Which Affiliate Is the Best for Beginners? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Introduction
Affiliate marketing sounds cool, huh? It sounds like an online buzzword that promises you will have freedom, flexibility, and passive income. What most newcomers want to know first is what affiliate program is a good fit for them as a beginner. If you are standing at the starting gate, unsure of which direction to go, then this guide will help you.
We will discuss all the details regarding affiliate programs for beginners so that you have the information that is Which Affiliate Is the Best for Beginners easy for you to understand. We want to provide you with information that is realistic and honest, without all the hype and jargon that is often associated with affiliate programs.
Affiliate marketing sounds cool, huh? It sounds like an online buzzword that promises you will have freedom, flexibility, and passive income. What most newcomers want to know first is what affiliate program is a good fit for them as a beginner. If you are standing at the starting gate, unsure of which direction to go, then this guide will help you.
We will discuss all the details regarding affiliate programs for beginners so that you have the information that is easy for you to understand. We want to provide you with information that is realistic and honest, without all the hype and jargon that is often associated with affiliate programs.
To get started with affiliate marketing, aspiring marketers need to know how to evaluate the program
- Application/Ease of Approval: Affiliation opportunities vary widely between networks, Some affiliate networks welcome anyone while others reject applicants without a substantial website or thousands of followers. Beginners should choose programs that accept them, rather than only looking for networks allowing them entry based on the website’s metrics.
- Commission Structure: Beginners often can become discouraged due to finding commissions that may seem too low yet can be misled by commissions that are overly high. Therefore, new affiliates should take time to research the different commissions that are available with transparency before they select a program.
- Product Variety: Each affiliate program has its own product catalog that represents the number of products available to be marketed by the affiliate. More products mean additional revenue for the affiliate and also present opportunities to experiment and discover which products best suit their audience.
- Payment Methods/Thresholds: Newer affiliates want to make sure that they don’t have to wait an unreasonable amount of time to receive their commission payments. As a result, new affiliates want to ensure the affiliate program they choose provides payment thresholds that are low enough for beginners to receive timely payments. In addition, new affiliates should choose programs with reliable payment methods for their commissions.
- Support/Learning Resources: Learning how to succeed at affiliate marketing can be made easier for new affiliates by choosing good affiliate programs. New affiliates can greatly benefit from learning how to use a program through tutorials, using dashboards, and speaking to support teams when they are just starting out.
What Are Some of the Common Challenges Affiliated Marketers Face?
- Choosing the Wrong Affiliate Program: Beginners tend to select programs based on hype as opposed to being a good fit for them. The result of this practice is often frustration and burnout.
- Having Unrealistic Expectations: Affiliate marketing is not a get-rich-quick mentality. Rather, it is planting seeds with consistent cultivation over time.
Traffic, or the lack of, ultimately means the same as to say “No clicks” (the more traffic you have, therefore your website will get). When a new affiliate marketer starts out, they may not think about content or building a target audience as much as they should.
What Are the Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Newbies (Beginners)? is a question you may have been asking.
Amazon Associates:
The Pros of Amazon Associates
- Extremely quick way to start earning money
- Over 4 Million products to sell
- High amount of trust
- Very user-friendly dashboard
Many beginners start with Amazon Associates because of the ease of use and the high level of trust people have in Amazon.
The Cons of Amazon Associates
- Commission rates are on the low side.
- Cookie duration is also short.
But Amazon Associates is a great way to learn about affiliate marketing.
ClickBank:
The Advantages of ClickBank
- High commissions
- Many products are approved right away
- Digital information is in high demand and selling.
The Disadvantages of ClickBank
- Many low-quality products exist on ClickBank that must be chosen wisely.
- ClickBank does offer greater potential for higher earnings (higher commissions) for beginners.
Share A Sale
Benefits of ShareASale
A respected affiliate network.
Diverse set of niches.
A straightforward design that makes it easy to navigate and use.
Other Considerations
Individual retailers need to approve your account.
This platform is great for bloggers and niche creators.
CJ Affiliate (formerly known as Commission Junction)
Benefits of CJ Affiliate
Reputable brand names.
Prompt payment.
Detailed statistics about the affiliate’s activity.
Other Considerations
It is difficult for new affiliates to get approved.
The network works well for experienced affiliates.
Rakuten Advertising
Benefits of Rakuten
Reputable brand names; a clean design and user-friendly interface; trusted by global audiences.
Other Considerations
There aren’t many beginner resources available.
The platform works best for those with established content.
Selecting an Affiliate Program That’s a Good Fit
Look for a Fit Between Your Interests and the Products You Will Promote
Do not promote any product online that you would not recommend to your friend. The passion you have for what you are promoting creates an environment of trust.
Consider Your Target Audience
Who is your audience? What problem do they experience? This is the type of problem the best affiliate program will solve.
Test the Affiliate Program and Expand Your Affiliate Program from There
Start With a Small Affiliate Program and Monitor and Test Results. If There Is Success, Increase Your Efforts.
Tips for New Affiliate Marketers to Start Off Strong
Provide Value Rather Than Attempting to Sell
Consumers do not want to be “sold” anything; they want help.
Know the Basics of Using SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the Internet’s version of a billboard. It allows people to find you.
Be Persistent
The secret to success is making many attempts at something in order to achieve your goals. One post is unlikely to change your life; however, after posting 100 times you may see results.
Track Performance
The numbers do not lie. The best way to see what is working well and what is not working is by using a company like Google Analytics.
What Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid
Referring Too Many Products
An overwhelming number of links can confuse your audience. Stay focused.
Disregarding Trust and Honesty
Honesty is the best policy. Trust is the most valuable asset.
Quitting Before You Succeed
If you want to make money in affiliate marketing, you must be willing to wait for your efforts to pay off. Be persistent.
Future Outlook for Affiliate Marketing for New Affiliates:
Increased Opportunities
As more consumers buy products online, affiliate marketing will continue to expand.
Increasing Your Skills Over Time
Affiliate marketers will develop their knowledge of marketing techniques, writing skills, analytic skills, and strategic thinking.
Final Words
When it comes to affiliate programs, what is the best choice for a beginner? The answer is simple. Amazon Associates is the easiest affiliate program for beginners. However, as you begin to develop your skills and grow your business, ClickBank and ShareASale may offer more earning potential. There is not one “best” affiliate program; only an affiliate program that meets your individual needs today.
