Affiliate marketing is no longer a side hustle—it’s a full-blown industry. But with so many programs out there, where should a beginner even begin?
If you’re just starting out in 2025, the key is simple: promote trusted brands that offer high payouts, provide solid support, and actually convert. Below are the 10 best affiliate programs for beginners—each with the potential to earn you serious money, even if you’re starting from scratch.
🔟 10. Canva Affiliate Program
- Commission: Up to $36 per Pro user
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Design tools are hot. Canva is free to promote, incredibly popular, and easy to explain. Ideal for creators, bloggers, students, and even small businesses.
9. Shopify Affiliate Program
- Commission: Up to $150 per referral
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great:
E-commerce isn’t slowing down. As more people launch online stores, Shopify remains one of the most trusted platforms. If your audience is interested in business, this is a golden opportunity.
8. Bluehost Affiliate Program
- Commission: $65–$130 per sale
- Cookie Duration: 60 days
- Why It’s Great:
Web hosting is a beginner’s goldmine in affiliate marketing. Bluehost is beginner-friendly and has great brand recognition. Perfect for blog, website, or digital startup content.
7. Coursera Partner Program
- Commission: 10%–45% per course
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great:
Online learning is booming. Promote accredited universities, professional certificates, and career tracks. Great for educational or personal development channels and blogs.
6. Amazon Associates (With a Strategy)
- Commission: 1%–10%
- Cookie Duration: 24 hours
- Why It’s Great (When Used Right):
While commissions are low, Amazon is the world’s largest online store. Pair this with a niche product blog or YouTube channel, and you can earn steadily with volume.
5. ConvertKit Affiliate Program
- Commission: 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great:
ConvertKit is loved by bloggers, creators, and small business owners. As long as your referrals stay on the platform, you earn monthly. Residual income? Yes, please.
4. Hostinger Affiliate Program
- Commission: Up to $150 per sale
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great:
Hostinger is aggressively priced and perfect for budget-conscious startups. It’s beginner-friendly and offers helpful onboarding tools for new affiliates.
3. Fiverr Affiliates
- Commission: $15–$150 per first-time buyer
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great:
Fiverr covers every niche—from logos to voiceovers to coding. Promote freelance services, and get paid per lead without requiring a sale for high-ticket items.
2. Skillshare Affiliate Program
- Commission: $7–$67 per new customer
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great:
Skillshare is beginner-friendly, especially for creative niches like art, productivity, and entrepreneurship. They offer free trials, which convert better than paid offers.
🥇 1. Semrush Affiliate Program (BeRush)
- Commission: $200 per sale, $10 per trial
- Cookie Duration: 120 days
- Why It’s #1:
Digital marketing is huge in 2025, and Semrush is one of the top SEO tools in the world. Their program is aggressive, long-tracked, and converts very well—especially if you cater to bloggers, agencies, or online businesses.
✅ Pro Tips for Affiliate Beginners
- Pick 1–2 niches to start (e.g., SEO, design, or online courses)
- Create helpful content—don’t just sell
- Use YouTube, blogging, or TikTok to build trust
- Always disclose your affiliate links (transparency builds loyalty)
- Focus on recurring programs for long-term income
