If you’re looking for a way to make (eventual) passive income, affiliate marketing may be the perfect solution for you!
This can be a great way for anyone who is starting out in online marketing. However, there are a number of different affiliate marketing programs available to choose from, so it can be hard to know which ones are the best for you!
In this article, we will discuss the top ten best affiliate marketing programs for beginners and also provide a few tips to help you get started.
Let’s dive in!
Best Affiliate Marketing Programs For Beginners
- Fiverr
- eBay Affiliate Program
- Amazon Associates
- Awin
- Clickbank
- Skimlinks
- Impact
- ShareASale
- FlexOffers
- CJ (Commission Junction)
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a process by which a company rewards individual salespeople for promoting and selling its products or services on its platform.
These programs are important because it allows brands to reach a larger audience more efficiently, and they also provide an income stream for salespeople who are able to generate sales.
The industry has four core players:
- The merchant
- The network
- The publisher
- The affiliate
All four of them has a specific role to play in the affiliate marketing process and can effect the final outcome differently.
Let’s look at what each one of them does in more detail!
The Merchant
The merchant, also known as the brand or retailer, is the company that produces the products being sold.
Merchants are essential to affiliate marketing because they provide the products or services that consumers are looking for on affiliate networks or programs.
Affiliate marketing is a great way for merchants to promote their brands and products to a broader market, and provides comprehensive tracking and reporting tools that make it easy to see how well their program is performing.
The Network
The network is the middleman between the merchant and the affiliate, and is the platform on which the affiliate marketing program is hosted.
It is also responsible for managing all of the merchants and affiliates in the program, providing publishers with access to merchants, as well as handling payments and other administrative tasks.
A network is crucial for affiliate marketing because it provides the merchant with a central location to list its products or services, where affiliates can find the best offers to promote, and have the infrastructure and tools that affiliates need in order to effectively market those offers.
The Publisher
The publisher in affiliate marketing is an individual or company that provides the advertising space to the affiliate.
Typically, they are paid to produce advertising content and often share in the profits made by sales in exchange for promoting the merchant’s products or services.
Publishers are an important part of affiliate marketing, as they are the ones who drives traffic to the advertiser’s website. They can be bloggers, social media influencers, or any other type of website owner who promotes the advertiser’s products or services on their platform.
By bringing traffic to the merchant’s website through advertisements, publishers can help merchants make more sales and revenue, which can in turn lead to better reimbursement for the publisher.
The Affiliate
The main difference between an affiliate and a publisher is that affiliates are paid commission on the sales they generate, while publishers are paid a flat fee.
This means that affiliates only make money if they are able to sell the merchant’s products and services, while publishers will receive payment regardless of whether or not they sell anything.
However, affiliates play a key role in affiliate marketing and can be quite effective at advertising products and services.
They are the ones who actually drive sales for the merchant. Additionally, they have the ability to reach a wider audience, potentially increasing traffic to the merchant’s website by placing banners and text links on their website that take users to the merchant’s webpage.
Overall, affiliate marketing is essential because it helps brands grow by using word-of-mouth marketing and also allows them to track their advertising efforts more effectively, without having to invest in creating and maintaining their own sales and marketing infrastructure.
There are two different types of affiliate marketing: affiliate networks and affiliate programs. Both types of affiliate marketing have their own benefits and drawbacks, which we will explore in more detail below.
What’s the Difference Between Affiliate Networks and Affiliate Programs?
Affiliate networks are third-party platforms that provide merchants with a central location to list their products and services for sale on open online marketplace.
Whereas affiliate programs are the individual offers of products or services that merchants make available to its affiliates, and is often run by the merchant themselves.
Regardless of which one you choose, it is important to understand the difference so that you can make the best decision for your brand.
Affiliate Networks
The main benefit of affiliate networks is that they provide affiliates with access to multiple merchants.
This can be a great way to diversify your income and reduce your dependence on any one merchant.
Additionally, networks typically have a wide reach and can attract a large number of affiliates, which can give you more negotiating power when it comes to commissions.
However, the downside of affiliate networks is that they can be more complex to manage than other types of affiliate programs, and they may also charge fees for memberships and transactions.
Affiliate Programs
The benefits of using an affiliate program is that it allows you the ability to build closer relationships with your affiliates and maintain more control over how commissions are paid out.
What’s more, you may be able to negotiate higher commissions with individual affiliates than what is offered by affiliate networks.
The downside to affiliate programs is that they can be more time-consuming to manage than networks and could potentially have a smaller reach than affiliate networks.
In order to choose the best affiliate marketing program for you, it is important to consider what your specific goals are, as well as the type of content you plan to create.
Additionally, you’ll want to take into account the size of your audience and whether or not they are likely to purchase the products or services you plan to promote.
Once you have a good understanding of these factors, you can narrow down your options and choose the best affiliate marketing program for your needs.
Now that you understand how affiliate marketing works, it’s time to learn what the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners are.
What to Look for In a Good Affiliate Marketing Program for Beginners
As a beginner, it can be tough to get started with affiliate marketing. There are so many programs out there and it can be hard to know which ones you will benefit the most from. In order to launch a success affiliate marking program, you should look for a few key things:
Here are some things beginners should look for in a good affiliate marketing program:
- Ease of use
- Good reputation
- Prompt payments
- Low minimum payouts
- High commission rates
- Helpful and responsive customer support
- Promotes a wide variety of products or services
The best affiliate marketing programs for beginners are those that offer a good mix of all of the things on this list.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors to help you when deciding which affiliate marketing program is right for you.
Ease of Use
One of the most important things to look for in an affiliate marketing program is ease of use. As a beginner, choosing a program that is easy to navigate and understand is crucial to your success.
That is why it is important to look for affiliate marketing programs that have a user-friendly interface and offer clear instructions on how to get started.
Additionally, it can be helpful to choose a program that provides other helpful resources, such as tutorials or FAQs, in case you need assistance along the way.
Good Reputation
When choosing an affiliate marketing program, it is vital to select one that has a good reputation.
You can learn about the reputation of a potential program by reading online reviews from other users.
It is also helpful to look for an affiliate marketing program that has been in business for several years and has a large number of satisfied customers.
Prompt Payments
Another thing to look for when picking an affiliate marketing program is prompt payments.
You should select a program that offers timely payments so you can receive your commissions in a timely manner.
It is also beneficial to go with a program that offers multiple payment options, such as direct deposit or PayPal, so you can get paid faster. If you want to learn how to make more money using affiliate marketing, click here!
Low Minimum Payouts
One of the best things about affiliate marketing is that you don’t need to earn a lot of money to get paid out.
That is why it is important to choose an affiliate marketing program with a low minimum payout so you can get your commissions even when you don’t make a lot of sales.
Some programs have no minimum payout, which is ideal for beginners. In fact, many programs have a low minimum payout threshold, so you can start earning commissions right away.
High Commission Rates
As a beginner, you want to choose an affiliate marketing program that offers high commission rates to you. This way, you can make more money off of each sale.
However, you also want to make sure that the products or services you are promoting are high quality and in demand, so that you can make sales more easily and leave your consumers more satisfied.
Helpful and Responsive Customer Support
It is important to choose an affiliate marketing program that offers helpful and responsive customer support.
This way, you can get assistance when needed and feel confident that you are supported by the program.
Additionally, having access to customer support can help you troubleshoot any issues you might have along the way.
Promotes a Wide Variety of Products or Services
Finally, you will want to make sure to find an affiliate marketing program that promotes a wide variety of products or services.
This way, you can have more options when it comes to promoting products and services on your website or blog.
Additionally, it can be helpful to choose a program that allows you to promote products and services from multiple companies so that you can earn commissions from more than one source.
If you are a beginner who is just starting out in affiliate marketing, it is essential to choose an affiliate program that offers most, if not all, of the features mentioned above.
Doing so will help you get the most out of your affiliate marketing efforts and be successful in the long run.
Now that we’ve discussed what to look for in a good affiliate marketing program, let’s take a closer look at the best programs of 2022 so far.
Top Ten Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Beginners
For those who are just getting started in affiliate marketing, it is essential to find an affiliate marketing program that will give you the most out of its platform.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the top ten best affiliate marketing programs for beginners.
These are the top ten best affiliate marketing programs for beginners:
Fiverr
Fiverr is a great online marketplace website that allows users to buy and sell services on an affiliate program. It is also one of the most popular options for programs because of its versatility and easy to navigate interface.
There are a variety of services you can choose from, such as:
- Graphics
- Logo design
- Video editing
- Business consulting
- Writing and translation
- Social media marketing
All of these services and more can be found on this platform, making it easy users to find and purchase services for a set price. The site also allows sellers to offer their services at a lower price point, which makes it a great option for those looking for budget-friendly services.
For example, the majority of services listed on Fiverr start off as low as $5, but they can be increased over time as service providers gain more experience from projects and establish a steady client base.
Another benefit to using this affiliate marketing program is that it doesn’t require a minimum budget for you to become a Fiverr Affiliate.
Once your application to become an affiliate has been accepted, you’ll be sent a personal referral URL that will automatically start generating commissions every time a user visits and buys something from it.
Also, Fiverr allows you to work as much or as little as you like. There is no such thing as a maximum amount of money that you may earn on Fiverr.
Some people have earnings of up to $100,000 from the site by providing their services on this affiliate program. So if you’re struggling to find a place to sell your specific skill set, it’s likely that Fiverr will be able to provide exactly what you are looking for.
Where to Find It: Fiverr
Type: Affiliate Program
Payouts: Minimum of at least $50 once a week through Payoneer or PayPal
Best For: Beginners starting out in affiliate marketing
Pros:
- Low cost barrier to entry – simply $5 to begin the first project
- Perfect opportunity to network with other likeminded entrepreneurs
- Offers a variety of services to choose from
- Great method to increase brand exposure
Cons:
- Can be challenging to stand out from the competition
- Must continuously deliver quality services to keep up a good rating
- Low-cost services could also potentially lead to low commissions
eBay Affiliate Program
The eBay affiliate program is a great way for beginners to start making money online. As one of the first affiliate programs out there, eBay is one of the world’s largest online marketplace websites, with over 159 million active users worldwide.
This means that it provides affiliates one of the largest audiences the internet has to offer. Additionally, the eBay affiliate program is fairly simple to understand and use. There are no stringent prerequisites or qualifications necessary, anybody can sign up and start promoting eBay products on their website or blog.
This site also offers a wide variety of products in many different categories, like:
- Toys
- Electronics
- Home and garden
- Clothing and accessories
- Kitchen and outdoor appliances
There are also many different promotional resources affiliates can use to advertise specific products listed on the affiliate program, including:
- Banners
- Buttons
- Text links
- Product images
The best part about the eBay affiliate program is that it provides affiliates with a commission on every product sold, not just the first sale. This means that if somebody clicks on an affiliate’s link and buys multiple items from eBay, the affiliate will still receive a commission for each and every purchase.
Where to Find It: eBay Affiliate Program
Type: Affiliate Program
Payouts: Approximately 1% – 5% commission rate
Best For: Anybody looking for a large audience to sell products to
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Free to join
- Trusted brand name
- Access to a wide variety of products in many different categories
- Commissions earned on every product sold – not just the first sale
- Many different promotional resources beginners can use for assistance
Cons:
- U.S. residents only
- Slow customer support
- Commissions vary depending on the product sold
- Lower commission rates, making it a tough return on investment
- A lot of competition promoting similar products, making harder to get affiliate links to rank higher.
Amazon Associates Program
One of the best affiliate marketing networks for beginners is the Amazon Associates Program, as it is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world. With over 310 million active users worldwide, Amazon Associates provides affiliates with a wide audience to sell products to.
As an affiliate of this network, you can earn up to 10% in commissions by recommending products on and referring customers to Amazon’s website. All you have to do is simply create a link to a product on Amazon and then promote it on your website or social media platform.
If someone clicks on your link and then buys the product you promoted, you will earn a commission on that sale. Amazon Associates is a great program for beginners because it is easy to sign up and there is a wide variety of products to choose from, such as:
- Electronics
- Home Décor
- Games and Toys
- Books and Music
- Kitchen Appliances
- Outdoor and Sports Equipment
Regardless of your personal preferences, you will be able to find products that are exactly what you are looking for. You can join the Amazon Associates Program for free and begin earning money from sale’s commissions immediately after you start promoting Amazon’s products.
Where to Find It: Amazon Associates
Type: Affiliate Network
Payouts: Approximately 10% commission rate through affiliate links
Best For: Anyone who wants to earn money
Pros:
- Free to join
- Trusted brand
- Loyal customers
- Large commissions
- Variety of products to choose from
- One of the largest online marketplaces
Cons:
- Customer support is not as responsive
- Needs a significant amount of traffic to earn money
- Commission rate may be lower for some products than others
- Affiliates have fewer resources available to them
Awin
Awin is a global affiliate marketing company that operates in over 17 countries. Their affiliate marketing program is one of the best for beginners because it offers a wide range of tools and support.
This platform also has a large network of affiliates, so it is easy to find partners who are interested in promoting your products or services. In addition, Awin also offers a dedicated account manager to help affiliates with any questions or problems they may have.
Affiliates on this network can earn up to $350 per sale, making it a great return on investment. Awin is perfect for those who are looking for a large network of affiliates to partner with and access to a wide range of resources.
Where to Find It: Awin
Type: Affiliate Network
Payouts: Commissions up to $350 per sale
Best For: Anybody looking for a large audience to sell products to
Pros:
- Free to join
- Variety of payment options
- Comprehensive support system
- Ability to reach a large audience
- Well-organized and reputable company
- Well-established databased of merchants and publishers
Cons:
- A lot of competition
- Difficult to use interface
- Commission rates can be relatively low
- Hard to find high-quality offers to promote
- Can be difficult to get approved as an affiliate
ClickBank
Another popular affiliate marketing programs for beginners that connects digital product creators with affiliate marketers is the ClickBank Affiliate Network.
It is also one of the oldest programs that has the large catalog of products and a well-developed system for tracking sales and payments. Additionally, ClickBank is simple to navigate and offers a range of products and categories to choose from, such as:
- E-books
- Software
- Webinars
- Online Courses
- Membership Sites
Where to Find It: Clickbank
Type: Affiliate Program
Payouts: Commission rates are earned on sales through affiliate links, up to approximately 75%
Best For: Seasoned affiliate marketing experts
Pros:
- Simple to use interface
- High commission rates
- Dependable customer service
- Variety of products to choose from
- Ability to track sales and payments
- A well-established company with a good reputation
Cons:
- There can be a lot of competition
- Hard to find quality products to promote
- Some products have low conversion rates
- Requires quite a bit of time and dedication to make money
Skimlinks
Skimlinks is an excellent affiliate marketing program for beginners because it is simple to use and has quite a large network.
Becoming a Skimlinks affiliate is easy. You just have to sign up for Skimlinks, add a few lines of code to your blog or website, and let them take over from there.
Skimlinks makes it easier for that allows bloggers and content creators to make their content by linking to products and services from affiliate networks, and connecting them with merchants and publishers on their platform
Where to Find It: Skimlinks
Type: Affiliate Network
Payouts: Can be earned by commissions, a flat rate, or Cost Per Action (CPA) payouts
Best For: Affiliate merchants looking to connect with publishers
Pros:
- Very simple to use
- High commission rates
- No need to apply to individual affiliate programs
- Can be used on a variety of platforms, including blogs and websites
- A wide range of products and services available through the Skimlinks network
Cons:
- Commission payouts could be slow
- Skimlinks takes a cut of the profits generated by your sales.
- Not very forthcoming about who pays the commissions
- Difficult to know whether or not you are getting a good deal
- No method to prevent certain items and services from being advertised on your site
- Not all products and services available may be high quality
Impact
Another top affiliate marketing program for beginners is the Impact affiliate marketing program.
This program has a very comprehensive and user-friendly platform that makes it simple to find the right products and services to promote, as well as a wide range of resources to help you get started.
Where to Find It: Impact
Type: Affiliate Program
Payouts: Minimum of $50
Best For: Anyone interested in affiliate marketing
Pros:
- Very user-friendly platform
- Internal tracking system
- Wide range of products and services available
- Good selection of resources to help you get started
Cons:
- Minimum payout is low
- Could be difficult to get approved as an affiliate
- Affiliates do not have as many options available to them
Founded in 2000, ShareASale is one of the oldest and well-known affiliate marketing programs. It has a large and diverse list of merchants that offer different products and services.
This makes it a great choice for affiliates who are looking to promote a variety of products and services.
Additionally, ShareASale offers excellent customer service and regularly hosts webinars and training sessions to help affiliates learn how to use the platform and maximize their earnings.
Where to Find It: ShareASale
Type: Affiliate Network
Payouts: No minimum requirement
Best For: Experts in affiliate marketing
Pros:
- Excellent customer service
- Diverse range of products and services available
Cons:
- Payouts can be slow
- No minimum payout requirement
FlexOffers
Yet, another one of the best affiliate marketing networks for beginners is FlexOffers. With this network, you have access to a wide range of offers and can find the perfect one for your blog or website.
It also has a very helpful support team that is always happy to help you with any questions or problems you may have.
Additionally, FlexOffers is equipped with excellent tracking and reporting tools, so you can easiliy keep track of your earning and see how your promotions are performing.
Where to Find It: FlexOffers
Type: Affiliate Network
Payouts: Minimum of $100
Best For: Beginners starting out in affiliate marketing
Pros:
- Easy to navigate
- Online tracking tools
- Great customer service
Cons:
- A lot of competition
- Hard to get accepted into their network
CJ (Commission Junction)
Commission Junction (CJ) is a well-known and popular affiliate marketing program. It has a wide variety of merchants and products, making it a great choice for beginners.
CJ also has excellent customer service, which is important when you’re just starting out. Additionally, they offer a variety of tools and resources to help you succeed, and their commissions are competitive, making it easier to earn a profit.
Where to Find It: CJ (Commission Junction)
Type: Affiliate Network
Payouts: No minimum requirement
Best For: Beginners in affiliate marketing
Pros:
- Good customer service
- Competitive commissions
- Many tools and resources to help you succeed
- Wide variety of merchants and products available
Cons:
- Payouts can be slow
- Challenging to find good products to promote
Wrapping Up
As you can see, there are a variety of affiliate marketing programs for beginners to choose from. Each program has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to do your research before deciding which one is right for you.
The best way to become an affiliate marketer is to find and experiment with a few different affiliate marketing program for beginners in order to see which one benefits your needs the most. However, whichever program you choose, make sure to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort into it in order to see the best results.
Do you have any experience with any of these affiliate marketing programs? If so, let us know in the comments below!
