Do I need a website to start affiliate marketing?

While some programs allow promotion without a site, having a website gives credibility, control, and long-term growth opportunities.

Can beginners succeed in affiliate marketing?

Yes. Beginners can succeed by consistently creating helpful content, choosing the right programs, and using tools like Wealthy Affiliate to guide them.

How to Maximize Your Earnings

Q: What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is promoting products or services for a company and earning a commission for sales or actions completed through your referral.

This post is part of the Program Reviews – Building an Online Business Guide, where I break down how affiliate programs work, what actually pays, and how beginners can choose the right opportunities.

For a full list of program reviews and affiliate income guides, see the bottom of this page

Discover key commission models, typical payout rates, and strategies to boost your affiliate income in 2026. Start Your Wealthy Affiliate Journey Today

Understanding Affiliate Commission Structures

An affiliate commission structure defines how and when you get paid for driving sales, leads, or clicks. Getting this right is critical before you join any program.

Pay‑per‑Sale (PPS): Earn when someone purchases via your affiliate link.
Pay‑per‑Lead (PPL): Earn when a user completes a specific action (e.g., trial signup).
Pay‑per‑Click (PPC): Earn just by generating clicks.
Recurring Commissions: Earn ongoing payouts for subscription‑based referrals.

Tip: Blogs with highly informational content often perform well with PPL and recurring models, while product review sites often thrive with PPS.

👉 Learn more: What Is affiliate marketing

Typical Commission Rates You Can Expect

Commission rates vary by program type:

Amazon Associates: ~1%–10% depending on category.
TikTok Affiliate Program: ~3%–20% depending on merchant payout policies.
Networks like CJ, ShareASale: Often 20%–50% for digital or SaaS products.

👉 See Top 10 Affiliate Programs for Beginners

Join Wealthy Affiliate Now

What Does “Affiliate Fee” Mean?

The affiliate fee (or commission) is the payment you receive when the tracked action completes — like a sale or lead. Most reputable affiliate programs allow free sign‑up and only pay when you earn.

👉 How to Choose the Right Affiliate Program

Affiliate Marketing Program Models

Single‑Tier: You earn from referrals you personally generate.
Two‑Tier: Earn from your referrals plus affiliates you bring in.
Recurring Revenue: Great for subscription services.
CPA Networks: Earn per action, not just sale.

👉 Benefits of Becoming an Affiliate Marketer

Key Metrics to Evaluate Profitability

Conversion Rate: Higher means better earnings per click.
Average Order Value (AOV): Higher order value = bigger payouts.
Earnings Per Click (EPC): Predicts real earnings per traffic volume.
Cookie Duration: Longer cookies often mean more tracked conversions.

Once your content is ready, the next step is choosing the right affiliate program to monetize it. Start here: 7 Affiliate Programs Beginners Can Actually Make Money With (2026).

👉 Get Familiar with Affiliate Terms

🔗 Related Resources

Yes! Launch My Affiliate Marketing Success

Explore the Program Reviews – Building an Online Business Guide:

When you’re ready to turn traffic into income, start here:
7 Affiliate Programs Beginners Can Actually Make Money With (2026)

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

How to Maximize Your Affiliate Earnings