affiliate interface | Affiliate dashboard |
| Niches | Freelance services marketplace |
9. ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels is a tool that makes creating landing pages easy, helping businesses simplify their sales process and market their products or services more effectively. The ClickFunnels affiliate program is perfect for marketers and entrepreneurs who have an online presence. By referring new subscribers, affiliates earn commissions, especially for retaining them over time.
ClickFunnels has paid over $143,102,631 to affiliates worldwide. Through the ClickFunnels 14-Day Free Trial program, affiliates earn a 30% recurring commission for every user who continues their membership after the trial period. Commissions apply to all account levels, offering significant earning potential. ClickFunnels 2.0 plans unlock ongoing opportunities for affiliates, with commissions available on both monthly and annual plans. This makes it an ideal option for creating consistent income. With scalability built into the model, affiliates can grow their earnings as their referrals renew subscriptions month after month.
| Product range | Marketing funnels software |
| Customer service | 24/7 customer support |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | $100 |
| Commission range | 30% recurring commission on monthly accounts |
| Payment method | PayPal |
| Cookie duration | 45 days |
| Approval type | 48 to 50 hours |
| Average earnings | Tier 1: 20% commission, with a potential annual earning of up to $5,992· Tier 2: 30% commission, with a potential annual earning of up to $8,988· Tier 3: 40% commission, with a potential annual earning of up to $29,964· Monthly accounts: 40% recurring commission· Referred accounts: 5% commission |
| No of years in market | Launched after ClickFunnels was founded in 2014 |
| Affiliate interface | Affiliate dashboard page |
| Niches | SAAS product |
10. Elementor
Elementor stands out as a leading WordPress page builder, celebrated for its user-friendly design and widespread adoption. It is actively used in over 150 countries and boasts a thriving community of more than 200,000 members. With over 11 million active installations, Elementor continues to showcase its significant global impact. It has a free version with basic tools, plus paid plans ranging from $9.99 to $49.99 annually for more advanced features. Through its affiliate program, you can earn up to 50% commission on every sale made through your referral links.
| Product range | Website builder |
| Customer service | 24/7 support |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | $200 |
| Commission range | Up to 50% commission on each sale of premium versions |
| Payment method | PayPal |
| Cookie duration | 30 days |
| Approval type | If approved, you’ll receive a marketing kit and an affiliate link |
| Average earnings | Up to $10,000 per month |
| No of years in market | Launched in 2016 |
| Affiliate interface | Affiliate dashboard |
| Niches | Website building, WordPress, or Design |
11. HubSpot
HubSpot is a top-tier customer relationship management (CRM) platform that provides a comprehensive range of tools for marketing, sales, customer service, and content management. It helps businesses of all sizes streamline operations, manage customer relationships, and enhance marketing strategies.
As an affiliate, you can earn a 30% recurring commission for each new user you bring on board for up to one year. Once you achieve 100 monthly sales, you unlock additional rewards, such as bonuses, a dedicated affiliate manager, guest posting opportunities, and co-branded landing pages.
| Product range | All of the products and features offered by HubSpot |
| Customer service | 24/7 support |
| Joining cost | Free to join |
| Payment threshold | Its variable |
| Commission range | 30% recurring commission for every new customer |
| Payment method | PayPal or direct deposit (EFT) |
| Cookie duration | 180 days |
| Approval type | Reviews applications within 2–3 business days |
| Average earnings | Reap 30% in ongoing commissions for every new customer—exceeding $1,000 per referral |
| No of years in market | Since 2006 |
| Affiliate interface | Affiliate dashboard |
| Niches | CRM software |
Good affiliate marketing programs FAQs
1. Who can participate in affiliate marketing programs?
Anyone with an online presence, such as bloggers, influencers, content creators, or website owners, can join affiliate programs to monetize their audience.
2.How can I enroll in an affiliate marketing program?
Most programs require you to sign up through their website, provide relevant information, and agree to their terms. Some may have specific criteria or an approval process.
3.Which categories of products or services can I market?
You can promote almost anything, from physical products like electronics and clothing to digital services such as software, courses, or subscriptions, depending on the program and your audience’s interests.
4. How do affiliates earn money?
Affiliates earn a percentage of sales or a fixed fee for each action (like a sale, lead, or click) generated through their referral link.
5. How lucrative is affiliate marketing as a profession?
Earnings vary depending on the program, your audience size, and your marketing efforts. Some earn a few dollars monthly, while others generate substantial passive income.
