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The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Affiliate Network for You

Hey there! As a fellow affiliate marketer, I know how overwhelming it can be to pick the right affiliate network when you‘re first getting started. There are just SO many options to choose from!

That‘s why I wanted to share this complete guide to help you find the perfect affiliate network for your specific needs and goals. After 9 years working in the affiliate marketing industry and partnering with dozens of different networks, I‘ve seen it all!

In this guide, I‘ll be providing my insider knowledge to help you:

  • Understand the pros and cons of joining an affiliate network
  • Learn the 15+ factors to evaluate when choosing a network
  • Review the top 14 affiliate networks across various niches
  • Get actionable tips to ensure affiliate marketing success

Let‘s dive in!

Why Join an Affiliate Network?

Affiliate networks provide a centralized platform to easily find, join, and manage multiple affiliate programs. Instead of applying to each merchant individually, you can signup with a network and get instant access to their roster of programs.

Here are some of the key benefits you’ll enjoy:

  • Access to thousands of partner programs – Networks have existing relationships with advertisers and take care of the partnerships for you.
  • Reliable affiliate link tracking – Networks provide the tracking technology and analytics you need to monitor campaign performance.
  • Faster payments – Networks handle collecting commission payments from advertisers and dispersing payouts to you.
  • Higher commissions – Networks negotiate higher commission rates given their scale and relationships.
  • Dedicated support – Most networks assign affiliate managers to provide personalized support.

The main downside is that networks take a cut ranging from 10-30% of your earnings as a service fee. But for most affiliates, the convenience, support, and built-in tools are well worth the slightly reduced commissions.

15 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Affiliate Network

Not all affiliate networks are created equal. When deciding which one to join, here are the top 15 factors you should evaluate:

1. Types of merchants and offers

The affiliate network should have plenty of merchants and offers relevant to your website‘s niche that your audience would be interested in. For example, financial offers for a personal finance site.

2. Commission payment structure

Typical commission models include CPA, CPS, CPL or revenue share. Ensure the network‘s payout terms and commission rates meet your preferences.

Cookies track visitor activity and give you commission credit for a set time period, usually 30-90 days. Longer cookies give you more chance of earning commissions.

4. Minimum payment threshold

Check the minimum earnings required before the network will issue commission payments to make sure it aligns with your income timeline.

5. Payment processing time

Faster payment processing equals quicker commissions in your pocket. Standard payment terms are net-15, net-30 or bi-weekly payments.

Robust link tracking ensures accurate campaign measurement. Evaluate tracking capabilities like deep linking, redirects, URL rewards, etc.

7. Quality of reporting and analytics

Detailed reporting and analytics help optimize your campaigns. Assess data accessibility, attribution models, visualization tools, etc.

8. Reputation

Research online reviews and complaints across affiliate forums and watchdog sites to gauge the network‘s trustworthiness.

9. Years in business

Established networks with a long track record tend to be more stable and have extensive advertiser relationships.

10. Account management and support

Many networks assign dedicated affiliate managers to provide personalized support. This helps maximize your earnings.

11. Technology integrations

Consider what 3rd party applications you use and if the network supports convenient integrations for reporting, automation, etc.

12. Advertiser diversity

A mix of advertisers across various verticals gives you more options to find relevant offers to promote.

13. International advertiser base

If you have an international audience, choose networks with global brand partners that align with your readers‘ interests and locations.

14. Intuitive user interface

Evaluate the affiliate dashboard for ease of use when searching offers, generating links, accessing reports, etc.

15. Complimentary resources and tools

Some networks provide free banners, promo codes, product images, email templates, and other resources to support their affiliates.

Top 14 Affiliate Networks to Join

Now that you know what factors to assess, let’s examine some of the top affiliate networks spanning various niches:

1. ShareASale

Overview: Leading network with 3900+ merchants across many categories like home, fashion, electronics, and more.

Pros:

  • Huge brand portfolio with leading retailers
  • $50 payment minimum with payments on 20th of each month
  • Provides product images and Average Order Value data

Cons:

  • 15% cut of earnings
  • Delayed reporting takes 24-48 hours to update

Commission Rate: 8-12% on average

Cookie Duration: 30 days

Signup Difficulty: Easy

2. CJ Affiliate by Conversant

Overview: One of the oldest affiliate networks with 2500+ advertisers across all niches.

Pros:

  • Partners with leading brands like Walmart, Priceline, H&R Block
  • Offers promotions, bonuses, and contests for top affiliates
  • Tiered commissions reward higher volumes

Cons:

  • Very high payment threshold of $100
  • Cookie duration just 7 days

Commission Rate: Varies based on vertical, 2-30%

Cookie Duration: 7-90 days

Signup Difficulty: Moderate

3. Awin

Overview: Awin partners with over 15,000 merchants globally with a strong presence in Europe.

Pros:

  • Huge brand portfolio with extensive European reach
  • Customizable advanced reporting
  • Dedicated account strategists provide support

Cons:

  • Charges 25% revenue share fee
  • Approval rate for merchants is low

Commission Rate: 1-20% variable

Cookie Duration: 30-180 days

Signup Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

4. Rakuten Advertising

Overview: Formerly Buy.com and LinkShare, Rakuten is a large affiliate network with over 1000 partners.

Pros:

  • Partners with big brands like Macy‘s, Best Buy, Nike
  • Offers generous sign-up bonuses up to $1,000
  • Pays referral bonuses for new merchant partners

Cons:

  • Clunky interface and dashboard
  • Cookie duration just 1 day

Commission Rate: 1-10%

Cookie Duration: 1 day

Signup Difficulty: Easy

5. ClickBank

Overview: Leading digital marketplace focused on ebooks, software and online courses.

Pros:

  • Huge selection of digital products to promote
  • Generous commission rates from 50-75%
  • Marketplace ranks products by popularity

Cons:

  • Many faulty links and outdated products
  • High risk of shady and poor quality products

Commission Rate: 50-75%

Cookie Duration: 60 days

Signup Difficulty: Easy

6. eBay Partner Network

Overview: Ebay‘s official affiliate program allows you to earn promoting eBay listings.

Pros:

  • High commissions promoting trusted eBaybrand
  • Chance to get early access to special deals
  • Access to eBay‘s massive buyer audience

Cons:

  • Very high payment threshold of $500
  • Limited to eBay products only

Commission Rate: Up to 80% of eBay fees

Cookie Duration: 24 hours

Signup Difficulty: Moderate

Overview: Leading affiliate network focused on health, finance, and technology verticals.

Pros:

  • Great merchant portfolio in niche categories
  • Provides approved merchants‘ Average Order Values
  • Free marketing guides and promotional assets

Cons:

  • $75 payment minimum is high for new affiliates
  • Dashboard can be slow and buggy

Commission Rate: 25-75% variable

Cookie Duration: 90 days

Signup Difficulty: Easy to moderate

8. Impact Radius

Overview: Global partner marketing network focused on enterprise SaaS products.

Pros:

  • Exclusive tech partners like Salesforce, Slack, DocuSign
  • Access to unique co-branded assets
  • Hands-on support from strategists

Cons:

  • Invite-only network, hard to get approved
  • Very high payment minimums

Commission Rate: 25-50%+

Cookie Duration: 30-90 days

Signup Difficulty: Difficult, invite required

9. FlexOffers

Overview: Pioneer network with 1000s of merchants across categories like retail, travel, insurance and more.

Pros:

  • Huge and diverse advertiser portfolio
  • Free creative such as banners and text links
  • No minimum payment threshold

Cons:

  • Clunky interface and reporting
  • Cookie duration just 20 days

Commission Rate: 1-35% variable

Cookie Duration: 20 days

Signup Difficulty: Easy

10. Tradedoubler

Overview: Leading European affiliate network with 2000+ international brands.

Pros:

  • Strong brand portfolio in Europe
  • Advanced tracking like deep linking
  • Localized support in key EU countries

Cons:

  • Limited US presence
  • High payment threshold of €100

Commission Rate: 1-30% variable

Cookie Duration: 60-90 days

Signup Difficulty: Moderate

11. Partnerize

Overview: Rebranded from TradeDoubler, Partnerize has partnerships with 1000+ brands globally.

Pros:

  • Real-time performance optimization
  • Diverse and extensive brand portfolio
  • Advanced attribution modeling

Cons:

  • Complex interface with steep learning curve
  • Cookie duration just 14 days

Commission Rate: 1-25% variable

Cookie Duration: 14 days

Signup Difficulty: Moderate

12. Everflow

Overview: Leading native advertising network focused heavily on traffic monetization.

Pros:

  • Real-time bidding platform for native ads
  • Optimized for pop, push, onsite native
  • Detailed performance analytics

Cons:

  • Specialized mostly for native ads
  • Limited merchant selection

Commission Rate: Up to 75% revenue share

Cookie Duration: 365 days

Signup Difficulty: Easy

13. GlobalWide Media

Overview: Top-tier performance marketing network with global reach.

Pros:

  • International brand partners
  • Onsite lead generation and technology
  • Multilingual support and payments

Cons:

  • Smaller niche network
  • Approval rates can be low

Commission Rate: 25-50% variable

Cookie Duration: 7-90 days

Signup Difficulty: Moderate

14. Cake by Accelerize

Overview: Enterprise affiliate platform for large brands and agencies.

Pros:

  • Robust network management capabilities
  • Real-time data and optimization
  • Integrates with multiple channels

Cons:

  • Overkill for individual affiliate marketers
  • Expensive enterprise solution

Commission Rate: Custom models

Cookie Duration: Custom

Signup Difficulty: Difficult, Enterprise Focus

This covers some of the top affiliate networks across various niches. But there are dozens more reputable networks to consider for your specific vertical.

I recommend signing up for 2-3 networks to start, browse their merchants and offers, then apply to partner programs that are a good match for your site and audience.

8 Tips to Succeed with Affiliate Marketing

Here are some best practices I‘ve learned over the years that will help you get approved by networks, generate commissions, and grow your earnings:

1. Have a niche website or blog. A focused site with quality content builds trust and relevance, leading to higher conversions.

2. Build an email list. Email marketing to a loyal subscriber base is one of the top ways affiliates make money.

3. Provide value to your audience. Build a community through useful content and you‘ll gain their trust to recommend affiliate products.

4. Promote regularly and consistently. Schedule promotional posts and send regular emails to convert visitors into buyers.

5. Track everything extensively. Use link trackers and UTM codes to measure the performance of all your campaigns and posts.

6. Only promote relevant offers. Don‘t blast irrelevant offers just to make money. Curate offers tailored to your audience‘s needs.

7. Keep testing new offers. Track performance closely and constantly test new affiliate offers to determine which convert best.

8. Stay patient. It takes time to get approved, build traffic, earn trust, and generate affiliate commissions. Stay determined!

Wrapping Up

I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of affiliate marketing networks and helped you identify which options best meet your specific needs and goals.

The key is to:

  • Signup for a few reputable networks in your niche
  • Use their directories to browse and apply to various merchant programs
  • Promote affiliate offers consistently across your website and email list
  • Track conversions closely to optimize your affiliate campaigns

The rest just takes some patience and persistence. Trust me, it‘s well worth the effort once the commission checks start rolling in!

I‘m always happy to answer any other questions you might have starting out. Feel free to reach out anytime.

Here‘s to your success and growing affiliate income!

AlexisKestler

Written by Alexis Kestler

A female web designer and programmer - Now is a 36-year IT professional with over 15 years of experience living in NorCal. I enjoy keeping my feet wet in the world of technology through reading, working, and researching topics that pique my interest.