Starting a blog is an exciting venture, but turning it into a profitable business is the ultimate goal for many.
One of the most reliable and accessible ways to generate income is through affiliate marketing.
However, for a new blogger, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. How do you choose the best affiliate programs for new bloggers when you’re just getting started?
This comprehensive guide is designed to cut through the noise. We won’t just list programs; we’ll teach you how to choose them and provide a curated list of the top affiliate networks and programs that are perfect for beginners.
What Makes an Affiliate Program “Best” for a New Blogger?
Before diving into the list, it’s crucial to understand the criteria. The best affiliate programs for new bloggers typically share these key characteristics:
Low Barrier to Entry
When you are a new blogger, you do not have a big audience, so you need to join programs that don’t require a massive audience or high traffic numbers to get approved.
High Commission Rates or Competitive Average Order Value (AOV)
You want to earn a worthwhile amount per sale or click. A high AOV can be more profitable than a high commission rate on a cheap product.
Recurring Commissions
The holy grail for bloggers. You get paid monthly for as long as the customer stays subscribed (common with SaaS and membership sites).
Cookie Duration
This is the length of time a tracking cookie stays on a user’s browser after they click your link.
A longer duration (30, 60, 90 days, or even a lifetime) means you have a better chance of getting credited for the sale.
Strong Brand Reputation and Conversion Potential
Promoting trusted, well-loved brands makes your job infinitely easier. People are more likely to buy something they already recognize and trust.
Helpful Resources and Support
Look for programs that provide banners, links, product data feeds, and a supportive affiliate manager.
Top Affiliate Networks for New Bloggers
Affiliate networks act as intermediaries, hosting thousands of affiliate programs in one place. This is often the easiest way to start.
Personally I started with Clickbank. Depending on your niche, you can select any of the affiliate networks below.
Awin
Why it’s great for beginners
Awin is a blogger favorite for its user-friendly interface and vast array of merchants (over 16,900). It’s known for being relatively easy to get accepted into, even for newer sites.
Actually, I was promoting a hosting service called Cloudways in ShareAsale, but then they were acquired by Awin, so they moved my account there.
It is a fantastic affiliate network for new bloggers.
Payout
Net-30 terms with a $50 minimum threshold might seem steep for new bloggers, but you can reach the minimum quickly.
I was promoting Cloudways, which paid me between $50 and $70 per signup. Recommending one person to their service was enough to reach the minimum. Also, there was another software that paid me $10 for free trials.
I needed 5 of them per month to reach the threshold.
Popular Merchants
Cloudways, Moosend, Bloomscape, and Reeds Jewelers.
Best For
The good thing about Awin is that they have many products; this makes them suitable for almost any niche. It’s a fantastic starting point for research.
Amazon Associates
Why it’s great for beginners
Amazon is the giant everyone knows. Its trustworthiness and enormous product catalog mean you can find something to promote in any niche.
Payout
1-10% depending on product category and volume. Rates are generally low, but the high conversion rate makes up for it.
Cookie Duration
Only 24 hours. This is its biggest drawback. but you get paid for everything they buy in that window.
If you promote a self-help book and someone decides to buy a laptop as long as it is within that 24 hours window, you get paid for that too.
I have sold books about witchcraft, and I do not have a blog about witchcraft. that was the day i realized the power of amazon.
Best For
Product reviews, “best of” lists, and gift guides. Perfect for when you’re learning the ropes of linking.
CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
Why it’s great for beginners
CJ is another massive network with many large, reputable brands. While some programs have strict requirements, many are accessible to dedicated bloggers.
Payout
Varies by advertiser. Minimum payout is $50.
Popular Merchants
Lowe’s, Barnes & Noble, and GoPro.
Best For
Bloggers in home improvement, books, and tech niches.
Rakuten Advertising
Why it’s great for beginners
Rakuten is a global leader and is particularly strong in the fashion, retail, and luxury goods sectors. The platform is robust and offers deep analytics.
Payout
Varies by advertiser.
Popular Merchants
Macy’s, New Balance, Sephora.
Best For
Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle bloggers.
Standalone Affiliate Programs for New Bloggers
These are programs you join directly through the company’s website. They often have better terms and more personal support.
Bluehost Affiliate Program
Why it’s great for beginners
As one of the most recommended web hosts for new bloggers, it’s a natural fit. If you’re in the blogging, marketing, or web dev niche, your audience will likely need hosting.
Commission
A high, flat-rate commission per sale (often $65-$130). With few sales per month you can make a living. This applies to all hosting affiliate programs, like Cloudways or WPX.
Personally I do not use Bluehost, but it is easy to recommend to new people because it is an easy sale. I use and recommend WPX.
Cookie Duration
45 days. Which means that if someone clicks your link today and they buy the hosting in 45 days, you still get paid.
Best For
Blogging, marketing, and small business niches.
ConvertKit Affiliate Program
Why it’s great for beginners
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform built for creators. Their affiliate program offers recurring commissions, meaning you earn between 20% and 30% of every payment your referral makes for as long as they are a customer.
Commission
30% recurring monthly. people do not tend to cancel their autoresponders very often. I have been using their service for the last 3 years and i pay them every month.
Cookie Duration
45 days.
Best For
Bloggers, podcasters, and digital creators who teach about email marketing.
Semrush Affiliate Program
Why it’s great for beginners
Semrush is an industry-leading SEO and digital marketing tool. The program is managed through ShareASale and offers generous, recurring commissions.
Commission
40% recurring monthly for the first year, then 20% for life.
Also they have a model where you get $10 for free trial and then $200 once when the trial becomes a full paid customer.
Cookie Duration
45 days.
Best For
Marketing, SEO, and business bloggers.
Tailwind Affiliate Program
Why it’s great for beginners
Tailwind is a popular Pinterest and Instagram scheduling tool. It’s highly relevant for bloggers looking to grow their traffic. The program also offers recurring commissions.
Commission
A generous one-time payment plus $15-$30 recurring monthly for every referral.
Cookie Duration
45 days.
Best For
Lifestyle, food, travel, and DIY bloggers who use Pinterest.
How to Succeed as a New Affiliate Marketer
Choosing the right program is only half the battle. Your success hinges on how you promote.
Create Quality Content First
Your primary job is to be a helpful resource, not a salesperson. Write in-depth guides, honest reviews, and helpful tutorials where the affiliate product is a natural solution.
Be Authentic and Transparent
Only promote products you have used, would use, or have thoroughly researched. Your readers trust you, so don’t break that trust. Always disclose your affiliate relationships (it’s also the law in many countries).
Target “Buyer” Keywords
Instead of just writing about “best coffee makers,” create content around “French press vs. pour-over” or “how to choose an espresso machine.” These articles attract people closer to making a purchase.
Track Your Links
Use link-tracking plugins like Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates to clean up long, ugly affiliate URLs and monitor which links are getting the most clicks.
FAQ:Best Affiliate Programs for New Bloggers
How many affiliate programs should I join as a new blogger?
Start small. Focus on 2-3 programs that are the most relevant to your niche. It’s better to be an expert at promoting a few products than to be mediocre at promoting dozens.
Do I need a lot of traffic to start affiliate marketing?
No! While more traffic helps, what matters more is targeted traffic and your ability to build trust.
A small, highly-engaged audience that trusts your recommendations can convert much better than a large, passive one.
What’s the difference between an affiliate network and a standalone program?
An affiliate network (like ShareASale) is a marketplace hosting many programs. You apply once to the network and then to individual merchants within it.
A standalone program is run directly by the company (like ConvertKit), and you apply on their website.
Are there any costs to join affiliate programs?
Legitimate affiliate programs are free to join. You should never have to pay to become an affiliate.
How long does it take to see results from affiliate marketing?
This is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take 6-12 months of consistent, high-quality content creation before you see significant, steady income. Patience and persistence are key.
What is the #1 mistake new affiliate marketers make?
The biggest mistake is promoting too many products too soon and coming across as spammy.
The second biggest mistake is not being transparent about affiliate links, which destroys reader trust.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best affiliate programs for new bloggers is a strategic process that starts with understanding your audience and your niche.
By focusing on programs with a low barrier to entry, strong conversion potential, and favorable terms like recurring commissions, you can build a solid foundation for a sustainable income stream.
Remember, your credibility is your most valuable asset. Choose your partnerships wisely, create outstanding content, and the commissions will follow.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in.