After nearly 10 years in affiliate marketing, earning over $1.5 million in commissions and building one of the largest Community Organisations in Australia with over 400,000 members. I’ve learned what works… and what’s honestly a waste of time.
Whether you’re brand new or trying to level up, you’ll find everything organized below no fluff, just what I’ve found actually helps.
In Summary
If you’re thinking about getting into affiliate marketing, you’re probably wondering: Which affiliate programs are actually worth joining when you’re just starting out?
That’s a good question. Because while affiliate marketing is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to earn online, not every program makes sense for a beginner. Some look simple from the outside... until you realize they’re filled with friction — approval processes, delayed payments, or just confusing interfaces that make you feel lost before you’ve even begun.
So this list focuses on programs that are genuinely beginner-friendly. That means easy to join, reasonable commissions, and products you can feel good recommending — even if your audience (or content strategy) isn’t fully dialed in yet.
No overhyped nonsense. Just real options to help you start moving.
Why Affiliate Marketing Still Works
Every so often, someone declares affiliate marketing “dead.” Usually because they tried to promote something once and got zero clicks.
But here’s what hasn’t changed: people still trust recommendations more than ads.
Whether it’s a blog, a video, or just a helpful post, the basic idea is the same — when someone buys a product you suggested, you earn a commission.
That’s it.
You don’t need a product of your own. Or a big following. You don’t even need to be an expert. You just need to choose the right things to promote and talk about them in a way that helps someone else.
And the right affiliate programs can make this feel a lot less overwhelming.
What Makes an Affiliate Program Beginner-Friendly?
Let’s simplify it.
You want something:
- Easy to sign up for (no gatekeeping)
- That pays fairly (not pennies)
- You can understand and explain
- With decent tools (like tracking links or banners)
- And that doesn’t make you second-guess what you're promoting
If you're just starting, that last one matters more than people think. It's way easier to talk about something you've used (or at least would use) than to fake enthusiasm for a random VPN or sketchy digital product.
1. Amazon Associates
Familiar, accessible, and incredibly simple
- Commission: 1%–10%
- Cookie: 24 hours
- Minimum payout: $10
- Join the Amazon Affiliate Program
Amazon’s program is where a lot of people begin — and for good reason. It’s easy to join, easy to navigate, and you can find a product for just about any niche.
That said, the commissions are low. And the 24-hour cookie window means you won’t get credit unless someone buys relatively quickly.
Still, it’s a solid way to learn how affiliate links work, how to track clicks, and how to start integrating recommendations into your content.
2. ClickBank
Digital products with higher commissions
- Commission: Often 40%–75%
- Cookie: 60+ days
- Minimum payout: $10
- Join as a ClickBank Affiliate
ClickBank has been around forever. It’s mostly focused on digital products — think ebooks, courses, software — and the commissions are high.
Some offers convert really well, even with a small audience.
The interface can feel dated, and not every product is high-quality (some seem a little too “salesy”). But if you’re selective, you’ll find some gems. And there’s no approval process to get started.
It’s one of the fastest ways to test ideas and actually see money come in.
3. Commission Factory
If you're based in Australia or even just targeting traffic in that part of the world, Commission Factory is worth paying attention to. And actually its the Affiliate Network I personally earned my first commissions from at the age of 19.
It’s an affiliate network, not a program itself, which means once you’re signed up, you can apply to promote a whole range of brands from inside one dashboard. Think fashion, tech, homewares, travel, finance — mostly consumer-focused stuff. Popular names like THE ICONIC, Booktopia, Lenovo, and Cotton On are in there. It’s diverse.
Now, it’s not quite as massive or global as networks like Impact or ShareASale. But in the Asia-Pacific region? It’s arguably one of the strongest affiliate platforms available — and in some ways, easier to get started with too.
Why it’s good for beginners
For starters, the interface is clean. Everything’s where you expect it to be. You don’t feel lost five seconds after logging in (which happens on more affiliate networks than I’d like to admit).
There’s no overwhelming wall of technical jargon. And getting links, tracking clicks, or downloading banners is all straightforward. That lowers the friction — especially when you're new and just trying to get your first link live.
Also, many of the brands listed don’t have intense approval requirements. Some are automatic, some might take a day or two, but overall it’s not like applying for a mortgage.
That said, some brands do want to see your website or traffic source. So while it’s beginner-friendly, you’ll still want to have a basic presence online — whether it’s a blog, YouTube channel, or even a decently built social media profile.
A few quick specs
- Commission rates: Varies by brand
- Cookie duration: Usually between 7–30 days
- Payout threshold: AUD $50
- Payment method: Direct deposit or PayPal
- Join Commission Factory
Nothing shocking here, but it’s all fair. Just remember: this isn’t a high-ticket digital product marketplace. It’s more for consumer brands, so commissions might be smaller — but potentially more consistent if your audience likes everyday products.
4. Shopify Affiliate Program
Perfect for content around online business or ecommerce
- Commission: Flat $150–$200 per signup
- Cookie: 30 days
- Minimum payout: $25
- Join the Shopify Affiliate Program
If you create content about starting a business, freelancing, or ecommerce, Shopify is a natural fit. It’s trusted, widely recognized, and pretty easy to recommend.
You don’t need to be a Shopify user to join, though it helps to understand what it does. The flat-rate commission is generous, and you don’t need huge volume to start seeing results.
However, if your content doesn’t connect to people starting businesses or selling products, it might not land.
5. Impact.com
A powerful network with recognizable brand names
- Commission: Varies by brand
- Cookie: Varies
- Minimum payout: $10
- Join Impact Radius
Impact is a bit like a hub — you create one account, then apply to individual affiliate programs under it. That might sound like more work, but it gives you access to tons of high-quality brands: Canva, Adidas, Wix, HostGator, and more.
The dashboard is intuitive, and it’s easy to track clicks, sales, and earnings.
Just keep in mind: some programs are beginner-friendly, others might expect a bit more from applicants. So... a little patience goes a long way here.
6. Skimlinks Affiliate Network
Skimlinks takes a slightly different approach from most affiliate platforms — and for some people, that’s exactly why it works.
Instead of applying to individual affiliate programs, you install Skimlinks on your site (usually just a snippet of code), and it automatically turns your existing product links into affiliate links — across thousands of merchants.
It’s hands-off. You don’t have to manage links manually. You don’t need to worry about joining 20 different programs. Skimlinks handles all of that in the background.
Why it’s beginner-friendly
Honestly? It’s ideal if you already have a blog or site with product mentions — even if you’re not actively “doing affiliate marketing.” Skimlinks just monetizes what’s already there.
You still get access to reporting, merchant lists, and commission info, but it’s not overwhelming. You don’t need to be super techy. You don’t even need to know what EPC or cookie durations mean (though it helps, eventually).
A few quick things to know
- Commission: Varies widely by merchant
- Cookie duration: Typically 7–30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Best for: Blogs, editorial sites, product roundups
- Join SkimLinks Affiliate Network
Just note — some merchants pay less through Skimlinks than through direct programs, since you're sharing a small cut with them. But the trade-off is simplicity. If you value ease and automation, it’s a fair exchange.
7. Hostinger
Affordable web hosting that’s easy to promote
- Commission: Up to $150 per sale
- Cookie: 30 days
- Minimum payout: $100
- Join the Hostinger Affiliate Program
Hosting affiliates are everywhere — and for good reason. Website hosting is one of those evergreen services people always need.
Hostinger stands out because it’s affordable, beginner-friendly, and converts well. That last one matters more than most people expect. You don’t want to drive 100 clicks just to earn one sale.
It’s especially good if you’re targeting people who want to start a blog, a portfolio site, or a small online business.
Final Thoughts
There’s no perfect affiliate program for everyone. But there are definitely better starting points depending on your goals, your niche, and your comfort level.
If you're overwhelmed, start with just one. Pick something you understand. Maybe even something you use. Build content around it. See what happens.
That first commission — even if it’s tiny — will show you that it works.
And from there, you’ll start to figure out what feels natural to promote, what converts best for your audience, and which programs make the most sense long term
Want to Learn More?
If you’re serious about building real income through affiliate marketing but don’t know where to start, I’ve opened up spots in my hands-on Affiliate Marketing Mentorship on MentorCruise.
This is a one-on-one mentorship where I’ll personally help you choose your first affiliate program, create your first piece of content, and set realistic expectations for long-term success.
There’s a free intro call included, so don’t miss it out. Spaces are of course limited. The call it's the perfect opportunity to ask questions, get clarity, and see if we're a good fit to work together.
Check out my MentorCruise profile for full details on what’s included each month, this is a truly hands-on mentorship like no other on the internet, built for people who are serious about making affiliate marketing work.
P.s if you enjoy this type of content, you can check out my Affiliate Marketing Blog for free how to get started guides and more.