This comprehensive guide walks through all the steps an affiliate must take to join an affiliate program, set up their account, and start earning commissions in Affelios. Follow this step-by-step process to get started with affiliate marketing successfully.
Understanding Affiliate Marketing
New to affiliate marketing? This section explains the basics of how affiliate marketing works and what you can expect as an affiliate partner.
- The Process
- Benefits
- Requirements
How Affiliate Marketing Works
- Join a Program: Apply to become an affiliate for brands you want to promote
- Create Trackers: Set up trackers to segment your traffic sources and campaigns
- Get Tracking Links: Receive unique tracking links by selecting brands/products for your trackers
- Promote Products: Share your tracking links through your marketing channels
- Earn Commissions: Get paid when people purchase through your links
Success in affiliate marketing comes from choosing products that align with your audience’s interests and providing genuine value through your promotional content.
Creating Your Affelios Identity
Affelios Identity
Your Affelios Identity is your universal account that allows you to join and manage multiple affiliate programs across the Affelios platform. Once you create your Identity, you can easily apply to different programs without needing to create separate accounts for each one.
One Account, Multiple Programs: With a single Affelios Identity, you can join multiple affiliate programs, manage all your partnerships from one dashboard, and maintain a consistent profile across all programs you participate in.
Multiple Affiliates: As a user, you can also create multiple affiliate accounts under your single Affelios Identity. This allows you to manage different affiliate personas or business entities while keeping everything organized under one login.
1
Find an Affiliate Program
Browse available affiliate programs or use the direct invitation link provided by the program operator.
2
Create Your Affelios Identity
Create a new Affelios Identity account if you don’t already have one. This single account will serve as your gateway to all Affelios affiliate programs.
3
Program Onboarding
Complete the program’s onboarding steps. Each program will require you to complete its own onboarding process, which may include providing information about your marketing channels, audience, and promotional methods.
4
Approval Process
Depending on the program’s requirements, you may need to wait for approval or be granted immediate access. Some programs offer auto-approval, meaning you’ll be accepted immediately upon application. Others require manual review to ensure quality and alignment with their brand standards, or may even require you to contact the program’s administrators directly for approval. This process can take anywhere from immediate access to several days.
5
Account Activation
Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email and gain access to your affiliate portal for that specific program.
Setting Up Your Payout Method
Payment Configuration
Configure your preferred payment method to ensure you receive your commission payments smoothly and on schedule.
Available Payout Methods
The specific payment methods available will depend on the program you’ve joined, as different programs may have varying operational requirements, geographic restrictions, or preferred payment processors. Typically available methods include:Bank Transfer
Bank Transfer
Direct Bank Transfer:
- Most reliable and widely accepted method
- Requires your banking details (account number, routing number, etc.)
- May take 3-5 business days to process
- Usually the preferred method for larger payments
- Bank account number
- Routing number
- Account holder name
- Bank name and address
PayPal
PayPal
PayPal Payments:
- Fast and convenient for international affiliates
- Instant or near-instant transfers
- Requires verified PayPal account
- May have processing fees
- Verified PayPal account
- Email address associated with PayPal
- Ensure PayPal account can receive business payments
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency
Digital Currency Payments:
- Available for tech-savvy affiliates
- Usually faster than traditional banking
- Requires crypto wallet address
- May have network fees
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- USDC/USDT stablecoins
Other Methods
Other Methods
Additional Options:
Some programs may offer other payment methods such as:
- Wire transfers
- Digital wallets (Skrill, Neteller, etc.)
- Gift cards or store credit
- Check payments (less common)
Setting Up Your Payout Method
1
Access Payment Settings
Navigate to your affiliate settings and find the Payment Settings or Payout Methods section.
2
Choose Payment Method
Select your preferred payment method from the available options.
3
Enter Payment Details
Provide the required information for your chosen payment method:
- Bank details for transfers
- PayPal email for PayPal payments
- Wallet address for cryptocurrency
4
Verify Information
Double-check all payment details for accuracy. Incorrect information can delay payments.
5
Save and Confirm
Save your payment settings and look for confirmation that your method has been set up successfully.
Ensure all payment information is accurate and up-to-date. Incorrect payment details can result in payment delays or failed transactions. You may need to provide additional verification documents for some payment methods.
Understanding Commission Structure
Commission Plans
Learn how you’ll earn money through the affiliate program and understand the different types of commission structures available.
Types of Commission Structures
Revenue Share
Revenue Share
Cost Per Action (CPA)
Cost Per Action (CPA)
Fixed Commission Per Conversion:
- Earn a fixed amount for each conversion
- Predictable earnings regardless of sale value
- Common for lead generation and subscription services
- Easy to calculate potential earnings
- Fixed commission: $25 per sale
- Sales generated: 5
- Your earnings: $125
Hybrid Model
Hybrid Model
Combination of Revenue Share and CPA:
- Combines percentage and fixed components
- Provides both base income and scaling potential
- More complex but can be more rewarding
- Base commission: $10 per sale
- Plus: 5% of sale value
- Sale value: $200
- Your earnings: 200 × 5%) = $20
Tiered Commission
Tiered Commission
Performance-Based Rate Increases:
- Commission rates increase with performance
- Rewards high-performing affiliates
- Encourages volume growth
- Can apply to any commission type
- 0-10 sales: 5% commission
- 11-25 sales: 7% commission
- 26+ sales: 10% commission
Understanding Your Commission Plan
1
Review Program Details
Check your affiliate settings or program documentation for commission rates and structure.
2
Understand Payment Terms
Learn about:
- Minimum payout thresholds
- Payment schedules (weekly, monthly, etc.)
- Payment processing times
3
Check for Bonuses
Look for additional earning opportunities:
- Performance bonuses
- Seasonal promotions
- Referral bonuses for bringing in other affiliates
Invoice Generation & VAT Calculation
Tax & Invoicing
Understand how invoices are generated and how VAT calculations work for your affiliate earnings.
Invoice Generation Process
Affelios automatically generates invoices for your affiliate earnings, helping you maintain proper financial records for tax purposes.
Automatic Invoice Creation
Automatic Invoice Creation
When Invoices Are Generated:
- Automatically created when you reach the minimum payout threshold
- Generated according to the program’s payment schedule
- Include all necessary tax information and calculations
- Your affiliate information
- Earnings breakdown by period
- VAT calculations (if applicable)
- Payment method details
- Transaction references
VAT Handling
VAT Handling
Understanding VAT Requirements:
- VAT treatment depends on your location and tax status
- Some affiliates need to charge VAT on their services
- Others receive payments with VAT already handled
- System automatically calculates based on your settings
- VAT Registered: You charge VAT and handle your own tax obligations
- Non-VAT Registered: Platform handles VAT calculations for you
- International: Special handling for cross-border transactions
Tax Documentation
Tax Documentation
Important Records:
- Keep all invoices for tax purposes
- Track your earnings by tax year
- Maintain records of business expenses
- Consult with tax professionals for complex situations
Setting Up Tax Information
1
Complete Tax Profile
Provide your tax information in your affiliate settings, including:
- Tax ID or Social Security Number
- VAT registration number (if applicable)
- Business registration details
2
Choose VAT Treatment
Select the appropriate VAT handling for your situation:
- VAT registered business
- Individual/sole trader
- International affiliate
3
Verify Information
Ensure all tax information is accurate to avoid issues with payments and tax reporting.
Tax requirements vary by country and individual circumstances. It’s recommended to consult with a tax professional or accountant to ensure you’re handling your affiliate income correctly for tax purposes.
Navigating Your Affiliate Dashboard
Dashboard Overview
Learn how to use your affiliate portal effectively to track performance, generate links, and manage your account.
Key Dashboard Sections
Performance Overview
Performance Overview
Key Metrics Displayed:
- Total clicks on your affiliate links
- Conversion rates and successful sales
- Total earnings (current period and all-time)
- Top-performing products and campaigns
- Click-through Rate (CTR): Percentage of people who click your links
- Conversion Rate: Percentage of clicks that result in sales
- Earnings Per Click (EPC): Average earnings per click generated
- Average Order Value (AOV): Average value of sales you generate
Tracker Management
Tracker Management
Creating and Managing Trackers:
- Create new trackers with descriptive names for different traffic sources
- Browse available brands and products to associate with your trackers
- Generate unique tracking links by selecting brand/product combinations for each tracker
- Organize trackers by campaign, traffic source, or promotional strategy
- View performance metrics for each tracker
- Compare tracker performance to optimize your strategy
- Track clicks, conversions, and earnings by traffic source
- Export tracker data for external analysis
Marketing Assets
Marketing Assets
Available Resources:
- Product images and banners
- HTML5 creative packages
- Brand logos and guidelines
- Product descriptions and copy
- Download high-quality images
- Access different banner sizes for various placements
- Get branded content that converts well
- Follow brand guidelines for consistency
Payment History
Payment History
Financial Tracking:
- View all payment history
- Download invoices and tax documents
- Track pending payments
- Monitor commission earnings over time
Creating Trackers and Getting Tracking Links
Tracker Creation & Management
Learn how to create trackers to segment your traffic and get tracking links for effective affiliate promotion.
Understanding Trackers
A tracker is what you use to segregate attributions so you can see which traffic sources and campaigns perform better than others. For example, you might create a “homepage tracker” for traffic from your website’s homepage or a “youtube tracker” for traffic from your YouTube channel.
Creating Your First Tracker
1
Create a Tracker
In your affiliate portal, navigate to the trackers section and create a new tracker. Give it a descriptive name like “homepage”, “youtube”, “email-newsletter”, etc.
2
Choose a Brand
Select the brand you want to promote from the available brands in your affiliate program.
3
Select Product (Optional)
You can optionally select a specific product to promote, or leave this blank to promote the brand in general.
4
Get Your Tracking Link
Once you’ve created your tracker and selected a brand (and optionally a product), the system will provide you with your unique tracking link.
5
Test Your Link
Click your tracking link to ensure it works properly and directs to the correct page.
Types of Trackers and Their Use Cases
Traffic Source Trackers
Traffic Source Trackers
Channel-Specific Trackers:
- Create separate trackers for each traffic source (homepage, youtube, email, social media)
- Helps you understand which channels perform best
- Allows for channel-specific optimization
- “homepage-tracker” for website traffic
- “youtube-tracker” for YouTube promotions
- “email-tracker” for email campaigns
- “instagram-tracker” for Instagram posts
Campaign Trackers
Campaign Trackers
Campaign-Specific Trackers:
- Create trackers for specific campaigns or promotions
- Track performance of seasonal or special campaigns
- Compare different promotional strategies
- “holiday-2024-tracker” for holiday promotions
- “review-tracker” for product review content
- “comparison-tracker” for comparison articles
Product-Specific Trackers
Product-Specific Trackers
Individual Product Trackers:
- Create trackers targeting specific products
- Best for focused product promotions
- Higher conversion rates when audience is interested in that specific product
- Product reviews or comparisons
- Specific product recommendations
- Targeted email campaigns about individual products
Best Practices for Tracker and Link Usage
Tracker Management Best Practices
Do:
- Create descriptive tracker names that clearly identify their purpose
- Use separate trackers for different traffic sources and campaigns
- Always use your tracking links (never regular product URLs)
- Test links before sharing them publicly
- Monitor tracker performance regularly to optimize your strategy
- Use generic tracker names that don’t help with attribution analysis
- Share raw affiliate links without context
- Use links in spammy or inappropriate contexts
- Modify the link parameters (this can break tracking)
- Mix different traffic sources under the same tracker
Tracker Performance Tracking
Your affiliate portal provides detailed analytics on your tracker performance. Use this data to understand which traffic sources and campaigns perform best and optimize your promotional strategy.
Key Metrics to Monitor
Key Metrics to Monitor
Tracker-Level Analytics:
- Clicks: How many people clicked through each tracker
- Conversions: How many clicks resulted in sales per tracker
- Earnings: Total commission earned from each tracker
- EPC (Earnings Per Click): Average earnings per click by tracker
- Conversion Rate: Percentage of clicks that convert for each tracker
Optimization Strategies
Optimization Strategies
Improving Performance:
- Identify your best-performing trackers and focus more effort on those channels
- Compare tracker performance to understand which traffic sources convert best
- Analyze which brands and products work best with specific trackers
- Reallocate promotional efforts based on tracker performance data
- Create additional trackers for successful traffic sources to test variations
Marketing Best Practices
Promotional Strategies
Learn effective strategies for promoting affiliate products and building a sustainable affiliate marketing business.
Content Creation Strategies
Product Reviews
Product Reviews
Creating Effective Reviews:
- Use the product personally when possible
- Provide honest, balanced assessments
- Include both pros and cons
- Use high-quality images and videos
- Include your affiliate link naturally within the content
- Introduction and first impressions
- Detailed feature breakdown
- User experience and real-world testing
- Comparison with alternatives
- Final recommendation and call-to-action
Educational Content
Educational Content
Value-First Approach:
- Create tutorials and how-to guides
- Share industry insights and tips
- Build trust through expertise
- Include product recommendations naturally
- Blog posts and articles
- Video tutorials
- Webinars and live streams
- Email courses
- Social media tips
Comparison Content
Comparison Content
Comparative Analysis:
- Compare multiple products in the same category
- Highlight unique benefits of each option
- Help customers make informed decisions
- Position affiliate products appropriately
- Side-by-side feature charts
- “Best of” lists and roundups
- Video comparisons
- Pros and cons lists
Promotional Channels
- Website/Blog
- Email Marketing
- Paid Advertising
Website Optimization
SEO-Optimized Content:
- Target relevant keywords
- Create in-depth, valuable content
- Optimize for search engines
- Build organic traffic over time
- Strategic link placement
- Clear call-to-action buttons
- Mobile-responsive design
- Fast loading speeds
Compliance and Disclosure
Proper disclosure is not just a best practice—it’s often legally required. Always follow FTC guidelines and program-specific rules.
Disclosure Requirements
Disclosure Requirements
Legal Obligations:
- Clearly disclose affiliate relationships
- Use prominent, easy-to-understand language
- Include disclosures on all promotional content
- Follow local and international regulations
- “This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links.”
- “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
- “#ad” or “#affiliate” hashtags on social media
Program Compliance
Program Compliance
Follow Program Rules:
- Read and follow the affiliate agreement
- Respect trademark and brand guidelines
- Don’t make false or misleading claims
- Avoid prohibited promotional methods
- No spam or unsolicited emails
- No false advertising claims
- Restrictions on paid search advertising
- Brand name bidding limitations
Performance Tracking and Optimization
Analytics & Optimization
Learn how to track your performance effectively and optimize your affiliate marketing efforts for better results.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Traffic Metrics
Traffic Metrics
Understanding Your Traffic:
- Total Clicks: Volume of traffic you’re generating
- Traffic Sources: Where your clicks are coming from
- Geographic Distribution: Location of your audience
- Device Breakdown: Desktop vs. mobile traffic
- Focus on channels generating the most traffic
- Optimize content for mobile if needed
- Target geographic regions with higher conversion rates
Conversion Metrics
Conversion Metrics
Measuring Success:
- Conversion Rate: Percentage of clicks that result in sales
- Average Order Value: Average purchase amount from your referrals
- Revenue Per Visitor: Total earnings divided by total clicks
- Customer Lifetime Value: Long-term value of referred customers
- Analyze which content converts best
- Test different call-to-action strategies
- Focus on high-intent keywords and content
Financial Metrics
Financial Metrics
Revenue Tracking:
- Total Earnings: Overall commission income
- Monthly Recurring Revenue: Consistent monthly earnings
- Earnings Per Click (EPC): Average earnings per click
- Return on Investment (ROI): Profit vs. time/money invested
- Focus on high-EPC products and campaigns
- Calculate ROI for paid advertising efforts
- Track seasonal trends in earnings
Testing and Optimization
1
Establish Baselines
Track your current performance metrics to establish starting points for improvement.
2
Identify Opportunities
Look for areas with potential for improvement:
- Low-converting but high-traffic content
- Underperforming promotional channels
- Products with high click-to-conversion rates
3
Test Improvements
Implement changes one at a time:
- Different content formats
- Various promotional strategies
- Alternative product positioning
4
Measure Results
Track the impact of your changes and compare to your baselines.
5
Scale What Works
Double down on successful strategies and eliminate or modify unsuccessful ones.
Growing Your Affiliate Business
Scaling Strategies
Advanced strategies for growing your affiliate marketing business and increasing your earnings over time.
Building Your Audience
Content Strategy
Content Strategy
Long-term Content Planning:
- Develop a content calendar
- Create evergreen content that stays relevant
- Build topic clusters around your niche
- Repurpose content across multiple channels
- Consistently provide value
- Engage with your audience regularly
- Build email lists for direct communication
- Create communities around shared interests
Authority Building
Authority Building
Diversification Strategies
Program Diversification
Program Diversification
Multiple Program Benefits:
- Reduces dependence on single income source
- Allows for product comparison content
- Provides backup if programs change terms
- Increases overall earning potential
- Programs that align with your audience
- Competitive commission rates
- Strong brand reputation
- Good affiliate support and resources
Channel Diversification
Channel Diversification
Multi-Channel Approach:
- Don’t rely on just one traffic source
- Build presence across multiple platforms
- Create different content types
- Develop both free and paid traffic strategies
- Algorithm changes won’t destroy your business
- Platform policy changes have less impact
- Seasonal fluctuations are easier to manage
Advanced Optimization
Conversion Rate Optimization
Conversion Rate Optimization
Testing Strategies:
- A/B test different call-to-action phrases
- Test link placement within content
- Experiment with different content formats
- Try various promotional approaches
- Segment your audience by interests
- Create targeted content for different segments
- Use personalized email campaigns
- Recommend products based on past engagement
Automation and Scaling
Automation and Scaling
Process Automation:
- Use email autoresponders for nurturing
- Schedule social media posts in advance
- Create templates for common content types
- Use analytics tools for automated reporting
- Consider hiring content creators
- Work with virtual assistants for routine tasks
- Collaborate with other affiliates
- Partner with influencers in your niche
Getting Help and Support
Support Resources
Know where to find help when you need it and how to get the most out of available support resources.
Available Support Channels
Program Support
Program Support
Direct Program Support:
- Check your affiliate portal for support options
- Look for dedicated affiliate managers
- Use program-specific help centers or knowledge bases
- Attend affiliate webinars or training sessions
- Technical issues with tracking or payments
- Marketing materials and promotional guidance
- Commission questions and account issues
- Training and best practices advice
Community Resources
Community Resources
Peer Support:
- Join affiliate marketing forums and communities
- Participate in social media groups
- Attend industry conferences and meetups
- Network with other affiliates in your niche
- Online courses and tutorials
- Industry blogs and publications
- Podcasts about affiliate marketing
- Case studies and success stories
Best Practices for Getting Help
Understanding where to direct your questions ensures you get the fastest and most accurate help for your specific needs.
1
Determine the Type of Issue
Identify whether your question is software-related or operations-related:Affelios Support (Software Issues):
- Technical problems with the platform or dashboard
- Login issues or account access problems
- Tracking link generation or technical functionality
- Platform bugs or errors
- Commission rates and payment terms
- Program-specific policies and requirements
- Application approval status
- Marketing materials and promotional guidelines
- Product information and availability
- Program-specific compliance questions
2
Contact the Right Support Channel
For Software Issues:
- Use Affelios platform support channels
- Include technical details like error messages
- Provide screenshots of any technical problems
- Include your account information and browser details
- Contact the specific program’s administrators or affiliate managers
- Check your affiliate portal for program-specific contact information
- Reference the specific program you’re asking about
- Include your affiliate ID for that particular program
Next Steps and Advanced Resources
Continuing Your Journey
Congratulations on completing the affiliate onboarding guide! Here are resources to help you continue growing your affiliate marketing business.
- Platform Dashboard Guide - Master your dashboard features
- Tracking Links Guide - Advanced link strategies
- Earning Commissions - Optimize your earnings
- Finding Programs - Discover new opportunities
- Platform Overview - Understanding the Affelios platform
- Integration Guides - Technical implementation resources
- Troubleshooting - Solutions to common problems
- FAQ - Frequently asked questions and glossary
- Subscribe to affiliate program newsletters
- Follow industry blogs and thought leaders
- Join affiliate marketing communities
- Attend webinars and virtual events
Success in affiliate marketing takes time and consistency. Focus on providing value to your audience, be patient with the process, and continuously optimize your approach based on data and feedback.