E-commerce Affiliate Programs: What Stores Offer
E-commerce affiliate programs pay commission when a store's own page says it does. Here is what the big retail programs state on their pages.
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- How affiliate programs work
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E-commerce affiliate programs are run by online stores. You send a reader to the store with your link. The store pays you commission when that reader buys. Each store sets its own terms, so read the program's own page before you join. This guide names some well-known store programs and what their pages say.
What an e-commerce affiliate program is
An e-commerce affiliate program is a store paying you for sales you send its way. The store gives you a link. When a reader clicks it and buys, the store counts the sale as yours. How the click is counted is the tracking side of the deal, and each program handles it in its own way.
Stores that run their own affiliate programs
Several well-known stores run their own programs. Each one states its own rules.
- Etsy runs the Etsy Affiliates program. Its page says the program is for bloggers, media and editorial publications.
- iHerb runs the iHerb Affiliate Program. Its page says it works with influencers and publishers. It names coupon, loyalty, content and shopping comparison sites.
- LEGO runs the LEGO.com Affiliate Program. Its page says affiliates earn commission on validated checkouts they drive. Delivery, taxes and returns do not count.
- Printful runs the Printful Affiliate Program. Its page says affiliates earn 10% commission on each referral's orders for 12 months after the first purchase.
- Shopify runs the Shopify Affiliate Program. Its page says the program is open to anyone with an audience of merchants. Not every application is approved.
How store programs track and pay
Tracking and payment terms differ by program. Each number below comes from that program's own page.
iHerb's page says its cookies last 7 days. Another affiliate or Rewards link can replace them. Printful's page says its commission cookie lasts 30 days. Shopify's page says it tracks referrals for 30 days after a click, and up to 400 days for free trial stores. To read what a cookie window means for your clicks, see that page.
Payment timing also varies. iHerb's page says payments for approved conversions go out about 45 days after the close of the month. Etsy's page says commissions are typically validated 30 days after the sale date. Printful's page says earnings can be withdrawn through PayPal, with a $25 minimum. Etsy's page says commission is earned on each qualifying sale. Tax, shipping, returns and cancellations do not count. For how these payout terms work in general, read the payout guide.
Who each program is for
Each program states who may join, and the answers differ.
Etsy's page says cashback sites and voucher sites are not eligible for the program. Printful's page says its program fits bloggers and marketing agencies. It also names independent creators and online store owners. LEGO's page says affiliates must be 18 years old or older to join. Shopify's page says not every application is approved.
Do not assume a program accepts your kind of site. Read its page to see who it names.
Promotion rules to know before you apply
Some programs place limits on how you promote them. Printful's page says not to use Printful as a keyword in SEO or PPC ads. It also says it does not approve of self-referrals.
When you promote any program, you also have disclosure duties. The FTC's rules cover what you must tell your readers about affiliate links.
Programs that run on affiliate networks
One store program says it works through networks. LEGO's page says it works through affiliate network partners that supply branded banners, text and product links. This site has separate pages on CJ and Rakuten Advertising. FlexOffers has its own page too.
Shopify's page says the affiliate dashboard is powered by Impact.
This site also has a page on the Apple Services Performance Partner Program.
Read the page on the day you join
Store programs change their terms. Copy the commission, tracking and payout lines from the program's own page on the day you join. Each program's rules apply to that program alone. Never carry one store's terms over to another.