Launch an affiliate program that makes money

Set up the specific actions that will trigger affiliate commissions. This is the foundation of your entire program, so take time to get it right.

Key actions to consider:

• Sale completed (most common - percentage of order value)
• Lead generated (form submission, email signup)
• Free trial started
• App download or installation
• Subscription activated

For each action, document:

• Commission rate or fixed amount
• Cookie duration (how long after click you'll credit the affiliate)
• Minimum payout threshold
• Any exclusions (existing customers, self-referrals, coupon abuse)

Pro tip: Start with one clear action type. You can always add more later once you see what works. We've seen too many programs stall because they tried to track five different actions from day one - keep it simple.

You need a reliable way to track clicks, conversions, and commissions. Without proper tracking, you're flying blind.

Choose your tracking approach:

• Affiliate network - ShareASale, CJ, Impact handle everything but take a cut
• Self-hosted software - Post Affiliate Pro, Tapfiliate, Refersion give you full control
• Built-in solution - Many e-commerce platforms have affiliate add-ons

Essential tracking features:

• Unique affiliate links with tracking codes
• Real-time click and conversion reporting
• Cookie-based attribution (30-90 days typical)
• Fraud detection (click stuffing, cookie bombing)
• Sub-ID tracking for affiliates to test different campaigns

Test thoroughly: Complete a full test purchase through an affiliate link before going live. Better to catch tracking issues now than explain missing commissions later.

Give your affiliates the tools they need to promote you effectively. The easier you make it, the more they'll actually do it.

Essential marketing assets:

• Banner ads - Multiple sizes (300x250, 728x90, 160x600 at minimum)
• Text links - Short, punchy descriptions of your product/service
• Email swipe copy - Ready-to-send promotional emails they can customize
• Social media posts - Pre-written tweets, LinkedIn posts, Instagram captions
• Product images - High-quality photos with transparent backgrounds

Bonus materials that top affiliates love:

• Video explainers or product demos
• Case studies with real results
• Comparison charts against competitors
• Landing pages designed for their traffic

Important: Include clear branding guidelines so affiliates represent you correctly. Nobody wants their logo used in Comic Sans on a neon background.

Not every affiliate is a good fit. Take time to vet applications so you only work with partners who will represent your brand well.

Red flags to watch for:

• Website has no traffic or looks spammy
• Content doesn't match your target audience
• History of promoting competing products aggressively
• No clear promotional strategy explained
• Suspicious email addresses or incomplete applications

Green flags that signal quality affiliates:

• Established audience in your niche
• Clean, professional website or social presence
• Clear explanation of how they plan to promote you
• Previous affiliate experience with trackable results
• Genuine enthusiasm about your product

After approval: Send a welcome email with login credentials, program overview, and direct contact for questions. First impressions matter here too.

Keep a close eye on your program to catch issues early and reward your best performers.

Key metrics to track weekly:

• Clicks, conversions, and conversion rate by affiliate
• Average order value from affiliate traffic
• Refund and chargeback rates per affiliate
• New vs returning customer ratio
• Earnings per click (EPC) to measure quality

Fraud warning signs:

• Sudden spike in clicks with no conversions
• High conversion rate but high refund rate
• Conversions from unusual geographic locations
• Self-referrals or cookie stuffing patterns
• Unusually high number of sales in short time

What to do when you spot fraud:

1. Pause the affiliate account immediately
2. Review all their transactions in detail
3. Reach out for explanation before terminating
4. Document everything for potential legal action

Most fraud is opportunistic, not professional. A quick response usually stops it cold.

Time to pay your affiliates! Getting this right builds trust and keeps your best partners promoting you.

Before processing payment:

• Verify the affiliate account is in good standing (no fraud flags)
• Confirm earnings have passed the holding period (typically 30-60 days for chargebacks)
• Check that minimum payout threshold has been met
• Review any disputed transactions

Payment details to confirm:

• Affiliate name and payment method (PayPal, bank transfer, check)
• Payment amount after any deductions
• Tax documentation requirements (W-9 for US affiliates over $600/year)

After payment:

• Send payment confirmation email with breakdown of earnings
• Update affiliate dashboard with payment record
• Mark payment period as complete in your tracking system

Tip: Consistent, on-time payments are the number one thing affiliates care about. Set a regular payment schedule (monthly or bi-weekly) and stick to it.

You've got your program set up - now it's time to find affiliates who will actually promote you. Starting with the right partners makes all the difference.

Where to find quality affiliates:

• Your existing customers - Happy customers often make the best affiliates
• Industry bloggers and content creators - Search for reviews of competitors
• YouTube channels - Look for creators in your niche
• Affiliate networks - ShareASale, CJ, Impact have affiliate directories
• LinkedIn outreach - Find influencers with relevant audiences

Your outreach should include:

• Clear value proposition (what makes your product worth promoting)
• Commission rates and cookie duration
• Marketing materials overview
• Support and communication channels

Start small: 5-10 quality affiliates who are genuinely excited about your product will outperform 100 who signed up and forgot about you.