Looking for the best affiliate program for e-commerce? The Home Depot, eBay, Amazon, Zappos and other popular online sales platforms have become a reference for those who want to do affiliate marketing.
According to an IAB study, in 2017 users clicked on more than 5 billion affiliate links. In addition, these links were responsible for more than 170 million commercial transactions worldwide as part of affiliate marketing programs. Consequently, the effectiveness of this marketing strategy is beyond doubt.
However, the very wide offer of affiliate networks can lead to thinking that any program is successful. But this is not true. Not all affiliate systems offer the same business performance. If you want to take note of which is the best affiliate program for e-commerce and discover what are the keys to its success, don’t miss the following lines.
Top 5 e-commerce affiliate programs
The Home Depot
The Home Depot affiliate program is one of the e-commerce references in the United States, although not so much in Europe and other continents. Its affiliate program is one of the most demanded, not so much for commissions as for the quality and variety of its stock.
On the other hand, the prestige of this chain of DIY stores and home improvement is also determinant. For affiliated retailers, associating with an unknown brand would not have the same impact as doing so with The Home Depot, a renowned company with more than 40 years of history.
However, The Home Depot affiliate program’s low commissions are a weakness. They only offer a 3% commission per transaction. However, their affiliates value the prestige of the brand and the quality of their catalogue.
Amazon Associates
For many, the best e-commerce affiliate program is called Amazon Associates and needs virtually no cover letter. Jeff Bezos’ multinational is not only one of the most visited sites on the Internet (his search engine is one of the three most used on the Internet, after Google and YouTube). He also has a fantastic affiliate program.
Because of its quality, trust and transparency, most affiliate merchants choose to bet on Amazon’s affiliate program. In fact, Gear Best, Wirecutter and other successful e-commerce based on affiliate links use this program.
Amazon has monopolized e-commerce, and so product redirects to this store do not produce a large rebound rate, as with other e-commerce. In addition, Amazon is one of the best-rated brands in the world. To these attractions, we must add the high commissions it grants to its affiliates: up to 10% per transaction. However, this commission is lower in certain categories.
Zappos
Although it lacks the fame and reputation of Amazon, this e-commerce created by Nick Swinmurn in 1999 has another of the most attractive affiliate programs on the market. Zappos offers its affiliates a wide selection of formats: text links, advertisements and other interesting options.
Despite its focus on the world of footwear, Zappos’ catalogue has nothing to envy of that of Zalando and other competitors: shoes, handbags and even home accessories from more than a thousand brands are in stock. Although their 7% commissions are not as high as Amazon or eBay, Zappos’ affiliate program is one of the most popular.
eBay Partner Network
eBay is another one of those marketplaces that don’t need a cover letter. Despite having a reputation inferior to its main competitor, Amazon, this e-commerce platform is the most attractive for affiliate merchants. Why? Because its commissions reach 50% and 70% per transaction, a percentage that far exceeds that of other affiliate programs.
Another advantage of the eBay Partner Network that not all affiliate programs offer is the duration of cookies. Even if redirected consumers take more than ten days to make a direct purchase or participate in an auction, affiliates will receive their fair share of the commission. Of course, eBay deserves to be at the top of the highest paying affiliate programs.
Etsy Affiliates
Etsy has another inspiring affiliate program, with a large community of customers and marketers, that keeps this curious e-commerce platform alive. Their 4% commissions have no appeal. But the duration of their cookies, up to 30 days, is an added value for affiliate merchants. On the other hand, it is important to consider the exclusivity of the products sold in this store. Of course, the Etsy system is a clear candidate to be the best affiliate program for e-commerce.
But which affiliate program to choose? Fashion, health and fitness, the most popular
Due to the very wide offer of affiliate programs for e-commerce, entrepreneurs have to make a difficult decision: on what industry or market niche to build their business? If we consider the most popular sectors among affiliates, the answer is easy.
According to an interesting study by AM Navigator, published in 2015, almost 2 out of 10 entrepreneurs (18.70%) select affiliate programs related to fashion and accessories. 1 in 10 (14.60%) bets on fitness and sport in general, while a similar percentage of entrepreneurs (11.10%) opts for health and wellness.
The Home Depot, eBay, Amazon… Any of this popular e-commerce is a paradigm to imitate in affiliate marketing. This strategy will continue to grow in 2019, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of it in your business.