19 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Beginners

Getting started with affiliate marketing can be both exciting and daunting, especially for beginners.

With literally thousands of available affiliate programs worldwide, finding the ones that check all the boxes (e.g., decent commission rates, good reputation, niche relevance, high demand, affiliate support, etc.) can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

And considering that promoting the wrong affiliate program could set you back months and result in missing out on a ton of affiliate commissions, having a sense of what a high-quality affiliate program looks like is extremely crucial.

Thankfully, I’ve got you covered!

In this roundup, I’ll be sharing with you a curated selection of some of the best affiliate marketing programs I’ve personally handpicked specifically for beginners like you.

Let’s take a closer look.

What is an affiliate marketing program?

An affiliate program is an arrangement in which a company pays individuals or other entities (affiliates) commissions for referring leads or generating sales.

Upon joining an affiliate program, the affiliate marketer will be given unique tracking links (aka affiliate links) that enable merchants to track referrals and attribute sales.

When someone clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase or completes a desired action on the merchant’s website (e.g. filling in a form, signing up for a free trial, etc.), the affiliate marketer will receive a commission.

Commission structures can vary from one merchant to another, with some offering a percentage of each sale, a fixed amount per referral, tiered commissions, etc.

Affiliate programs can be highly beneficial to all the parties involved.

On one hand, online merchants can leverage an affiliate program to raise brand awareness, expand their customer base, and increase conversions, sales, and customer engagement for a fraction of what they’d normally spend on traditional marketing channels.

At the same time, it can enable ordinary folks, like you and me, to build a source of income online without having to spend tens of thousands of dollars and several years of our time on developing, distributing, and supporting a product or service of our own.

 

19 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Beginners

1. Amazon Associates

• Industry: eCommerce
• Commission Rates: 1% – 20%
• Cookie Duration: 24 Hours
• Payment Methods: Direct Deposit, Check, Gift Cards
• Payout Threshold: $10 – $100
• Payment Terms: Net 60
• Support: Contact Form, Knowledge Base
• Resources: Banners
• URL: affiliate-program.amazon.com

Amazon Associates is among the most beginner-friendly affiliate programs out there.

Amazon’s reliable customer service, fast shipping, and hassle-free return policy combined with being one of the largest and most reputable online marketplaces in the world, contribute to higher conversion rates than your average online merchant.

In addition, since Amazon boasts millions of products across various industries, chances are you’ll be able to find something to promote regardless of what niche you’re in.

One feature that’s unique to Amazon Associates is that it’ll compensate you not just for the product you initially promoted but for all items purchased by your referrals within 24 hours of clicking your affiliate link.

Everything just mentioned along with its overall ease of use is why Amazon Associates is pretty much the first affiliate program most affiliate marketing beginners get started with.

2. HubSpot

• Industry: Business Software
• Commission Rates: 15%
• Cookie Duration: 90 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $0
• Payment Terms: Net 0
• Support: Affiliate Manager, Help Center
• Resources: Banners, Demo Videos, Copy, Training
• URL: hubspot.com/partners/affiliates

HubSpot is a leading provider of inbound marketing, sales, and customer relationship management (CRM) software.

Its solutions include tools for website management, blogging, social media, email marketing, lead generation, sales automation, and customer service.

HubSpot’s affiliate program offers two different commission structures:

1. 15% recurring commission on each monthly payment your referrals make during their first year
2. 100% one-time commission on each referral’s first payment

The company’s products cost anywhere between $50 and $3,000+ per month, so you could potentially earn more than $5000 from a single referral.

HubSpot provides dedicated support to its affiliates. This can be very beneficial for beginners who may need additional assistance with their promotional efforts as they navigate the affiliate marketing landscape.

If the content you produce revolves around inbound marketing, sales, customer service, website management, business operations, social media, SEO, etc. HubSpot’s affiliate program is probably well-suited for you.

3. Elementor

• Industry: WordPress Development
• Commission Rates: 50%
• Cookie Duration: 90 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $200
• Payment Terms: Net 60
• Support: Affiliate Manager, Community
• Resources: Banners, Copy, Tutorials
• URL: elementor.com/affiliates/

Elementor is arguably the most widely used WordPress page builder out there, currently powering over 8% of all websites worldwide.

Unlike most other WP page builders, Elementor offers cloud hosting services and has a very active community of over 140,000 web developers.

At the time being, Elementor has four pricing plans ranging from $59 to $399 per year. This vast array of options enables affiliates to effectively tailor their promotions to multiple different target groups, from content creation to large agencies.

Moreover, Elementor has a free version that can significantly boost leads and conversions.

Of all the page builders I’ve used throughout my seven years of developing WordPress sites, Elementor is hands down the best one.

It’s just so intuitive, volatile, and simple to use that getting people to purchase it should be rather painless, especially if they’re beginners to WordPress development.

4. NordVPN

• Industry: VPN Software
• Commission Rates: 30% – 100%
• Cookie Duration: 30 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal, Crypto
• Payout Threshold: $100
• Payment Terms: Net 45
• Support: Account Manager
• Resources: Banners, Videos, UI Screenshots, Mockups
• URL: nordvpn.com/affiliate/

With more than 14 million active members, NordVPN is currently one of the most well-established VPN providers in the market.

Its affiliate program pays a 100% commission on all initial sales of its monthly plan, 40% on all purchases of its 1-year and 2-year plans, and 30% on subscription renewals.

High-quality VPN services are in wide demand by virtually everyone who uses the internet, so you can promote NordVPN regardless of what niche you may pursue.

I’ve personally seen NordVPN being heavily promoted by dozens of famous influencers across many different niches – from entertainment and gaming to online learning and meditation.

Promoting a product that can deliver value to such a broad range of audiences is perfect for ensuring maximum referrals as a beginner to affiliate marketing.

On top of that, all of NordVPN’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which can significantly boost conversions by reducing perceived risk, minimizing purchase objections, and building trust.

5. BigCommerce

• Industry: eCommerce Software
• Commission Rates: 200% – $1500
• Cookie Duration: 90 Days
• Payment methods: Wire Transfer
• Payout threshold: N/A
• Payment terms: N/A
• Support: Account Manager
• Resources: Banners, Copy, Webinars,
• URL: bigcommerce.com/partners/become-a-partner/affiliate/

BigCommerce is a leading e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores by providing a comprehensive set of tools and features to facilitate the entire e-commerce process, such as web design & development, product management, secure payment processing, and much more.

Although BigCommerce caters to all kinds of businesses, it offers custom solutions tailored to specific industries like fashion & apparel, health & beauty, food & beverage, manufacturing, automotive, and CBD.

According to BigCommerce’s affiliate agreement, it’ll pay you a 200% commission on the first monthly payment of your referrals, $40 per enterprise lead, and $1500 per enterprise sale you generate.

Some niches that are particularly suitable for promoting BigCommerce include, but aren’t limited to:

• Online retail
• Entrepreneurship
• eShop marketing
• Web design & development
• Technology
• Growth marketing
• and more

6. Etsy

• Industry: eCommerce
• Commission Rates: 5%
• Cookie Duration: 7-30 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $50
• Payment Terms: Net 30
• Support: Affiliate Manager
• Resources: Banners
• URL: etsy.com/affiliates

Etsy is the most popular marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique goods like jewelry, clothing, home decor, art, collectibles, supplies, and more.

It’s usually described as the Amazon equivalent of creative, one-of-a-kind items.

Etsy’s vast and diverse selection of products makes it suitable for marketers across a broad range of affiliate niches, such as:

• Handmade crafts
• Home décor
• Interior design
• Accessories
• Events
• Collectibles
• Photography
• and more

The commission rates of Etsy’s affiliate program are 5% on each product sale.

However, keep in mind that Etsy doesn’t pay commissions on purchases made using gift cards, checks, and a couple of other payment options.

7. Bluehost

• Industry: Web Hosting
• Commission Rates: $65/Sale
• Cookie Duration: 90 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $100
• Payment Terms: Net 30
• Support: Email
• Resources: Banners
• URL: bluehost.com/affiliates

Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosting providers, currently hosting over 2 million websites worldwide.

In addition, it’s widely regarded as the best hosting provider for WordPress websites.

Its affiliate program pays a flat $65 per sale – an incredibly hefty commission considering its basic package costs just $2.95/month.

Bluehost’s affordability can lead to increased conversions, which combined with its staggering commission rates, can result in affiliate revenue stacking up pretty rapidly.

In his podcast, Pat Flynn claims that he used to be earning anywhere between $30,000 and $40,000 per month through Bluehost’s affiliate program.

Bluehost can be efficiently promoted in a vast range of niches, such as:

• Blogging
• Marketing
• eCommerce
• Web design & development
• Internet technology
• Digital marketing
• and more

8. eBay Partner Network

• Industry: eCommerce
• Commission Rates: 1% – 4%
• Cookie Duration: 24 hours
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $10
• Payment Terms: Net 60
• Support: Affiliate Manager
• Resources: Banners
• URL: partnernetwork.ebay.com

With over 182 million affiliate marketers, eBay Partner Network is one of the most populated affiliate programs in the world.

That’s no surprise considering that eBay’s marketplace consists of over 1 billion listings across more than 300 product categories.

On top of that EPN offers a lot of benefits similar to those of Amazon Associates, such as:

• well-established reputation
• global market reach
• high-quality customer service
• affiliate support
• and more

eBay’s affiliate program pays 1% to 4% commissions per sale depending on the category of the product sold. You can check out eBay’s commission structure here.

Since eBay sells everything under the sun, its affiliate program is well-suited for a vast range of diverse niches.

On top of that, since 20% of eBay’s listings are for used items, you can even target affiliate niches that are into purchasing second-hand products.

EPN was the very first affiliate program I signed up for as a beginner.

Although I didn’t manage to build a fortune with it, mostly due to a lack of experience, I recall that it was one of the simplest affiliate programs to promote.

9. Fiverr

• Industry: Online Freelance Services
• Commission Rates: $15 – $150/Sale
• Cookie Duration: 30 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal, Payoneer
• Payout Threshold: $100
• Payment Terms: Net 30
• Support: Affiliate Manager
• Resources: Banners, Tutorials
• URL: affiliates.fiverr.com

Its 800,000+ sellers and 3+ million buyers place Fiverr among the top 3 online freelance marketplaces, alongside Upwork and Freelancer.

Fiverr’s affiliate program is the most lucrative in the industry and consists of two different commission structures:

1. CPA: $15 – $150 on first-time purchases (based on the type of service sold)
2. Hybrid: $10 per first-time sale and 10% revenue share for 12 months

In addition, Fiverr enables its affiliates to generate additional commissions by promoting other services it provides, including:

• Fiverr Business: $100 per 100$ spent and 10% revenue share for 12 months
• Fiverr Affiliates: 10% of the lifetime earnings of each affiliate referral
• Fiverr Learn: 30% commission on every Fiverr course sale
• Fiverr Workspace: 50% commission for every unlimited plan sale

Fiverr can be effectively promoted in practically any niche that’s either directly or indirectly related to any of its 500+ freelance service categories – from graphic design, marketing, and writing to video production, animation, music, and programming.

10. Semrush

• Industry: Marketing Software
• Commission Rates: $0.01 – $200
• Cookie Duration: 120 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $50 – $1000
• Payment Terms: Twice/Month
• Support: Account Manager
• Resources: Banners, eBooks, Widgets, Promo Codes
• URL: semrush.com/kb/97-affiliate-program

Semrush is an all-in-one suite for improving online visibility and discovering marketing insights.

It’s one of the most commonly used software solutions in the digital marketing space, and more specifically in industries like SEO, PPC, SMM, keyword & competitive research, content marketing, and campaign management among others.

Semrush is currently being used by some of the world’s most prominent brands, including Tesla, Samsung, IBM, Amazon, Walmart, and Forbes.

On top of that, it runs one of the most profitable affiliate programs in the industry, paying increasing commissions as a referral progress through its sales funnel.

To be more specific, Semrush affiliates get paid:

• $0.01/signup
• $10/trial activation
• $200/sale

The main downside of Semrush’s affiliate program is cashing out via wire transfer requires having earned at least $1000 in affiliate commissions.

The good news is that the minimum payment threshold for getting paid via PayPal is just $50.

11. Wealthy Affiliate

• Industry: Online Learning
• Commission Rates: 45% – 50%
• Cookie Duration: 90 days
• Payment Methods: PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $0
• Payment Terms: Monthly
• Support: Help Desk & Community
• Resources: Banners, Training
• URL: wealthyaffiliate.com

Wealthy Affiliate is one of the best affiliate marketing courses out there.

On top of its educational material, it offers free access to a plethora of valuable resources to help individuals build and grow their online businesses, such as hosting, marketing & research tools, tech support, private coaching, and a very populated affiliate marketing community with thousands of active members.

Its membership plans cost $49 – $99 per month or $497 – $697 per year.

However, it also offers a free forever membership option with limited access, which usually serves as a highly effective lead magnet.

One of the main benefits of WA’s affiliate program is that it pays commissions on both initial sales and membership renewals.

Since all of WA’s membership plans need to be renewed on a monthly or yearly basis, a single referral could potentially bring in a ton of recurring commissions for as long as they remain a paying member.

I’ve personally been promoting Wealthy Affiliate for a while now, and I still have several referrals made back in 2019 generating commissions for me to this very day.

Some niches that can be suitable for promoting Wealthy Affiliate include, but aren’t limited to:

• affiliate marketing
• SEO
• entrepreneurship
• online business
• digital marketing
• blogging
• working from home
• making money online
• and more

12. Aweber

• Industry: Email Marketing Software
• Commission Rates: 30% – 50%
• Cookie Duration: 365 Days
• Payment Methods: PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $30 – $50
• Payment Terms: Monthly
• Support: Account Manager
• Resources: Banners, Content
• URL: aweber.com/advocates.htm

Aweber is an email marketing software that’s currently being used by millions of businesses and entrepreneurs all around the world.

Some of its primary features include email automation, landing page builder, custom sign-up forms, A/B testing, sales tracking, email templates, and more.

Aweber has by far the highest-paying affiliate program in the industry with a tiered commission structure that pays you more money as your referrals increase.

More specifically, Aweber’s commission rates begin at 30% and jump up to 40% after referring 10+ sales and 50% after referring 50+ sales within a year.

On top of that, Aweber will pay you recurring commissions for as long as your referrals renew their monthly or yearly paid subscriptions.

Lastly, Aweber offers a free plan that you can leverage throughout your marketing campaigns towards attracting and converting more leads.

Aweber’s affiliate program is best for marketers who pursue niches such as:

• digital marketing
• email automation
• lead generation
• business growth
• CRO
• dropshipping
• affiliate marketing
• and more

13. Weight Watchers

• Industry: Diet & Nutrition
• Commission Rates: $10/Sale
• Cookie Duration: 30 Days
• Payment Methods: Check
• Payout Threshold: $25
• Payment Terms: Net 30
• Support: Email
• Resources: Banners, Videos, Copy
• URL: weightwatchers.com/us/affiliate

Weight Watchers is a brand with over 50 years of experience in providing individuals with tools, resources, and support to help them adopt healthy habits, improve their diet, exercise better, and achieve their weight loss goals.

WW also offers in-person meetings, virtual workshops, and an online community where members can connect, share experiences, and receive support from others throughout their weight loss journey.

Its affiliate program is operated via a third-party affiliate network, Impact Radius, and pays a flat one-time $10 per referral.

If your affiliate business is in niches relevant to weight loss, diet, nutrition, fitness, and wellness, WW’s affiliate program could be the perfect fit for you.

14. Mindvalley

• Industry: Personal Development
• Commission Rates: 30%
• Cookie Duration: 30 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal
• Payout Threshold: $100
• Payment Terms: Net 60
• Support: Affiliate Manager
• Resources: Banners, Copy, Webinars
• URL: mindvalley.com/affiliates

Mindvalley is a global personal development company that offers online courses and programs for individuals seeking to enhance their well-being, develop new skills, and unlock their full potential.

The company employs innovative teaching methods, such as gamification, experiential learning, and immersive experiences, to make the learning process more engaging and impactful. They also organize live events, seminars, and workshops to provide in-person learning experiences and opportunities for networking and community building.

Mindvalley’s affiliate program pays a 30% commission on both new and recurring sales.

According to its website, its average order value is $300, so at a 30% commission, the average affiliate earnings per referral should be approximately $90.

A few of the niches that are well-suited for promoting Mindvalley include, but aren’t limited to:

• Self-Improvement
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Health & Wellness
• Spirituality
• Entrepreneurship
• Relationships
• and more

Please note that in an attempt to preserve a high-quality ecosystem of like-minded players that align with its values and mission, Mindvalley is very selective regarding the marketers they accept into its affiliate program.

Nonetheless, if your first application gets rejected, you may reapply and get accepted at a later date.

15. eHarmony

• Industry: Online Dating
• Commission Rates: 30%
• Cookie Duration: 45 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, Payoneer
• Payout Threshold: $50
• Payment Terms: Monthly
• Support: Support Center, Email, Telephone
• Resources: Banners, Copy
• URL: eharmony.com/about/affiliate-program

eHarmony is an online dating platform that aims to foster meaningful and long-term relationships by utilizing a unique compatibility matching system based on extensive research and psychological principles.

The platform offers various features to help its users facilitate communication, navigate the dating process, and improve their relationship skills.

Over the years, eHarmony has expanded internationally and is now considered among the most reputable and trusted dating sites in the world.

Its affiliate program pays a 30% one-time commission on all subscription sales and a flat $10 commission every time a referral fills in the relationship questionnaire.

eHarmony’s affiliate program is hosted across multiple affiliate networks to accommodate affiliates that may want to target audiences from a variety of countries.

For example, eHarmony’s affiliate program on Commission Junction is meant for audiences from the US and Canada, Awin is for the UK, and Commission Factory for Australia.

eHarmony can be promoted in a variety of niches related to dating, relationships, personal development, marriage, etc.

16. CBDPure

• Industry: CBD Products
• Commission Rates: 40%
• Cookie Duration: 365 Days
• Payment Methods: Wire Transfer, Check, Payoneer
• Payout Threshold: $50 – $500
• Payment Terms: Net 30
• Support: Affiliate Manager
• Resources: Banners, Customized Landing Pages
• URL: cbdpure.com/affiliate

CBDPure is a brand that offers CBD (cannabidiol) products derived from organic hemp plants grown in Colorado and Washington.

The company’s products fall under four main categories (oils, soft gels, creams, and pet) and they all undergo third-party lab testing to ensure purity and potency.

Its affiliate program offers a flat 40% commission on all product sales, pays an average commission of $42 per transaction, and is among the highest-paying affiliate programs in the CBD industry.

In an attempt to help you boost your conversion rates and maximize your affiliate revenue, CBDPure’s team can provide you with customized landing pages tailored to better suit your target audience.

Some niches that can be suitable for promoting CBDPure include, but aren’t limited to:

• CBD Products
• health & Wellness
• natural lifestyle
• beauty & skincare
• pet care

17. Ezoic

• Industry: Digital Ad Technology
• Commission Rates: 3%
• Cookie Duration: 30 Days
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Check, Payoneer
• Payout Threshold: $20
• Payment Terms: Net 30
• Support: Email
• Resources: Banners
• URL: ezoic.com/affiliate

Ezoic is a platform that provides website optimization and ad monetization solutions.

It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to help website owners enhance user experience, improve performance, and maximize site revenue.

Ezoic affiliates get paid a 3% commission on the lifetime earnings generated by the websites your referrals are monetizing via Ezoic’s flagship ad tester feature.

For example, if a referral’s website brings in $1000/month, Ezoic will be paying you $30 for every month they keep using its ad services.

Now, $30 per month might not sound like much but if you make 100 such referrals, that’s $3000/month in passive affiliate commissions.

On top of that, Ezoic compensates its affiliates with bonuses when the sites of their referrals hit certain revenue milestones, such as:

• 100% bonus ($10) when a referred site earns $10
• 20% bonus ($20) when a referred site earns $100
• 25% bonus ($50) when a referred site earns $200
• 25% bonus ($100) when a referred site earns $400

If you’re after a solid affiliate program to promote in niches relevant to blogging, online publishing, affiliate marketing, content marketing, and digital advertising, I’d strongly suggest that you give Ezoic a try.

18. Booking.com

• Industry: Online Travel
• Commission Rates: 25% – 40%
• Cookie Duration: No Cookie
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Wire Transfer
• Payout Threshold: 100€
• Payment Terms: Net 60
• Support: Email, Knowledge Base
• Resources: Banners, Widgets
• URL: booking.com/affiliate-program/v2/index.html

Booking.com is the most well-trusted agency in the online travel industry.

Its platform helps travelers worldwide search and compare various travel options, reserve accommodations, flights, and rental cars, and manage all their bookings in one place.

Booking’s affiliate program offers a tiered commission structure with rates that fluctuate between 25% and 40% based on the number of bookings you refer per month.

More specifically:

• 0-50 bookings/month – 25% commission
• 51-150 bookings/month – 30% commission
• 151-500 bookings/month – 35% commission
• 501+ bookings/month – 40% commission

All Booking.com affiliate commissions are calculated in euros (€) and are paid 60 days after the end of the month a referral departs.

For example, if one of your referrals books a hotel for the 10^th of August, you’ll receive your affiliate commissions at the beginning of November.

One pretty huge downside of Booking’s affiliate program is that it doesn’t use cookies to track referrals.

This means that if someone who clicked your Booking.com affiliate link doesn’t book something right away, you might not be credited as the referring affiliate even if they end up making a reservation later on.

Nevertheless, Booking.com is still considered among the most profitable affiliate programs to promote in niches relevant to travel, hotel recommendations, vacation rentals, and more.

19. Coinbase

• Industry: Cryptocurrency
• Commission Rates: 50%
• Cookie Duration: 30 Days
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Wire Transfer
• Payout Threshold: $10
• Payment Terms: Net 60
• Support: Affiliate Manager
• Resources: Banners, Logos
• URL: coinbase.com/affiliates

Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that enables users to buy, sell, and store a wide range of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Binance USD, and many others.

Some of Coinbase’s key features include a wallet for storing cryptocurrencies, a trading platform for buying and selling crypto, recurring purchases, and tools for merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments.

Its affiliate program pays a 50% commission on all trading fees paid by your referrals during their first three months on the platform.

While such a commission rate is rather high, the fact that commission payments won’t recur beyond three months can be a huge turnoff, especially considering that other similar affiliate programs might offer lifetime commissions.

On the upside, Coinbase is among the easiest affiliate programs to be accepted into as a beginner.

To give you a frame of reference, Binance won’t accept marketers with less than 5000 social media followers or 500 members in a trading community.

Conclusion

There you have it, those were 19 of the best affiliate programs for beginners.

However, this isn’t an exhaustive list – there are tons more high-quality beginner-friendly affiliate programs out there.

All you have to do to locate them is search Google, join affiliate networks, or look for partnership opportunities on the websites of brands you’re already familiar with.

Some things you should consider before promoting an affiliate program include, but aren’t limited to:

• Commission structure
• Cookie lifespan
• Application process
• Payment methods
• Type of affiliate support
• Marketing resources
• Terms of use

Most importantly, always make sure that the affiliate program you decide to promote fits your target audience. Don’t promote crypto platforms to people who landed on your website looking for cooking tips – you’ll make no sales and ruin your reputation.

 

Do you have questions or require further help?

Leave a comment right below or contact me right here, and I’ll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.

All the best, and stay safe,

Harry, Founder & Creative Director at dearboss-iquit.com