What is an affiliate program?

An affiliate program is a marketing arrangement where a business rewards affiliates for each customer or visitor brought about by the affiliate's marketing efforts. Essentially, it's a performance-based marketing strategy where affiliates (individuals or companies) promote a product or service on behalf of another business and receive a commission for driving traffic, leads, or sales to that business through their promotional activities.

Affiliates typically promote products or services through various channels such as websites, social media, email marketing, or online advertising. They use unique tracking links or codes provided by the business to track the referrals they generate. When a visitor clicks on the affiliate's link and makes a purchase or completes a desired action (like signing up for a newsletter or filling out a form), the affiliate earns a commission.

Affiliate programs are beneficial for both businesses and affiliates. Businesses can expand their reach and increase sales without upfront marketing costs, while affiliates can earn passive income by promoting products or services that align with their audience and interests.