The Top 5 Affiliate Platforms for Affiliates
Affiliate marketing is a popular strategy for anyone looking to generate passive income from their blogs, social media posts, or similar content. Essentially, by posting an affiliate link to a product or service within the content, anyone who clicks the link and makes a purchase leads to a commission for you, and you could potentially make around $54,404 per year using the approach.
If you want to try to earn income as an affiliate, you usually need to join an affiliate network. Here’s a look at the top five affiliate platforms for affiliates that you may want to try.
Amazon Associates
When it comes to affiliate platforms, none are as well-known as Amazon Associates. While Amazon Associates is limited to a single retailer, the wide array of products and popularity of the shopping site makes it an excellent starting point. Joining is also relatively simple; you just need to show that you have a suitable content platform – like a blog or social media page – with original content. After that, as long as you generate at least three sales during your first 180 days, you can remain a part of the program.
The only downside is that the commission rates on Amazon Associates are lower than some alternatives. However, once someone clicks the link, any purchase they make through it – regardless of whether it’s the product you showcased or not – does lead to a commission.
ShareASale
ShareASale gives affiliates access to a wide array of programs and has a predictable payment schedule. The company has been operating for more than 20 years, and its solid reputation often attracts a variety of major brands, some of which only use ShareASale for their affiliate marketing. Plus, there are smaller companies listed, too. There’s also a wide variety of products and services available through the network, giving affiliates plenty of options regarding what they promote.
FlexOffers
At FlexOffers, affiliate salespeople are referred to as publishers. The network gives affiliates access to a wide array of products and services, including offerings from major brands and niche or boutique companies. The content is also easy to integrate into a variety of ads, or you can stick with more traditional text links. Plus, you can earn commissions from more than just referred customer purchases, as some campaigns include actions like newsletter signups, survey completions, and similar information-providing steps as eligible for a payment.
ClickBank
At ClickBank, the platform functions more like a marketplace. Affiliates can search for products they’d like to promote, and there are plenty of options to choose from in most categories. Plus, the commission rates are strong, and you can even earn more on some products or services that come with upselling opportunities. You’ll also find subscription services among the marketable options, allowing you to snag a commission every time the subscription renews.
CJ Affiliate
CJ Affiliate – which also refers to affiliates as publishers – is a robust platform with advanced features like real-time reporting. The company also has a long history in the space, which allows it to attract a variety of major brands and small businesses. Just be aware that you need to earn a commission at least every six months to maintain your account. Otherwise, it may get deactivated. As a result, it works well if you have a solid audience already.
