Affiliate marketing has become a lucrative and popular way for businesses to promote their products and services. It is a performance-based marketing strategy where businesses reward affiliates for generating leads or sales. Affiliates, in turn, earn commissions by promoting the business’s products or services to their audience. As we approach 2024, the affiliate marketing landscape is expected to continue to evolve. With advancements in technology and changing consumer behavior, affiliate marketers need to be more strategic and focused than ever before. To help you navigate this ever-changing landscape, we have compiled a list of the top 10 affiliate programs for 2024. These programs offer high commissions, valuable products and services, and a strong track record of success.
What is an affiliate program?
An affiliate program is a marketing strategy where a company rewards affiliates for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate’s own marketing efforts. The affiliate promotes the company’s products or services to their audience, and when someone clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission on the sale.
Affiliate programs are a popular way for businesses to reach a wider audience and generate sales. They are also a great way for individuals to earn money online by promoting products or services that they are passionate about.
How do affiliates earn money?
Affiliates earn money through a variety of compensation structures, typically based on the actions or conversions they generate. Here’s a breakdown of common affiliate program payment models:
- Commission-Based Earnings: The most prevalent structure, affiliates receive a percentage of the sale price for each product or service they promote. Commissions can vary widely, ranging from a few percent to 75% or more, depending on the industry and the program.
- Pay-Per-Lead (PPL): In this model, affiliates earn a fixed fee for generating qualified leads, such as email signups, form submissions, or product trials. PPL programs are often used in B2B marketing, where the sales cycle is longer and more complex.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC): Less common in traditional affiliate marketing, PPC programs compensate affiliates for driving web traffic to the merchant’s website, regardless of whether a sale is made. This model is more prevalent in advertising and influencer marketing campaigns.
- Tiered Commissions: To incentivize affiliates to grow their efforts, some programs offer tiered commission structures. As affiliates generate more sales or leads, their commission rate increases, rewarding their success and encouraging continuous optimization of their marketing strategies.
Regardless of the compensation structure, affiliates typically receive their earnings through electronic payments like PayPal or ACH transfers. Some programs may also offer additional incentives, such as bonuses, exclusive access to products or services, or recognition awards.
Affiliate marketing provides a flexible and lucrative opportunity for individuals to earn income by promoting products or services they believe in. By understanding the various compensation models and choosing programs that align with their niche and audience, affiliates can effectively monetize their online presence and achieve financial success.
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The 10 Best Affiliate Programs of 2024
1. Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is one of the most popular and well-known affiliate programs in the world. It is one of the most suitable affiliate programs for beginners. With approximately 12 million available offers, joining is a straightforward process, and commission rates can reach as high as 20%. However, it’s worth noting that fixed commissions for certain product categories have become relatively modest, and the program features a relatively short cookie lifetime. Despite these drawbacks, Amazon Associates remains an accessible and extensive affiliate program for beginners.
- Commission: 1% – 10% of the item sale price
- Cookie window: 24 hours
- Payout methods: Check, Amazon gift certificates, or wire transfer
- Payout threshold: $10 minimum payout for wire transfer, $100 for checks
- Industry: E-commerce
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, review sites
- Affiliate support: Publisher Studio extension, Product Advertising API, promotional materials, image banners, text link banners.
Click here to join the Amazon Associates affiliate program →
2. ShareASale
Established in the year 2000, ShareASale stands as one of the pioneering affiliate marketing networks, fostering connections between advertisers and publishers for over two decades. Boasting a vast network comprising more than 25,000 affiliate programs spanning diverse industries, ShareASale serves as a comprehensive platform empowering publishers to discover, oversee, and establish meaningful brand collaborations. Affiliates utilizing the platform can monitor the performance of their campaigns, identify transactions that yield commissions, leverage reporting and analytics tools, and receive their earnings on a monthly basis. ShareASale thus offers a robust ecosystem for affiliates to effectively manage and optimize their affiliate marketing endeavors.
- Commission: Varies depending on the merchant
- Cookie window: Varies depending on the merchant
- Payout methods: Payoneer, wire transfer, direct deposit, or check
- Payout threshold: $50 minimum payout
- Industry: Affiliate network and performance-based marketing platform
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers, review sites
- Affiliate resources: Varies depending on the merchant, merchant search tool, reporting & analytics tools, dedicated support team
Click here to join the ShareASale affiliate network →
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3. CJ Affiliate
Established in 1998 under the previous moniker Commission Junction, CJ Affiliate
stands as one of the earliest and most dependable affiliate programs. Renowned for its longevity and reliability, CJ Affiliate boasts an extensive array of brands available for potential partnerships and promotion—precisely 3,800. Notably, the program is distinguished by having the longest cookie duration among its competitors, enhancing the opportunities for affiliates to capitalize on extended tracking and potential commissions.
- Commission: 5-10% average commission rate
- Cookie window: Varies based on merchant
- Payout methods: Payoneer, direct deposit, or check
- Payout threshold: $50 minimum payout
- Industry: Performance-based and affiliate marketing platform
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers, review sites
- Affiliate resources: Varies based on merchant, reporting & analytics tools, access to affiliate support team
Click here to join the Commission Junction affiliate network →
4. Rakuten Advertising
Rakuten, a prominent technology conglomerate, is widely recognized for its e-commerce marketplace and the associated cashback platform. The platform, bearing the same name, appeals to users by offering the opportunity to receive cash back while making purchases from renowned global brands like Nike, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and others. These featured brands compensate Rakuten for promoting their products, and in turn, Rakuten shares a portion of that revenue with customers in the form of Cash Back.
Simultaneously, Rakuten provides a lucrative affiliate program enabling individuals to earn commissions by referring sales to well-established, high-value brands such as Sephora, Lululemon, Neiman Marcus, Under Armour, and more. This affiliate program offers users the chance to benefit from commissions generated through successful sales referrals.
- Commission: Varies, but typically around 3 – 20%
- Cookie window: Varies depending on the merchant
- Payout methods: PayPal, direct deposit, or check
- Payout threshold: $50 minimum payout
- Industry: E-commerce & affiliate network
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers, review sites
- Affiliate support: Varies depending on the merchant
Click here to join the Rakuten affiliate network →
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5. eBay Partner Network
eBay is a big online marketplace where people worldwide buy and sell all sorts of things. It has over 1.9 billion listings and 132 million users.
If you join their affiliate program called the eBay Partner Network, you can earn money when people you refer make a purchase, bid on, or win an auction within 24 hours of clicking your special link. Just like Amazon’s affiliate program, you can promote a wide range of items on eBay, from old collectibles to brand-new gadgets. eBay’s marketplace is diverse, so if you have a broad audience, you can make good money as an affiliate.
- Commission: 1-4% of purchase
- Cookie window: 24 hours
- Payout methods: PayPal or wire transfer
- Payout threshold: $10 minimum payout
- Industry: E-commerce
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers
- Affiliate support: eBay Partner Portal provides creative gallery, custom graphics, banner ads, data & reporting tools, and eBay APIs
Click here to join the eBay Partner Network affiliate program →
6. Clickbank
Clickbank is like a big online store where you can find over 4,000 different products that are seen by millions of people worldwide. It’s a mix of something like Amazon Associates and PartnerStack.
For digital creators and affiliate marketers, Clickbank is a way to make money by promoting these products and earning commissions. It’s been around for a long time, so there’s a lot of competition, but the good thing is you can promote as many products as you want.
Clickbank has all kinds of products, both digital and physical, so no matter what your interests are, there’s something to promote. While the commission rates can vary, Clickbank is known for often offering high rates, sometimes more than 50%. So, if you’re looking to make money as an affiliate, Clickbank is a platform to consider.
- Commission: Average of 10-20%, but varies depending on product
- Cookie window: 60 days
- Payout methods: Check, direct deposit, wire transfer, and Payoneer
- Payout threshold: Minimum of 5 sales; default payout threshold is $100
- Industry: E-commerce & affiliate network
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers, review sites
- Affiliate support: Affiliate Resource Center provides promotional materials, link banners, guides, and analytics reporting tools.
Click here to join the Clickbank affiliate network →
7. PartnerStack
PartnerStack is like a special website for people who want to make money through partnerships. It’s not just for affiliates but also for businesses and those who refer customers.
This platform makes it easy for both businesses and partners to work together. They can create custom affiliate programs that fit what they need. The website is easy to use, helping businesses find partners, keep track of how well things are going, and automatically pay out commissions.
If you’re looking to make money as an affiliate, you can join the PartnerStack Network. It has more than 300 affiliate programs, and they pay out over $45 million in commissions every year. Since it’s a network, each program might have different commission rates, how long they track customers, and how they pay. But the good part is that you can find the programs that work best for you and your audience.
- Commission: Varies between affiliate programs
- Cookie window: 90 days by default
- Payout methods: PayPal, Stripe, or direct deposit
- Payout threshold: $5 minimum payout
- Industry: Affiliate marketing and partnerships platform
- Best for: Social influencers, bloggers, podcasts, digital educators, review sites, directories, consultants
- Affiliate support: Access to analytics & reporting tools, PartnerStack dashboard, PartnerStack Marketplace, and dedicated partner support team
Click here to join the PartnerStack affiliate network →
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8. HubSpot
HubSpot, a widely used platform for managing customer relationships in marketing, sales, and customer service, boasts one of the most lucrative affiliate programs available. This comprehensive platform simplifies tasks like handling inbound marketing, optimizing sales processes, and ensuring customer satisfaction. It’s particularly known for its robust marketing automation features. With pricing plans ranging from as low as $45 per month to over $10,000 per month, HubSpot caters to businesses of all sizes.
In addition to their attractive commission rates, HubSpot offers a welcome bonus of up to $80 for affiliates in their first 30 days. They also introduce periodic challenges to help affiliates earn even more from their promotions. The HubSpot affiliate program is open to everyone, regardless of their experience with the platform. The company provides a wealth of resources and promotional materials to assist affiliates in effectively promoting HubSpot to their audiences.
- Commission: 30% recurring commission for up to one year
- Cookie window: 180 days
- Payout methods: PayPal or direct deposit
- Payout threshold: None
- Industry: Marketing, Sales, Customer Service
- Best for: Social influencers, bloggers, digital educators, review sites, consultants
- Affiliate resources: Access to Affiliate Resource Center, 400+ promotional assets (including copy bank, banner images, demo videos, and more)
Click here to join the HubSpot affiliate program →
9. Fiverr
Fiverr is an online platform connecting freelancers with individuals or businesses seeking their services. Initially, the platform focused on smaller projects with a $5 price tag per job, but over time, freelancers now charge anywhere from $5 to well over $1,000.
Through Fiverr’s affiliate program, partners have the opportunity to earn commissions on a wide range of services, spanning digital marketing, web development, graphic design, content writing, and more. Regardless of the service or the freelancer, you receive a percentage for every new buyer you refer, and there’s no limit to the number of referrals you can make.
Fiverr’s CPA affiliate program provides rewards ranging from $15 to $150, depending on the purchased service. Additionally, their Hybrid affiliate program offers a $10 CPA along with a 10% revenue share commission for a duration of 12 months. This setup allows affiliates to earn commissions by referring new buyers to Fiverr across various services offered on the platform.
- Commission: $15-$150 CPA, or $10 CPA plus 10% commission
- Cookie window: 30 days
- Payout methods: PayPal, Payoneer, or wire transfer
- Payout threshold: $100 minimum payout
- Industry: Freelance services marketplace
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers, review sites
- Affiliate support: Access to professional support, tutorials, and a dedicated Affiliate manager
Click here to join the Fiverr affiliate program →
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10. Shopify
The Shopify Affiliate Program offers a lucrative opportunity for individuals to promote the widely acclaimed e-commerce platform. Designed for easy initiation, expansion, and management of online businesses, Shopify boasts a user-friendly interface and customizable themes suitable for enterprises of all sizes.
Affiliates in this program can earn commissions by referring clients to Shopify’s diverse range of standard plans, priced between $39/month and $399/month. With a reputation for versatility and a robust ecosystem of apps, Shopify provides a comprehensive solution for entrepreneurs and businesses aiming to establish, grow, and scale their online stores.
- Commission: One-time bounty payment equal to 200% of the monthly subscription
- Cookie window: 30 days
- Payout methods: PayPal or wire transfer
- Payout threshold: $10 minimum payout
- Industry: E-commerce hosting
- Best for: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers, review sites
- Affiliate support: Access to a library of promotional assets, lead magnets, a monthly newsletter, and curated email programming
Click here to join the Shopify affiliate program →
Additional Tips for Success in Affiliate Marketing
- Choose the right affiliate programs– Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Do your research and choose programs that are relevant to your niche and target audience.
- Build a strong audience– The more people you have in your audience, the more potential customers you have for your affiliate products.
- Create high-quality content– Use your blog, website, or social media channels to create high-quality content that promotes your affiliate products.
- Be transparent– Disclose your affiliate relationships to your audience. This will help build trust and credibility.
- Track your results– Use analytics tools to track your affiliate marketing results. This will help you see what is working and what is not.
FAQs: Top Affiliate Marketing Programs
How do affiliate programs work?
Affiliate programs reward individuals (affiliates) for promoting a company’s products or services. Affiliates earn commissions when their audience clicks on affiliate links and makes a purchase or completes a desired action.
What are the common payment models in affiliate marketing?
- Commission-Based Earnings: Affiliates earn a percentage of the sale price.
- Pay-Per-Lead (PPL): Affiliates receive a fixed fee for generating qualified leads.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC): Affiliates earn money for driving web traffic to the merchant’s site.
How do affiliates receive payments?
Affiliates typically receive payments through electronic methods such as PayPal, direct deposit, or wire transfer. Some programs may offer additional incentives, bonuses, or exclusive access to products or services.
What should affiliates consider when choosing programs?
- Relevance to niche and audience.
- Compensation model and commission rates.
- Affiliate program reputation and track record.
- Availability of promotional materials and support.
Is transparency important in affiliate marketing?
Yes, being transparent about affiliate relationships builds trust with your audience. Clearly disclosing your affiliate partnerships helps maintain credibility and authenticity.
How can affiliates track their results?
Utilize analytics tools provided by affiliate programs or third-party platforms to track clicks, conversions, and overall performance. This data helps affiliates optimize their strategies for better results.
What is the significance of building a strong audience in affiliate marketing?
A strong audience provides a larger pool of potential customers for affiliate products. Engaging content and a loyal following increase the likelihood of conversions, contributing to the affiliate’s overall success.
