September 19, 2022
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If you’re new to affiliate marketing, perhaps you caught wind of the hype surrounding high-ticket affiliate programs. “High-ticket” refers to products and services that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. For example, some online training programs cost more than $1,000, while some auctions on eBay run into the tens of thousands. This post will review the best high-ticket affiliate programs for beginners and experienced marketers.
A high-ticket affiliate program is no different than a standard program, except the merchant has expensive products or services to sell. The high price points allow affiliates to make sizeable commissions, even if commission rates are low. For example, Amazon carries products that retail for over $100,000. A sale of one of those items could produce a commission north of $10,000.
Many high-ticket affiliate programs frequently pay high commission rates because of the effort required to convert sales. On the other hand, you also have merchants selling expensive items but paying low commission rates in the 1 to 10 percent range, such as mattress and jewelry merchants. However, you can still make excellent commissions because of how costly items get. For instance, a 5 percent commission on a diamond necklace that retails for $9,000 would yield a $450 payment.
Best High-Ticket Affiliate Program Niches
A surefire way to make five and six figures as an affiliate marketer is to promote high-converting, high-ticket items to your audience. Here are several top niches and categories and their commission rates.
| Top Niches | Commission Examples |
| Automobiles, parts, & accessories | 20% per sale |
| Consumer electronics | 15% per sale |
| Eyewear & sunglasses | 25% per sale |
| Fitness & sports equipment | 30% per sale |
| Furniture | 20% per sale |
| Home & kitchen appliances | 25% per sale |
| Jewelry | 10% per sale |
| Luxury brands, fashion, & accessories | 10% per sale |
| Mattress | 20% per sale |
| Software | 50% per sale |
Best High Ticket Affiliate Marketing Programs
Many high-ticket merchants offer a cookie duration of at least 30 days. Also, to qualify for my list, the merchant must sell a product or service that exceeds $1,000 (the fee can be one-time or recurring) and be a market leader with an excellent business reputation.
CJ Affiliate and Impact have excellent selections of high-ticket merchants. Additionally, e-commerce retailers carrying high-ticket goods such as Amazon, eBay, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s have affiliate programs. However, they pay low commission rates, alongside cookie durations of one to five days. So, you may want to pass on them for more profitable opportunities.
Software & Services
Shopify
Shopify provides everything you need to sell online, on social media, and face-to-face, including online store software and POS hardware to accept payments quickly. Additionally, the Shopify App Store has thousands of apps to improve the functionality of your store.
The Shopify affiliate program pays a $100 commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $299/month
- Commission rate: $100
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: Impact
BigCommerce
BigCommerce empowers merchants to build, innovate, and grow their businesses online. Users can access marketing tools, analytics, and apps to scale their revenues, with software to create unique online stores.
The BigCommerce affiliate program pays a commission of up to $1,500 per sale.
- Most expensive item: $299/month
- Commission rate: Up to $1,500
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: Impact
Fiverr
Fiverr is the largest online marketplace for freelance services starting at $5. Also, thousands of freelancers offer marketing, business, graphic design, website design, writing, translation, video, and programming services. Fiverr Business, Pro, Studios, Logo Maker, and Workplace round out the full suite of services for SMB customers.
The Fiverr affiliate program pays a commission of up to $150 (or $10 plus a 10 percent recurring rate of up to 12 months) per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+
- Commission rate: Up to $150
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: Cellxpert, Awin, and CJ Affiliate
Cloudways
Cloudways is a managed cloud platform offering an effortless way to monitor and control high-performance applications. Also, it provides complete freedom, simplicity, and agility for every process.
The Cloudways affiliate program pays a commission of up to $125 (or a recurring commission of 7 percent) per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+/month
- Commission rate: Up to $125
- Cookie duration: 90 days
- Affiliate software/network: ShareASale
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is a powerful cloud infrastructure for building various types of apps. With simple tools, predictable pricing, and an active, supportive community of devs just a click away, DigitalOcean helps you grow faster than ever.
The DigitalOcean affiliate program pays a 10 percent commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: Impact
SiteGround
SiteGround is an innovative technology leader in the website hosting and security sector. It provides shared hosting, cloud hosting, WordPress hosting, enterprise solutions, email hosting, and domain registration.
The SiteGround affiliate program pays a commission of up to $125 per sale.
- Most expensive item: $400/month
- Commission rate: Up to $125
- Cookie duration: 60 days
- Affiliate software/network: In-house
WP Engine
WP Engine provides fast, reliable, and managed WordPress hosting and solutions to more than 1.2 million websites globally. Also, it offers robust 24/7 support, headless WordPress, Genesis themes/blocks, and more.
The WP Engine affiliate program pays a commission of up to $200 per sale.
- Most expensive item: $350/month
- Commission rate: Up to $200
- Cookie duration: 180 days
- Affiliate software/network: ShareASale
Consumer Products
Air Oasis
Air Oasis sells air purifiers to keep the air in your home or business clean and healthy. Furthermore, its products remove allergens, mold, viruses, dust, and smoke for optimal indoor air quality to help you breathe better.
The Air Oasis affiliate program pays a 10 percent commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $10,000+
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 120 days
- Affiliate software/network: Impact
Bose
Bose sells a wide selection of audio and entertainment equipment for the home, work, and automobile, including home theatre systems, speakers, earbuds, headphones, and sound bars. Moreover, Bose’s products are state-of-art, beautifully designed, and award-winning.
The Bose affiliate program pays a 3 percent commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $10,000+
- Commission rate: Up to 3%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate
Canon
Canon is a leading consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solution provider. It sells high-tech cameras, camcorders, lenses, flashes, binoculars, projectors, and security solutions.
The Canon affiliate program pays a 2.5 percent commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $10,000+
- Commission rate: Up to 2.5%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate
Dell
Dell offers high-performance desktops, laptops, monitors, printers, TVs, workstations, servers, data storage and protection, PC and gaming accessories, networking, cloud, and computer services.
The Dell affiliate program pays a 1.5 percent commission per sale.
- Commission rate: 1.5%
- Cookie duration: 3 days
- Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate
Garmin
Garmin sells innovative and top-rated GPS technology across diverse markets, including aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking, and mobile apps. In addition, its products include handhelds, satellite communicators, adventure watches, sports accessories, and pet items.
The Garmin affiliate program pays a commission of 8 percent per sale.
- Most expensive item: $10,000+
- Commission rate: 8%
- Cookie duration: 20 days
- Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate
Gazelle
Gazelle is a leading consumer electronics site providing a secure and easy way to buy Gazelle-certified pre-owned devices. It carries well-known brands and products, including iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Samsung Galaxy, and Google phones.
The Gazelle affiliate program pays a commission of 5 percent per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+
- Commission rate: 5%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: ShareASale
iRobot
iRobot’s home robots are revolutionizing the way people clean inside and out. They design and build innovative cleaning devices, including the Roomba robot vacuum and the Braava family of mopping robots.
The iRobot affiliate program pays a commission of up to 4 percent per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+
- Commission rate: Up to 4%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate
Microsoft
Microsoft is a leading global technology company selling a broad range of computer software and hardware, including Office 365, Windows, Surface laptops, Azure, cloud, security, and home, office, and small business solutions.
The Microsoft affiliate program pays a 7 percent commission per sale.
- Commission rate: Up to 7%
- Cookie duration: 14 days
- Affiliate software/network: Rakuten Advertising
Overstock
Overstock sells a broad range of designer brands and home goods, including furniture, home decor, bedding, bath, housewares, jewelry, watches, apparel, and more at clearance and discounted prices.
The Overstock affiliate program pays up to 10 percent per sale.
- Most expensive item: $10,000+
- Commission rate: Up to 10%
- Cookie duration: 14 days
- Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate
Samsung
Samsung is a global leader in consumer electronics and sells smartphones, watches, tablets, televisions, audio equipment, projectors, home appliances, laptops, monitors, displays, memory, and SSD gaming chips.
The Samsung affiliate program pays a 2 percent commission per sale.
- Commission rate: Up to 2%
- Cookie duration: 14 days
- Affiliate software/network: Rakuten Advertising
Sonos
Sonos gives instant access to millions of songs and stations, including music libraries like iTunes stored on your computer, thousands of free internet radio stations, and the most popular online music services, like Pandora, Spotify, Google Play, and more.
The Sonos affiliate program pays an 8 percent commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+
- Commission rate: Up to 8%
- Cookie duration: 24 hours
- Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate
Waterdrop
Waterdrop designs, engineers, and delivers more than 200 water purification products, including under-sink water filters, reverse osmosis systems, tanks, and jugs. Additionally, all products are certified and come with a money-back guarantee.
The Waterdrop affiliate program pays a 10 percent commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: Impact
Weber
Grilling is Weber’s passion and reflects everything they do. Weber sells high-end charcoal, electric, wood, and portable BBQ grills, accessories, and parts that spark inspiration within their grilling community.
The Weber affiliate program pays a 5 percent commission per sale.
- Most expensive item: $1,000+
- Commission rate: 5%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Affiliate software/network: Impact
How to Increase Your High-Ticket Affiliate Commissions
Affiliate marketing is straightforward, i.e., your conversions and commissions will produce significant income if you get enough people clicking on your affiliate links. However, it isn’t as simple as that.
As an affiliate, you must continuously create exciting and engaging content. You must compete with and outsmart thousands of publishers in your niche. You must conquer changes, trends, and challenges that threaten your income, for example, Apple’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention protocol. You must select profitable programs and merchants that seek mutually beneficial outcomes. Finally, you must implement effective tactics to increase your commissions.
Let’s review several affiliate marketing and website tips to help boost your conversions, sales, and earnings.
Make Affiliate Marketing a Top Priority
Affiliate marketing is your top priority, or it isn’t. Dedicated and successful affiliates often work full-time to create content and send traffic to merchants. By contrast, some affiliates limit their activities to a few hours weekly. They might also juggle multiple business ventures that don’t relate to affiliate marketing, for example, freelancing.
Your primary goal is to direct traffic to where sales can occur, i.e., merchant sites. Also, many affiliates make money through their blogs and YouTube channels, so building up those digital assets should be the focus. On the other hand, many marketers send traffic to their social media profiles as much as they do to merchants. Therefore, getting more Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram followers should be a distant second or third priority, or not one at all, depending on your strategy.
Learn Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
What is your top source of traffic? Most of my traffic is “organic” and flows from search engines. That is by design and how you likely came to my site.
A few years ago, I took an SEO course on Coursera. SEO is arguably the most critical skill an online worker/marketer can possess because search functionality is everywhere, including Google, YouTube, Amazon, and Fiverr. Understanding and implementing SEO activities will increase your impressions, click-throughs, clicks, conversions, and so on. Focusing on other traffic sources, such as social media and email marketing, likely won’t be enough to reach your goals. Lastly, I attribute most of my success to SEO.
Track Your Income in a Spreadsheet
Signing into affiliate networks and checking commissions isn’t the same as tracking your income. By recording your earnings monthly, you’ll be able to spot trends and opportunities among your merchants. For instance, I noticed a downward revenue trend for a specific advertiser, so I stopped promoting it (I also analyzed the causes, which justified my action). Similarly, when you identify uptrends and positive developments, you should increase your promotional efforts for those merchants and goods.
Here’s an example of an income report.
| January | February | March | |
| Affiliate network #1 | $ – | $ 576.00 | $ – |
| Affiliate network #2 | $ – | $ – | $ 350.00 |
| Affiliate network #3 | $ – | $ – | $ – |
| Merchant #1 | $ – | $ – | $ 413.00 |
| Merchant #2 | $ 233.00 | $ 86.50 | $ 172.00 |
| Merchant #3 | $ 175.00 | $ 115.00 | $ 77.25 |
| Total | $ 408.00 | $ 777.50 | $ 1,012.25 |
It isn’t necessary to publish “income reports” on your website, YouTube, or social media accounts. Secondly, some affiliates post earnings reports to promote themselves while their results are far less impressive. It’s the old “fake it until you make it” strategy to increase traffic, subscribers, and sales.
Promote the Best Merchants, Programs, & Products
Affiliates should seek mutually beneficial relationships with merchants that have high-converting products. Also, marketers should join rewarding programs that pay high commission rates with cookie periods of 30 days or more. For example, GetResponse pays a recurring commission of 33 percent per sale. By contrast, you aren’t going to succeed with companies and programs that pay low commission rates and have short cookie durations. For example, Amazon Associates pays up to 10 percent and has a 24-hour cookie, which produces win-lose outcomes for affiliates. Moreover, affiliates should avoid partnering with companies with bad reputations or suspect business practices.
Focus on a Handful of Merchants
I have many affiliate partnerships but routinely focus on promoting eight to ten merchants. I call this exclusive group my “affiliate nexus” or “nexus.” By targeting a few merchants, I strengthen my relationships and increase my familiarity with them, which helps with content creation and marketing. Also, most of the content I create includes or relates to my nexus companies.
Some publishers (bloggers, YouTubers, influencers, etc.) concentrate on one or two programs, whereas others focus on too many. Committing to one or two programs puts your income at risk. For example, a merchant could deactivate its program, lower its commission rate, get crushed by new entrants, or go belly up. Any of those scenarios would cause your commissions to decrease significantly. Alternatively, focusing on too many advertisers weakens your efforts and progress.
Another way to think about it is which “20 percent” of advertisers will satisfy your income goals? The 80-20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 20 percent of your activities will account for 80 percent of your results. The concept applies to many facets of life. For example, you likely spend 80 percent of your time with 20 percent of your friends. You wear 20 percent of your clothes 80 percent of the time. Twenty percent of Americans control 80 percent of the wealth. Therefore, focus on the 20 percent of merchants that will support your revenue targets.
Use High-Earning Links & Banners
Many affiliate networks allow users to sort through a merchant’s links and banners by earnings per click (EPC). Earnings per click indicate how a program or link performs by dividing the total revenues by total clicks for a period. So naturally, it’s a wise idea to use links that are converting and performing well.
Quit Programs Periodically
Letting go of poor performers frees time to focus on winners and new opportunities. Also, remaining in programs for the sake of “keeping your options open” tends to be pointless and inefficient. Instead, I prefer to stay active with profitable merchants and deactivate unprofitable ones. For instance, I recently ended 70 percent of my affiliate partnerships because they were underperforming, unrelated to my niche, paid low commission rates, or had low EPCs.
Add Enough Affiliate Links to Each Post
The number of affiliate links you include on each page is critical. You must add a minimum of ten links to stack the odds in your favor. Conversely, adding one or two links will not result in enough clicks and conversions. To increase your link count, you can:
- Link to helpful content. Deep linking is the practice by which an affiliate creates a link to a specific page on the merchant’s site. Many affiliate marketing apps have deep linking features.
- Link to articles that support or relate to your post, for example, case studies and examples.
- Add advertising banners.
Note: Don’t only add links to increase your count. Instead, your links should appear natural and be helpful to your audience.
Encourage Readers & Viewers to Act
Reading is a passive and unengaging activity for many people. Therefore, occasionally prompting your audience to act will increase their engagement and clicks.
A call to action (CTA) is a word, phrase, or sentence that encourages a reader to take a specific action, for example, learn more, buy now, start your free trial, and click here (click here is slightly outdated). CTAs appear as text and images, such as a “Buy It Now” button.
Add a Resources or “Tools” Page
Many marketers and publishers have “tools” pages that feature their favorite products, services, and apps. Those pages attract visitors because people want to know what others are using. An excellent tools page will list ten to thirty items with brief descriptions. A link to the page is typically visible in a site’s primary or footer menu.
Be genuine. Some publishers add goods only to generate commissions. For example, an affiliate who uses one hosting company adds five companies to her list. Publishers who recommend numerous tools from the same category are likely putting profits before people, which is a practice you should avoid.
Add a Notification Bar
A notification bar is a rectangular element that appears at the top of a website. Users typically use notification bars to collect email addresses, highlight deals, and special offers.
WordPress users have many free options, including Top Bar, Simple Banner, and WPFront Notification Bar. Premium options include Thrive Themes and OptinMonster.
Get Creative With Widgets
Featuring ad banners and opt-in forms in your widgets is standard. That doesn’t mean banners and forms aren’t helpful, but there are more creative ways to use widgets. Case in point, I use my footer widgets to feature “trending” articles (with affiliate links). So, let your imagination run wild.
Use the ThirstyAffiliates WordPress Plugin
The ThirstyAffiliates plugin is a must-have for affiliates who use WordPress. It allows users to manage, cloak, and track links from a central place. As a result, you can focus on more critical revenue-generating activities by efficiently managing your affiliate links. The pro version includes robust features, including automatic keyword linking, advanced reporting, CSV import/export, and more.
Use the FooGallery WordPress Plugin
Instead of adding banners to posts the conventional way—Add Media—I insert and manage banners with the FooGallery image gallery plugin. The plugin comes with many robust features and customizations. Changes I make to my banners/images automatically update throughout my site. That’s much better and more efficient than replacing banners one by one. Also, I can quickly update my banners to promote limited-time deals and sales events.
Add Affiliate Links to Email Marketing Campaigns
Most email marketing companies have affiliate marketing policies in their terms and conditions. Therefore, you must be careful when adding links to your emails and consider the context. However, don’t be too cautious because you’ll lose out on marketing opportunities. For example, if you subscribe to my email list, you’ll see how I combine email marketing with affiliate links.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a high-ticket affiliate program?
A high-ticket affiliate program features a merchant with expensive products or services to sell.
How do I promote high-ticket affiliate programs?
You promote high-ticket affiliate programs the same way as regular programs, i.e., by publishing and posting content about products and services via blogging, YouTube, social media, etc.
How much money can you make with high-ticket affiliate marketing?
You can make a lot of money depending on a program’s commission rate and cookie duration. Therefore, those two parameters will influence your income potential.
Can you become a millionaire from affiliate marketing?
Yes, but you must have a high-traffic website, YouTube channel, or social media profile to generate millions in commissions.
