How to Choose the Best Affiliate Platform
Affiliate Marketing has erupted over the past few years, with brands big and small, and even those outside of ecommerce, having at least considered the opportunity to launch an affiliate program. And with more and more affiliate platforms to consider, plus the emergence of Influencer platforms entering the space, the options are vast and most likely overwhelming to someone without expertise in the space.
Here are the things to consider when choosing a platform for your affiliate program:
What are the goals of your program?
Why type of business do you run?
Who are the consumers you are trying to reach?
Are you on Shopify or WooCommerce (or another shopping platform)?
How much are you willing to invest?
What features are important to you?
What are your competitors using?
Once you’ve answered those questions, take a peek at the list of affiliate platforms below.
1. Impact (formerly Impact Radius)
Impact is a leading affiliate marketing platform that focuses on driving growth and efficiency for advertisers. Its suite of technology solutions, including tracking, attribution, and partner management tools, empowers brands to optimize their affiliate programs for success. What I really love about Impact is their attribution tool, Optimize, which allows brands to see the role each publisher plays in the journey AND give credit to publishers reaching customers at the touchpoints most aligned with the brand's strategy.
2. Rakuten Advertising (formerly Rakuten Marketing, LinkShare)
Rakuten Advertising offers access to a global network of affiliates and provides advertisers with innovative tools and solutions to maximize their affiliate marketing ROI. Its expansive reach and personalized approach make it a top choice for brands seeking exposure within the states or international exposure.
3. CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
CJ Affiliate boasts a diverse network of publishers and advertisers, making it a go-to platform for affiliate marketers. Its advanced tracking technology and robust reporting tools provide advertisers with valuable insights to optimize their campaigns.
4. ShareASale
ShareASale is known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of merchants and affiliates. It offers flexible commission structures and provides comprehensive performance reports to help advertisers track their affiliate marketing efforts effectively. It's a great platform for smaller businesses or affiliate programs, due to lower minimums.
NOTE: ShareASale is sunsetting the platform in 2025, so all brands will be moved to their parent company platform, Awin.
5. Partnerize
Partnerize offers a comprehensive partner and affiliate marketing solution for brands looking to drive growth and revenue. Its advanced technology and strategic partnerships help advertisers maximize the value of their affiliate programs and partnerships.
6. Awin
Awin is a global affiliate marketing network that connects advertisers with publishers across multiple verticals and regions. Its user-friendly platform and dedicated account management support make it easy for brands to launch and manage their affiliate programs.
7. TUNE
TUNE is a performance marketing platform that enables advertisers to manage their affiliate programs and partnerships effectively. With its intuitive interface and powerful tracking capabilities, TUNE helps brands optimize their affiliate marketing efforts for maximum ROI.
8. Pepperjam
Pepperjam is a performance marketing platform that focuses on driving results for advertisers through strategic partnerships and innovative technology solutions. Its transparent reporting and analytics tools provide advertisers with actionable insights to improve campaign performance.
9. PartnerStack
PartnerStack is a partner and affiliate marketing platform designed for B2B brands. It enables advertisers to build and manage affiliate programs tailored to their specific needs, with features such as automated payouts, partner tracking, and customizable commission structures.
10. Levanta
Levanta has unlocked the ability for brands on Amazon to build and manage affiliate programs tailored to their specific needs. Advertisers on Amazon can now drive high-converting traffic to the Amazon pages and product by directly partnering with creators, influencers, and other affiliates through Levanta's custom affiliate tracking solution. Find out more by clicking here.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about which affiliate platform is the best fit for your brand, I'm here to help. With my expertise and industry knowledge, I can guide you through the process of evaluating your options, identifying the platform that aligns with your goals, and implementing strategies to maximize your affiliate marketing success.