Affiliate marketing has become one of the most popular ways to make money online. However, some programs are more beginner-friendly than others, making it easier to earn commissions without extensive experience or advanced marketing tactics. This article will explore the easiest affiliate programs to get started with, as well as strategies to increase your earning potential.
What Makes an Affiliate Program “Easy” to Earn From?
Several factors contribute to an affiliate program being easier for beginners:
- Low Entry Requirements: Programs with minimal application requirements make it easier to join without an established website or large audience.
- High Conversion Rates: Products that have mass appeal or are well-trusted tend to convert better, meaning more potential sales for affiliates.
- Low Payout Thresholds: Some programs have low minimum payout thresholds, so affiliates can receive their earnings faster.
- Wide Range of Products: Programs that offer a variety of products allow affiliates to promote items in various niches, catering to a broad audience.
With these factors in mind, let’s look at some of the easiest affiliate programs for beginners.
1. Amazon Associates
Why It’s Easy: Amazon Associates is one of the most popular affiliate programs in the world, offering millions of products across nearly every category. Since Amazon is a trusted brand, people are more likely to purchase products recommended through Amazon affiliate links, resulting in higher conversion rates.
- Commission Rate: Ranges from 1% to 10% depending on the product category.
- Payout Threshold: $10 for direct deposit or Amazon gift card.
- Key Benefits: Easy signup process, massive product selection, trusted brand reputation, and a 24-hour cookie window that captures purchases made in the following day.
Best For: Beginners looking to promote physical products in various niches, especially in markets with mass appeal, like electronics, books, and household items.
2. eBay Partner Network
Why It’s Easy: The eBay Partner Network is straightforward, offering commissions on items purchased on eBay. Because eBay is a well-established platform with a wide variety of products, affiliates can promote everything from electronics to vintage collectibles.
- Commission Rate: Up to 4% on qualifying purchases.
- Payout Threshold: $10 for PayPal payments.
- Key Benefits: Simple to join, promotes diverse products, and offers a flexible cookie period, with a 24-hour window for auctions and a 10-day window for Buy It Now items.
Best For: Affiliates interested in niche or unique items not commonly found on other platforms, such as collectibles, vintage items, or specific hobby-related products.
3. ClickBank
Why It’s Easy: ClickBank is a digital marketplace with thousands of products in niches like health, fitness, and online education. ClickBank’s commission rates are higher than many physical product affiliate programs because digital products typically have lower overhead costs.
- Commission Rate: Varies widely, but commissions can range from 20% to 75%.
- Payout Threshold: $10 for direct deposit.
- Key Benefits: High commission rates, broad selection of digital products, and quick approval process.
Best For: Affiliates interested in promoting digital products, especially in niches with high consumer demand, like self-help, personal finance, and online courses.
4. Shopify Affiliate Program
Why It’s Easy: Shopify’s affiliate program is ideal for promoting e-commerce solutions. Affiliates earn commissions when they refer new Shopify customers who set up a paid account, making it appealing to those with audiences interested in starting online stores.
- Commission Rate: Up to $58 per user who signs up for a paid plan.
- Payout Threshold: $10 for PayPal payments.
- Key Benefits: High earning potential with a single sale, reputable brand, and popular among small business owners.
Best For: Affiliates targeting entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners interested in launching an online store or e-commerce business.
5. Fiverr Affiliates
Why It’s Easy: Fiverr offers a wide range of freelance services, from graphic design to writing and programming. The Fiverr Affiliates program pays commissions on services that people purchase through your referral links.
- Commission Rate: Up to $150 for Fiverr Pro services and between $15 and $50 for other services.
- Payout Threshold: $50 for PayPal payments.
- Key Benefits: High potential payouts, multiple types of commissions (e.g., CPA and Hybrid), and popular appeal among individuals and businesses needing freelance services.
Best For: Affiliates with audiences interested in digital marketing, small business, entrepreneurship, or creative services.
6. Rakuten Advertising
Why It’s Easy: Rakuten Advertising partners with well-known brands, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Sephora. This affiliate network offers a wide range of products and categories, giving affiliates flexibility in choosing products that suit their audience.
- Commission Rate: Varies depending on the merchant.
- Payout Threshold: $50 for bank transfer.
- Key Benefits: Wide selection of trusted brands, customizable tools, and flexible payout options.
Best For: Affiliates looking to promote well-known brands, especially those with audiences interested in household goods, electronics, beauty, and fashion.
7. Awin
Why It’s Easy: Awin is a popular affiliate network that provides access to various global brands, including Etsy, Under Armour, and AliExpress. It has a $5 application fee that’s refunded upon approval, and it offers a flexible commission structure that varies by brand.
- Commission Rate: Varies depending on the merchant.
- Payout Threshold: $20 for direct deposit.
- Key Benefits: Access to popular brands, low payout threshold, and diverse product categories.
Best For: Affiliates wanting access to a global marketplace and the ability to promote well-known brands across multiple categories.
8. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
Why It’s Easy: CJ Affiliate is one of the largest affiliate networks, with access to thousands of companies across various niches. It’s beginner-friendly and allows affiliates to connect with major brands, including Expedia, Lowe’s, and GoDaddy.
- Commission Rate: Varies based on the merchant.
- Payout Threshold: $50 for direct deposit or check.
- Key Benefits: Wide range of products, detailed performance reports, and access to both physical and digital products.
Best For: Beginners looking for high-quality brands and reliable payout options, especially in niches like travel, technology, and retail.
9. ShareASale
Why It’s Easy: ShareASale is known for its beginner-friendly setup and offers products from many brands across various industries. This affiliate network has a strong reputation for reliability and offers competitive commissions.
- Commission Rate: Varies by merchant.
- Payout Threshold: $50 for bank transfer or check.
- Key Benefits: Wide range of merchants, user-friendly interface, and multiple payout options.
Best For: Affiliates interested in promoting products across multiple niches, from fashion and beauty to home goods and software.
10. PartnerStack
Why It’s Easy: PartnerStack specializes in SaaS and software affiliate programs, with well-known brands like Monday.com, Grammarly, and QuickBooks. It’s a good fit for affiliates with an audience interested in digital tools.
- Commission Rate: Varies by brand; recurring commissions are available for some programs.
- Payout Threshold: $10 for PayPal payments.
- Key Benefits: Recurring commissions, access to popular software brands, and simple payout options.
Best For: Affiliates targeting business professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs interested in digital tools and software solutions.
Tips for Earning with Easy Affiliate Programs
To maximize your success with beginner-friendly affiliate programs, keep these strategies in mind:
- Focus on a Niche: Choose products and programs that align with your audience’s interests to increase conversion potential.
- Create Quality Content: Write in-depth product reviews, comparison articles, or how-to guides to attract organic traffic and build credibility with your audience.
- Leverage Social Media: Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok can help drive traffic to your affiliate content, especially in visual niches like fashion or home decor.
- Use SEO: Optimize your website and content for relevant keywords to improve visibility and attract organic traffic from search engines.
- Track and Optimize: Use tools like Google Analytics and affiliate dashboards to monitor your performance. Adjust your strategy based on what’s working to improve your results.
Final Thoughts
For beginners, affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, eBay Partner Network, and ClickBank are some of the easiest to start with, thanks to their low entry barriers, trusted brand names, and potential for high conversions. By focusing on a niche, producing valuable content, and staying consistent, you can maximize your earnings potential and build a successful affiliate marketing income stream over time.