There are thousands of affiliate marketing programs out there. However, not all of them are beginner-friendly. Some are more complex than others.
That’s why we created this guide to the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners. Here, you’ll find all the information you need to get started in affiliate marketing.
The nine best beginner-friendly affiliate marketing programs
Throughout this article, you’ll see examples of many affiliate programs. But what’s most important here are actually affiliate networks. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but a network is a place where you go to find the individual programs.
The way I wrote this article is to share the best networks for beginners—then within each network, I share some programs (and their niches) that you can sign up for.
This is the best way of sharing affiliate programs—because regardless of your niche, these networks will be great for you.
1. Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is the absolute best affiliate marketing program for beginners.
You can sign up for its affiliate account in just a few minutes, and it sells virtually everything. So you’ll be able to promote Amazon products, regardless of your niche.
That said, its commission rates are very low. You can see up-to-date rates on this page. But as of this writing, most of the rates range from just 1–3%.
Still, it’s super easy to use. Check out our guide to creating an Amazon affiliate site to learn more.
2. All the big box stores
Like Amazon, all the big box stores have affiliate programs that are really easy to use.
These include:
Also like Amazon, their commission rates are pretty poor. But they are an easy way to get started while you grow to eventually move to better-paying partners.
3. AvantLink
AvantLink is the first affiliate network I ever signed up for. I’m not a huge fan of its reporting dashboard (it’s not the most intuitive), but it’s super easy to sign up and get started.
Some of the best and highest-paying affiliate programs available through AvantLink include:
- FFL123.com | 50% commission | Firearms/Tactical
- Super Speciosa | 40% commission | Health/Wellness
- Reddiyo | 30% commission | Cycling
- Wedding Hashers | 30% commission | Custom/Personalized Products
- Sprinkle & Sweep | 25% commission | Pet Products
Of course, it has thousands of other programs, all categorized by niche. You can find the above programs and many more through AvantLink’s merchant list.
4. ShareASale
ShareASale is another popular network for affiliate partners. It also lacks in the reporting department but is good enough for beginners.
Some great affiliate options on ShareASale include:
- Northwest Registered Agent LLC | $100 commission | Business Registrant
- Promaster | 15% commission | Photography
- Print Games Now | 35–45% commission | Printing/Games
- FreshBooks | $55 commission | Small Business/Finance
- Aviron Interactive | $110 commission | Fitness
You can find these merchants and many more on ShareASale’s merchant page.
5. Commission Junction
Commission Junction (CJ) is one of the oldest affiliate networks out there, founded all the way back in 1998. Because of that, it has one of the widest selections of affiliate programs.
Some cool programs on CJ include:
- Slova Cosmetics | 20% commission | Bath & Body
- Separatec Underwear | 20% commission | Clothing
- US Service Animals | 25% commission | Pets
- Puraclenz | 25% commission | Equipment
- eHarmony | 30% commission | Dating
The only downside to CJ is that its dashboard feels a little dated, and it is harder to sort through its affiliate merchants compared to the other platforms on this list.
6. TUNE
TUNE is my personal favorite affiliate software due to its excellent reporting dashboard and ease of use. However, it’s a bit different than the others on this list. Instead of being able to browse its affiliate partners, you have to find someone using its platform to use TUNE.
Rather than recommending specific partners for this one, I’ll refer you to apply to become a TUNE media partner. Once you sign up, it will automatically connect you with the best affiliate partners for your specific niche.
Note that you do need to already have an affiliate business in place to apply.
7. Impact Radius
Impact Radius has been extremely successful in the affiliate space, with brand partners including Airbnb, Adidas, Lenovo, and more.
One of the nice things about Impact is that it will continually recommend you brand partners based on your niche and current partners. This makes it easy to find new affiliate programs with minimal effort.
Some great affiliate options on Impact include:
- Canva | 16–80% commission | Graphic Design
- Pure Hemp Botanicals | 50% commission | CBD
- Thumbtack | 30% commission | Services
- Hyphen Sleep | 18% commission | Mattresses
- Skillshare | 40% commission | Education
8. Refersion Marketplace
Refersion is one of the most successful affiliate software out there, with big brand name partners including Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce. Its dashboard is super simplistic and easy to use, which is great for beginners.
To find affiliates to partner with, you can sign up on the Refersion Marketplace. It has a great user interface to filter and find brands to partner with.
Some excellent brand partner options on Refersion include:
- ZUGU iPad Cases | 15% commission | Phones
- Peejamas | 10–20% commission | Kid’s Clothing
- Bodhi Dog | 20% commission | Pet Care
- LUNA Sandals | 10–30% commission | Footwear
- Bare & Bones | 20% commission | Food
9. Rakuten
Last but not least, Rakuten Advertising is another of the oldest affiliate networks out there that started in 1997. Like CJ, it suffers from dated-feeling interfaces but has a wide selection of brands.
Some options for beginners include:
- Valise Homewares | 14% commission | House Goods
- Ryderwear | 4–10% commission | Athletic Clothing
- Trafalgar | 10% commission | Leather Goods
- Big Little Feelings | 10% commission | Parenting
- La Mariposa | 15% commission | Luxury Women’s Clothing
Overall, Rakuten is my least favorite network because its interface is so poor, but it does have some interesting affiliate programs.
How to Choose the Best Affiliate Program
Not all affiliate programs are created equal. And what might be the best for me, is maybe not the best for you.
This is why you need to know how to choose the right affiliate marketing program for your niche.
Most Profitable Programs
Profits are about more than just commission rates (although it’s important, too).
You also need to consider the cookie duration and the lifetime value of the products or services you plan to promote.
Here’s some handy tips:
- Consider commission rates exceeding 30%
- The longer the cookie duration, the better
- Opt for products or services with a high average order value
You should also consider once-off payments versus recurring commissions to determine which will be most profitable to you.
Top Commissions vs. Conversions
Maximizing your earnings will depend on the balance between two important metrics:
- Commission rate
- Conversion rate
A lower payout can result in a greater volume of conversions.
So would you rather promote a high-ticket product with a small chance of converting, or lower-value items with a mid-range commission rates but more conversions?
Only you can decide which is best for you, so think carefully.
Niche Fit and Audience
There’s no point in starting your affiliate marketing business if your existing audience won’t relate to or benefit from the products/services you recommend.
You want to sign up for an affiliate program that relates to your niche, by taking your audience’s pain points and interests into account.
Make sure to ONLY promote products your customers will actually benefit from. That way, you’ll earn their trust.
For example, if you own a travel blog, don’t sign up for a financial affiliate program. It will just confuse your readers and make you come across as spammy.
Final Thoughts
The world of affiliate marketing offers a promising avenue for individuals seeking to generate income through online ventures.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that affiliate marketing is not without its challenges. The competitive landscape and ever-changing market trends present hurdles that demand adaptability and continuous learning. Building a sustainable income stream requires dedication, strategic planning, and a keen understanding of your target audience.
Aspiring affiliate marketers should approach this dynamic field with realistic expectations, recognizing that success is a journey, not an overnight achievement. While the potential for financial rewards is significant, it’s essential to embrace the learning curve and stay informed about industry developments.
