Sevan - One of the biggest challenges in building an affiliate marketing business is finding the best affiliate programs for beginners.
Finally, there are thousands of high paying affiliate programs to choose from.
Choosing the wrong affiliate program can potentially set you back months, whereas the right affiliate program can generate your first affiliate fund before your website is even "ready".
So, since we're getting a lot of these questions, we're going to spend some time in this blog post looking at the best affiliate programs for beginners.
And we'll try to give you a much more balanced view of why joining an affiliate network sometimes makes more sense than an internal affiliate program and vice versa.
Let's get started.
Affiliate Programs Vs. Affiliate Networks
The first mental hurdle to overcome is the difference between internal affiliate marketing programs (merchants) and affiliate networks.
Some beginners treat these terms as if they were interchangeable - they really aren't.
Far from it.
Suppose you are building an authority website around outdoor sports equipment and promoting products like trampolines, water slides, lawn sports, etc.
Then you have the option of signing up for several (or dozens!) of affiliate marketing programs for various manufacturers and suppliers.
Or you can simply sign up for a network that can connect you to most of the product providers you want to work with.
The smart way for someone new to affiliate marketing is to sign up with an affiliate network and start there.
But affiliate networks are not a panacea.
In fact, there are some affiliate programs that exist only outside of affiliate networks, so you will have to register separately.
My favorite example of this was when I started out as an affiliate marketer… focusing on lightsaber replicas.
True Story - I made a lot of money selling toy lightsabers.
The company behind it is called Master Replicas and runs a great affiliate program. So I had to register directly with them because at the time they "own" the market for lightsaber properties and replicas.
Years later, they migrated to affiliate networks, but the payouts were lower, the terms were terrible, and I ended up letting the affiliate site die of heartbreak... and broken affiliate links.
So we looked at both sides of the game.
Firstly, the best and most popular affiliate networks, and secondly, a number of different and fairly common affiliate programs that they use for most audiences.
What to Look for in a Good Affiliate Program
Ease Of Use
When you are first starting out with affiliate marketing, you should make it as easy as possible for yourself.
That includes signing up for an affiliate program, which not only makes sense, but is an equal part of great management and great design.
After all, you definitely don't want to deal with affiliate programs with the Clusterf**k interface.
This can make creating affiliate links or uploading banners an absolute nightmare.
I've been that soldier once, crying over my keyboard because the geniuses behind affiliate programs have created interfaces so complex that the only people who can "get it done" are a cross between Stephen Hawking and the Doctor must be weird.
Affiliate networks usually don't have this problem - their goal is to make your affiliate marketing life as easy as possible.
Because if you're not making money (i.e. passive income), then neither are you - and neither are your customers.
That being said, there are so many internal affiliate programs that are affiliate marketing versions of the Sistine Chapel.
However, what we want to emphasize here is that ease of use should be the deciding factor for the affiliate program you choose.
This won't be a problem once you have more skins in the game.
Point Of Contact
From time to time something will go wrong.
The link no longer works or you're wondering why last month's sales report looks upside down.
Then you need the help of a dedicated affiliate manager.
Affiliate networks usually have a slight advantage here, because whatever program you want to inquire about, you can rely on their support staff and affiliate managers.
Remember that affiliate managers are no different from face-to-face managers in that some are really good and some are bad.
Always check the type of support you are getting before signing up for an affiliate program, e.g. Do you have a dedicated partner manager?
"Jack, the IT guy will take care of it" is not the kind of answer you want...or should accept.
Commission & Payments
Find out not only how much you get paid by affiliate programs, but also when you actually get paid.
Most affiliate programs are net 30, but there are also net 60 and even net 90.
What the above means in plain language is that most affiliates are paid 30 days after the sale, but some are not paid for 90 days.
That's a long time to wait for your affiliate earnings, especially when you have bills to pay.
15 Best Affiliate Programs For Beginners
Now let's take a look at the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners - the ones that give you the best chance to make money online with your new business.
1. Amazon Associates
Jeff Bezos is a pretty smart guy.
He is also very rich - his bank balance looks like his name has been changed to binary.
This wealth comes from foresight, such as being one of the first online retailers to offer an affiliate program in 1996.
Yes, in 1996 there was the internet, you could only hear it if you picked up the phone. Ask your parents what it means if you don't understand.
The Amazon Affiliate Program (also known as the Amazon Affiliate Program) is one of the oldest affiliate programs. And it's huge, encompassing all the products they sell online. So if you find something on Amazon, you can sell it and get a share of the profits.
And that includes everything from books to megaphones and everything in between - there's something for every audience.
Amazon's affiliate marketing program is the first place we send new affiliates simply because it's so easy to use, especially when creating your first affiliate link.
2. ClickBank
ClickBank is another affiliate network that falls into the grandparent category - they have been online since 1998.
And this is the story of a truly wealthy business - starting as friends sitting in a garage but eventually growing into a $3 billion annual corporation.
While every other affiliate program was trying to figure out how to deliver stuff and make a profit at the same time, the folks at ClickBank changed that idea by focusing on selling digital products instead.
That means instant delivery, almost no extra cost, and your ability to work directly with the maker. And while they may never imagine that social media is a thing, their line of products can also work very well with this audience.
You can find all of their products on the ClickBank marketplace, but they also currently offer some physical products as well.
The Marketplace interface works but looks like it hasn't changed since 1998. It's a bit of a quibble, but a facelift is long overdue.
If you need a little help getting started as a ClickBank affiliate, check out our article (ok, Gael wrote it, so we're in it) on how to make money with ClickBank.
3. ShareASale
ShareASale is probably one of the most neglected affiliate networks.
That's partly because the UI feels like it's back in 2002 - it hasn't changed since I first logged into my account a few months ago.
And the lack of the "wow" factor puts some new affiliate marketers off.
But my friends - ShareASale has some of the best affiliate programs out there. Some pay $300 to $350 per sale. And no, this affiliate program has nothing to do with... uh, "add-on" products or anything like that.
In fact, they represent around 5,000 different affiliate programs, but they focus more on smaller but profitable businesses, not just big brand names.
Affiliate marketing dashboards are simple but functional, and sometimes the lack of complexity is actually a good thing.
ShareASale is a network you should seriously consider joining.
4. CJ Affiliate
CJ Affiliate - formerly known as Commission Junction - is one of the oldest affiliate networks I've used dating back to around 2002.
What sets them apart from Amazon is that CJ Affiliate specializes in big brands as well as smaller product and service providers.
As of this writing, they represent macho companies like Zappos, Walgreens, Verizon, Under Armor, Trip Advisor, Staples, Sonos, Disney Shops, Sears, and Samsung.
And about 2,473 other affiliate marketing programs.
In addition to a wide range of brands and products, you also get all the tools a successful affiliate marketer needs - from excellent support to simple affiliate link creation.
But what I really like about CJ Affiliate Network is the metrics - I can clearly see if the affiliate program is profitable or not.
This is a huge time saver.
No guesswork required, allowing you to determine exactly which affiliate program you will be promoting and roughly how much to expect per sale.
5. Awin
While hard to quantify, Awin can definitely claim to be the largest affiliate network out there, with over 16,500 advertisers and 225,000 publishers at the time of writing.
In 2020 alone, the platform generated an impressive 182 million sales and its affiliates earned $1 billion in commissions, so that's a pretty big deal.
And it's not just big; It is also one of the oldest networks. Awin has technically only been around since 2017, but its roots can be traced back to the zanox network and Affiliate Window, both of which started in 2000.
Not content with running its own network, Awin also acquired another network on this list a few years ago – ShareASale. However, they operate as completely separate entities with their own dealers, so there's nothing stopping a successful affiliate from signing up for both.
As you might expect, there are lots of big names at Awin, including Emirates, Etsy, and Under Armor.
However, as an affiliate marketer, what I like most about Awin is its commitment to fast payouts. Many of its affiliate programs offer expedited payouts, plus you will be paid for validated transactions regardless of when Awin receives payouts from advertisers.
6. Impact
Impact is basically another great affiliate marketing network (despite their claims to the contrary), although it's not as old as ClickBank and ShareASale.
But age is ultimately just a number, so the impact of being relatively young shouldn't keep you from signing up. The founders started Commission Junction, so they know what they're doing!
Like any major network, you'll find many big names on Impact, including Adidas, Airbnb, and HSBC. At the time of writing, a total of 2,517 brands are using the platform to reach new audiences, with new advertisers always joining the network.
Unsurprisingly, for a (relative) newbie to the world of affiliate marketing, Impact's interface is much more attractive than that of most affiliate networks.
But it's not just about cosmetic looks - it packs some smart and user-friendly features too.
One of my favorites is the Instant Job Brands section, which lists all advertisers offering instant approval. This is a fantastic feature that makes it easy for new affiliate marketers to get started quickly.
7. Rakuten Advertising
You may not have heard of Rakuten, but they are truly a Japanese provider of affiliate marketing services.
They gained a foothold in the affiliate marketing scene by acquiring LinkShare in 2005.
Since then they have transformed the Rakuten Linkshare platform from a market presence to an award winner for most of the year.
So... is it suitable for a new partner?
The short answer is yes, but let me explain:
- The user interface is very similar to that of most other affiliate networks
- They represent more than 1000 brands and companies
- Their retailers ship everything from gifts and flowers to consumer electronics and office supplies.
The only potential downside is that Rakuten is a major player in affiliate marketing, so the approval process can be slow, especially if your site has little or no traffic.
Nonetheless, Rakuten is a sleeping giant that goes unnoticed by most potential affiliates.
Several affiliates have indicated that this network is slow paying out, but I've never had a problem with them.
8. Etsy Affiliate Program
The Etsy program is a sort of affiliate marketing hybrid.
This is because the products sold through the platform are made by independent artisans, antique dealers, and artists, although there have been some "holdings" with foreign manufacturers trying to claim claim here.
So it's a single owner affiliate network, if that makes any sense.
Etsy has managed to become the leading platform in its niche - no one else has quite matched it. You have gone from nothing to a publicly traded company in a very short few years.
What I find interesting about Etsy is the surprising number of people I know who have bought something on Etsy or sold their own crafts on the platform.
Side note: As of this writing, I made my first Etsy purchase - the screenshot above is a hint.
You can make money through the Etsy Affiliate Program by linking to and/or reviewing products you find on the platform. Then, when one of your visitors makes a purchase, you earn a 4% commission.
So is this one of the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners? Well, you probably won't be retiring from Etsy on a commission payout, but it does give you a great opportunity to make some valuable cash.
9. Fiverr Affiliate Program
Talk to any number of other affiliate marketers and I'm sure they will tell you that selling a service is usually a lot easier than selling a physical product.
Just show the list of service providers to the audience and they will take care of the rest.
Fiverr takes this core concept and goes on to monetize the show industry for services spanning the following broad categories: Graphic Design, Marketing, Writing, Video & Animation, Music, Programming, Business, Lifestyle, and Industry.
While you can sign up for their program on CJ.com, for the sake of simplicity, we'll focus on their in-house affiliate program.
This is probably one of the best paying affiliate programs out there. The Fiverr affiliate program offers up to $150 per referral, depending on the category of service provider you are promoting.
Unlike some other affiliate programs, Fiverr also provides you with many ways to earn affiliate income, including the Learn from Fiverr course, where you earn 30% per sale.
While this gig platform built its reputation selling digital services like WordPress installs and building backlinks, you can now also find “lifestyle” services like arts and crafts, tarot readings or even relationship advice.
Oh, and their affiliate program takes about 30 seconds to sign up for - literally, you just enter your name, email address, and choose a password.
10. EBay Partner Network
We won't bore you with a brief history of eBay because everyone knows what it is.
But what started as a way for people to clean their garages and make a few bucks has grown into a global marketing platform for both individuals and big brands.
Did you know that more than 80% of eBay's 1.4 billion listings are for new items?
This is not just a second-hand and/or second-hand market.
So while most newbies jump right into bed with Amazon (not a bad decision), very few stop to give eBay's affiliate program a second glance.
eBay also runs their own affiliate program, so there are no "middlemen" involved - you work with them directly.
And that means you can develop a relationship with their team of affiliate managers, which could be invaluable to you years from now.
In short, this affiliate program -- officially the eBay Partner Network (EPN) -- isn't perfect, but it can be a great place to start a new affiliate, usually in conjunction with the Amazon Associates program.
11. MaxBounty
MaxBounty is a Canadian network that has been around since the dawn of affiliate marketing.
Or rather 2004.
While most other networks focus on providing a wide variety of offers, MaxBounty focuses on what they do best - CPA offerings.
You get paid when affiliates perform certain actions, e.g. B. Install the software or fill out the form.
And regular CPA offers are usually much more profitable than, say, CPS or flat rate offers.
They have around 2,000 campaigns in their book, including campaigns for more popular niches like online dating, dieting, etc.
Best for: Established high-traffic affiliates who need new CPA offers to push.
12. Avangate Network
Founded in 2006, Avangate, like ClickBank, only promotes digital products.
But unlike ClickBank, the brand they represent is software and digital courses — but 99% software.
Well, before we continue, Avangate is basically two companies - Avangate is their partner software platform.
But their affiliate network is 2Checkout, which is very confusing because they are also a payment processor.
After all, 2Checkout has 22,000 registered software advertisers, but also some online courses like SuperReading.
In terms of software, you can find everything from Hide My Ass, Bit Defender, Malware Bytes, SEO PowerSuite, and Filmora to FTP software.
13. FlexOffers
FlexOffers stand out from the rest... by not standing out.
The affiliate marketing industry is full of hype, but FlexOffers avoid it.
Instead, they humbly run their business as an affiliate network.
And despite the fact that they provide affiliate marketing platforms for companies like Macy's, Walgreens, Kohl's, Hulu, McAfee and AT&T, among others.
In total, they have 12,000 advertisers to choose from, although they only consider 500 of them to be "premium" retailers.
Best for: Partners who need or want access to the widest possible selection of advertisers.
14. PepperJam
PepperJam may not be a name you immediately recognize.
But they have been a part of the affiliate marketing industry for a long time and have garnered enough attention to be acquired by eBay in 2009.
They later relaunched in 2016 under the PepperJam brand.
They represent a mix of big brands like Puma, Nordstrom, Orion and Lindt, but also many other niche brands.
Best for: PepperJam is a solid network for new and experienced partners.
15. Refersion Marketplace
Referral is an affiliate network I recently discovered.
And the reason I've never heard of them before is because they've only been around since 2015. But back then, they had managed to attract 17,000 advertisers.
This is not an easy task in an industry where other networks struggle to sign several hundred merchants.
Basically, what the Reference Marketplace lacks in style, is more than covering up the sheer number of advertisers.
Best Suitable For: New affiliate marketers struggling to be accepted by other platforms.
Wrapping Things Up
Sevan - And there you have it – our in-depth blog post on the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners.
We've covered as much as we can here and hopefully gave you enough options to choose an affiliate program to work with.
The good thing is, if you already have traffic, there is potential for passive income from your visitors tomorrow... with some incoming payments within the next 30 days.