The Best Affiliate Marketing Programs For Beginners

There are several different ways to make money with your blog. Getting paid by advertisements, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing are just a few ways out there. I’ve used all three of those ways before, but affiliate marketing is the one that piques my interest the most. The sky is the limit regarding how much you can make. If you’re new to blogging, you may wonder what affiliate marketing is. In today’s post, I will go over what affiliate marketing is and share some of the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners to join. After you finish reading it, you should be able to make money with affiliate marketing sooner than later.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate Marketing is when you earn a commission by promoting a product or a business’s service. You are given a unique link that tracks your traffic and sales. You receive a small commission whenever someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase.

As a blogger, consider adding affiliate links to your posts. Please don’t make the mistake that I did. I had waited a while before I started doing affiliate marketing. Once you get some good content, add a link or two to some posts. Just don’t be spammy with it. The products you promote should always provide value or be something that your audience is interested in.

There are a lot of programs that you can sign up for. Below are a few that you can start with.

CJ Affiliate (Formerly Commission Junction)

CJ Affiliates is one the biggest affiliate programs out there. Several big-name and popular brands work with them. TripAdvisor, GoDaddy, and Priceline are some brands on CJ Affiliates. For example, I’ve promoted GoDaddy and its domain specials. This is one of the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners.

Amazon Affiliates

Amazon Affiliates was the first affiliate marketing program that I signed up with. Amazon is one of the biggest online marketplaces in the world. They have thousands of items that you can promote in various niches. I’ve promoted books, shirts, and gift cards from Amazon.

Your Hosting Company

Many bloggers promote their hosting company. If you like your hosting company, you should promote it to others. My Money Chronicles is hosted by BigScoots. They are miles ahead of my previous host.

FlexOffers

Flexoffers is another program with hundreds of brands you can choose from. Some categories you can search for are Entertainment, Digital Products, Financial Services, and Health and Wellness. Sign up for Flexoffers here.

Shareasale

The next affiliate marketing program on the list is Shareasale. Similar to some of the other programs, Shareasale has a large selection of companies that bloggers can choose from. Grammarly and the NBA store are two brands I work with through Shareasale. Get more info about them here.

Shopify

Shopify is currently one of the major and widely known eCommerce platforms at the disposal of all entrepreneurs. Therefore, it’s on the guests’ list.

Shopify affiliate program is one of my endeared and preferred programs. They can pay up to 200% commission.

Although, the commission is based on the sum of the subscription plan your referral signs up for.

Spocket

With over 30,000 active entrepreneurs, Spocket is the biggest dropshipping marketplace for US and EU products. An offer of up to $450 per subscriber puts Spocket affiliate program commissions on the high side. Spocket also offers 20-30% continual commission for a 15 months usage of PartnerStack.

Its perks include:

• Total communication.
• A user-friendly interface.
• Self-regulated electronic payouts via PayPal or Stripe upon demand.

Spocket is an affiliate marketing program I’d put on my list.

Impact

Impact is a dynamic affiliate marketing platform that offers a streamlined experience for bloggers looking to promote various programs. Its user-friendly interface simplifies the process of onboarding, ensuring a seamless transition for new partners.

One of Impact’s standout features is its robust fraud protection. The platform’s advanced solution, Forensiq, utilizes machine-learning algorithms to identify and eliminate fraudulent activities, providing a secure environment for your campaigns.

Impact’s precise tracking technology is another highlight. It employs cookie- and non-cookie-based methods to ensure accurate crediting for every conversion. This level of precision is essential for evaluating the success of your campaigns.

Impact also offers a wide range of affiliate programs. This flexibility allows you to choose programs that best align with your audience and promotional strategies.

Impact is an invaluable tool for bloggers involved in affiliate marketing. Its range of features, from streamlined partner management to advanced fraud protection and precise tracking, make it an excellent choice for those looking to promote various programs.

Clickbank

ClickBank shines with a user-friendly interface, boasting simplicity and ease of navigation. Even without extensive tech skills, you’ll find your way around the site, selecting products and tracking your progress in no time. This ease of use saves you time and lets you focus on the core marketing and sales tasks.

The platform’s extensive product catalog sets it apart. Spanning numerous niches provides flexibility to choose products that genuinely resonate with your audience. Whether it’s health, technology, or lifestyle products, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that fits your target market.

Arguably, one of the standout features of ClickBank is its competitive commission rates, which can reach up to 75% or even more in some cases. This has the potential to boost your earning capability significantly. However, balancing the desire for a high commission with the relevance and quality of the products you promote is essential.

Another advantage of ClickBank is its dependable and timely payment system. The platform issues payments consistently—typically every week or every two weeks. This means a steady income stream, something that’s not always guaranteed in the often unpredictable affiliate marketing world.

On the downside, the quality of products on ClickBank can be inconsistent. While many high-quality options exist, some products may not deliver as promised. As a result, conducting thorough research and vetting before endorsing a product to your audience is essential.

ClickBank’s customer support system is one area where it excels. A dedicated team and a comprehensive knowledge base help ensure your queries and concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently. Despite its few shortcomings, ClickBank remains a significant player in the world of affiliate marketing, offering considerable benefits to its users.

Rakuten Advertising

Rakuten Advertising offers an enticing platform for affiliate marketers, not least because of its well-known brand and a massive inventory of products. When first stepping onto this platform, one is greeted by an impressive selection of categories and top-tier brands. This sheer diversity means there’s something for everyone, making it easy to find products that resonate with your unique audience.

The user interface is clean and straightforward, designed to make the navigation process as hassle-free as possible. Plus, the dashboard provides insightful analytics, helping you track your performance and understand where adjustments may be needed. This data-driven approach empowers you to refine your marketing strategies, enhancing your chances of success.

Rakuten’s commission rates are competitive, and while they may not be the highest in the industry, they’re still quite appealing. Moreover, given the brands’ quality, the potential for earning is significant.

However, the payment schedule at Rakuten Advertising is less favorable when compared to other platforms. Payments are quarterly, which can lead to a long waiting period between payouts. This slower pace of income might not suit everyone, especially those depending on a regular income flow.

An area where Rakuten truly shines is the quality of its advertiser relationships. The platform hosts many top-tier brands, which can lend credibility to your marketing efforts. Associating your marketing with these well-known names could significantly enhance your audience’s trust.

The customer support at Rakuten is also worthy of praise. They provide thorough responses to queries, ensuring that users feel supported and can resolve any issues promptly.

Other Programs

Here are a few more programs that you can sign up for. Some will pay you in cash, while others will give you credit.

Tailwind

Tailwind is a tool that helps you with Pinterest pinning. You can get a free month of Tailwind when you sign up. If you’re a blogger, it’s something that you should try. If you don’t like it, cancel it before the first-month ends.

Uber

I’m a huge fan of Uber. I’ve used it in several cities, including Miami and Washington, DC. It’s saved me so much on rental cars. If I know that I’m going to drink, I use Uber. I’d rather be safe than sorry. People can get a discount on their first ride when they sign up.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the few legit sites that you can make money with. You can earn ” Swagbucks ” points by doing surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and more. The points can be redeemed for gift cards or cash. You can get more information about Swagbucks here.

Rakuten Rewards

Rakuten Rewards is a popular cashback and online shopping platform. It allows users to earn cash back on purchases made through its website or browser extension at over 2,500 participating retailers. With its user-friendly interface and extensive partner network, Rakuten Rewards has become a go-to platform for savvy shoppers looking to save money while shopping online. Learn more about Rakuten Rewards here.

Having a successful blog takes work. You must create good content, promote your blog, and keep things current. It can be done if you’re focused. If you’ve considered starting a blog, I suggest doing it today. There isn’t a reason to wait.

Have you already started a blog but still need some help with things? Here are some related posts:

18 Blogging Tools For Beginners

10 Things Amateur Bloggers Need to Know

Why You Should Start a Blog

Do you need help learning about affiliate marketing? Check out my friend Michelle’s course Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. Michelle has been killing it in affiliate marketing for years. She makes over $30,000 per month in affiliate marketing. Her course can help you grow your affiliate income. Check it out below.

There are several ways to make money with a blog. A lot of bloggers make money with affiliate marketing programs. You could be the next one.