42 TOP AFFILIATE MARKETING PROGRAMS FOR MONETISING YOUR WEBSITE

• Web hosting
• VPN Affiliates
• Cloud storage
• Freelance affiliate programs
• Landing page builders
• Online courses
• SEO affiliate programs
• Fitness
• Bonus Program

WP Engine is a popular WordPress hosting provider, and its affiliate program has one of the highest payouts. 

This affiliate program is free to join, and it offers affiliates bonuses when they make sales. 

They also offer split-tested banners in different sizes for affiliates to use on their blogs or sites. WP Engine is managed through one of the common affiliate networks, ShareASale.

• Monthly payments
• Payout 45 days after signup
• Payments via ShareASale

ExpressVPN affiliate program offers only one-time commission payments, and affiliates need to have a live website with VPN-related content to be accepted. 

However, the more sales you drive via your affiliate link, the more commission you get. 

Additionally, ExpressVPN offers affiliates tracking and reporting tools to enable them track their performance with ease.

• $50 payment threshold
• Payout via PayPal

There are different types of affiliate programs available, with each of them offering something unique to their affiliates.

None of them are equal as some are more profitable than others. But before you choose any programs, there are multiple factors you must consider.

• Your Social media/blog/site following

Are you just starting up or do you have a large audience already following you? Whatever answer you give will factor into the affiliate programs you choose. You must avoid promoting everything just because you want to make money, as trustworthiness is very important to affiliate marketing.

The best way to start up your affiliate marketing career is to promote products and services you are already using.

This way, you can add more value to your audience while offering an authentic recommendation of said product.

• Your audience

Understanding your target audience is the next step you need to consider as you need to promote products and services that match your audience.

If your blog is focused on a particular niche, it is better to promote affiliate programs in that niche, as this would make your audience trust you more.

You can also sign up to affiliate networks to enable you find multiple affiliate programs in your field or you can find the merchants that are self-hosted and apply to them.

• Acceptance Criteria

While some companies accept all affiliates, others impose strict requirements before they accept any affiliate. For example, a company can require affiliates to have a website with over one million monthly visitors. If you are just starting up, it is best to avoid companies with strict requirements until you have established yourself in the field.

• Commission Structure/ Rate

Affiliate marketing programs either offer one-time or recurring payments. While one-time payments are used for lead generation, trail activation, and sales, recurring payments are typically used in the customer subscription model.

Apart from the commission structure, you have to also consider the commission rates associated with affiliate marketing programs.

For some affiliate marketing programs, the commission is at a fixed rate while for others, the rate can increase if you sell more or if the product is hard to sell.

• Conversion Rate

Conversion rate is another critical factor you have to consider when choosing an affiliate marketing program.

Most affiliate marketing networks and tracking apps report their conversion rates on their dashboard.

This rate identifies the frequency at which a user converts to a lead or paying client. Conversion rate of ½ % is good. Besides, you should expect conversion rates of more than 2%.

• Average Order Value

You should also consider the average dollar amount disbursed for every time a customer finalizes an order.

This way, you can decide on the affiliate marketing program that is worth it and the one that isn’t.

• Earnings Per Click (EPC)

With EPC data, you can know how much money you are generating per 100 clicks.

Many affiliate networks provide EPC data on their dashboards, and you can compare different affiliate programs to enable you to make the best decision.

Conversion rate and EPC data enable you to know the merchants’ performance.

So, it is important that you check them out before concluding on an affiliate program.

• Cookie Duration

Cookie duration refers to how long the tracking cookies last, and the longer the cookie time duration, the better for affiliates. You should pay attention to the cookie duration before joining an affiliate marketing program.

Programs with a short cookie lifespan are not appealing as people rarely convert on their first site visit – this is why longer cookie durations are better.

For example, with a 30-day cookie duration, you will earn a commission if the user makes a purchase within 30 days of clicking your affiliate link.

Besides, it is better not to bother with affiliate programs that offer a cookie lifespan of fewer than 30 days.

• Payout Conditions

You need to consider the minimum amount you need to accrue before the affiliate program pays out.

You should also compare the minimum payment with the commission to enable to streamline your options further.

Another payout condition you need to consider is the regularity of payments. Most companies pay monthly, with a few exceptions that offer multiple payouts in the month.

• Payment Options

Most affiliate programs offer multiple payout options like PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer, paper checks and direct deposits.

You need to ensure that the affiliate program you choose offers the payment methods that work for you.

• Free Trials

Affiliate marketing programs with free trials and plans allow users to experience their products and services without barriers.

This way, you can know which merchant has excellent goods, and whether choosing the affiliate marketing program is profitable for you. Be on the lookout for programs that offer free trials.

• Deep Linking

Deep linking is the ability to create a custom affiliate link to a specific page on the merchant’s website.

Affiliate marketing programs that offer deep linking are the ones you should be searching for as they can increase conversion rates.

Besides, several affiliate tracking apps provide affiliates with deep linking but they have to enable it.

• Merchant Transparency

Before you select affiliate marketing programs to join, you must ensure that the company is transparent with its affiliates.

Check the affiliate marketing program’s conditions and policies and find out how commissions are calculated.

If the program does not have any clear policies, you should move to the next program because a lack of transparency is not good for any working relationship.

• Brand Recognition

You should take note of customer reviews because company reputation is very important. You should also consider whether the brand is recognized or not, as this would help you know whether or not you are making the right choice.

Plus, you should study their social media presence as this would indicate to you the type of business they are.