10 Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners (With & Without Websites)

There are tons of ways to make money as an affiliate. But as a beginner, the best affiliate programs help you avoid leaving money on the table (or overworking yourself).

Did you know that, depending on where your audience hangs out — on a website, social media, or in an email newsletter — some affiliate programs will work better for you than others?

To help you earn more from day one, we'll introduce you to the best high-paying affiliate programs:

1. For beginners with a website
2. For beginners without a website

Can’t wait to jump in? Start with Archer Affiliates, our user-friendly platform with over 2,500 vetted affiliates. We offer a wide range of high-paying affiliate programs for beginners that you can promote in front of any audience on any platform.

Join Archer Affiliates today and start selling online for a generous 18% average affiliate commission with support from our expert team.

TL;DR - 10 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Beginners

Affiliate marketing is within your reach as long as you have an audience. You don’t have to wait for months to start making money. You just have to make smart choices like the ones below:

Below is a short overview of these affiliate programs and the biggest benefits of joining them as a beginner. We’ll also cover:

• The most important terms in affiliate marketing for beginners
• How to actually get started
• What strategies to use
• FAQs

What is an Affiliate Program?

An affiliate program is a marketing partnership in which a business rewards affiliates for driving traffic or sales to its website.

Affiliates use unique, easy-to-track links to promote a business's products or services. When a customer clicks the link and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission.

Understanding the differences between individual affiliate programs, affiliate networks, and resellers can help you navigate affiliate marketing more efficiently.

Affiliate Networks vs. Affiliate Programs

You’ve just learned that an affiliate program is a direct relationship that you, as an affiliate, develop with one specific company to promote their products or services.

An affiliate network is like a marketplace where you find affiliate opportunities. They act as a middleman between affiliates and many companies, listing products and the details of each affiliate program.

To find an affiliate program, you have two options:

1. Look on affiliate networks like Archer Affiliates.

2. Contact companies directly to see if they have affiliate programs you can join.

Reseller vs. Affiliate Programs

Resellers buy products from a manufacturer and sell them at a markup. They handle inventory, shipping, and customer service, which requires significant investment and logistical management.

In contrast, affiliate programs don’t require inventory or customer service. Affiliates focus on marketing and earn commissions for sales generated through their links. Therefore, affiliate marketing is a lower-risk, lower-investment way to earn money online.

How to Get Started in Affiliate Marketing

It’s okay to be unsure where to begin or even feel overwhelmed when you're just starting.

Here’s a simple guide to remove insecurities and keep you on the path to success:

• Pick a Niche: Choose a niche you’re interested in instead of one that feels profitable. It will keep you motivated and help you connect effectively with potential buyers.
• Join an Affiliate Program: Sign up for an affiliate program with offers related to your niche. Archer Affiliates is a perfect option, with many sellers and high commissions. Open your account with us today and check out our offers.
• Choose the Platforms You’ll Focus On: Use a CMS like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace to build a website and publish content with affiliate links. You can also stick with any platform where you already have an audience and share your links in there.
• Produce Quality Content: Write engaging, informative content that includes your affiliate links. Focus on solving problems or providing valuable information to your readers to build trust and nudge them to click on your links.
• Promote Your Content: Use social media, email marketing, and SEO to drive traffic to your site. If you don’t have a website, place your Archer Affiliates links directly on social media or your newsletters. You can still make a lot of money from affiliate marketing outside a website — the key is a consistent promotion that increases visibility and earnings.

Does it all feel easier said than done? To save time and avoid the stress of figuring out affiliate marketing on your own, schedule a call with our experts at Archer Affiliates! We provide personalized guidance and support, making it easy for you to start and earn up to 60% commissions on sales you generate.

Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners with a Website

Compared to posting on social networks, your website gives you complete control over what you publish and how it appears.

You may have a website on a topic you enjoy and want to monetize it with affiliate marketing. Or you’re just thinking about creating one.

Either way, the programs we list below cater to beginners like you who can test and refine offers on their platforms.

1. Archer Affiliates

As a first-time affiliate, you’ll hardly find a better program for your website than Archer Affiliates.

With us, you gain access to a wide range of products that fit various niches, which means:

1. You’ll have higher chances of finding items that genuinely resonate with your audience and drive more sales.

2. You can experiment with different products and learn and refine your affiliate marketing strategies more effectively.

Our high commissions mean you can see substantial earnings even with fewer sales. This aspect can be incredibly motivating and help you build momentum quickly.

Plus, Archer Affiliates offers various promotional tools and user-friendly tracking so you can focus on growing your audience and refining your marketing.

Meanwhile, you don’t need to worry about managing sales or commissions. You’ll get your money automatically every month.

Benefits:

• Up to 60% commission per sale (18% on average)
• A diverse selection of Amazon products that match your website's niche
• Access to special promo codes, free product samples, and trending products​
• A 14-day attribution window to earn commissions from your website's traffic
• Real-time performance tracking
• Automated monthly payouts

Join us at Archer Affiliates today to find the right products for your audience and start selling online for high commissions!

2. Amazon Associates

Amazon’s affiliate program is worth trying whether you have an established website or are just starting one from scratch. Its global recognition and trust can lead to higher conversion rates because your website visitors already know and trust Amazon.

For beginners, it’s a great choice since:

1. It offers a wide range of products in virtually every category, so there’s certainly something for your audience.

2. It has a smooth system for link generation, tracking, and payouts.

The downside is the lower commission rates and a short 24-hour cookie duration. While it might seem discouraging, you can still gain commissions if you drive traffic.

The gist? Selling through Amazon is easier for newbies, but you need to make more sales to earn a good income.

Benefits:

• Millions of products you can choose to promote
• Customized link-building tools
• Up to 10% in commissions from qualifying purchases
• Reliable payouts

Pro TIP: Despite its lower commissions, Amazon is a giant and, overall, offers significant potential earnings. As a beginner, you can tap into it with expert guidance from Archer Affiliates, a verified Amazon ads partner. Schedule a call with one of our team members to see what this means and how you can get started.

3. ShareASale Affiliate Program

If you’re looking for a trusted program with a solid track record, ShareASale, which has been around for 20+ years, is another option.

With access to tens of thousands of brands to promote, you’re more likely to find the perfect fit for your website niche. Plus, ShareASale’s intuitive platform makes it easy for beginners to navigate and use various promotional methods like text links, product feeds, banner ads, and vouchers or coupons.

The affiliate dashboard is designed to free your time and allow you to deal with technicalities as little as possible. Equally important, their comprehensive tools and support will help you effectively promote the right offers as you learn what your audience responds to.

Benefits:

• A user-friendly platform that makes it simple for new affiliates to begin earning
• Option to pick from over 30,000 brands across various sectors
• Earning potential from $30 to $150 per sale (affiliates earned $1.4 billion last year)
• Robust performance reporting and tools

4. Commission Junction (CJ)

CJ is another market veteran, reliable, and with a smooth system. All their promotional tools, effective tracking, diverse network of publishers, and extensive affiliate resources make it like a well-oiled machinery that beginners will find their way around.

With one of the best selections of big brand names, the program gives you more than enough trustworthy offers to sift through and sell more efficiently. And you won’t have to pull your hair out trying to understand how to use the CJ affiliate options.

Just so you know, when you sign up with them, they’ll ask you how many unique monthly visitors your website gets. But there’s also a “Not launched yet” option to check if your website is in the early stages and you’re planning to drive traffic through SEO.

Benefits:

• Access to thousands of brands across various sectors
• Commissions range from $30 to $150 per sale
• Advanced performance reporting and promotional tools
• Easy-to-use interface for smooth navigation and campaign management
• Accurate tracking and attribution of sales

5. Rakuten Affiliate Program

Rakuten claims to be the #1 global affiliate marketing network. After being in the market for 25+ years and partnering with 150K+ businesses, it has undoubtedly won the reputation of a top choice for newbies and experienced affiliates.

Two things you need to be aware of from the start:

1. They only pay commissions through PayPal, checks, or direct deposits.

2. Their huge network means more competition, so you might have to hustle a bit to stand out as a total beginner.

But remember, affiliate marketing success is about bringing the right offers in front of the right audience.

So, you make sure your website has some traffic (or you can redirect traffic from other platforms), and Rakuten will help you with AI-driven forecasting and benchmarking. Predicting your performance with AI can be an ace up your beginner sleeve.

Benefits:

• Commission of up to 7% per sale
• Referral bonuses of $30 per new user and a $50 bonus for every ten new users you bring on the platform
• 24-hour cookie window
• Affiliate intelligence insights
• Advanced reporting

Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners Without a Website

Are you passionate about sharing recommendations and want to monetize your efforts without the hassle of maintaining a site?

Jumping into affiliate marketing without a website is possible and can still be highly rewarding. You just need to promote affiliate offers using social media, email marketing, YouTube, or other online platforms.

The programs we list below are perfect for beginners like you, offering flexible options for getting started.

1. Archer Affiliates

Yes, Archer Affiliates is the top choice even if you don’t have a website. As long as you have a following, no matter where they hang out, we help you monetize.

You have many offers to promote with us, and we provide easy-to-use links you can place on any platform. We also give you secondary marketing materials like promo codes and samples.

With all these in your toolbox and an extended attribution window, starting with affiliate marketing feels much more manageable.

To top it off, we have generous commissions, which means you can see money coming in even if you don’t sell much at first.

All the tracking, reporting, and payments happen automatically, so you can worry about fewer things and focus on generating data-driven sales instead.

Benefits:

• Commissions of up to 60% per sale, with an average of 18%
• A 14-day window to earn commissions
• Exclusive codes and complimentary product samples
• Real-time insights on your affiliate performance
• Hassle-free, automated monthly payouts
• A wide array of products

Create an account with Archer Affiliates today and start monetizing your audience!

2. Amazon Associates

No website? No problem. Start your affiliate marketing journey by redirecting traffic from any external source and earning decently through Amazon Associates.

Different social networks have specific requirements regarding where and how many affiliate links you can place. However, following the guidelines, you can monetize your Facebook community, Instagram audience, growing TikTok account, popular Pinterest board, or YouTube vlog.

Amazon provides the tools and resources to generate affiliate links and track your performance across various channels. It’s an Omni-channel solution that makes it easier for beginners to promote products and earn commissions with or without a website.

Even though the commissions are lower than on other programs, it’s still a significant option to consider.

Benefits:

• Up to 10% commission per sale
• Millions of products and brands you can promote
• Dedicated tools for link-building
• Reliable payment system

Did you know that Amazon thrives on partnerships, and our Archer Affiliates team is one of their vetted ad partners? Book a call with us, and we’ll show you how we can help you tap into Amazon’s significant earnings potential.

3. ClickBank Affiliate Program

ClickBank’s affiliate program lists digital products like e-books, online courses, software, and memberships.

As opposed to promoting physical goods, e-products are delivered instantly. This immediacy can lead to higher customer satisfaction and lower refund rates, making you more likely to retain your commissions.

Speaking of which, ClickBank is popular for its high commissions and on-time payment. But the most enticing part for beginners in affiliate marketing is that the platform lets you choose how to earn based on your skills:

1. Do you enjoy creating content? You can promote products through revenue sharing and earn a commission on sales. It works well if you have an audience on platforms like YouTube or Instagram.

2. Are you skilled in advertising and conversions? Opt for the Cost Per Action (CPA) model and earn a set amount for each customer who takes a specific action, like signing up for something.

If you need help, ClickBank offers various resources, including training materials and promotional tools. This support can be invaluable when you are just starting.

Benefits:

• Up to 90% potential commissions
• 4,000+ marketplace products you can promote
• Option to choose between revenue sharing and CPA
• Accurate device-level tracking
• Dedicated support, training, and education

4. Impact Radius

As a content creator or influencer, you can leverage Impact Radius to enter the affiliate marketing space without needing a traditional website.

This platform helps you discover and recruit brand partnerships that align with your content and audience. It also automates tasks like tracking clicks, sales, and commissions so you can focus more on creating content while they handle the operational side.

Impact provides tools to promote offers to your audience and monitor affiliate link performance across multiple channels. Even if you’re new to affiliate marketing, the platform makes it easy to understand your promotion options and track the content that drives the most engagement and sales.

And if you’re worried about getting rewarded fairly, they have solid fraud protection features like traffic monitoring, behavior analysis, partner screening, and real-time alerts. In short, they protect your earnings and ensure fair compensation for your promotional efforts.

Benefits:

• Lots of different brands you can promote and a large selection of banners and brand assets to use
• User-friendly affiliate dashboard and detailed performance metrics
• Automated workflows and fraud detection
• Good overall affiliate support

5. Rakuten Affiliate Program

This network has partnered with over 150K businesses and features products from the US to Japan. Therefore, just about any beginner in affiliate marketing can find something to promote through their network and can easily do it even without a website.

Whether you have a vlog on a narrow topic or you’re an influencer of any kind, thanks to the built-in AI functionalities, you can use benchmarking and forecasting to adjust and improve your marketing.

It also supports learning the ropes with detailed resources and tracking tools. If you’re motivated to succeed, you won’t waste time wondering what to do next.

Benefits:

• 3% to 7% commission per sale and $30 per referral
• Easy start, with no fee to join
• Quick setup and robust reporting
• AI-driven insights
• Dynamic commissioning tools

4 Must-know Affiliate Marketing Strategies

No matter how good a product is, you need an affiliate marketing strategy to attract attention and boost earnings over time.

Here are some strategies you can try out simultaneously:

1. Choose the Right Niche: Focus on a niche you’re passionate about. This approach makes it easier to create engaging content and connect with your audience.

2. Create Quality Content: High-quality, informative content attracts and retains readers. Make your content valuable and relevant to your audience

3. Use SEO: Optimize your website and content for search engines. You’ll improve visibility and drive organic traffic to your site.

4. Be on Social Media: Promote your affiliate products on social media platforms. Engage with your audience regularly to build trust and drive conversions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Want to start making money with affiliate marketing? Keep in mind the answers to these most frequently asked questions:

What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid in Affiliate Marketing?

Promoting products you don’t believe in, spamming your audience with excessive ads, or producing low-quality or irrelevant content will turn off potential buyers.

Neglecting SEO, which reduces visibility and traffic, and ignoring performance metrics are also big no-nos in affiliate marketing.

Can I Do Affiliate Marketing without Investing Money?

Yes, you can start affiliate marketing without investing money. Use free blogging platforms like Medium or Blogger and social media to generate organic traffic and promote products.

However, investing in tools and training can lead to faster growth and better results.

How Long Does it Take to See Results from Affiliate Marketing?

Results vary depending on your starting point and the promotional tactics you use:

• If you have a website with established traffic, a large social media following, or an email newsletter with many subscribers, you can see results even within 24 hours.
• If you’re starting from scratch and creating content for a new website, it might take a few months to see results as you build traffic and SEO rankings.

Conclusion

Having an engaged audience is the secret to seeing fast results in affiliate marketing. When your audience trusts your recommendations, they’re more likely to click on your links and make a purchase.

Now that you’ve seen the best affiliate marketing options for website and social media promotions, you have an important choice to make.

Will you navigate this journey on your own?

Or would you instead leverage the support, guidance, and high commissions a top affiliate program like Archer Affiliates offers?

Join Archer Affiliates today to connect with brands your audience will love and start turning your influence into income.