Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners: Start Earning Today
Journey Pierre
4/20/20266 min read
Are you a beginner affiliate marketer wondering what are the best programs to promote? You’re not alone, many people are diving into the world of affiliate marketing and seeing tremendous success. In fact, some affiliate marketers are making over $100,000 a month! The great part about affiliate marketing is that you can earn passive income, sometimes without ever needing to create your own product or service.
In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the top affiliate programs and networks that beginners can easily get started with. Plus, we'll cover high-commission opportunities, so you can start earning serious money sooner than you think. Let’s get started!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you.
Affiliate Programs vs. Affiliate Networks: What’s the Difference?
Before jumping into specific affiliate programs, it’s important to understand the difference between affiliate programs and affiliate networks.
Affiliate Programs: These are individual programs run by companies or brands that offer commissions to affiliates for promoting their products or services. When you sign up for an affiliate program, you're working directly with the company or brand, and you'll typically promote their specific products.
Affiliate Networks: These are platforms that act as intermediaries between affiliate marketers and companies offering affiliate programs. Networks provide a wide range of products and services you can promote. They also offer tools to help you track your earnings and manage your affiliate marketing efforts.
Both affiliate programs and networks have their own benefits. Programs tend to have higher payouts for specific products, while networks offer variety and ease of use.
Top Affiliate Networks
1. Clickbank
ClickBank is one of the most popular affiliate networks for beginners, and for good reason. Specializing in digital products, ClickBank offers high commission rates, sometimes as high as 75% on some products. It’s a great platform for affiliate marketers who are interested in promoting eBooks, software, online courses, and other digital products.
ClickBank is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to get started. You can browse thousands of products, and once you find something that aligns with your audience, you can promote it with your unique affiliate link. ClickBank also offers strong tracking and payment systems, so you can easily monitor your earnings.
Requirements: None
Program or Network: Network
Commission: Varies by advertiser
2. Impact
Impact is another excellent affiliate network that focuses on brand partnerships. This platform connects affiliates with top brands across various sectors, from e-commerce giants to niche B2B services. Impact is particularly appealing to marketers who want to work with established, high-quality brands and products.
What makes Impact stand out is its flexible tracking and reporting tools, which allow you to see exactly how your campaigns are performing. They also offer a variety of payment models, from pay-per-click to pay-per-sale, which gives you more flexibility in how you earn commissions.
Requirements: Website or social media presence
Program or Network: Network
Commission: Varies by advertiser
3. ShareASale
ShareASale is one of the largest and most diverse affiliate networks available. It has been around for over 20 years and is home to thousands of merchants across a variety of industries, from fashion and beauty to technology and home goods. Whether you're into blogging, YouTube marketing, or social media promotion, ShareASale has products you can promote.
As a beginner, you’ll appreciate ShareASale’s straightforward setup process, which includes easy-to-navigate product listings and affiliate tracking tools. The network also offers competitive commissions, often with recurring payment options for subscription-based services. With so many options available, you’re bound to find products that resonate with your niche.
Requirements: Website
Program or Network: Network
Commission: Varies by advertiser
Best Affiliate Programs
4. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms out there, and their affiliate program pays affiliates $150 per sale. Shopify is perfect for beginners because it offers an easy-to-use platform for launching an online store. You’ll earn commissions by referring new customers who sign up for Shopify’s plans. If your audience includes aspiring entrepreneurs or small business owners, this is an excellent program to promote.
If you still need to launch your affiliate website, click here to get 3 days of Shopify for free + your first 3 months for $1 per month.
Requirements: None
Program or Network: Program
Commission: $150
5. Bluehost
Bluehost is one of the top web hosting providers that offers a highly rewarding affiliate program, paying a minimum of 70% commission on each sale. This can increase based on your performance, with affiliates earning up to $100 per sale. If your audience is looking to start a blog, launch a website, or build an online business, promoting Bluehost could be a highly profitable endeavor. With its strong reputation for reliable hosting services and customer support, Bluehost is a phenomenal option for affiliate marketers in the web hosting and online business niches.
Requirements: None
Program or Network: Program
Commission: 70% or more (up to $100 per sale)
6. Hostinger
Hostinger is a web hosting provider, and their affiliate program offers a 20% commission for web hosting plans and a 35% commission for their Cloud and VPS plans. This can mean up to $400 per referral if someone signs up for a higher-tier plan. Given the steady demand for web hosting services, this is a fantastic affiliate program for anyone in the tech, blogging, ecommerce, or digital marketing space.
If you still need to launch your affiliate website, click here to get 20% off your Hostinger plan.
Requirements: Hostinger account
Program or Network: Program
Commission: 20%-35% (up to $400)
7. ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels is great for marketing and sales funnels. They offer an affiliate program that provides a 30% recurring monthly commission. This means that every time a customer you refer pays for their subscription, you'll continue to earn a commission as long as they remain a customer. Given that ClickFunnels is a highly popular tool for marketers and business owners, this is a great way to earn passive income from recurring sales.
Requirements: None
Program or Network: Program
Commission: 30% recurring payments
8. GetResponse
GetResponse is an email marketing software provider, and their affiliate program allows you to choose between their Recurring Program and Bounty Program. In the Recurring Program you get a 33% recurring monthly commission, which can increase to 50% based on your performance. In the Bounty Program you earn an upfront commission of $100 for email marketing products and $150 for content monetization products. Both options are wonderful, and as GetResponse is a widely-used email marketing platform, there’s a strong potential for regular commissions.
Requirements: None
Program or Network: Program
Commission: 33%-50% recurring payments or $100-$150
9. Skool
Skool is an online community-building platform that pays affiliates 40% recurring monthly commissions. If your audience is interested in building online communities, courses, or memberships, promoting Skool could be very lucrative. With a high commission rate and the growing popularity of membership sites, Skool is a fantastic choice for affiliate marketers in the education and community-building niches.
Requirements: None
Program or Network: Program
Commission: 40% recurring payments
10. AutoDS
AutoDS is the perfect platform to promote for those interested in dropshipping. It’s also extremely easy to join, like the easiest affiliate program I've joined. It's a dropshipping automation tool that helps sellers find products, automate pricing, and fulfill orders. Their affiliate program pays 20% monthly recurring commissions, which means that once you refer a customer, you can continue earning commissions as long as they stay subscribed.
Requirements: None
Program or Network: Program
Commission: 20% recurring payments
Best Referral Programs
1. Capital One
The Capital One Credit Card affiliate program is a great choice for beginners looking to promote financial products and earn commissions. Capital One offers a variety of credit cards, including cashback, travel rewards, and business cards, making it perfect for audiences interested in personal finance or rewards. As an affiliate, you can earn $100 per successful referral and up to $500 per year. With its trusted brand and attractive offers, Capital One is a solid option for those in the financial or lifestyle niches.
If you still need a Capital One credit card account, click here to join (no annual fees or credit score required).
Requirements: Capital One cardholder
Program or Network: Program
Commission: $100 (up to $500 annually)
2. Visible
Visible is a prepaid phone service provider that offers one of the simplest and most affordable unlimited plans available. What makes it especially interesting from an affiliate perspective is its referral program, which gives both you and the person you refer a discount.
Unlike traditional affiliate programs focused on making money, this is more of a money-saving referral. It’s a great fit if your content includes budgeting, lowering monthly expenses, or lifestyle optimization.
For example, instead of promoting something people need to spend more money on, you’re helping them reduce a bill they’re already paying, which can sometimes be an easier sell.
Requirements: Visible member
Program or Network: Program
Commission: $20
Starting Your Affiliate Journey
Affiliate marketing is an incredible opportunity to build a steady stream of passive income, and choosing the right affiliate programs is crucial to your success. The programs listed above offer excellent commission structures, easy-to-promote products, and the tools you need to succeed. Whether you're interested in promoting web hosting, e-commerce platforms, email marketing tools, or dropshipping software, there’s something here for every beginner.
With the right programs in place, you’ll be well on your way to making commissions and even replacing a full-time income. Happy marketing!
Next Steps to Start Making Money Online