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What is ShareASale?
ShareASale is one of the most popular affiliate marketing platforms, connecting affiliates with merchants to promote products and earn commissions. As a ShareASale user, I’ve gained hands-on experience with the platform and its capabilities.
It is an affiliate marketing network that acts as a bridge between merchants (brands selling products or services) and affiliates (marketers who promote those products). Affiliates earn a commission for every sale, lead, or action generated through their referral links.
Founded in 2000, ShareASale is known for its wide variety of merchants across different niches, making it a go-to platform for affiliates of all types, from bloggers to YouTubers and social media influencers.
In this review, I’ll share everything you need to know about ShareASale, including its pros and cons, comparisons with competitors, potential earnings, and more.
Why Should You Use ShareASale?
Ease of Use
One of the standout features of ShareASale is its user-friendly interface. Whether you are a seasoned affiliate marketer or a complete novice, the platform is designed to be intuitive and accessible. The dashboard is clean and straightforward, allowing users to quickly navigate through various sections, such as finding merchants, tracking performance, and analyzing reports. Additionally, ShareASale provides a wealth of resources, including tutorials, webinars, and FAQs, to assist newcomers in effectively understanding how to utilize the platform.
High-Quality Merchants
ShareASale is home to numerous high-profile brands and reputable merchants. This includes both well-known companies and established businesses that offer robust affiliate programs with competitive commission rates. By partnering with high-quality merchants, affiliates can promote products and services that have a strong market presence and credibility, which enhances the likelihood of conversions. Moreover, high-quality merchants usually provide better marketing materials, such as banners, product images, and promotional tools.
Via ShareASale
Reliable Payments
Financial reliability is a major concern for affiliates, and ShareASale addresses this by offering consistent and dependable payment schedules. Affiliates are paid on a monthly basis, with a minimum payout threshold of $50. This monthly payment cycle ensures that marketers can manage their cash flow effectively while being confident that they will receive their earnings without unnecessary delays. ShareASale also provides multiple payment options, including direct deposit, checks, and PayPal, making it accommodating for affiliates in various regions and with differing preferences.
Via ShareASale
Flexibility in Commission Structures
One of the reasons ShareASale stands out in the affiliate marketing space is its flexibility in commission structures. Affiliates have the opportunity to choose from a variety of compensation models, including pay-per-sale (PPS), pay-per-lead (PPL), and pay-per-click (PPC). This diversity allows affiliates to select the model that best aligns with their marketing strategy and audience behavior. For instance, those who excel at generating leads might prefer PPL programs, while others who drive sales could focus on PPS opportunities.
Robust Support and Resources
ShareASale is a powerful affiliate marketing platform that offers robust support and resources for both merchants and affiliates, making it an attractive choice for those looking to enhance their online revenue. The platform provides a comprehensive help center, including FAQs, guides, and tutorials that facilitate a smooth onboarding process and ongoing operations. Its dedicated account management team offers personalized assistance, ensuring that users can effectively navigate the intricacies of affiliate marketing. Additionally, ShareASale hosts webinars and provides marketing materials to empower users with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.
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How Much Money Can You Make with ShareASale?
Earnings on ShareASale vary widely depending on the merchant, your niche, and the traffic you drive.
Pay-Per-Sale (PPS): Commission rates range from 5% to 50%, depending on the program. Some merchants offer flat rates per sale (e.g., $20 per sale).
Pay-Per-Lead (PPL): You can earn $1–$50+ per lead, depending on the merchant.
Example 1:
If you join a program offering a 20% commission on a $100 product, you’ll earn $20 per sale. If you generate 50 sales a month, that’s $1,000 in earnings.
Example 2:
Promoting a merchant with a $10 flat commission per lead can earn you $500 if you generate 50 leads.
Realistically, affiliates can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month to six figures annually, depending on their effort and strategy.
Pros and Cons of Using ShareASale
As a regular user of ShareASale, I’ve experienced its strengths and weaknesses firsthand. While the platform is one of the most trusted and established affiliate networks, it’s not without its flaws. Below is a detailed breakdown of what works well and what could be improved.
Pros of Using ShareASale
Wide Variety of Merchants
One of ShareASale’s standout features is its extensive network of over 16,000 merchants across multiple niches, including fashion, tech, home goods, and more. This diversity makes it easier to find products that resonate with your audience.
Example: As a user with a blog in the fitness niche, I was able to partner with several fitness gear and supplement brands within days of joining.
Beginner-Friendly Platform
ShareASale’s interface is intuitive, making it easy for new affiliates to navigate. From applying to programs to generating affiliate links, the process is streamlined.
Pro Tip: Their knowledge base and tutorials are great for learning the ropes if you’re new to affiliate marketing.
Customizable Marketing Tools
ShareASale offers affiliates a range of marketing assets, including banners, text links, and product showcases. These tools are customizable to align with your branding and campaign needs.
Detailed Reporting and Analytics
ShareASale provides detailed reports that include data on clicks, conversions, and earnings. These insights are crucial for optimizing campaigns and increasing profitability.
Highlight: Metrics like EPC (Earnings Per Click) allow you to evaluate the performance of each merchant and identify top earners.
Longstanding Reputation
Having been around since 2000, ShareASale is a trustworthy name in the affiliate marketing world. Their established reputation adds to the platform’s credibility and reliability.
Flexible Commission Models
The platform supports multiple commission structures:
- Pay-Per-Sale (PPS): Earn a percentage of each sale.
- Pay-Per-Lead (PPL): Get paid for generating leads, such as email signups or trial subscriptions.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC): Earn based on the clicks you drive to a merchant’s site.
Cons of Using ShareASale
Quality of Merchants Varies
While there are reputable brands on ShareASale, not all merchants are equal. Some programs have low conversion rates, poor tracking, or insufficient marketing support. Affiliates must carefully evaluate each program before promoting.
Example: I once partnered with a merchant offering high commissions, only to discover their website was outdated, leading to low sales.
Approval Process Can Be Tedious
Unlike some networks that offer automatic approval, ShareASale requires affiliates to apply individually to each merchant. This can be time-consuming, especially if you’re applying to multiple programs.
Limited Payment Methods
ShareASale does not support PayPal, which could be inconvenient for affiliates who prefer this method for receiving payments.
Short Cookie Duration for Some Merchants
Cookie duration varies by merchant, with some offering as little as 7 days. A shorter cookie duration reduces the window for earning commissions if a user doesn’t purchase immediately.
Pro Tip: Look for programs with a 30-day or longer cookie duration for better earning potential.
Customer Support Can Be Slow
While ShareASale provides email support and a knowledge base, their response times can be slower than expected. This may be frustrating if you encounter technical issues or need urgent assistance.
ShareASale vs CJ Affiliate
ShareASale and CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) are both prominent affiliate marketing networks, each offering unique advantages for publishers and advertisers. ShareASale is celebrated for its user-friendly interface and diverse range of merchant programs, which cater to various niches, making it attractive for smaller affiliates or those just starting in the affiliate marketing space. It also offers robust reporting tools and flexible commission structures.
On the other hand, CJ Affiliate is known for its extensive network of top-tier brands and advanced technology features that facilitate in-depth tracking and optimization, appealing primarily to larger affiliates and agencies looking for high-volume partnerships. While ShareASale may provide a more accessible platform for newcomers, CJ Affiliate excites those seeking high-value collaborations with well-established companies.
Conclusion
ShareASale is a reliable and beginner-friendly affiliate network that offers something for everyone, from casual bloggers to experienced marketers. While it has minor drawbacks, such as varying merchant quality and limited payment methods, its strengths—such as diverse niches, robust tools, and consistent payments—make it a top choice in the affiliate marketing space.
If you’re looking for a platform with a wide range of affiliate programs, strong analytics, and growth potential, ShareASale is worth considering. Its partnership with Awin further enhances its credibility and reach, making it a solid option for affiliates worldwide.
FAQs
What is ShareASale?
ShareASale is an affiliate marketing platform that connects affiliates (marketers) with merchants (businesses) to promote products or services. Affiliates earn commissions for driving sales, leads, or traffic to the merchant’s website through their unique affiliate links.
Example: If you run a blog about fitness, you can partner with fitness brands on ShareASale and earn commissions whenever your readers purchase products through your links.
How does ShareASale work for affiliates?
As an affiliate, you sign up for free on ShareASale, browse through thousands of available affiliate programs, and apply to the ones relevant to your audience. Once approved, you can generate affiliate links or banners to promote the products or services on your website, blog, or social media.
Commissions are tracked through cookies, and you earn based on the merchant’s terms, such as per sale or per lead.
How much money can I make with ShareASale?
Your earnings depend on several factors:
The commission rates of the programs you join.
The amount of traffic you drive to the merchant’s website.
The conversion rates of the products you promote.
Some affiliates earn a few hundred dollars a month, while others generate thousands. For instance, if you promote high-ticket items like software subscriptions, you could earn significant commissions per sale.
How do I get paid by ShareASale?
ShareASale pays affiliates on the 20th of each month, provided you reach the minimum payment threshold of $50. Payment methods include:
Direct Deposit: Available for US residents.
Check: Available for international affiliates.
Payoneer: A flexible option for global users.
Is ShareASale free to use?
Yes, ShareASale is completely free for affiliates. There are no sign-up fees, and you won’t be charged for applying to or joining affiliate programs. Merchants, however, pay a fee to join the platform and host their affiliate programs.
How do I find the right affiliate programs on ShareASale?
To find the best affiliate programs:
Use the search filters to narrow down merchants by category, EPC (Earnings Per Click), and average commission rate.
Look for merchants with a high conversion rate and a long cookie duration (e.g., 30 days).
Check program terms to ensure they align with your niche and audience.
Example: If you have a tech blog, you can filter for programs under the “Technology” category and partner with gadget or software brands.
What is cookie duration, and why does it matter?
Cookie duration refers to the length of time a merchant tracks a visitor after they click your affiliate link. If the visitor makes a purchase within this period, you earn a commission.
Short cookie durations (e.g., 7 days) may reduce your earning potential.
Longer durations (e.g., 30–90 days) give you more time to earn commissions from referred traffic.
Can I use ShareASale if I’m a beginner in affiliate marketing?
Absolutely! ShareASale is beginner-friendly, offering:
A simple sign-up process.
Intuitive dashboards for tracking clicks, sales, and commissions.
Access to a knowledge base with tutorials and guides to help you get started.
Can I promote multiple merchants on ShareASale at the same time?
Yes, you can promote as many merchants as you want simultaneously on ShareASale. There’s no limit to the number of programs you can join.
Tip: Diversify your partnerships to test which merchants perform best with your audience. For example, you can promote both clothing brands and home goods merchants if your audience is interested in lifestyle topics.
Do I need a website to join ShareASale?
No, a website is not strictly required, but having one increases your chances of approval by merchants. You can also promote ShareASale affiliate links via:
Social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter.
YouTube channels.
Email newsletters.
However, some merchants prefer affiliates with an established website, as it provides them with more context about your audience and content.
