The internet has changed a lot over time and so too has affiliate marketing. In recent years, as more people started using online shopping sites like Amazon, there was no need for affiliates to go through any sort of formal training or certification process. You just had to be able to write some compelling copy that would entice customers into buying what you were promoting.
However, things are different now. The internet landscape has evolved significantly since then and while most users can browse products on their own without needing anyone else’s help, they may still want someone who knows what they are doing to guide them along. And this is where Rakuten comes in.
In this article we will take a look at whether Rakuten is still a relevant brand when it comes to earning commissions from your website traffic. We'll also explain how easy it is to get involved with its affiliate network.
Despite being founded back in 1996, Rakuten continues to make waves within the digital space. It's one of Japan's biggest companies and boasts around 50 million active members across all platforms including mobile, desktop, and social media. So, if you're looking for a reputable company to promote with, Rakuten might not come off short.
It operates in many countries worldwide which makes it easier than ever before to find new markets for your promotions. However, despite these advantages, Rakuten doesn't always rank well according to independent research. For example, in 2020, Business Insider named it one of the worst brands to work with due to high levels of customer complaints. This isn't exactly great news for those hoping to earn money by running ads on websites owned by Rakuten.
But let's say that you don't care about Rakutan's reputation because you think that it's got potential. Then, how good is Rakuten anyway? Well, here's a quick rundown of why Rakuten could offer you a decent amount of income if you choose to sign up with them.
One thing that sets Rakuten apart from other networks is the fact that it offers both free and paid plans. While there are plenty of networks that only allow users to pay for premium services, Rakuten allows you to start earning revenue straight away.
If you decide to use the free plan though, you won't receive a whole lot of benefits. That said, you will still benefit from access to thousands of products on Rakuten's marketplace and the ability to create custom landing pages. Plus, you'll have full control over your ad campaign, allowing you to change everything such as text, images, video, and links.
To start making cash, however, you'll need to upgrade to the paid version of Rakuten. There are three options available depending on your needs:
- Standard Plan - $9 per month
- Premium Plan - $29 per month
- Pro Plan - $49 per month
For each option above, you'll receive a monthly payout based on the number of visitors you send to Rakuten's partner stores. If you use the standard plan, for instance, you'll earn roughly 80 cents per visitor sent to your site (roughly 0.80 x 10 000).
While the payouts for the higher tiers aren't quite as impressive, they are enough to justify paying the extra money. With the Pro Plan, for example, you'll receive 85 cents per visit instead.
You can cancel your subscription anytime but you will lose whatever payments you haven't received yet. As long as you've signed up for at least 30 days, you should be fine.
Becoming an affiliate with Rakuten couldn't be simpler. All you need to do is register with Rakuten first. After signing up, you'll see a link titled "Your Account" on the page. Clicking on this will redirect you to a second screen where you'll be asked to fill in details regarding your business name, contact information, payment methods, etc.
Once done, Rakuten will ask you to upload a sample product image and provide instructions on how users should navigate your site once they arrive. To finish setting up your account, you'll need to complete a few steps that include creating a unique URL for your promotion, uploading banners, and choosing between two types of tracking codes.
Finally, you'll be given the choice of joining either the Basic or Advanced version of Rakuten's affiliate program. Both versions require you to enter a minimum order value before getting paid. But the difference lies in the rewards provided.
With the basic option, you'll receive a percentage of every sale made via your link. On top of that, you'll gain access to additional features such as analytics reports, reporting tools, and advanced settings. Meanwhile, with the advance version, you'll receive a flat 20% fee regardless of sales figures.
As you probably guessed, the advanced level requires a bit more investment and therefore earns less money overall. Still, it's better than nothing!
Yes, Rakuten does indeed have its own affiliate program. Launched in 2016, it has been growing steadily ever since. By 2021, Rakuten claims that it already handles 2 billion transactions annually.
At present, Rakuten advertises products from approximately 1,000 retailers globally. These range from cosmetics and beauty supplies to electronics. Although the majority of the products are offered directly by the original sellers, Rakuten provides convenient payment solutions for merchants looking to sell goods outside their native marketplaces.
So far, Rakuten has partnered with eBay, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Jet.com, Sephora, and even AliExpress. Each partnership brings a slightly different set of conditions but generally speaking, the same rules apply.
If you'd like to join Rakuten's affiliate program, you'll need to submit a detailed application form detailing your experience and expertise as an affiliate. Once approved, you'll be issued a unique code that you can use to track your earnings.
Rakuten uses several different programs to ensure quality content is shared throughout its platform. Among them are ShareASALE, SkimLinks, and LinkShare. When you run a promotion, you must follow certain guidelines related to the type of content used.
Although Rakuten doesn't specify what kind of content works best, it suggests that articles written in English should suffice. Likewise, you shouldn't try to cheat the system by submitting multiple accounts, fake emails, or misleading titles.
When it comes to earnings, Rakuten pays anywhere from 5%-25% of total purchases generated by your referrals. Again, this depends on the tier you opt for. The lower the tier, the smaller your cut.
Rakuten is constantly working to improve its affiliate program by adding new partners, improving existing ones, and ensuring that everyone receives fair treatment. Despite this, the company is often criticized for not keeping pace with emerging trends in the industry.
This means that although Rakuten is relatively stable compared to some of its competitors, it lacks the cutting edge technology needed to compete against newer players. If you'd prefer to keep your hands clean, then perhaps Rakuten is not for you. Otherwise, it could prove to be a useful resource for generating passive income.
If you're new to affiliate marketing and are looking at joining a network such as Rakuten or CJ, it's important that you understand how each of these companies works -- specifically their affiliates programs. This article will help you decide whether or not Rakuten is right for your business' needs!
In this Rakuten Affiliate Network review we'll be taking a look at what Rakuten offers its affiliates, including information on the amount they pay per click (CPC) compared with other similar networks like ShareASALE, Commission Junction (CJ), ClickBank, etc., along with some details about the affiliate approval process. We'll also compare Rakutan against its competitors and show you if Rakuten is worth considering for your next affiliate campaign.
At present time, Rakuten pays $0.25 per paid ad impression. If you have multiple ads running simultaneously then you'd earn more money. The maximum payout is limited by the number of clicks received during the day. However, the company says that average earnings can reach up to $3.50 per day.
The Rakuten Advertiser Rewards Program allows you to generate additional revenue through referral commissions. A user who signs up using one of your links will receive 10% of all sales made via your link. You won't earn any rewards until the person makes his first purchase.
You might think that Rakuten is offering very low rates when compared to other major networks but keep reading because there's another reason why Rakuten could actually appeal to you even though it doesn't offer huge profits... it has no fees. That means you don't need to worry about paying anything extra for ad impressions, so you can focus your efforts elsewhere while earning money passively from your website traffic.
There aren't many downsides associated with Rakuten except for the lack of payment options outside of PayPal. Currently users must use Paypal to accept payments which is a bit limiting if you sell digital products online instead of physical goods. Another issue is that Rakuten only accepts U.S. dollars. For those living abroad, this may prove problematic due to exchange rates.
However, Rakuten does allow affiliates to set-up shop within Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. So if you live outside of North America, you should consider Rakuten.
Getting approved for Rakuten isn't difficult. All you need to do is follow the steps listed below:
1. Sign up with Rakuten and create a free account.
2. Fill out the application form providing basic personal data. It includes things like name, address, contact info, occupation, phone numbers, email addresses, websites and social media accounts.
3. Upload screenshots of your site(s).
4. Attach a copy of your merchant agreement (if applicable).
5. Provide a list of keywords related to your niche. These include words used in titles, descriptions and meta tags.
6. Submit screenshots of your landing page.
7. Get approved after submitting 3 complete applications.
8. Start promoting your product/service on your blog or website. Make sure you choose relevant content topics and write unique articles. Your readership should increase over time.
9. Earn passive income!
It's possible to join almost every affiliate network available today. Some require specific skillsets while others prefer certain niches. Here are examples of popular affiliate networks you can join:
ShareASALE - Allows anyone to sign up and promote eCommerce stores, apps, software and services.
Commission Junction (CJ) - Offers affiliate opportunities across various industries and vertical markets.
Clickbank - Has thousands of different products to promote.
Amazon Associates - Sponsors merchants selling Amazon products.
Shopify - Promotes Shopify store owners.
Rakuten - Specializes in digital marketing and technology.
AllianceOne - Sponsors retailers based around home improvement, automotive, health & beauty, fashion, food, pet care, electronics and more.
ForumsHub - Supports forums and classified sites.
To find out more about how to become an affiliate marketer, check out our How To Become An Affiliate Marketer Guide.
Are affiliate programs legitimate? Yes, they're highly profitable and easy to start. But remember, before signing up with a network, always read their terms and conditions carefully. Make sure you fully understand what you agree to by clicking "accept." Also, never give private information to someone asking you to join them unless you've verified their identity and trustworthiness by checking public records.
Rakuten
What kind of products can I promote on Rakuten.
Can I earn commissions from all my customers who buy from me through Rakuten?
I'm considering joining Rakuten but would love some insight into what they offer so I can make sure this program fits well with my brand. Can you please provide more information about Rakuten and what makes them unique?
Thanks in advance!
(Note: All questions were asked by email)
1) Are there any other affiliate networks like Rakuten?
There are many different affiliate networks available today, ranging from big names like Amazon, Commission Junction (CJ), ShareASale, ClickBank, and Google Adsense to smaller niche-specific networks, including BuySellAds, LinkShare, and Swagbucks. Each one has its own set of benefits, which we'll cover below.
For example, while most networks require you to create a landing page before signing up, Rakuten allows you to sign up directly using your Twitter handle. While most networks only allow you to advertise specific items sold by others, Rakuten lets you sell anything and everything online —
Rakuten Marketing was founded by Rakuten, Inc., one of Japan’s largest online retailers with over 20 million users worldwide. In 2009, Rakuten decided to venture into e-commerce in order to offer its customers even more choice -- this included offering products from many different brands.
In 2012, Rakuten launched its first affiliate program, which eventually became known as Rakuten Marketing. The company offers two types of affiliate networks: Rakuten Affiliates (RA) and Rakuten Marketplace (RM). RA focuses on offering merchants the ability to sell directly through Rakuten while RM allows them to distribute products via Amazon and other third party sites.
The goal behind both affiliate programs is to provide convenience to the merchant and allow them to reach a larger audience. To accomplish this, Rakuten provides tools that make it easier than ever before for merchants to create landing pages, collect leads, track sales data and much more.
As mentioned above, there are two distinct affiliate platforms offered by Rakuten. Both have pros and cons so let’s look at what they can offer your business.
Before we dive deep into Rakuten’s platform, here is a quick overview video showing off some of the key features available within Rakuten’s marketplace:
Landing Pages - Create custom landing page templates that include all elements needed to capture customer information. You also receive analytics reports based on performance metrics including conversion rates, click-through rate, average time spent on site, etc.
Lead Capture Forms - Use multiple forms to capture email addresses, phone numbers or any additional pieces of information required to complete the sale process.
Email Lists & Campaigns - Send bulk emails using preconfigured campaigns or build your own campaign list based on specific criteria.
Sales Data Tracking - Track conversions, revenue earned and more during the entire lifecycle of a purchase funnel.
Analytics Reports - See real-time reporting of traffic sources, demographics, product purchases, and more.
Social Media Integration – Integrate social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest.
Rakute Affiliate Program
If you're looking for a way to earn some extra cash from home, then it may be worth considering joining one of the many online affiliate programs available today. With so many options on offer, how do you know which ones are best suited to your needs and budget?
In this article we'll take a look at Rakuten's affiliate network – a popular choice among both affiliates and consumers alike. If you've never heard of them before, they're probably not familiar with Rakuten either. But that doesn't mean there aren't any benefits to signing up as an affiliate here, or that Rakuten isn't a reputable company. We'll explore exactly what Rakuten offers its affiliates, as well as whether or not it can truly be considered "legit".
It goes without saying that you will need to pay something if you want to become an affiliate marketer. You could consider offering products yourself instead, but if you have no experience selling anything online then it might be better to just join an existing affiliate network like Rakuten's.
The good news is that Rakuten provides all kinds of support for new affiliates through their website. They even provide an e-book called How To Make Money As An Amazon Associate which includes information about choosing which products to promote on your site, as well as step by step guides to help get started promoting those items successfully.
This book alone makes Rakuten a great option when compared to other companies who charge affiliates huge fees for similar services (and sometimes nothing at all). It also means that most people won't be paying anything upfront - rather, they'll only receive commissions once someone has made a purchase from the link they provided!
As mentioned above, Rakuten earns revenue via affiliate links placed within its own websites. This means that whenever someone clicks through an ad linking them to another product being sold by Rakuten, the merchant pays Rakuten a percentage of whatever price was charged.
When creating your account, you should choose between two different types of accounts: Commission Sharing and ShareASale. The former allows you to keep 100% of the earnings generated through sales made using your links, while the latter gives you 50/50 split of profits. Either way, Rakuten takes 10%, meaning that 90% of every sale will go straight back into the pockets of the merchants placing ads on their sites.
What's more, Rakuten charges a fee per click on each link used to generate income. However, this amount varies depending on where you sign up for your affiliate account. For example, if you use the Rakuten Advertising platform, you will only pay $0.01 per click. In comparison, the same thing would cost you around $1.00 if you signed up directly with Amazon. However, if you opt for the Direct Sales platform, you will find that Rakuten takes 20cents per click. That said, these figures include a minimum payout threshold of $100, so don't expect to pocket thousands every month.
You will also be required to set up a tracking system if you wish to monitor the success of your campaigns. This involves installing software onto your computer that lets you see which links were clicked on and where visitors came from. Tracking systems such as Google Analytics allow you to view statistics relating to traffic, conversions, and overall performance, enabling you to adjust your campaign strategy accordingly.
There are three main ways Rakuten advertises itself to potential affiliates:
Through paid search ads displayed on Google
Through display advertisements shown across various social media platforms
By featuring banners on partner websites (such as Shopify)
Paid Search Ads appear alongside organic results on Google, Yahoo!, Bing, and other major search engines. These ads often show up beneath relevant content, usually displaying sponsored links along side regular listings.
Display Advertisements feature prominently throughout the web, usually appearing over videos, articles, blogs, and other forms of digital content. While these ads are generally smaller than traditional banners, they tend to be far less intrusive, making them ideal for adding subtle yet effective branding messages to your audience.
Finally, banner advertising is becoming increasingly common on third party sites. By simply adding a small snippet of code to your site, you can add Rakuten links to your homepage and footers. These ads are typically highly visible, but again, they come with the usual downsides of having too much clutter everywhere.
Once you've created an account on the Rakuten platform, you'll notice that every time you create a blog post on your site, you will automatically be offered the chance to include a link to a particular item. At first glance, it seems easy enough: Just copy & paste the URL into a box, hit save, and publish. Unfortunately, things aren't quite that simple.
To begin with, you must ensure that you have permission to place a Rakuten ad on your page. To do this, log into your dashboard and select Site Information. From here, scroll down until you reach Permissions under Content Management System Settings. Click Edit next to the dropdown menu labelled Allow access to pages containing specific text, images, files, directories, or URLs. Paste the URL of the desired product in the box provided and click Save Changes. Once complete, return to your blog and refresh the page. Your ad should now appear.
Now comes the hard part. Remember that you need to add a link to the product you'd like to sell, but you cannot actually sell the product themselves. Instead, you will need to refer customers elsewhere in order to buy it.
For instance, let's say you wanted to recommend a pair of headphones. Rather than writing a direct recommendation for your readers, you would instead write a sentence explaining why they should visit a certain retailer, such as Best Buy. When they arrive at the retailer's site, they will likely be prompted to input their email address. After doing so, they will be taken to a survey form asking questions such as 'Do you plan to purchase a headphone?' If they answer yes, Rakuten will send them to an affiliate store where they can purchase the headphones for a discounted price.
While this process appears straightforward, it's important to note that the whole operation relies upon trust. So long as you abide by the rules laid out in Rakuten's terms and conditions, you will avoid getting banned. Of course, this is assuming that you follow instructions properly. Otherwise, you risk losing access to the entire network altogether.
That said, Rakuten is known for providing excellent customer service. A quick phone call to their 24/7 live chat support line should resolve any issues quickly. And although Rakuten's policies are strict, they are rarely enforced unless you break them intentionally.
Overall, Rakuten is certainly a solid choice for anyone looking to start earning passive income from home. Its affiliate program is generous, and its vast array of tools and resources make it easier than ever to succeed.
But if you have concerns regarding the legitimacy of Rakuten, then perhaps it's best that you steer clear entirely. Although Rakuten is widely viewed as legitimate, it's unclear whether or not it's really as profitable as advertised. Plus, given the recent controversies surrounding several big names in the industry, including Paypal and eBay, it's always wise to proceed cautiously when dealing with unfamiliar brands.
So, while Rakuten is definitely a worthy choice, ultimately it's up to you to decide if it's right for you. There are plenty of alternative networks out there, after all. Perhaps we'll cover another soon...
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.