Introduction: Why ShareASale Is the Best Affiliate Platform for Beginners
If you’re new to affiliate marketing and wondering where to start, ShareASale is one of the most beginner-friendly platforms you can join. It connects you with thousands of merchants offering products in nearly every niche — from fashion and beauty to tech, lifestyle, and finance.
Unlike signing up for individual affiliate programs, ShareASale gives you one central account where you can manage multiple brands, track performance, and receive payments all in one place. This makes it an ideal choice if you want to diversify your income sources without juggling multiple dashboards or logins.
Getting started on ShareASale is straightforward — no prior experience needed. Whether you have a blog, YouTube channel, or social media page, the platform allows you to earn commissions by promoting products you genuinely believe in.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn:
- How to create and verify your ShareASale account.
- How to find and join profitable affiliate programs.
- How to use links effectively to grow your earnings.
- And how to track, analyze, and scale your results for long-term success.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to start earning your first affiliate commissions with ShareASale, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Step 1: Create and Verify Your ShareASale Account
Getting started on ShareASale only takes a few minutes, but it’s important to do it right so your application gets approved quickly.
1. Visit the Official ShareASale Website
Head over to ShareASale.com and click the “Affiliate Sign Up” button. You’ll be directed to a registration form that asks for your personal and website details.
💡 Tip: You don’t need to own a big website to apply — even a blog with quality content or an active social media page can get accepted.
2. Complete Your Profile Information
You’ll need to provide:
- Your full name and email address.
- The URL of your website or primary promotional platform.
- A short description of your site’s content or audience.
- Your preferred payment method (check, direct deposit, or Payoneer).
Make sure your website or page looks professional and contains real, useful content — this increases your chances of approval.
3. Submit and Wait for Approval
Once your application is submitted, ShareASale reviews it within 1 to 3 business days. You’ll receive an email once your account is approved.
If you get rejected the first time, don’t worry — you can reapply after improving your website or content.
💡 Pro Tip: Before applying, make sure your site has:
- At least 5 to 10 helpful articles.
- A clear About page explaining your niche.
- No broken links or “under construction” pages.
This shows ShareASale that you’re serious about affiliate marketing and providing value to visitors.
Step 2: Apply to Affiliate Programs on ShareASale
Once your ShareASale account is approved, the next step in your ShareASale affiliate marketing journey is to apply to programs that match your niche and audience. This is where you’ll choose the brands and products you’ll be promoting — so take your time to research and pick the right ones.
1. Explore the ShareASale Marketplace
Log in to your dashboard and click on “Merchants” → “Search for Merchants.”
Here, you can explore thousands of affiliate programs categorized by industry, popularity, or keywords.
For example:
- If you blog about fashion, look for clothing or jewelry merchants.
- If you create content about online business, search for digital tools or software companies.
- If your niche is health and fitness, find wellness or supplement brands.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the “Power Rank” filter to find high-performing merchants with a proven record of success. These often have higher conversion rates and reliable tracking.
2. Review Key Metrics Before Applying
Before you hit “Join Program,” review a few essential details about each merchant:
- Commission Rate: The percentage or flat amount you earn per sale.
- Cookie Duration: How long your referral is tracked (longer durations = higher earning potential).
- Average Sale Value: Helps estimate your potential earnings per conversion.
- Approval Type: Some merchants offer instant approval, while others require manual review.
💡 Example:
If Merchant A offers a 20% commission with a 60-day cookie, that’s often better than Merchant B offering 10% with a 30-day cookie, especially if both products are similar in price.
3. Apply Professionally to Each Program
When you click “Join Program,” you may need to write a short message introducing yourself. This is your opportunity to make a positive impression.
Keep it simple and genuine:
“Hi, I create helpful content about online tools and business strategies. I’d love to promote your product to my audience of small business owners who are always looking for great digital solutions.”
This kind of message shows professionalism and relevance — increasing your approval chances.
💡 Tip: Some merchants manually check your website or social media before approving. Make sure your pages look clean, include relevant content, and clearly show how you’ll promote their brand.
4. Start Small and Stay Focused
It’s tempting to join dozens of programs right away, but that can lead to confusion and scattered results. Instead, start with 3–5 affiliate programs closely aligned with your niche.
This allows you to:
- Learn how each program works.
- Create focused, high-quality content.
- Track what performs best before scaling up.
💡 Pro Tip: Once you start earning from your first few merchants, gradually expand to related programs to diversify your affiliate income streams.
Step 3: Find Products That Sell on ShareASale
Finding the right products is a critical step in your ShareASale affiliate marketing strategy. Promoting products that your audience wants increases your chances of clicks and sales.
1. Look for Products with High Demand and Positive Reviews
When browsing the ShareASale marketplace, check each product’s:
- Popularity: Are many affiliates promoting it successfully?
- Reviews: High ratings indicate quality products.
- Relevance to Your Niche: Only promote products your audience actually needs.
💡 Example:
If your blog focuses on home office productivity, promoting ergonomic chairs, standing desks, or noise-canceling headphones is likely to convert better than unrelated items.
2. Focus on Content-Friendly Products
Choose products you can easily create content around. Content types that work well include:
- Tutorials: Show how the product solves a problem.
- Reviews: Share honest experiences and insights.
- Comparison posts: Compare similar products and explain why one is better.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a spreadsheet with product names, affiliate links, and commission rates. This keeps you organized and ensures you don’t miss opportunities to promote your top-performing products.
3. Mix High-Ticket and Low-Cost Products
Promoting a mix of products gives you multiple earning opportunities:
- High-ticket items: Earn larger commissions per sale.
- Low-cost items: Easier for your audience to purchase, leading to more frequent sales.
This combination creates a balanced income stream, maximizing your potential from each blog post or social media share.
Step 4: Create Valuable Content That Converts
Your content is the bridge between your audience and the products you promote. Without valuable content, even the best products won’t convert.
1. Blog Content Ideas
- Product Reviews: Share your experience, pros, and cons.
- “Top 10” Lists: Highlight the best products in your niche.
- Tutorials & How-To Guides: Show readers how to use the product effectively.
💡 Example:
“Top 5 Tools Every Online Entrepreneur Needs” — include affiliate links for tools you’ve personally tested.
2. Social Media Promotion
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are excellent for affiliate marketing with ShareASale:
- Short video tutorials or demos.
- Eye-catching carousel posts showcasing products.
- Pinterest pins linking to your blog or landing page with affiliate links.
💡 Tip: Use visuals and captions that clearly explain how the product benefits your audience.
3. Email Marketing
Email lists are one of the most effective ways to promote ShareASale products:
- Send helpful guides or tutorials featuring affiliate links.
- Include personal recommendations or top picks.
- Always disclose that your links are affiliate links to maintain trust.
💡 Pro Tip: Authenticity matters. Readers trust recommendations that are honest and relatable. Avoid pushing every product — focus on those that truly help your audience.
Step 5: Integrate Affiliate Links Correctly
Integrating your ShareASale affiliate links properly is key to converting clicks into sales. Done right, it keeps your content helpful and trustworthy.
1. Use Your Unique Affiliate Links
Each merchant provides a unique tracking link via your ShareASale dashboard:
- Go to Links → Get a Link/Banner for your approved merchants.
- Copy the text links, banners, or product links you want to promote.
💡 Pro Tip: Always use the link exactly as provided. Altering it can break tracking, meaning you won’t earn commissions.
2. Place Links Naturally in Content
Avoid stuffing links randomly; integrate them where they make sense:
- In blog posts, include links in sentences that mention the product: “I highly recommend using FreshBooks to manage invoices efficiently.”
- In social media, add links in captions, descriptions, or bio links.
- For emails, include links in tutorials or product recommendations naturally.
💡 Tip: Avoid too many links in a single post. Focus on 2–3 relevant affiliate links per piece for better readability and higher conversions.
3. Disclose Your Affiliate Relationship
Transparency builds trust with your audience and keeps you compliant with FTC rules:
- Add a short disclaimer at the start or end of posts: “This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”
💡 Pro Tip: Use buttons or call-to-action links instead of plain text links — these often get more clicks and look professional.
Step 6: Track Performance and Optimize Your Results
Tracking and optimizing your affiliate marketing efforts ensures you earn consistently and grow over time. ShareASale provides tools to monitor your progress.
1. Use the ShareASale Dashboard
Log in to your account and go to Reports. You can track:
- Clicks: How many visitors clicked your affiliate links.
- Conversions: How many clicks turned into sales.
- Commissions: Your earnings for each program.
💡 Pro Tip: Track performance weekly to spot trends early and adjust your strategy quickly.
2. Test Different Content and Placement
Not all content performs the same. Experiment with:
- Different content formats: Blog posts, tutorials, comparison lists, social media posts, or videos.
- Headlines and call-to-actions: Test phrases like “Try This Tool Today” vs. “See Why This Tool Works.”
- Link placement: Top of the page, middle, or end — see where your audience clicks most.
💡 Tip: Focus on programs that consistently convert. Optimize your posts around these products for long-term success.
3. Scale Your Best-Performing Content
Once you identify top performers:
- Update older posts with fresh content and new affiliate links.
- Promote them across multiple channels: Pinterest, email lists, YouTube, or social media.
- Consider creating related content around the same products to maximize earnings.
💡 Pro Tip: Scaling your best content is faster and more effective than starting from scratch every time. This is where your affiliate income begins to grow steadily.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid in ShareASale Affiliate Marketing
Even though ShareASale is beginner-friendly, new affiliates often make mistakes that can slow down their progress. Avoid these pitfalls to achieve better results faster:
1. Applying to Too Many Programs at Once
Joining dozens of programs at the same time can lead to scattered focus. Instead, start with 3–5 relevant merchants. This allows you to:
- Understand what works best for your audience.
- Create targeted, high-quality content.
- Focus on building trust and conversions.
2. Promoting Irrelevant Products
Only promote products that truly match your niche and audience. Irrelevant promotions can:
- Confuse readers.
- Reduce trust.
- Lower conversion rates.
💡 Tip: Always ask yourself: “Would my audience genuinely benefit from this product?”
3. Ignoring Analytics and Optimization
Without tracking performance, you won’t know which links, content, or products are converting. Use the ShareASale dashboard to monitor:
- Clicks
- Conversions
- Commissions
Regularly review your data and refine your strategy to focus on your top-performing products.
💡 Tip: Focus on quality over quantity. One high-performing, well-targeted affiliate post is often more valuable than ten generic posts.
Final Thoughts: Start Earning with ShareASale Affiliate Marketing
ShareASale is one of the best networks for beginners because it offers:
- Thousands of merchants across diverse niches.
- User-friendly dashboards to track performance.
- Reliable payments for your commissions.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can:
- Choose a niche that aligns with your audience.
- Apply selectively to affiliate programs.
- Create helpful, engaging content that naturally includes affiliate links.
- Track and optimize your campaigns to grow earnings steadily.
With patience, focus, and consistent effort, you can build a steady income stream from multiple merchants on ShareASale. Your first sale is just the beginning — over time, your affiliate marketing efforts can turn into a reliable source of online income.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep learning, testing, and experimenting. The most successful affiliates continuously refine content types, promotion strategies, and product selections to maximize results.
And hey, if you want to go deeper, I’ve got more guides that will help you along the way:
- Marketing Strategies → Learn how to promote your affiliate links the smart way.
- Content Creation → Tips for blogs, videos, and social media that actually convert.
- Tools & Resources → My favorite beginner tools to save time and money.
- Essential Tools and Resources for Affiliate Marketers: Your Ultimate Guide.
Remember, affiliate marketing is not a “get-rich-quick” scheme—it’s a “get-rich-smart” strategy.
