Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Beginners: Top Options to Consider

As someone who has been in the affiliate marketing business for a while, I know that finding the right affiliate program can make or break your success. With so many high-paying programs out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. That’s why I’m here to help.

In this article, I’ll be sharing my insights on the best affiliate programs for beginners. I’ll also discuss the pros and cons of affiliate networks versus in-house affiliate programs so that you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to switch things up, this article will provide you with the information you need to succeed in affiliate marketing.

Key Takeaways

• Finding the right affiliate program is crucial for success in affiliate marketing.
• Affiliate networks and in-house programs both have their pros and cons.
• This article will provide a comprehensive guide to the best affiliate programs for beginners.

Best Affiliate Marketing Programs For Beginners

As a beginner, it can be overwhelming to choose the right affiliate marketing program. Here are some of the best programs to consider:

• Amazon Associates Affiliate Program
• CJ (Commission Junction) Affiliate Program
• ShareASale Affiliate Program
• ClickBank Affiliate Program
• Rakuten Advertising Affiliate Program
• Impact Affiliate Program
• Awin Affiliate Program
• Etsy Affiliate Program
• eBay Partner Network Affiliate Program
• Fiverr Affiliate Program
• Refersion Marketplace
• PepperJam Network
• FlexOffers Affiliate Program
• Avangate Affiliate Program
• MaxBounty Affiliate Program
• LinkConnector Affiliate Program

Each program has its own unique features, so it’s important to do your research and find the best fit for your niche. Remember to focus on promoting products that align with your audience’s interests and needs. By doing so, you’ll increase your chances of success.

Affiliate Networks vs. Affiliate Programs

As a beginner in affiliate marketing, it’s important to understand the difference between in-house affiliate programs and affiliate networks. While some may use these terms interchangeably, they are not the same.

An in-house affiliate program is created by a single merchant or supplier, and you must sign up directly with them to become an affiliate. On the other hand, an affiliate network acts as a middleman between affiliates and multiple merchants or suppliers.

For example, if you have an affiliate website promoting outdoor sporting equipment, you could sign up for multiple in-house affiliate programs for different manufacturers and suppliers. Alternatively, you could sign up for an affiliate network that connects you with a variety of suppliers in the outdoor sporting equipment industry.

While signing up for an affiliate network may seem like the more sensible option for beginners, it’s important to note that some affiliate programs only exist outside of affiliate networks. In these cases, you would need to sign up directly with the merchant or supplier to become an affiliate.

For instance, when I first started out as an affiliate marketer, I focused on selling replica lightsabers. The company behind them, Master Replicas, had a great affiliate program, but it was not part of any affiliate network. I had to sign up directly with them to become an affiliate.

That being said, there are many popular and reliable affiliate networks available. Some of the best include:

• Amazon Associates
• Commission Junction
• ClickBank
• Rakuten Marketing

In addition to affiliate networks, there are also a range of diverse and generic enough affiliate programs that apply to most audiences. Some examples include:

• Bluehost affiliate program
• Grammarly affiliate program
• Airbnb affiliate program

Ultimately, the decision between signing up for an affiliate network or an in-house affiliate program depends on the specific industry and merchants you are promoting. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.

What To Look For In A Good Affiliate Marketing Program

Ease of Use

As someone who has been in the affiliate marketing game for a while, I know firsthand how important it is to choose an affiliate program that is easy to use. When you’re just starting out, you want to make things as simple as possible for yourself. This means signing up for affiliate programs that have great management and design, and that don’t have a confusing or cluttered interface.

Affiliate networks tend to be a safer bet in this regard, as their goal is to make the affiliate marketing process as easy as possible. However, there are also in-house affiliate programs that are just as user-friendly. The key is to look for an affiliate program that is straightforward and easy to navigate.

Point of Contact

No matter how user-friendly an affiliate program is, there will be times when things go wrong. Links might stop working, or you might have a question about your sales report. That’s why it’s important to choose an affiliate program that has a dedicated point of contact.

Affiliate networks usually have an advantage here, as they typically have a support staff in addition to an affiliate manager. However, it’s important to remember that not all affiliate managers are created equal. Some are great, while others leave a lot to be desired. Before signing up for an affiliate program, make sure you know what kind of support you’ll be getting. You want to have a dedicated affiliate manager who can help you with any questions or issues that arise.

Commission & Payments

Of course, one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an affiliate program is how much you’ll get paid and when you’ll get paid. Most affiliate programs operate on a Net 30 basis, meaning that you’ll get paid 30 days after making a sale. However, some programs operate on a Net 60 or Net 90 basis, which means you might have to wait up to 90 days to receive your payment.

It’s important to find out not only how much you’ll be paid, but also when you’ll be paid. Waiting 90 days for a payment can be a long time, especially if you have bills to pay. Make sure you choose an affiliate program that offers a fair commission rate and pays out in a timely manner.

Overall, when looking for a good affiliate marketing program, it’s important to consider factors such as ease of use, point of contact, and commission and payments. By doing your research and choosing a program that meets your needs, you’ll be well on your way to success in the world of affiliate marketing.

16 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs For Beginners

1 Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates Program is one of the oldest affiliate programs out there. It’s also the most popular, with 58.5% of affiliate marketers using it. Amazon’s affiliate marketing program is pretty much the first place we send brand new affiliates simply because it’s so easy to use. It encompasses all of the products they sell online. So if you can find something on Amazon, you can sell it and get a cut of the profit.

• URL: Amazon Associates Program
• Cost: Free
• Type: Affiliate network
• You get paid: Net 60
• Payment threshold: $10
• Best suited to: Affiliate marketing beginners building their first site

Pros:

• International brand recognition – everyone knows what Amazon is
• 385 million products for Amazon Associates to promote
• They place huge focus on customer service, so you benefit from that
• Link creation and management is super easy
• Easy-to-use affiliate dashboard

Cons:

• Amazon changes their mind on commission rates as often as they change their underwear
• The 24-hour cookie is far from ideal

2 CJ Affiliate

CJ Affiliate is one of the oldest affiliate networks out there. They specialize in big brand names, as well as smaller product and service suppliers. They represent around 2,473 other affiliate marketing programs. In addition to the super diverse range of brands and products, you also get all the tools successful affiliate marketers need—from excellent support to simple affiliate link creation.

• URL: Commission Junction
• Cost: Free
• Type: Affiliate network
• Payment threshold: $50
• You get paid: Net 30
• Best suited to: Affiliate marketers with 3 – 6 months experience under their belt.

Pros:

• Intuitive interface and dashboard – ideal for affiliate marketing beginners
• Lots of really big brand names under one roof
• Direct display advertising (flat fee and commission) opportunities
• You can find profitable affiliate programs without having to guess
• Support and tutorials make things very easy

Cons:

• Big brands come and go on this network all the time
• There is a very mild learning curve when compared to Amazon

3 ShareASale

ShareASale is probably one of the most overlooked affiliate networks out there. They represent around 5,000 different affiliate programs. They have some of the best affiliate programs out there. Some pay $300 – $350 per sale. They focus more on smaller but profitable companies, rather than just huge brand names.

• URL: ShareASale
• Cost: Free
• Type: Affiliate network
• Payment threshold: $50
• You get paid: Net 30
• Best suited to: An affiliate marketer looking for emerging brands or more tangential products and services.

Pros:

• Thousands of products and services to promote
• Smaller, unknown but very worthwhile affiliate programs
• The “Search for Merchants” function is far superior to Commission Junction, for example
• Their ‘PowerRank’ metric shows you where an affiliate program sits in the top 1000 on ShareASale
• You don’t have to wait months to get paid

Cons:

• A very dated interface
• The approval process for affiliate programs can be unpredictable at times

4 ClickBank

ClickBank is yet another affiliate network that falls into the “grandparent” category. They’ve been online since 1998. They focus on selling digital products. That meant instant delivery, almost no overheads, and the ability for them to work directly with creators. You can find all of their products in the ClickBank Marketplace, but they do also feature some physical products these days.

• URL: ClickBank
• Cost: Free
• Type: Affiliate network
• Best suited to: Marketers who prefer promoting digital products
• Payment threshold: $50
• You get paid: Net 60

Pros:

• You rarely need to be approved to promote a program
• Probably the best network for anyone doing affiliate marketing without a website
• Their top-tier programs average out at about $50 per sale
• You’ll have lots of opportunities to promote programs with recurring commission
• Most of the pre-selling is done for you by the merchant’s landing page
• Digital products can work hand-in-hand with email marketing/social media
• Creating your affiliate link is super easy

Cons:

• The Marketplace hasn’t changed one bit in 19 years – it’s functional but very dated
• Certain programs can result in very high refund rates

5 Rakuten Advertising

Rakuten Advertising is a Japanese affiliate marketing service provider. They put their foot in the door of the affiliate marketing scene when they acquired LinkShare back in 2005

Wrapping Things Up

In conclusion, we have provided a comprehensive list of the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners. With the potential to start earning passive income from your website visitors in as little as 30 days, affiliate marketing is a great option for those looking to monetize their website.

We hope that our list has given you enough choices to work with and start earning commissions. Additionally, we encourage you to take advantage of our valuable affiliate marketing tips and tricks to boost your earnings.

If you are feeling lost or unsure of how to get started, we offer free training on affiliate marketing. By simply providing your email address, we will send you an invite to our training where you can discover seven secrets that make 83% of new sites more successful.

Remember, affiliate marketing is a great way to earn passive income while promoting products and services that align with your brand and values. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to turn a profit in your first month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some high ticket affiliate programs for beginners?

As a beginner, it’s important to choose high ticket affiliate programs that offer higher commissions. Some of the best high ticket affiliate programs for beginners include ClickFunnels, Bluehost, and SEMrush. These programs offer generous commissions and are relatively easy to promote.

What are the best affiliate programs for beginners without a website?

If you’re just starting out and don’t have a website, there are still plenty of affiliate programs you can promote. Some of the best affiliate programs for beginners without a website include Amazon Associates, eBay Partner Network, and Rakuten Marketing. These programs allow you to promote products through social media, email marketing, and other channels.

Which stores offer affiliate programs for beginners?

Many popular stores offer affiliate programs that are perfect for beginners. Some of the best stores with affiliate programs include Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. These programs offer generous commissions and are relatively easy to promote.

How does the Target affiliate program work for beginners?

The Target affiliate program is a great option for beginners. To get started, you’ll need to sign up for the program and then promote Target products through your website, social media, or other channels. You’ll earn a commission on any sales that are made through your unique affiliate link.

What are the benefits of joining the Ulta affiliate program as a beginner?

The Ulta affiliate program is a great option for beginners who are interested in promoting beauty products. As an affiliate, you’ll earn a commission on any sales that are made through your unique affiliate link. You’ll also have access to exclusive promotions and discounts that can help you increase your earnings.

What are some free affiliate programs for beginners?

If you’re just starting out and don’t have any money to invest in affiliate marketing, there are still plenty of free affiliate programs you can promote. Some of the best free affiliate programs for beginners include Amazon Associates, eBay Partner Network, and Rakuten Marketing. These programs allow you to promote products without having to pay any upfront costs.