Table of Contents
Introduction
Over the past 10 years, affiliate marketing has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In 2022, affiliate marketing spend in the US reached $8.2 billion, more than triple what it was a decade ago. Joining an affiliate network can offer bloggers, writers, and digital publishers the opportunity to earn passive income by monetizing their websites. However, with the abundance of affiliate networks available, choosing the right one can be challenging. In this article, we will provide a complete guide to the affiliate marketing industry, affiliate networks, and the top affiliate programs for publishers to partner with in order to earn affiliate income.
12 Best Affiliate Networks To Join In 2023
What Is an Affiliate Network?
An affiliate network serves as a connection between digital publishers and companies, brands, and merchants who want to promote their products and services. These networks provide publishers with access to various affiliate marketing programs, along with features such as reporting tools, training, and other resources to help them succeed as affiliate marketers.
12 Best Affiliate Networks To Join In 2023
How Do Affiliate Programs Work?
Affiliate programs operate as a marketplace for ad affiliate programs. Once publishers or website owners sign up and pass the approval process, they can choose the products and services they want to promote and receive a custom link for each. The affiliate network then offers a commission for each product sold through these links.
12 Best Affiliate Networks To Join In 2023
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing has been around as long as marketing itself. It involves receiving a finder’s fee when you refer a customer to a merchant. The process works as follows:
12 Best Affiliate Networks To Join In 2023
- A publisher introduces their audience to a product or service through their website, blog, or social media channels.
- If customers purchase the product using the unique affiliate link provided by the publisher, the publisher earns an affiliate commission.
Affiliate marketing offers several referral program options, including:
12 Best Affiliate Networks To Join In 2023
- CPC (cost-per-click) affiliate programs that pay for each click on the link.
- CPL (cost-per-lead) programs that pay for each referral of a potential customer.
- Direct referral sales programs, which are the most profitable as they pay for each sale made.
Why Should Publishers Join an Affiliate Network?
Affiliate networks can connect bloggers, influencers, and publishers with thousands of brands and products, allowing them to monetize their websites and earn passive income. The benefits of joining an affiliate network include:
- Connecting publishers with relevant companies and merchants for their website audience.
- Handling the entire payment process for publishers.
- Offering rewards and incentives based on sales performance.
- Providing access to referral programs.
- Offering analytics features and reporting tools for tracking progress.
12 Best Affiliate Networks to Join in 2023
While there are numerous affiliate programs available, here are the best affiliate networks to join in 2023:
- Commission Factory
- Amazon Associates
- Avangate Affiliate Network
- Awin
- C.J. Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
- ClickBank
- eBay Partner Network (EPN)
- FlexOffers
- JVZoo
- Peerfly
- Rakuten Marketing (formerly LinkShare)
- ShareASale
1. Commission Factory
Commission Factory is one of the best affiliate marketing platforms for publishers, with over 800 advertisers as partners. It stands out for its simple yet feature-rich affiliate software. The platform is easy to join, implement, and track, with real-time statistics available on the dashboard. Commission Factory is also optimized for the future of affiliate marketing, with cookieless and click-less tracking capabilities. The average commission rate is between 8-10% of the sale value, and payment is made on a weekly basis.
2. Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is a popular affiliate network that has been around since 1996. It offers access to a massive catalog of physical and digital products, making it an excellent choice for affiliate marketers. The user interface is easy to navigate, and signing up is a quick and straightforward process. Amazon Associates also offers the opportunity to earn a commission for any product purchased by readers within 24 hours, not just the specific products shared. The commission rate varies by product type and payment is made approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which the commission was earned.
3. Avangate Affiliate Network
Avangate Affiliate Network specializes in connecting publishers with digital product merchants, particularly in the software industry. It has an excellent reputation and offers a coupon program to drive sales. Commissions start at around 25% and can reach over 50% for some merchants. Payments are made 20 days from the end of the month for which the commission is due, and options include wire transfer, PayPal, or check.
4. Awin
Awin is one of the largest and most well-respected affiliate programs, with over 15,000 advertisers and 210,000 active publishers. It offers access to businesses such as StubHub, Hyatt, AliExpress, and Under Armour. Each program must be applied to separately, and there is an application fee. The commission rate varies by merchant, but the average is around 5%. Payments are made fortnightly, and options include BACS, international wire transfer, or ACH.
5. C.J. Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
C.J. Affiliate has over two decades of experience as a successful affiliate network. It offers access to more than 3,000 merchants and assists affiliate marketers in earning over $1.8 billion annually. The platform provides real-time reporting tools for monitoring activity, and payment is made within 20 days of the end of the month. The minimum payment threshold is $50 for direct deposit or $100 for a check.
6. ClickBank
ClickBank is a global affiliate network that focuses on digital information products, product launches, and internet marketing products. With over 6 million digital products available, it is a good choice for affiliates working with email marketing. ClickBank offers high commissions, with rates of up to 90%. Payments can be made weekly or monthly, depending on affiliates’ preferences.
7. eBay Partner Network (EPN)
Backed by the eBay network, the eBay Partner Network offers access to a wide range of physical products available on eBay. It is an excellent affiliate network for publishers focusing on physical products. Commission rates vary depending on the product category, and payments are made monthly as long as publishers have earned $10 or more.
8. FlexOffers
FlexOffers is one of the most popular affiliate networks, with over 12,000 merchants in various categories across 27 countries. It offers a user-friendly dashboard and dedicated affiliate managers to assist publishers. Payments are made within 30 days, with top earners able to access their commissions within seven days.
9. JVZoo
JVZoo specializes in digital products, particularly in the marketing, tech, and artificial intelligence fields. It has over 800,000 active affiliates and offers a user-friendly dashboard with automatic payments. Commission rates vary by merchant, and payment schedules vary according to the publisher’s preferences.
10. Peerfly
Peerfly is a relatively new affiliate network but has gained popularity as the “fastest-growing affiliate network.” It offers access to a wide range of products and services from brands such as Target, Fiverr, UGG, and CBS. The user interface is easy to navigate, making it suitable for established affiliate marketers. Commission rates vary by merchant, and payment options include PayPal, Payoneer, direct deposit, and postal check.
11. Rakuten Marketing (formerly LinkShare)
Rakuten Marketing is an affiliate program for bloggers in the e-commerce space who want to focus on physical products. It represents industry-leading brands such as Walmart, Sephora, and New Balance. Rakuten Marketing offers advanced technology and reporting systems, making it a top choice for bloggers. Commission rates vary widely depending on the advertiser, and payments are made approximately two months after each sale.
12. ShareASale
ShareASale has over 1,000 big-name merchants and influencers exclusive to its network. It offers access to a wide variety of products and services, with over 3,900 merchant programs available. Payments can be collected after earning $50, and options include check and direct deposit.
What to Consider When Choosing an Affiliate Network
When choosing an affiliate network, publishers should consider the following factors:
- Customer base: Evaluate who makes up your customer base and choose a platform that offers the best tools and analytics for your audience.
- User interface: Consider your technical expertise and choose a network with a user interface that suits your level of proficiency.
- Commission rate: Research the commission rates offered by different networks and how they handle payment processing.
- Product/service selection: Ensure the affiliate network offers products and services that align with your audience’s interests.
- Approval requirements: Check the approval requirements for each affiliate program, as some may require well-established sites with a certain amount of traffic.
- Additional fees: Some networks charge fees for training, setup, or customer service.
- Cookie duration: Consider the cookie duration of each program, as it can vary drastically. Longer durations allow for more opportunities to earn commissions.
Conclusion
Joining an affiliate network is a great way for publishers to monetize their websites and earn passive income. When choosing an affiliate network, it is crucial to consider factors such as the customer base, user interface, commission rate, product selection, approval requirements, additional fees, and cookie duration. By thoroughly researching and evaluating these factors, publishers can find the right affiliate network for their needs.