How to Start Earning with Amazon Affiliate Program in 2024
If you're an e-commerce business owner, you must implement an affiliate marketing strategy to grow your income. Even if you've already implemented this strategy, it's never too late to intensify your efforts.
Amazon's affiliate program is among the top marketing programs, with over 900,000 affiliates. Its extensive network makes it an ideal marketing resource and a program for earning extra cash. Since its launch in 1996, the Amazon affiliate network, also referred to as Amazon associates, has allowed bloggers and content creators to monitise their content while promoting Amazon products and earning commissions.
If you're new to the Amazon affiliate program, this blog provides insights and tips to help you determine whether this program fits your goals.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a performance-driven strategy where companies compensate affiliates for every customer or visitor they acquire through the affiliate's promotional efforts.
This means affiliate marketers partner with different companies as partners to help advertise their goods or services. For instance, you can become an Amazon associate and promote the program's products on your website.
Affiliates earn by driving sales for business, with most programs offering percentage-based commissions on sales.
How Amazon Affiliate Programs Work
Amazon affiliate program is a free program. Once you sign up, you receive links. Amazon will pay based on the sales you generate. You must use your affiliate link and direct users to Amazon. If they purchase within 24 hours of clicking your link, you can earn a commission from 1% to 20% based on your product category.
The advantage is that this commission applies to the total value of their purchase, not just the product you promoted. For instance, if you promote an Amazon game and the buyer adds a train toy to their cart, you'll earn a commission on both items.
Although the Amazon Associates standard cookie duration is 24 hours, if buyers add a product to their cart through your link, and it remains there until the cart expires within 90 days, you'll still receive a referral fee.
Once you sign up for this affiliate program, you can access thousands of items to promote and get paid. You can explore your entrepreneurial spirit by just creating a website and working as an Amazon affiliate.
Although high-ticket affiliate programs and direct collaborations with companies are viable, Amazon offers the chance to promote thousands of products, transforming your side job into a profitable venture. That's why the platform is perfect for new and veteran affiliate marketers.
How much can I make as an Amazon Affiliate?
Your Amazon affiliate earnings will depend on several factors:
- Your niche
- The size and your audience engagement
- Your digital marketing efforts
You can earn $100 monthly or millions in a year as an Amazon affiliate. According to ZipRecruiter, the average Amazon affiliate earning range is $77,893 yearly. 3% of this program's earners earn between $110,500 and $126,500, while 13% of the lowest earners make between $35,000 and $43,499. Your earnings are determined by commission rates, which vary across different product categories for Amazon affiliates.
Let's explore these product categories.
The Amazon Affiliate program also includes fixed rates from $0.50 to $25 for "special commission income" related to service.
Amazon Affiliate Program Rules and Agreement
Not every affiliate program is ideal for you, so it's vital to understand the rules and requirements before signing up. Amazon is known for having stringent guidelines on what its associates are permitted and not permitted to do.
Your Amazon associate account may be banned if you don't understand all their requirements and rules. Let's look at Amazon affiliate program rules to ensure you become successful:
- Avoid mentioning prices
- Your website must state you may be earning a commission from the recommendation.
- Don't shorten affiliate links.
- Avoid making false claims or statements in your recommendations, such as generating fake traffic or writing fake product reviews.
- Don't use Amazon affiliate links for offline production methods such as e-books, emails, etc.
Requirements for Becoming an Affiliate Marketer in the Amazon Associates Program
Let's explore the requirements for becoming an affiliate marketer in the Amazon Associates program:
1. Website requirement
The first step to thriving in affiliate marketing is having a fully functioning blog or website. This means you're responsible for creating and maintaining your website.
Another requirement is having original content that is publicly available.
Your website must not feature intellectual property infringement, violent or sexually explicit content, discriminatory materials, or incitements to criminal activities.
2. Social media requirements
Amazon associate program permits to market on platforms like
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Twitch.tv
To qualify for promotion on these platforms, you must have 500 organic followers.
3. Mobile app requirements
You may apply to be an Amazon affiliate on the mobile app, which is free on Amazon, Apple stores, and Google Play. The app must feature original content, be distinct from Amazon's shopping app, and exclude any price-tracking features.
4. Link requirement
You need to create and use affiliate links on your blog or website to allow Amazon to track and calculate your earnings.
Remember, although they may seem strict, these rules and requirements are standard for any ethical affiliate marketer. To review Amazon's complete associate policy, click here.
Steps to Becoming an Amazon affiliate
If you own a YouTube channel, website or app, signing up and becoming an Amazon affiliate program is easy. Let's explore step by step:
1. Go to Amazon associates centre and tap sign up
You will see a sign-up button at the Amazon associates centre. Click it and start the process. If you already have an account, you will just log in. However, creating another for your business is advisable if you have a personal account. If your personal account is associated only with a phone number, and you have no business number, you won't be able to set up a new account.
2. Enter your information
Next, you'll have to provide your account details, which involve basic information such as your address and other details.
3. Add your website URL, apps and social media channels
Add your mobile app, website and social media accounts. The platform allows you to add up to 50 multiple website addresses, YouTube channels and mobile apps. You can place the affiliate link in all these places.
After adding a website and clicking the Next button, you'll be prompted to indicate whether your site or app is aimed at children under 13, as these are not eligible for the program.
4. Choose store ID
This is similar to the primary website name. You need to provide additional details, such as the goals of your website(s) and the type of links they will primarily focus on.
Describe how you drive traffic to your YouTube channel or website
You need to describe methods to attract visitors to your site or app. You can choose multiple options. Additionally, you also need to explain how your website makes an income, how to create affiliate links for your total visitors, and why you'd want to join the Amazon affiliate account.
Afterwards, you must finish the security CAPTCHA and accept the operating agreement.
5. Add payment and tax information.
After you've completed the application, you need to provide payment and tax details, although you can save it for later. From there, you can use Associates Central to develop affiliate links.
6. Create Amazon affiliate links
Once you create an Amazon associate account, you can access the personal associate homepage. From there, you will see a performance dashboard where you'll track earnings, clicks and monthly summary.
To generate an Amazon affiliate link, go to the top banner, click on Product Linking, and choose Product Links. Then, either enter the ASIN or the product you wish to promote or use the Amazon search tool to find the product.
Tap on the "Get Link" button. Use Amazon associate's SiteStripe tool to create an Amazon affiliate link directly.
Amazon Affiliate Program: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Amazon links are widely known and trustworthy
- You'll reach the global marketplace
- You can choose from several payment options, such as Amazon gift cards, cheques, or direct deposit.
- There are vast products to choose from
- Extended benefits, affiliate incentives and bonuses
- A scam-free platform for affiliates
Cons
The cookie duration for purchases is limited to 24 hours, which may impact your conversion rates.
- You can promote products through e-books or emails
- Commission rates are lower than direct brand programs
- You might find Amazon's influencer program if you have no website and are a social media influencer.
- Doesn't accept PayPal payment
Tips for Boosting Your Affiliate Marketing Income
Although learning how to become an Amazon affiliate is a straightforward process, many affiliates find it challenging to earn money. They face difficulties in driving traffic to their content. However, there are straightforward steps you can take to boost the number of clicks and impressions on your content.
1. Find a niche
An effective brand strategy involves building your online presence around a specific niche. By doing so, you will fulfil your target audience's needs. You will also identify trends early and seamlessly integrate products into your content without appearing overly promotional.
2. Consider the following tips when finding a niche
You are passionate about the topic: successful affiliate marketers become industry experts over time. So stay on top of the trends, learn constantly and participate in events.
You can be a niche problem solver. Your following will grow when you give your audience insights and help them solve problems.
Profitable niche: research on popular niches. Examine market research reports gauging the frequency of searches for topics within your niche. This indicates the level of consumer readiness to make a purchase.
3. Create original content on every platform
As an online entrepreneur, you must know the benefits of original content. It builds your credibility, enables you to stand out, and nurtures trust with your audience, all essential elements for effective affiliate marketing.
Ensure you distribute your content on multiple platforms since omnichannel buyers shop more and spend more than one channel buyer.
Another reason to post original content on other platforms is to target long-tail keywords across various formats. Remember, building a content library is not an overnight process; it requires time and dedication to see significant results.
4. Use Search Engine Optimisation Strategy
Do you want people to visit your website? SEO is the key. Ensure your YouTube channel or site is optimised for search engines to help it rank in search results. Avoid keyword stuffing; create web pages or content that will help your search engine understand your site better.
5. Product reviews
Creating product reviews helps establish social proof for potential buyers, enhances SEO, and ensures that your content remains current and relevant.
An affiliate who shares genuine impartial product reviews, whether their own or those from customers, cultivates loyalty among followers and transforms reviews into sales.
Share your experience with the product with your customers. Ensure to give its advantages and disadvantages. They want to know what you liked about the product, and you didn't. An honest review makes your customer purchase the item faster.
6. Use Amazon tools
Take advantage of Amazon tools like "Link to Any Page" and "SiteStripe" to generate desired Amazon links. These tools serve as a centralised platform where buyers can view your recommended products. Since they require minimum maintenance, they suit Amazon influencers, YouTube content creators and website owners.
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Final Thought
Amazon's affiliate program is among the oldest affiliate marketing programs. It helps affiliates earn money by promoting products from different companies. Many affiliates choose Amazon associates because of its massive range of products.
Boasting one of the industry's top conversion rates, the Amazon affiliate network enables affiliates to market products through their websites, YouTube channels, mobile apps and social media profiles. To tap into this network, affiliates need to apply for approval. Once accepted, they can commence creating and distributing their Amazon links.
To thrive as an affiliate marketer in this program, you should develop a compelling website or social media presence tailored to your niche. Also, remember to create high-quality SEO-optimised content. Do you have any questions about how to start earning with Amazon Affiliate Program? Kindly contact one of our experts for help today.