When someone recommends a product and earns a percentage of the resulting sales, that’s affiliate marketing at its core. Each affiliate program offers unique commission structures and features designed for different types of content creators.
We’ve analyzed the best ecommerce affiliate programs to help you find one that matches your content style and audience.
5 Key Points About Affiliate Programs
- Cookie Duration: 24 hours to 6 months tracking period for your referrals.
- Commission Type: Retail programs pay percentage of sales. Tech and business programs offer fixed amounts.
- Payment Terms: Minimum payouts range from $10-$100, paid through direct deposit, PayPal, or check. Monthly or threshold-based payments.
- Entry Requirements: Programs check your follower count, website traffic, or content quality before approval.
- Income Structure: Choose between single payments per sale or monthly recurring commissions.
Top Ecommerce Affiliate Marketing Programs
Each of these programs offers unique benefits for different types of content creators, from varying commission structures to specialized tools and resources. Here’s a comparison of the most notable options:
| Program | Best For | Key Highlight |
| Amazon Associates | Product reviewers & comparison sites | Category-based commissions up to 10%, 24-hour cookie |
| Shopify | E-commerce educators | $150 per merchant (major markets), 30-day cookie |
| BigCommerce | Enterprise consultants | $1,500 for enterprise referrals, no commission caps |
| Awin | Established websites across multiple sectors | Custom pricing, automated tools, multi-currency payments |
| CJ Affiliate | High-traffic publishers | Custom rates, cross-device tracking, twice-monthly payments |
| Rakuten | Fashion & luxury content creators | AI-powered matching, personalized ads, 30-day payment processing |
| Target | Lifestyle & home content creators | Up to 8% commission, 7-day cookie, $12-$13 per 100 clicks guarantee |
| ShareASale | Multi-brand promoters | 30,000+ brands, real-time tracking, no minimum payment threshold |
| ClickBank | Digital product marketers | Up to 90% commission, recurring commissions, built-in compliance |
| Etsy | Craft & DIY content creators | 4% commission rate, dual programs for websites & social |
| eBay | Deal & product discovery sites | Access to 2.1B listings, custom integration tools |
| YouTube Shopping | Video content creators | Direct product tagging, integrated with AdSense, in-video purchases |
| CXL | Marketing professionals | 30-50% commission on first purchases, 30-day cookie |
| Leadpages | Small business consultants | 10-50% recurring commission, 90-day cookie |
| HubSpot | B2B content creators | 30% recurring commission for 1 year, 180-day cookie |
| Semrush | Digital marketing educators | $200-$350 per sale with tiered rewards, 120-day cookie |
Best Profitable Ecommerce Affiliate Programs
Here are the top-performing programs, each with distinct commission structures and benefits:
Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is an affiliate marketing program designed for website owners and content creators with active sites or mobile apps.
Through a comprehensive dashboard that tracks performance metrics and conversions, participants can earn commissions by recommending Amazon products to their audience.
Commission Structure
Amazon Associates uses a category-based commission system that rewards participants for driving sales. Commission rates vary by product type, with some categories offering up to 10% on qualifying purchases.
Payment processing occurs 60 days after the earning month, with different minimum thresholds:
- Direct deposit and gift card payments start at $10
- Check payments require a $100 minimum and include a $15 processing fee
Key Features
Amazon Associates enables tracking through 24-hour cookies for direct purchases and offers an extended 89-day cookie duration for items added to shopping carts.
The program supports content creators with mobile-optimized linking options and provides customizable linking tools that work across different content formats.
Who Should Consider This Program
This program is tailored for website owners and content creators who maintain active websites or mobile apps. It particularly benefits:
- Publishers producing product reviews and comparisons
- Bloggers focusing on niche product categories
- Content creators with established websites
Bonus: Explore the most important Amazon statistics from Q3 2024
Shopify Affiliate Program
Shopify’s affiliate program connects entrepreneurs, educators, and content creators with potential merchants.
Through a 30-day tracking cookie and comprehensive dashboard, affiliates can monitor their referrals and earn fixed commissions when merchants subscribe to eligible Shopify plans.
Commission Structure
The program offers location-based commission rates for successful referrals. Notable earnings include:
- $150 USD for merchants from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several other major markets
- $100 USD for most European and Asian markets
- $25 USD for Latin American markets
Key Features
Shopify equips affiliates with ready-made educational materials to help them understand the platform better. The program offers access to a global creative assets library, along with detailed performance insights to track success.
Affiliates can earn commissions by referring both store plan subscribers and POS Pro customers.
Who Should Consider This Program
The program is designed for content creators who can educate audiences about e-commerce. Ideal participants include:
- Course educators teaching business and e-commerce
- Content creators focusing on entrepreneurship
- Review sites covering e-commerce platforms
Bonus: Explore best Shopify Plus features
BigCommerce Affiliate Program
BigCommerce offers an affiliate program that rewards partners for referring new merchants to their e-commerce platform, with over $1.5 million paid in commissions in the past year alone.
Through a dedicated tracking dashboard, affiliates can monitor their referrals and access marketing resources to support their promotional efforts.
Commission Structure
The program features a distinctive dual-commission model:
- 200% of the customer’s first monthly payment for standard referrals
- $1,500 for each enterprise customer referral
- No commission caps or minimum requirements
Key Features
BigCommerce provides affiliates with pre-designed marketing materials and banners for their promotional activities. The platform offers educational content and webinars to enhance affiliate knowledge, while a personalized tracking dashboard helps monitor performance.
Affiliates also benefit from direct communication with a dedicated account manager for ongoing support.
Who Should Consider This Program
- The program suits content creators and professionals who connect with e-commerce entrepreneurs. Ideal participants include:
- E-commerce consultants and advisors
- Business strategy content creators
- Online retail industry experts
Awin Affiliate Program
Awin connects businesses with over 1 million partners worldwide through their affiliate marketing platform. With 20 years of experience and £18 billion in annual revenue, the platform serves major sectors including retail, finance, travel, and telecommunications.
Commission Structure
The program offers three distinct plans:
- Awin Access: £89/month + 3.5% tracking fee
- Awin Accelerate: Custom pricing with automation tools
- Awin Advanced: Enterprise pricing with unlimited commission rules
- Optional commission rules for products, customers, and vouchers
- Monthly payments through multiple currencies
Key Features
Awin provides practical tools to boost affiliate earnings. The platform shows exactly which content drives sales through their conversion tracking system. Publishers get automated alerts when links break or products go out of stock.
The network offers exclusive deals and higher commissions for top-performing partners. Advanced users can create custom commission rules based on customer behavior.
Who Should Consider This Program
This program fits established websites and content creators looking to monetize across multiple sectors. Publishers in finance, retail, and travel niches find particular success here because of Awin’s strong presence in these industries.
Small businesses benefit from the Access plan’s straightforward pricing and quick setup.
CJ Affiliate Program
CJ runs the world’s largest affiliate network, reaching over 1 billion consumers monthly. The platform connects partners with major brands while providing tracking tools and performance data to optimize campaigns.
Commission Structure
The program offers diverse earning options:
- Custom commission rates vary by advertiser
- Performance bonuses for top affiliates
- Twice-monthly payments
- 150+ payment currencies supported
- Cross-device commission tracking
Key Features
CJ equips publishers with essential marketing and tracking tools. The platform connects directly with CreatorIQ for influencer campaigns. Partners can access exclusive brand deals through the Placements Marketplace.
The analytics system shows customer journey data and campaign performance to help optimize promotions.
Who Should Consider This Program
The program serves content creators and publishers seeking partnerships with established brands. It works best for websites and influencers with significant traffic who can benefit from CJ’s broad advertiser network and data-driven campaign tools.
Rakuten Affiliate Program
Rakuten connects advertisers with over 150,000 partners through an AI-powered network. The platform launches new programs in less than a month and uses machine learning to match brands with publishers who match their target audience.
Commission Structure
The program offers payment flexibility:
- Customizable commission rates by product category
- Both first-click and last-click commission payments
- Higher rates during seasonal promotions
- Bonus payments for top performers
- Quick payment processing within 30 days
Key Features
Rakuten offers unique tools that set it apart from other networks. Their AI system suggests specific ad placements that have worked well for similar content. Publishers can create personalized ads without relying on cookies.
The platform shows exactly which content drives sales, from first visitor contact to final purchase. Partners also get early access to exclusive deals from major brands.
Who Should Consider This Program
The program fits website owners and creators who already generate sales for other affiliate programs. Publishers with audiences interested in fashion, technology, or luxury products will find many relevant advertisers here.
The platform works especially well for publishers who want to automatically match with brands that fit their content style.
Target Affiliate Program
Target offers a free affiliate program that lets partners earn commissions by promoting products from over 1 million items. Partners get a 7-day cookie window, and earn commissions on all purchases made during this period, not just the first one.
Commission Structure
The program rewards sales with varying rates:
- Up to 8% commission on qualifying purchases
- Rates increase with sales volume
- $12-$13 earnings per 100 clicks guarantee
- Multiple commissions from same customer within 7 days
- Some categories like groceries and electronics have 0% commission
Key Features
Target stands out with several unique benefits. The program pays commissions on every purchase a customer makes within 7 days, not just their first buy. Partners receive weekly newsletters with exclusive deals and promotional content.
The platform offers a personalized storefront option for curating products. Target’s established brand name helps convert visitors into buyers more effectively than lesser-known stores.
Who Should Consider This Program
This program works especially well for content creators reviewing home goods, fashion, and beauty products. Bloggers who write about parenting, home decor, or lifestyle topics will find plenty of relevant products to promote.
The program particularly suits publishers who want stable earnings without worrying about sudden program changes like those that happen with Amazon.
ShareASale Affiliate Program
ShareASale connects partners with over 30,000 brands through their affiliate network. Affiliates earned $1.4 billion last year through the platform, which is merging with Awin in March 2025 to provide enhanced features and opportunities.
Commission Structure
The program offers flexible earning options:
- Commission rates vary by advertiser
- Monthly payments via direct deposit or ACH
- No minimum payment threshold
- Real-time commission tracking
- Multiple payment currencies supported
Who Should Consider This Program
The program works best for websites and content creators who want to promote multiple brands in one place. Review sites, deal blogs, and comparison websites find success here because they can manage all their brand partnerships through a single dashboard.
New affiliates especially benefit from ShareASale’s simple interface and quick approval process.
Key Features
ShareASale offers practical tools to increase earnings. Their browser extension lets partners create tracking links directly from any product page without leaving the merchant’s website.
Publishers get custom reports showing which specific pages drive the most sales. The platform provides automatic link monitoring to fix broken affiliate links before they affect earnings.
ClickBank Affiliate Program
ClickBank operates a marketplace connecting affiliates with digital product creators and e-commerce sellers. The platform has paid over $6.6 billion in commissions since 1999 and processes payments for over 4,000 products across various categories.
Commission Structure
The program offers two earning models:
- Revenue Share up to 90% of sale price
- Fixed CPA payments with no refund impact
- Additional earnings from upsells
- Recurring commissions from subscription products
- Base fee of 7.5% + $1 per transaction
Key Features
ClickBank stands out with several unique offerings. The platform shows conversion data for every product, helping affiliates pick winners. Their Spark platform provides free marketing training from successful affiliates.
Partners can choose between percentage-based commissions or fixed CPA payments to match their marketing strategy. The marketplace includes built-in compliance monitoring to protect affiliates from problematic products.
Who Should Consider This Program
The program works especially well for affiliates who promote digital products, online courses, and health supplements. Email marketers and paid traffic specialists find success here because of the platform’s high-converting sales funnels and upsell opportunities.
Direct response marketers particularly benefit from ClickBank’s proven sales page templates.
Etsy Affiliate Program
Etsy offers two distinct partnership programs for promoting handcrafted and vintage items from their global marketplace: the Affiliate Program for websites and blogs, and the Creator Collective for social media influencers.
Through a 30-day cookie window (7 days for app purchases), participants can earn commissions on qualifying sales.
Commission Structure
The program offers straightforward earnings potential:
- Standard commission rate of 4% on qualifying purchases
- Commissions exclude shipping, tax, gift cards, and certain payment methods
- Geographic location doesn’t affect commission rates
Key Features
Etsy provides partners with product feeds tailored to specific categories and offers banner creatives in multiple sizes. The platform shares trend reports and marketplace insights to guide promotional efforts.
Partners also gain access to exclusive content and community resources.
Who Should Consider This Program
1) The Affiliate Program is designed for editorial publications and website owners who create in-depth content about handmade products, vintage items, and creative goods.
This includes bloggers who regularly review handmade products, media publications focusing on crafts and DIY content, and Etsy sellers who maintain their own websites.
2) The Creator Collective program serves content creators who share product discoveries and recommendations through social media platforms.
This program particularly benefits influencers who create visual content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, as well as Etsy sellers who primarily promote through social channels.
Bonus: Here are the most important Etsy statistics
eBay Partner Network
The eBay Partner Network enables content creators to earn commissions by promoting products from one of the world’s largest online marketplaces.
With over 2.1 billion listings and 133 million active buyers across 190 markets, partners can tap into a vast inventory where 80% of items are new and 90% are available for immediate purchase.
Commission Structure
The program rewards partners for driving qualified traffic that results in sales. Partners can earn from:
- Direct product referrals that lead to purchases
- Traffic to promotional landing pages and deals
- Sales generated through mobile integrations
- Purchases made through custom buying experiences
Key Features
eBay equips partners with detailed performance analytics and reporting capabilities for tracking success. The platform offers integration options across web, mobile, and social platforms, while providing access to promotional deals and special offers.
Partners can use development tools to create custom buying experiences and access resources for tracking and optimizing their campaigns.
Who Should Consider This Program
The eBay Partner Network suits content creators who want to monetize their platforms through product recommendations.
The program particularly benefits publishers who create content about consumer products, technology, fashion, collectibles, and unique items.
Developers and experienced creators can also build custom integrations using eBay’s platform tools.
YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program
YouTube’s Shopping affiliate program allows creators to earn commissions by tagging products directly in their videos. Through seamless integration with YouTube Studio, creators can manage their affiliate activities while maintaining their regular content creation workflow.
Payments process through AdSense within 60 to 120 days after purchase.
Commission Structure
The program offers variable commission rates set by participating brands and retailers. Each product displays its specific commission rate within the tagging interface.
Earnings track through YouTube Analytics alongside other revenue streams, with commissions adjusting for any product returns.
Key Features
YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program integrates product tagging natively within YouTube Studio and provides a browser extension for simplified product linking.
The program combines affiliate earnings reporting with other YouTube revenue streams and offers access to an expanding retailer network.
Viewers can complete their purchases directly within the video player without leaving the platform.
Who Should Consider This Program
This program is designed for established YouTube creators who regularly feature products in their content. To participate, creators must meet specific requirements:
- Membership in the YouTube Partner Program
- Channel size of 10,000+ subscribers
- Location in eligible countries (US, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Thailand, or Vietnam)
- Channel content not focused on music or made for kids
CXL Affiliate Program
CXL offers an affiliate program for promoting their data-driven marketing training platform. Through a 30-day cookie window and last-click tracking system, partners can earn commissions on new course purchases. The platform serves major companies like Amazon, Google, and Cisco for their team training needs.
Commission Structure
The program rewards affiliates for referring new customers to personal plans:
Commission rates range from 30-50% on first purchases Monthly payments through PayPal without minimum thresholds No commissions on team plans, renewals, or upgrades Payments process on the third Friday of each month after a 30-day cooldown period
Key Features
CXL equips affiliates with real-time reporting through a dedicated dashboard and offers flexible promotion options for websites and social media. The program provides access to promotional materials along with a comprehensive library of over 90 marketing courses.
Affiliates can promote nine specialized minidegree programs as part of their offering.
Who Should Consider This Program
The program suits content creators and professionals in the digital marketing space. Publishers focusing on marketing education, analytics, and optimization topics can benefit from promoting CXL’s extensive course library. The program accepts affiliates worldwide as long as they have a verified PayPal account.
Leadpages Affiliate Program
Leadpages offers an affiliate program for promoting their landing page and website builder platform. Through a 90-day cookie window and tracking via PartnerStack, partners can earn recurring commissions on all referral sales, including renewals and upgrades.
Commission Structure
The program features a performance-based tier system evaluated over 30-day periods:
Bronze Tier ($0-49 in sales): 10% commission Silver Tier ($50-2,999 in sales): 40% commission Gold Tier ($3,000+ in sales): 50% commission
Key Features
Leadpages provides affiliates with educational content and webinar collaborations to enhance their marketing knowledge. The program offers ready-to-use promotional materials and includes access to a private Facebook community for networking.
Affiliates receive early access to new platform features and can rely on support from a dedicated affiliate team.
Who Should Consider This Program
The Leadpages affiliate program benefits content creators who serve small business audiences and marketing professionals. This program particularly suits educators and consultants who can share practical applications of landing pages and website building tools.
While using Leadpages isn’t required, partners who use the platform typically earn double the commission of non-users.
HubSpot Affiliate Program
HubSpot’s affiliate program rewards partners for referring customers to their CRM, marketing, sales, and customer service solutions.
Through a 180-day cookie window and comprehensive tracking dashboard, affiliates can monitor their performance and access promotional resources.
Commission Structure
HubSpot offers a tiered commission model with increasing benefits:
- HubSpot Affiliate: 30% recurring commission for up to 1 year
- Super Affiliate: Additional bonuses (100-200 signups/month)
- Elite Affiliate: Custom commission rates (200+ signups/month)
Key Features
HubSpot equips affiliates with access to over 400 promotional assets for their marketing efforts. The program includes detailed performance tracking capabilities and a comprehensive resource center with marketing materials.
Affiliates can participate in special challenges that offer bonus earning opportunities.
Who Should Consider This Program
The program caters to business-focused content creators and professionals:
- Software and SaaS reviewers
- B2B content publishers
- Online course creators
- Business solution providers
Semrush Affiliate Program
Semrush’s affiliate program rewards partners for promoting their digital marketing and SEO tools. Through a 120-day cookie window and last-click attribution model, affiliates can track their performance via the Impact network platform.
Commission Structure
The program combines baseline commissions with a tiered loyalty system:
- Basic Tier (0-4 sales/quarter): $200 per sale, $10 per trial
- Silver Tier (5-19 sales/quarter): $250 per sale plus quarterly bonuses
- Gold Tier (20-49 sales/quarter): $300 per sale with enhanced benefits
- Platinum Tier (50+ sales/quarter): $350 per sale with premium perks
Key Features
Semrush equips affiliates with promotional materials and creative assets to support their marketing efforts. The program offers quarterly bonuses for content creation and provides product access based on tier levels.
Affiliates can track their performance through personalized reporting dashboards.
Who Should Consider This Program
The program suits content creators and professionals in digital marketing:
- SEO and marketing bloggers
- Digital marketing agencies
- Online course creators
- Marketing consultants and educators
What to Check Before Choosing an Affiliate Program
Three essential factors to evaluate:
1) Commission and Payment Structure
Programs offer either percentage-based commissions ranging from 1-10% of sales, or fixed payments from $50 to $1,500 per referral.
Your potential earnings will also depend on minimum payout thresholds and processing times, which typically range from 30 to 60 days after a sale.
2) Cookie Policy and Attribution
Cookie duration is crucial as it determines how long you can earn from a referral - this varies dramatically from 24 hours to 180 days across different programs. A
dvanced programs also offer features like cart abandonment tracking and cross-device purchase monitoring, increasing your chances of earning from return visitors.
3) Program Rules and Requirements
Most programs evaluate your application based on either website traffic quality or social media presence, with specific minimum requirements for each platform.
Before applying, review the geographic restrictions and content guidelines, as these determine both your eligibility and how you can promote products.
Ecommerce Affiliate Marketing Programs: FAQ
Starting an affiliate marketing journey brings up many questions. Here are the most common ones we encounter:
How do I start affiliate marketing without a website?
Not always. While many programs prefer website owners, you can start with a strong social media presence on platforms like Instagram or YouTube. Some programs specifically cater to social media content creators.
When do affiliate marketing programs pay their first commission?
Most programs have a 30-60 day waiting period before paying your first commission. This allows for potential returns and verification of legitimate sales. You’ll need to meet the minimum payout threshold, which varies by program.
Can I promote multiple affiliate marketing programs at once?
Yes. Many successful affiliate marketers work with several programs simultaneously. This helps diversify income and offer more relevant products to your audience. Just ensure you can meet each program’s requirements.
Do affiliate marketing earnings get affected by product returns?
When a customer returns a product, the commission is typically deducted from your earnings. Some programs wait 30-60 days before paying commissions specifically to account for potential returns.
What are the legal requirements for affiliate marketing disclosures?
You must clearly disclose affiliate relationships in your content. This is both a legal requirement and builds trust with your audience. Place disclosures where readers can easily see them before clicking affiliate links.
