Affiliate marketing is a form of internet marketing in which a business pays a commission to another party when a customer makes a purchase (usually a product or service related to the business). Simply put, people (consumers) click a link or button on a website or mobile application and make a purchase that the business promotes and earns a commission for. This type of marketing can be valuable for many reasons, but with the right affiliate network in place, you could potentially gain a lot of weight quickly and profitably.
The Pros And Cons of The Three Main Affiliate Networks
To better understand which affiliate network is best suited for your needs and goals, let’s examine the pros and cons of the three main networks: Commission Junction, ClickBank, and Rakuten.
- Commission Junction:
- Pros:
- A well-established name in the industry
- Many merchants, products, and services to choose from
- Cons:
- Limited customer support, which can be frustrating
- More of an agency or middleman role
- Tricky to break into
- ClickBank:
- Pros:
- Affiliate marketing’s largest network, boasting over 2 million affiliates
- Many products, including food, clothing, and household items
- Cons:
- Limited payment options, which can hurt your pocketbook
- More of an advertiser than a partner role
- Mostly US-based operations
- More suitable for digital products
- Rakuten:
- Pros:
- One of the oldest and most trusted affiliate networks, offering a wide variety of products from fashion to travel and lifestyle
- Many top-tier brands and products to choose from
- Cons:
- Limited payment options (mostly to Bank Accounts)
- Mostly based in Japan, which can make it tricky to operate in a foreign country
- Often considered the ‘big daddy’ of affiliate marketing, with a market share that eclipses Google and Amazon combined
How Do Each Network’s Features Differ?
Apart from the general pros and cons discussed above, each network’s features vary, so let’s examine how they differ. These are important factors to consider if you want to choose the right network for your needs.
- Commission Junction:
- Pros:
- The most popular affiliate network globally, with offices in the US, UK, and France
- Has a reputation for being a fair and transparent network
- Many big name brands and products to choose from, including Disney, HP, and Subway
- Cons:
- Less of a partnership with affiliates than an agency or middle-man
- May not be the right fit for all types of businesses or markets
- Cannot operate in all countries
- Commission Junction has the most expensive fees of the three main networks
- ClickBank:
- Pros:
- One of the most popular affiliate networks globally, with offices in the US, UK, and Canada
- Many big name brands and products to choose from, including Subway and Disney
- Cons:
- Limited payment options, which can hurt your pocketbook
- More of an advertiser than a partnership with affiliates
- Often considered the ‘Gold Level’ of affiliate marketing, as it has the most expensive fees of any network globally
- Only available for digital products
- ClickBank has the lowest fees of the three networks
- Rakuten:
- Pros:
- One of the first affiliate networks to launch outside of Japan, and one of the most reputable networks globally, with offices in the US, UK, and Canada
- Many big brand names and products to choose from, including Subway and Disney
- Cons:
- Limited payment options, which can hurt your pocketbook
- Tricky to break into, as it requires a lot of effort to get approved as an affiliate
- Mostly suitable for B2C products, as it tends to focus on digital content, such as e-books and software
In general, all 3 networks are great for beginners, as they each provide a plethora of options and products to choose from, making it easy to find an affiliate product that suits your needs. If you want to grow your business substantially and want to maximize your profits, you should consider more of an agency or middle-man role, as you’re essentially contracting with various affiliate partners to grow your business. Your choice in this case depends on your marketing budget and how much you’re willing to pay to your affiliate partners. The most suitable option for your needs is Commission Junction.