Earning passive income that is actually passive?
Where do we sign up?!
After reading through our affiliate marketing guide, you’re probably chomping at the bit to get started with affiliate marketing. There’s no time like the present, so let’s jump right in.
Affiliate program categories
With each affiliate program, you’ll find a small summary of what each brand offers and the main benefits of signing up for their program. You’ll also see the specific commission that is offered by each company along with a link to sign up.
Before you start signing up for every affiliate program you see listed here, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Keep your niche front and center. What do your readers want to see on your blog? What brands feel like a natural fit? Are there any affiliate programs that aren’t related to what you do?
- Track which retailers get the most clicks. You can do this by shortening links using bit.ly and tracking your number of clicks. You’ll also want to keep an eye on how much you’re earning from each affiliate so you can see which ones deserve more of your attention than others.
- Create a list of your account details. Most affiliate programs ask you to sign up with an email address and password. Keep all this information in one place so you have an easy-to-use-directory.
Now we’re ready to dive in!
Business and tech affiliate programs
People are always interested to hear what tools other bloggers use to run their online businesses. When sharing your favorite resources, always check to see if they have an affiliate program. Chances are that they will! Here are the most popular affiliate programs we hear our users chatting about.
ConvertKit
Of course, I had to add this to the list! If you are interested in helping your readers grow their own email lists through automated sales funnels, our affiliate program will be a perfect fit.
Commission: 30% of sales for the lifetime of the account
Sign up for ConvertKit’s program
BlueHost
If you serve an audience of fellow bloggers, they may be interested in WordPress hosting services. If so, BlueHost has one of the most popular affiliate programs out there.
Commission: $65 for each user sign-up
Sign up for BlueHost’s program
GoDaddy
Whether your audience needs help buying a domain name or hosting their website, GoDaddy can be a good option, especially with their high commission percentage.
Commission: 15% of sale
HostGator
HostGator is another WordPress hosting website with a growing affiliate partner base. As a reminder, it’s always best to test any hosting service provider for yourself before promoting them.
Commission: $65-125 per sale depending on number of referrals/month
Sign up for HostGator’s program
WP Engine
We know we’ve shared quite a few WordPress hosting providers, but that’s because there are so many out there. WP Engine is another favorite of bloggers and business owners.
Commission: $200 per user or 100% of user’s first payment for WP Engine & Genesis Pro sales and 35% of StudioPress Theme sales.
Sign up for WP Engine’s program
Adobe Creative Cloud
Is your audience looking for an advanced digital design tool? Adobe Creative Cloud has just about everything they need to get started.
Commission: 85% on user’s first monthly payment or 8.33% per sale on yearly subscription
Sign up for Adobe Creative Cloud’s program
PicMonkey
Not sure your audience needs full access to the Adobe Creative Suite? PicMonkey could be a great alternative for DIY-friendly bloggers.
Commission:
- 30% commission for initial purchase
- 15% commission for renewals or additional purchases from returning customers
Sign up for PicMonkey’s program
Teachable
Online course creators will love Teachable’s easy-to-implement affiliate program. You can start earning ongoing monthly income from your affiliate link.
Commission: 30% of sales for the lifetime of the account
Sign up for Teachable’s program
Leadpages
Although you must be a Pro or Advanced level member to join their affiliate program, it is a great option for business bloggers who use the landing page builder frequently.
Commission: up to 50% recurring commissions
CreativeLive
Are your followers interested in learning new skills through online classes? CreativeLive has a great affiliate program for virtually any niche.
Commission: 30% of rev share for new customer sales
Sign up for CreativeLive’s program
Food and health affiliate programs
If personal health and well-being is an important value to your readers, you may find opportunities to join food and health affiliate programs. Just reading through some of these options makes me hungry!
Amazon Prime Pantry
Who doesn’t love when groceries show up at the door? We’ll gladly skip the grocery store trip. Amazon Prime Pantry isn’t too hard of a sell for most food bloggers.
Commission: 3% of sale
Sign up for Amazon Prime Pantry program
$5 Meal Plan
Are your audience members always on-the-go or tired of cooking meals from scratch for their family? This food preparation and delivery membership may be a great fit.
Commission: 30% of sale
Sign up for $5 Meal Plan’s program
eMeals
Another food preparation and delivery membership option is eMeals. They also have a 14-day free trial for new customers, which is a nice incentive for attracting more sign ups.
Commission: 30% of sale
Restaurant.com
No matter if you’re a local food blogger or love to travel around the world, Restaurant.com has a great referral program with select restaurants.
Commission: 15% of sale
Sign up for Restaurant.com’s program
The Vitamin Shoppe
This is a hyper-targeted affiliate program for, you guessed it, food and wellness bloggers who are interested in promoting vitamins and supplements.
Commission: up to 10% of sale
Sign up for The Vitamin Shoppe’s program
Finance affiliate programs
No matter if you blog about personal finance, money management, or couponing, we have a collection of affiliate programs that could be your next big source of income.
Freshbooks
Bookkeeping, invoicing, and profit-loss statements all in one place? That’s what you get with Freshbooks. See why it’s a favorite among online business owners.
Commission: up to $10 per free trial, plus up to $200 per paid subscribe
Sign up for Freshbook’s program
Quickbooks
Quickbooks is another leading small business bookkeeping software with award-winning customer service and 4.3 million customers worldwide.
Commission: up to 10% on sales
Sign up for Quickbook’s program
Rakuten
If your audience is interested in couponing their way to major savings, Rakuten (formly Ebates) may be a great option. Keep in mind that you must first sign up for Ebates to get the refer-a-friend code.
Commission: up to $25 + bonus
TurboTax
For readers who DIY their taxes every year, TurboTax has a great affiliate program. Their cookie lasts 21 days, meaning if the visitor makes a purchase within that timeframe, you’ll still get the commission.
Commission: 15% per sale
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
This budget tracking app has become a quick crowd favorite. You can set saving goals, track your spending, and put your earnings into their proper buckets. It acts more like a referral program, giving you and whoever you refer a free month of access.
Commission: 1 free month per paying customer
Fashion and beauty affiliate programs
Instead of going straight to the retailer like most affiliate programs, it’s recommended to sign up with a program that works with brands to get you the best commission percentage. Here’s a sneak peek into some of the most popular affiliate programs for beauty and fashion bloggers.
Linkshare
Often voted as the best affiliate program for fashion and beauty bloggers, Linkshare has unsurprisingly become the most popular affiliate program within this niche.
Here are a few blogger favorites from their list of popular retailers:
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- ASOS (7%)
- Birchbox (5%)
- Nordstrom (2%)
- Smashbox (8%)
- Kohl’s (4%)
- e.l.f. (5%)
- Bloomingdale’s (2%)
- JC Penny (3%)
Commission: varies with each retailer
Sign up for Linkshare’s program
ShareASale
If Linkshare is the most popular affiliate program for style bloggers, ShareASale is a very close second. It functions very similar to Linkshare, just with a different list of retailers.
Here are a few blogger favorites from their list of popular retailers:
-
- Modcloth (7%)
- Warby Parker (20%)
- ROMWE (10%)
- Lulu’s (7%)
- Rent The Runway (7%)
- Spirit Beauty Lounge (10%)
Commission: varies with each retailer
Sign up for ShareASale’s program
Commission Junction
While it may not be as user-friendly and organized as the affiliate programs listed above, it is still widely used by style and beauty bloggers.
Here are a few blogger favorites from their list of popular retailers:
-
- Ulta (5%)
- Free People (4%)
- Zappos (8%)
- Forever 21 (4%)
- Urban Outfitters (5%)
- LOFT (5%)
- Lululemon (2.5%)
Commission: varies with each retailer
Sign up for Commission Junction’s program
Pepperjam
Pepperjam is eBay’s affiliate program specifically built for fashion bloggers. As expected, eBay works with a lot of high-end retailers through Pepperjam.
Here are a few blogger favorites from their list of popular retailers:
-
- NARS (8%)
- Hautelook (3%)
- Lucky Brand (5%)
- Juicy Couture (4%)
- Nylon Shop (8%)
- rag + bone (8%)
- Levi’s (4%)
- Nordstrom Rack (4%)
- Rebecca Minkoff (8%)
Commission: varies with each retailer
Sign up for Pepperjam’s program
Target
Is there a certain product your audience members can order from Target? For ease of use and fast shipping, this may be a great opportunity for your style or beauty blog.
Commission: up to 8% of sale
Interior design and organization affiliate programs
If you’re an interior design blogger with a knack for turning store-bought furniture into something completely unique, or you’re a home organization blogger with the best toy storage tips, you’ll love these affiliate programs. They can also be a great fit for bloggers who frequently share office tours and feature their creative environment on social media.
Etsy
No matter if you’re looking for handwoven blankets, throw pillows, or the latest art prints, you’ll be able to find it all on Etsy. Since Etsy is the biggest marketplace for handmade goods, being an affiliate partner will be a unique opportunity to add to your income while supporting other small businesses.
Commission:
Standard publisher rate 4%
User-Generated content: 2%
Cashback/Loyalty (evaluated on an individual basis): 2%
Designer Living
Designer Living has the highest percentage of commissions on the list for interior design bloggers, making it an extra attractive affiliate program. They also offer a wide variety of furniture and home decor brands within the bigger Designer Living brand.
Commission: 12% of sale
Sign up for Designer Living’s program
Wayfair
As one of the largest online furniture and home decor retailers, Wayfair has a great affiliate program available for all users to enjoy.
Commission: 7% of sale
Ethan Allen
If your readers are interested in high-quality, high-end furniture and home decor, Ethan Allen is a crowd favorite. Keep in mind how much your average reader earns so you don’t price yourself out of your demographic.
Commission: 7% of sale
Sign up for Ethan Allen’s program
Barneys
Like Ethan Allen, Barneys is another luxury retailer that offers a wide variety of high-end home decor. They also offer accessories, clothing, shoes, and more.
Commission: 5% of sale
World Market
Interior design bloggers who love to incorporate their travels and different cultures into their designs will love being an affiliate for World Market.
Commission: 6% of sale
Sign up for World market’s program
Which retailers are you most excited to become an affiliate for?
Get signed up for all of your favorites so you can start earning more passive income with affiliate marketing today.
