Introduction
ShareASale is one of the most popular affiliate marketing networks, connecting affiliates with merchants to promote products and earn commissions. Whether you’re a blogger, content creator, or digital marketer, ShareASale provides access to thousands of affiliate programs across various industries.
Founded in 2000 and now owned by Awin, ShareASale is known for its reliable tracking, diverse merchants, and easy-to-use platform. Affiliates can find programs offering high commissions, recurring payouts, and a wide range of products to promote.
In this guide, we’ll explore how ShareASale works, its features, commission structures, and tips to maximize your earnings. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced affiliate, this article will help you understand if ShareASale is the right platform for you.
What is ShareASale?
ShareASale is an affiliate marketing network that connects affiliates (publishers) with merchants (advertisers) who want to promote their products and services. Affiliates earn commissions by driving traffic and sales through unique affiliate links.
With over 20 years in the industry, ShareASale is known for its user-friendly platform, real-time tracking, and a vast selection of merchants across different industries, including fashion, technology, finance, and home goods. Whether you’re a blogger, social media influencer, or website owner, you can find suitable affiliate programs to monetize your content.
One of the key benefits of ShareASale is its wide range of commission structures. Some merchants offer pay-per-sale, while others provide pay-per-lead or recurring commissions, making it a flexible choice for affiliates of all levels.
How to Sign Up for ShareASale
Signing up for ShareASale is a straightforward process that allows you to start earning commissions as an affiliate. Whether you’re a blogger, content creator, or business owner, getting started on ShareASale takes just a few steps.
Step 1: Visit the ShareASale Website
Go to the official ShareASale website and click on the “Affiliate Sign Up” button. You will be directed to a registration page where you need to enter basic details such as your name, email address, and country.
Step 2: Provide Website and Marketing Information
ShareASale requires you to list your primary website or platform where you plan to promote affiliate products. If you don’t have a website, you can use a social media account or YouTube channel. Make sure to provide accurate details, as this helps with approval.
Step 3: Set Up Payment and Tax Information
To receive payments, you’ll need to choose a payment method (Direct Deposit, Check, or Payoneer) and fill out tax forms based on your country of residence. U.S. affiliates must submit a W-9 form, while non-U.S. affiliates need to complete a W-8BEN form.
Step 4: Review and Submit Your Application
Before submitting, carefully review your details to ensure everything is correct. ShareASale typically takes 1-3 business days to review applications. If approved, you’ll receive an email with login instructions.
Step 5: Start Finding Affiliate Programs
Once approved, you can log in to your ShareASale account, browse merchant programs, and start applying to ones that match your niche. After approval from merchants, you can generate affiliate links and begin promoting.
ShareASale Dashboard and Features
Once you’ve signed up and logged into ShareASale, you’ll be greeted by a user-friendly dashboard designed to help you manage your affiliate activities efficiently. The ShareASale dashboard provides essential tools for tracking performance, finding affiliate programs, and optimizing your earnings.
Overview of the ShareASale Dashboard
The dashboard is divided into several sections that allow affiliates to access important data at a glance. You’ll see key metrics such as clicks, sales, commissions earned, and conversion rates. There’s also a quick access menu for navigating different features.
Key Features of the ShareASale Dashboard
1. Merchant Search and Application
Affiliates can browse thousands of affiliate programs using filters such as category, commission rate, and average sale amount. Once you find a program that fits your niche, you can apply directly through the dashboard.
2. Affiliate Links and Banners
After getting approved by a merchant, you can generate affiliate links, banners, and other marketing materials to promote products. ShareASale provides deep linking options, allowing you to link directly to specific products rather than just the merchant’s homepage.
3. Real-Time Reporting and Analytics
The reporting section offers detailed insights into clicks, conversions, earnings, and refunds. You can filter reports by date range, merchant, or transaction type to analyze performance and optimize your strategies.
4. Payment and Commission Tracking
Affiliates can check their pending and paid commissions, set up payment preferences, and track earnings in real time. ShareASale pays affiliates once they reach the minimum payout threshold of $50.
5. Affiliate Tools and Resources
ShareASale provides additional tools like:
- Product Discovery Tool: Helps find trending products to promote.
- Custom Link Generator: Allows you to create tracking links for specific pages.
- Affiliate API: Advanced users can integrate ShareASale data into their own systems.
Affiliate Programs on ShareASale
One of the biggest advantages of ShareASale is its vast selection of affiliate programs across various industries. Whether you’re interested in promoting fashion, technology, finance, or home goods, ShareASale offers thousands of merchants to choose from.
Types of Affiliate Programs on ShareASale
1. Pay-Per-Sale (PPS) Programs
In this model, affiliates earn a commission when a referred customer makes a purchase. Most ShareASale merchants operate on a pay-per-sale basis, with commissions ranging from a fixed dollar amount to a percentage of the sale.
2. Pay-Per-Lead (PPL) Programs
Some merchants offer pay-per-lead programs, where affiliates earn commissions when users sign up for a free trial, fill out a form, or complete another predefined action. These programs are popular in industries like finance, insurance, and SaaS (Software as a Service).
3. Recurring Commission Programs
A few merchants on ShareASale provide recurring commissions, meaning affiliates continue earning for as long as the customer remains subscribed to a service. This is common with subscription-based products like web hosting, software, and membership sites.
Best Affiliate Programs on ShareASale
Some of the top-performing ShareASale affiliate programs include:
- Shopify – High commissions for referring new Shopify users.
- Grammarly – Pays for both free sign-ups and premium subscriptions.
- WP Engine – Offers high commissions for web hosting referrals.
- Reebok – A popular sportswear brand with generous commissions.
- Fiverr – Pays affiliates for referring freelancers and businesses.
How to Find and Join the Right Affiliate Program
Affiliates can search for programs in the ShareASale dashboard using filters like category, commission rate, and merchant performance metrics. Before applying, check the program terms, including commission structure, cookie duration, and approval process.
Commission Structure and Payouts
Understanding the commission structure and payouts on ShareASale is essential for affiliates to maximize their earnings. ShareASale offers various commission models, payment methods, and payout schedules, making it flexible for affiliates with different strategies and preferences.
Types of Commission Structures
1. Pay-Per-Sale (PPS)
In Pay-Per-Sale programs, affiliates earn a commission when a customer makes a purchase through their affiliate link. Commissions are usually a percentage of the sale price, but some merchants offer flat-rate commissions. For example, an affiliate might earn 10% of a $100 sale, totaling $10 in commission.
2. Pay-Per-Lead (PPL)
With Pay-Per-Lead programs, affiliates earn a commission when a referred user takes a specific action, such as signing up for a free trial, filling out a contact form, or subscribing to a newsletter. These types of programs typically offer a lower payout compared to PPS programs, but they can be easier to convert, especially for services or free offers.
3. Recurring Commissions
Some ShareASale merchants offer recurring commissions, where affiliates continue to earn commissions as long as the customer keeps paying for a subscription or service. For example, an affiliate might earn a commission each month for referring a customer to a subscription service like a software tool or membership site.
How Payouts Work on ShareASale
Affiliates on ShareASale can choose from several payout methods:
- Direct Deposit: The most popular method, where earnings are deposited directly into your bank account.
- Check: A paper check sent to your address (may incur fees for international affiliates).
- Payoneer: An electronic payment option, ideal for international affiliates.
ShareASale pays out on a net-30 basis, meaning commissions are typically paid out 30 days after the end of the month in which they were earned. For example, earnings made in January will be paid out at the end of February.
Minimum Payout Threshold
The minimum payout threshold on ShareASale is $50 for direct deposit and Payoneer payments, and $100 for check payments. Once you reach this threshold, your earnings will be processed in the following payout cycle.
Tracking and Reporting Tools
One of the key features that make ShareASale stand out as an affiliate marketing network is its robust tracking and reporting tools. These tools allow affiliates to monitor their performance, optimize their strategies, and ensure they’re earning the most from their efforts. Let’s dive into the tools that can help you succeed on the platform.
Real-Time Tracking
ShareASale offers real-time tracking of your affiliate activity, so you can see how many clicks, conversions, and sales your affiliate links are generating. This feature is crucial for understanding which products or campaigns are performing well and which may need adjustments. You can view data on clicks, orders, commissions, and refunds as they happen, allowing you to track your progress and make timely decisions.
Detailed Reporting
The ShareASale dashboard includes powerful reporting features that give you access to in-depth analytics. Affiliates can filter data by date range, merchant, and transaction type to track performance across different affiliate programs. Some of the key reports include:
- Click-through and Conversion Reports: Shows the number of clicks and conversions each link generates, allowing you to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.
- Earnings Reports: Provides insights into how much you’ve earned, including commissions, pending payments, and any refunds or chargebacks.
- Product Performance: Breaks down how individual products are performing, showing which items generate the most clicks and sales.
Customizable Reports
ShareASale also offers customizable reports, allowing you to create reports that focus on specific data points that matter most to you. You can select filters for merchants, specific dates, and transaction types to create reports tailored to your affiliate goals.
Performance Metrics
In addition to standard tracking, ShareASale also provides key performance metrics like conversion rates, average order value, and earnings per click (EPC). These metrics help you assess how effective your promotional efforts are and where you can improve.
Pros and Cons of ShareASale
Like any affiliate marketing network, ShareASale comes with its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding the pros and cons of ShareASale can help you decide if it’s the right platform for your affiliate marketing goals. Let’s break down the advantages and disadvantages of using ShareASale.
Pros of ShareASale
1. Wide Variety of Affiliate Programs
One of the main benefits of ShareASale is its vast selection of affiliate programs across multiple industries. Whether you’re interested in promoting e-commerce products, software services, or educational content, ShareASale has thousands of merchants to choose from. This makes it easy for affiliates to find programs that align with their niche and audience.
2. User-Friendly Dashboard
The ShareASale dashboard is intuitive and easy to navigate, even for beginners. It provides quick access to important features like affiliate links, payment details, and performance metrics. This user-friendly interface ensures you can manage your affiliate campaigns effectively and track your earnings with minimal effort.
3. Flexible Commission Structures
ShareASale offers a variety of commission structures, including pay-per-sale, pay-per-lead, and recurring commissions. This flexibility allows affiliates to choose programs that best match their marketing strategies and earning potential. Whether you want one-time payouts or ongoing earnings, ShareASale has options for everyone.
4. Real-Time Reporting
With real-time reporting, affiliates can track clicks, sales, conversions, and earnings instantly. This feature provides valuable insights that help you optimize your affiliate campaigns for better performance. By understanding which programs are generating the most revenue, you can refine your strategy and focus on what works best.
5. Trusted Payment System
ShareASale provides reliable and timely payments, with multiple payment options including direct deposit, Payoneer, and check. Affiliates can choose the method that suits them best, and ShareASale ensures that payouts are processed on time, making it a trusted platform for affiliate marketers.
Cons of ShareASale
1. Approval Process for Affiliate Programs
One downside of ShareASale is that not all affiliate programs are instantly accessible. Many merchants require affiliates to apply and be approved before they can start promoting their products. This can be frustrating if you’re eager to begin, but it also ensures that affiliates are a good fit for the program.
2. Limited International Merchant Options
While ShareASale is popular in the U.S., international merchants may be fewer in comparison to other affiliate networks like Awin or CJ Affiliate. This can be a limitation if you’re targeting a global audience and looking for more localized affiliate programs.
3. No Built-In Content Creation Tools
Unlike some other affiliate platforms, ShareASale doesn’t provide built-in tools for creating content like landing pages or email templates. Affiliates will need to rely on third-party tools or create their own content to promote products, which could be a barrier for those new to affiliate marketing.
4. High Competition
Due to the popularity of ShareASale, many merchants have numerous affiliates promoting their products. This high level of competition can make it difficult for new affiliates to stand out and earn significant commissions. It requires effort and strategy to succeed on the platform.
ShareASale vs. Other Affiliate Networks
When choosing an affiliate network, it’s important to compare ShareASale with other popular platforms to determine which best fits your affiliate marketing goals. While ShareASale is one of the leading affiliate networks, there are other notable players like CJ Affiliate, Rakuten Advertising, and Awin. Let’s break down how ShareASale compares with these networks in terms of features, merchant options, and performance.
ShareASale vs. CJ Affiliate
CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) is one of the largest affiliate marketing networks, similar to ShareASale in terms of its variety of merchants and commission structures. However, there are key differences between the two platforms:
- Merchant Selection: CJ Affiliate has a broader range of large, international brands, making it a good option if you’re targeting a global audience. ShareASale, on the other hand, has a strong focus on smaller, niche merchants in specific industries.
- User Interface: ShareASale offers a more intuitive and beginner-friendly dashboard, while CJ Affiliate has a steeper learning curve with more advanced features, which may be better suited for experienced marketers.
- Commissions and Payouts: Both platforms offer flexible commission models, but CJ Affiliate typically has higher-volume merchants with larger payout potential, while ShareASale provides unique options like recurring commissions for subscription-based services.
ShareASale vs. Rakuten Advertising
Rakuten Advertising is another major affiliate network with a strong reputation. While Rakuten has fewer merchants compared to ShareASale, it offers some unique features:
- Brand Reputation: Rakuten Advertising partners with well-known, high-quality brands, making it ideal for affiliates focused on promoting premium products. ShareASale offers a wider variety of merchant types, including smaller businesses, which can be beneficial for affiliates seeking diversity.
- Global Reach: Rakuten has a solid presence in Japan and Asia, which can be a big advantage for affiliates targeting those regions. ShareASale is more U.S.-focused, though it does offer some international programs.
- Commissions: Rakuten provides competitive commission rates, but it tends to focus more on established brands, which may have stricter application processes for affiliates.
ShareASale vs. Awin
Awin is another global affiliate network, and while it’s similar to ShareASale in terms of scale, it offers some distinct advantages:
- Merchant Network: Awin features some larger, international brands and focuses on both consumer goods and services. ShareASale, on the other hand, is known for more niche programs, making it a better choice for affiliates targeting specific markets.
- Affiliate Tools: Awin provides more comprehensive affiliate tools like automated reporting and advanced API integration, which can be beneficial for seasoned marketers. ShareASale offers real-time tracking but lacks some of Awin’s advanced reporting capabilities.
- Global Presence: Awin has a stronger global presence, especially in Europe and other international markets. If you’re an affiliate marketer focused on global markets, Awin could be a better choice. However, ShareASale is an excellent option for U.S.-based affiliates or those working with smaller, domestic merchants.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings on ShareASale
To make the most out of ShareASale, it’s important to implement smart strategies that enhance your affiliate marketing efforts. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marketer, there are several proven ways to increase your earnings on ShareASale. Let’s explore some effective tips for maximizing your affiliate income.
1. Choose High-Converting Affiliate Programs
Not all affiliate programs are created equal. To maximize earnings on ShareASale, focus on high-converting programs that resonate with your audience. Look for merchants with:
- Strong brand reputations
- Competitive commission rates
- Effective marketing materials
Programs with a proven track record of conversions will give you a higher chance of earning more commissions. Don’t be afraid to test different programs to see which ones work best for your niche.
2. Promote Products That Match Your Audience
One of the best ways to increase conversions is by promoting products that are relevant to your audience. When you join an affiliate program on ShareASale, make sure the products or services align with the interests of your followers. Tailor your promotions to the needs of your specific audience for better engagement and higher conversion rates.
3. Leverage Content Marketing
Content marketing is one of the most effective ways to drive traffic and sales through affiliate links. On ShareASale, you can promote products through blog posts, product reviews, tutorials, and even email newsletters. By creating high-quality, informative content, you can:
- Provide value to your audience
- Improve SEO and organic traffic
- Increase affiliate link clicks and conversions
Focus on creating evergreen content that continues to generate traffic over time, and make sure your affiliate links are placed strategically within the content.
4. Use Real-Time Data to Optimize Campaigns
With ShareASale’s real-time tracking and reporting tools, you have access to valuable insights into how your campaigns are performing. Regularly check your click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and earnings to determine which campaigns are successful and which need optimization. Use this data to:
- Test different products or promotional strategies
- Identify high-performing affiliate programs
- Adjust your approach for better results
5. Utilize Deep Linking and Custom Links
Deep linking allows you to link directly to specific products or pages, rather than just the homepage of a merchant. This can help you target more qualified customers who are already interested in a particular product, increasing the chances of making a sale. On ShareASale, you can generate deep links and custom affiliate links to direct users to specific landing pages, improving conversion rates.
6. Take Advantage of Seasonal Promotions and Offers
Many merchants on ShareASale run special promotions during key seasons or holidays. These limited-time offers can help you maximize earnings, as consumers tend to be more willing to make purchases during these periods. Keep an eye on the ShareASale dashboard for updates on discounts, sales events, or seasonal promotions from merchants you’re partnered with.
7. Build a Strong Email List
Email marketing can significantly boost your earnings on ShareASale by promoting affiliate products directly to a targeted audience. Building a strong email list allows you to send personalized offers and product recommendations to your subscribers, increasing the likelihood of conversions. Include affiliate links in your email campaigns to generate revenue from your existing audience.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, ShareASale is a powerful and versatile affiliate marketing network that offers a wide range of opportunities for affiliates to grow their earnings. With its user-friendly dashboard, variety of affiliate programs, real-time tracking tools, and flexible commission structures, ShareASale provides everything you need to succeed as an affiliate marketer.
While it’s not without some challenges—such as the approval process for certain programs and the potential for high competition—it remains a top choice for affiliates looking for diverse merchants and reliable payouts. Whether you’re just starting or are an experienced affiliate marketer, ShareASale offers tools and resources that can help you build a profitable affiliate business.
To maximize your success, remember to focus on selecting the right affiliate programs, targeting your audience effectively, and using ShareASale’s powerful tracking and reporting tools to optimize your campaigns. With the right strategy, your earnings on ShareASale can grow significantly over time.
