When you're looking for a new product or service to sell online, one of the most popular ways to go about doing so is through affiliate sales. You'll be able to earn commission by referring people who purchase that product or service directly from your link to them. It's great because they don't have to pay anything upfront (though some may prefer to).
If you want to use SaaS affiliate marketing as part of your business model, there are lots of different ways to get started. In this article, we're going to explain what SaaS affiliate marketing is, how it works, and which types of products will work well for you. We'll also take a look at some tips on choosing the right type of SaaS platform before getting into more detail on setting up your own affiliate program.
Before diving into all that though, let's start by defining exactly what "Saas" stands for. Saas means Software As A Service, often shortened to just SAAS. The term comes from the idea that once someone purchases a subscription, they won't ever again have to worry about installing any additional software themselves - everything is handled automatically by the provider.
So if you're considering selling something like ClickFunnels, for example, then you should know that you'd only ever refer people to that specific software when they sign-up for their paid membership plan.
The first thing you need to understand regarding SaaS affiliate marketing is that not every company offers an affiliate program. This isn't necessarily bad news, but it does mean that finding the right partner could sometimes prove tricky. Some companies will allow you to promote their services without paying you any commissions, while others might require you to sign up using a special referral code.
To find out whether a particular SaaS affiliate network allows you to join their affiliate program straight away, you can check out their terms and conditions page. If they say yes, then you can simply click through to their website and apply for an account. From here, you will receive your unique affiliate ID number.
Once you've signed up, you'll see a dashboard where you can manage your various campaigns. Each campaign has its own URL, you can create custom landing pages, track analytics data, and even send emails to customers. All these features are available to you free of charge within each individual campaign.
You can create multiple campaigns too, so you can split test various links and content across several platforms. Once you've got everything running smoothly, it's time to promote!
In order to begin earning income from referrals, you'll need to choose a suitable SaaS service to market. There are numerous options available today, ranging from simple web apps such as ClickFunnel to complex CRM solutions like Salesforce and Hubspot.
As long as you select a good fit for your audience, you should be fine. But remember, you're still responsible for promoting those products yourself, rather than relying on other people to do it for you. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured to rush things either. Take your time, try out a few different ones until you find the perfect match, and build up a strong following over time.
There are two main types of SaaS affiliate networks that you can consider joining. One is called direct partnerships, where both parties agree to give access to each other's clients. For instance, if you were to sign up with Clickfunnels, you would be offered a dedicated affiliate program to offer to your existing list and prospective leads. These kinds of arrangements usually come with a higher commission rate per sale, since you're essentially working for both sides simultaneously.
Another option is known as multi-channel distribution. Here, you can advertise your affiliate link on social media channels, websites, email lists, etc., meaning you can reach a wider range of potential buyers. However, you aren't guaranteed to land anyone unless you spend time building relationships with influencers.
If you decide to pursue either of these strategies, keep in mind that you'll need to carefully research each brand before signing up. Remember, you're no longer dealing with physical goods anymore, so you'll need to ensure that you're providing value to your readers instead of trying to sell them something they already own.
One major difference between traditional affiliate programs and SaaS affiliate marketing is that Amazon doesn't provide a fixed commission rate. Instead, sellers must wait and see how many clicks they generate on their ads.
This system creates a lot of uncertainty among merchants, especially when you have a smaller budget compared to larger brands. Most publishers opt to target high profile keywords, hoping that they'll attract enough interest to offset the risk. Unfortunately, this approach rarely pays off.
Some experts claim that the top 10 percent of Amazon affiliates bring in around 50% of the total revenue. More recent studies suggest that the average seller earns less than $1,000 annually. Even if you're lucky enough to hit that mark, it's unlikely you'll be making anywhere near what you would by selling other items on eBay or Etsy.
However, if you're interested in SaaS affiliate marketing, you should probably focus on niche markets anyway. Since you will likely be targeting highly targeted audiences, you should expect to enjoy greater success with a narrower keyword selection.
Whether you pick direct partnership or multi-channel distribution, you can expect to make somewhere between 20%-40%. Keep in mind that the amount you actually make depends heavily upon how effective your ad copy was, along with the quality of traffic you drive to your site.
While it seems daunting to think about, you don't have to commit thousands of dollars to achieve success with SaaS affiliate marketing. With proper planning and preparation, you can easily turn a small side hustle into a full-time career. By focusing on proven methods, and continually testing and refining your strategy, you can eventually grow your empire beyond belief.
And with so many opportunities available, it's easy to justify starting a blog, creating videos, writing articles, and growing your network in general. After all, the internet continues to grow exponentially, meaning there's always plenty of room for growth. So if you love helping others succeed, SaaS affiliate marketing is definitely worth exploring further.
Have you tried SaaS affiliate marketing yet? What kind of results did you experience? Or perhaps you have other questions regarding the process? Let us know down below!
If you're a digital marketer or entrepreneur trying to grow your business online, then becoming an SaaS affiliate might be right for you. The idea of working as an affiliate for another company's product can sound daunting at first glance but there are plenty of reasons why they could benefit both sides of the equation.
In today’s article we’ll take a look at how to get started with SaaS affiliate marketing so you know exactly what to expect from these types of partnerships and what makes them special compared to other methods. We'll also explain how you can earn extra cash by promoting products on behalf of others.
To begin, let's talk about what SaaS stands for. This acronym refers to Software As A Service (or "cloud-based") applications that allow users to access their data via web browsers rather than through desktop apps like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop.
The most common examples include Google Docs, Dropbox, Evernote, and Slack. These services provide all sorts of functions such as word processing, note taking, cloud storage, group messaging, etc., which allows people to work more efficiently and collaborate better without having to worry about downloading files onto their computers. For example, if someone needs to write a report on the same topic multiple times over the course of several months, instead of creating separate documents each time, they can simply use one document hosted on a website like Google Drive.
This type of service is called Software As A Service because it provides a central location where customers can store information while making sure it stays safe and secure thanks to cloud computing technology. It’s similar to renting a car rather than owning one. You don't have to deal with maintenance costs, gas expenses, parking fees, or insurance payments. All you have to remember is when to return the vehicle and pay the final bill.
While the best SaaS affiliate partners offer a variety of options, some basic guidelines apply regardless of whether you want to promote physical goods or digital downloads. To learn more about the specific requirements for different types of ecommerce sites, check out our full list of top five SaaS affiliate networks here. If you already have your own blog or site, however, you can quickly find new ways to monetize it using SaaS affiliate marketing.
As mentioned before, SaaS affiliate platforms typically require developers or designers who create content on the platform to act as affiliates. An affiliate will receive a commission whenever a user clicks through his link and purchases something from the vendor he represents.
For instance, say you run a WordPress blog and you decide to sign up with Clickbank to sell Amazon Kindle books. When you submit your account details, Clickbank automatically redirects you to a page where you enter your name, email address, website URL, and payment details. After completing those steps, you’re ready to go!
You can choose any number of Clickbank book titles to promote. Just click “Add New Product" and select whichever title you'd like to feature. Then fill out the rest of the form and save your changes. That’s pretty much it—you should now see a list of your book links under the Products tab.
When visitors arrive at your site, you can place a banner ad linking back to Clickbank.com. Or you can embed a small widget containing a link to Clickbank into your sidebar. Either way, after clicking one of your ads, users will be redirected to Clickbank where they can purchase whatever product you've chosen.
Once they buy the item, you’ll receive a referral fee based on the standard commissions rates outlined above. In addition to generating revenue, this method helps you build relationships with potential clients and generate leads. They may even end up buying additional items later down the road.
It takes just a few minutes to register an affiliate account with Clickbank, PayPal, Payoneer, Stripe, Revolut, CashU, Shopify, or any other popular SaaS affiliate network. Once you log in, you’ll notice that the interface looks very familiar. It's almost identical to the process used for setting up shop selling physical products.
Here are three important things to keep in mind when choosing between various providers:
1) How many vendors does the marketplace support? Some companies only accept merchants located within certain countries while others limit the amount of inventory available per merchant. Check with the provider beforehand to ensure compatibility.
2) What kind of tools do vendors supply? Most SaaS affiliate managers give their affiliates detailed instructions on everything from how to optimize banners to how often they should post updates. However, some smaller outfits lack comprehensive resources and rely heavily upon third parties for guidance. Make sure you ask questions during setup and never assume anything about the system.
3) Is there free trial period? Many SaaS affiliate networks charge a monthly subscription fee in order to maintain customer accounts. Be prepared to fork over $20-$50/month depending on the size and popularity of the marketplace. There isn't necessarily a lot of value in signing up unless you plan to remain active long term.
There are dozens of reputable SaaS affiliate programs to choose from. Here are seven of the largest players in the space along with brief descriptions of what sets them apart:
ShareASale - One of the oldest names in the game, ShareASale has been around since 2008. The platform offers hundreds of thousands of products ranging from personal productivity solutions to eCommerce websites.
CJ Affiliate - Launched in 2016 by former eBay executives, CJ Affiliate claims to be one of the fastest growing SaaS affiliate programs worldwide. Offering products from well-known brands including Hubspot, Salesforce, GoDaddy, and Namecheap, CJ Affiliate has grown rapidly due to its strong reputation among marketers and entrepreneurs alike.
HubSpot - HubSpot is arguably the world leader in inbound marketing technology. Its flagship offering includes CRM software, landing pages, sales automation, lead nurturing software, social media management tools, and project management software.
Payment Gateway & Payment Processor - Built by industry veterans, Paypal is known for being extremely reliable and easy to integrate with virtually every website imaginable.
Revolut - Founded in 2015, Revolut is one of Europe’s leading financial tech startups. The mobile app connects consumers directly to banks in order to send international wire transfers, pay bills, and withdraw funds anywhere in the EU.
Shopify - Originally founded as a Canadian retailer, Shopify was acquired by eBay in 2012. Today the platform boasts millions of active stores across 190 countries.
CashU - Launched in 2014, CashU specializes in providing credit card processors to businesses looking to accept bitcoin payments.
Of course, not everyone wants to spend hours manually updating banners and posting weekly status reports. Fortunately, there are a handful of handy plugins designed specifically for SaaS affiliate marketing. Let's review four of the best:
WP Banner Manager - WP Banner Manager lets you manage all aspects of your campaign in just a couple of clicks. Simply install the plugin, enable it, add your desired keywords, and publish posts according to your schedule.
Amazon Seller Central Dashboard Plugin - With this one simple plugin, you can easily monitor and adjust your campaigns' performance on Amazon. The dashboard shows stats like conversion rate, average orders, total earnings, and more.
Social Media Marketing Plugins - While it doesn't help you track metrics and conversions, Social Media Management Tools gives you access to numerous high performing Facebook Ads templates.
Affiliate Rank Tracker - This tool tracks your rankings across major search engines and displays relevant statistics on a daily basis. It also keeps tabs on competitors' activity allowing you to stay ahead of the curve.
Once you've signed up with a partner, it's time to think about how to actually drive traffic to your website.
After registering with a SaaS affiliate manager, the next step is deciding which products you would like to promote. Remember, this is where you can really differentiate yourself from traditional affiliate programs.
Some experts recommend focusing primarily on niche markets whereas others suggest going broad and covering as wide a range of topics as possible. Ultimately, it depends entirely on your skillset and audience.
Regardless of which option appeals to you, you need to focus on two key areas. First, identify which products you feel comfortable recommending. Second, develop compelling content that showcases your expertise in that particular field.
Next comes the fun part...finding creative ways to promote your offerings. Keep reading below for tips on building buzz, optimizing banners, and getting noticed in crowded niches.
Software As A Service means that you don't have to download large chunks of code in order to use a given application. Instead, you can log in remotely and view data straight from the browser window.
For a long time, I knew that there was something wrong with my affiliate management system. As an online business owner who spends hours every day managing customers on different platforms, I needed an easy-to-use affiliate manager. But instead of finding one, I found myself searching for an alternative way to manage all these accounts.
After spending months researching various ways to bring more traffic to my website through PPC (pay per click) advertising campaigns and other digital marketing services, I decided to try out affiliate advertising as well. And once again, I stumbled upon Clickbank’s “ShareASale” platform.
I had heard about Clickbank before but never really gave much thought to it until now. Why not give a tried and tested solution like ShareASale a go, right? After all, they have been around since 2003 and are still going strong today. So how did their product stack up against the competition?
The first thing I noticed when signing up for the ClickBank affiliate network was its low payout rates compared to many others. In fact, most of them pay between $0-$50 commission per sale. It seems that ClickBank has done away with paying higher commissions than that because of the risk involved.
So if you want to make money from your affiliate links, then you should probably opt for a lower commission rate than those offered by larger companies such as Amazon or eBay. This will help you save some cash while building up your portfolio.
However, keep in mind that the more popular brands tend to offer better rewards. For example, Shopify pays 70% of their sales revenue back to affiliates after deducting fees. This means that you can earn roughly 7 times the amount you would normally without any extra effort!
As mentioned above, ClickBank does not pay huge amounts to affiliates. The average commission rate across all categories hovers at just over $20 per sale. That’s pretty small considering that each sale generates anywhere between 50 cents to several dollars worth of profit. However, the upside is that you don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising costs either.
But this isn't the only factor you must consider when deciding whether or not to join a particular affiliate program. When choosing which marketplaces to promote your products on, be sure to take into account factors such as the following:
Does the marketplace allow you to target specific demographics? If so, choose wisely. You might find yourself wasting valuable resources promoting items to people outside your target demographic.
You may think that having millions of active users is always good news, but it's important to remember that too many competitors can lead to poor quality content being promoted to everyone. Choose markets where there aren’t already too many similar businesses competing for attention.
Take a look at the variety of goods sold within the marketplace itself. Do you see anything that interests you? Is there something that looks particularly promising? Or perhaps there are certain niche industries that seem underrepresented? These could be the perfect places to start looking for new opportunities.
If you know exactly what you're doing, you can even create your own affiliate program using affiliate tools like Marketo or Salesforce.
It turns out that ClickBank has another subsidiary called ShareASale. They specialize in providing access to a wide range of affiliate programs designed specifically for B2B ecommerce sites. What makes ShareASale unique is that it offers two separate networks - one focused on consumer websites and the second aimed at B2B retailers.
On the surface, there doesn’t appear to be much difference between the two. Both provide a place for you to promote products to potential buyers. However, there are a few key differences between the two types of affiliate programs. Here are three things you should know:
Both networks require you to register separately for each type of site. Consumer sites use a proprietary API that allows you to easily integrate with third party systems. On the other hand, B2B partners can simply connect directly via API calls.
Once registered, both networks also offer similar features. You can view detailed information about individual products including pricing, payment options, customer reviews, and much more.
When you work with ShareASale, you won’t have to worry about trademark issues. All trademarks belong to the company themselves, meaning that you can fully control your branding strategy without worrying about getting sued later down the line. However, this is not necessarily true of consumer sites. Many consumers believe that they own the rights to whatever names they come up with during promotions.
In addition to not having to deal with copyright infringement claims, consumers also benefit from the fact that you can avoid costly litigation altogether.
Yes, you can absolutely sell your own products on ShareASale. Unlike many other affiliate networks, you can actually build your own store in order to generate additional income.
This goes beyond just selling physical goods though. You can also sell digital downloads, membership subscriptions, and even subscription plans. With this option, you can charge recurring payments from members rather than relying solely on one-time sales.
When you combine this feature with the ability to customize landing pages, you truly have everything you need to run your very own successful affiliate campaign.
Affiliates receive a share of profits generated by the merchants they refer to. Typically, this figure ranges somewhere between 30%-70%. Although the exact percentages vary depending on the merchant, it typically falls within the aforementioned bracket.
There are plenty of benefits to working with a trusted affiliate network such as ShareASale. From a legal perspective alone, they ensure that no one gets hurt due to bad choices made by independent sellers. Plus, they cover your financial losses if a client decides to cancel their contract early. Finally, you can rest assured knowing that you'll get paid quickly and reliably.
With all that said, it's clear that the world of affiliate marketing is rife with opportunity. Whether you decide to focus on consumer or B2B sites, it's simple to gain exposure for your brand and drive traffic towards your website. Just remember to remain vigilant and stay ethical throughout the process. Good luck on your journey!
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.