The Main Types of Affiliate Programs for Beginners in 2025

The first step to making money as an affiliate is choosing the right programs. Almost every industry has options, from general marketplaces to very specific niche programs. The one you choose depends on the type of content you are creating and the audience you want to reach.

If you are brand new to this space, it might help to start with my Affiliate Marketing 101 Hub, which explains how affiliate marketing works step by step. Once you have the basics down, this guide will walk you through some of the best affiliate programs for beginners, what makes them different, and how to evaluate which one fits your strategy.

For a deeper dive into the overall process of picking programs, you can also read my guide on Finding the Right Affiliate Program for You, where I break down things like commission rates, cookie windows, and payout methods in more detail.

General Affiliate Marketplaces

Affiliate marketplaces are often the best place to start. They bring together thousands of companies under one platform, so you can sign up once and get access to multiple programs.

Here are a few of the most popular beginner-friendly options:

• Amazon Associates – the largest and easiest program to get started with. You can promote almost any product sold on Amazon, from books to electronics. The downside is that commission rates are relatively low. Still, because of Amazon’s massive trust and conversion rate, it remains a good entry point for beginners.
• ShareASale – a versatile marketplace with a wide mix of physical and digital products. It covers everything from fashion brands to software tools. If you are planning to build a niche site, chances are ShareASale has relevant programs you can join.
• Impact – particularly strong in the tech and SaaS (software-as-a-service) space. If your content leans toward digital tools, productivity apps, or B2B software, Impact is worth exploring.
• CJ (Commission Junction) – another huge network with programs across almost every industry. It has been around for decades and continues to be a trusted platform for affiliates worldwide.

If you are interested in learning more about which marketplaces work best for different types of niches, I also compare models in my Affiliate Marketing Strategies That Work in 2025 guide.

Direct Affiliate Programs

While marketplaces are convenient, many companies also run their own affiliate programs directly. These can often pay higher commissions and give you a closer relationship with the brand.

Software companies, online course creators, and subscription tools are especially common here. For example:

• Email marketing platforms – Tools like ConvertKit or MailerLite often offer 20–30% recurring commissions, meaning you keep earning as long as the customer stays subscribed. You can see a full breakdown in my Email Marketing Platforms Guide.
• Website builders and hosting providers – Programs from companies like Bluehost, Hostinger, and even Shopify vs WooCommerce competitors often pay a flat rate per signup, sometimes $50–100 or more.
• Digital course platforms – Services like Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi frequently run affiliate programs with high payouts since their products are subscription-based. If you’re curious about creating courses yourself, check out my Beginner’s Guide to Creating and Selling Online Courses.

Direct programs are often a little harder to discover, since you usually have to check the footer of a company’s website or search “[Company Name] affiliate program.” But they can be very rewarding if you choose brands that align with your audience.

What to Look for in a Program

Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Before you join, here are a few factors to consider:

• Commission rate. How much you earn per sale. High commissions sound great, but they only matter if the product actually sells. Sometimes a smaller commission on a high-converting product will earn you more.
• Cookie duration. This determines how long after clicking your link a sale will still count for you. Some programs only give you 24 hours, while others last 30, 60, or even 90 days. Longer windows generally mean more opportunities.
• Relevance. The program should match your niche and your content. Randomly promoting products just because they pay well usually leads to poor results and lower trust with your readers.
• Support and reporting. A good affiliate program provides a clear dashboard where you can see clicks, conversions, and payouts. Reliable reporting is important for knowing what is working.

For more on the practical side of setting up and tracking programs, my guide on How to Build a Simple Affiliate Website That Earns covers the essential tools and plugins you will want to use.

A Tip for Beginners

Start small. It can be tempting to sign up for dozens of programs at once, but that usually leads to overwhelm. Pick one or two programs that make sense for your niche and focus on those. Build content around them, test what works, and then expand as you gain confidence.

For example, if you are starting a blog about productivity, you could join a program for one task management app and one email marketing tool. Then, write a few in-depth posts or even a roundup like Essential Productivity Apps Every Online Entrepreneur Should Use. From there, expand gradually.

Final Thoughts

Affiliate programs are the foundation of your affiliate marketing business. The ones you choose will influence the kind of content you create, the audience you attract, and ultimately the income you earn.

Marketplaces like Amazon Associates and ShareASale are great starting points, while direct programs in software or digital products can offer much higher commissions once you are ready to branch out.

The most important thing is to choose programs that align with your audience and your content. When your recommendations make sense and genuinely help people, affiliate marketing becomes much more sustainable.

If you are still deciding whether affiliate marketing is the right path for you, you might also enjoy my Beginner’s Guide to Starting an Online Business, where I compare affiliate marketing with other models like e-commerce, freelancing, and digital products.