You don’t need to own a product to make money online! Affiliate marketing is the process of earning commission by promoting other people’s products.
If you have tried making money through affiliate marketing, you will already know by now that affiliate application processes can be time-consuming.
So, what is an affiliate network?
An affiliate network is an intermediary between publishers (you) who sell, and the merchants who create products and services for you to sell.
Affiliate networks are the easiest way for travel bloggers to apply for and manage multiple affiliate programs from an all-in-one system.
Sign up to my top 6 best affiliate networks, and you can be applying to multiple affiliate programs from your favourite companies within minutes.
Use my program suggestions and template for professional application messages to shortcut your way to making $£€ as an affiliate marketeer.
Probably the most user-friendly affiliate marketplace.
Their sleek design is a breath of fresh air in comparison to other networks. AWIN’s competitors need to up their game!
With their wide range of partners, I am able to connect with brands I love.
Affiliate programs I like:
- Agoda.com (Global)
- Lonely Planet Publications
- Virgin Trains
- Trustedhousesitters
Recently acquired by AWIN to broaden their reach to the United States, ShareaSale offers pay-per-sale, pay-per-lead, and pay-per-click programs.
Their management system can be a little hard to master for first time affiliates. But with the recent acquisition, we can expect the site to become much more user-friendly.
I earnt my first $100 through affiliate marketing on this platform! So, ShareaSale (and the awesome guys at VirtualPBX) will always be special to me.
Affiliate programs I like:
- VirtualPBX
- IWantMyName
- Agoda
3. E-Junkie
If it wasn’t for the outstanding ease-of-use and sheer scale of Affiliate Window with their recent acquisition of ShareaSale; E-junkie would be my number 1 affiliate marketing network for travel bloggers.
E-Junkie is not only a hosted e-commerce service, it is also an affiliate marketing favourite for many travel bloggers who sell and promote digital goods.
Zero cost and zero risk for affiliates (you). All you need to do is promote my hashtags e-guide via links on your website, in your blog posts, email newsletters or banner ads.
Pretty cool way of making money online, while you travel!
4. CJ Affiliate by Conversant
An affiliate marketing platform operating globally.
With their recent design improvements, re-branding, and huge database of travel-related affiliate programs; CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) is looking promising as an advertising platform for travel bloggers.
Affiliate programs I like:
- Skyscanner
- Emirates
- Rail Europe
- Booking.com
- Moo.com
5. Rakuten Affiliate Network
I am yet to use this network who claim to be the largest ‘pay-for-performance’ affiliate marketing network on the Internet.
I have only recently signed up but I can already appreciate their easy-to-navigate ‘publishers’ section with well-designed categories and filters.
Affiliate programs I like:
- Virgin Atlantic
- Hilton Hotels
- STA Travel
- Booking.com
- LivingSocial
6. Clickbank
Founded in 1998 and honoured by many as the affiliate marketing network of choice; Clickbank is one of the largest and most experienced platforms of both physical and digital products.
In my opinion, the quality of advertisers found on this platform should be questioned more than others on my list. I would proceed with caution on promoting unknown products from Clickbank that you do not know and love. But this can be expected with their colossal customer base, and still worthy of a mention.
Affiliate programs I like:
- Housecarers
- And a seemingly endless selection of digital goods
Yes, you guessed it. Most of these links are affiliate links.
These links are of no extra cost to you, and simply go towards the costs of keeping my blog running! Thanks in advance for your support.
BONUS TIP: Template for Professional Application Message
You will likely be asked to include an optional message to accompany your affiliate program applications within the networks. Do it – it only takes a few seconds!
It doesn’t necessarily have to be unique, just enough to look like you know what you are doing. This will instantly boost your professionalism over your competitors.
Here’s a template based on one of my applications;
“Hello <first name>,
I am <full name> of <blog domain>. My blog is about <blog description>. Please consider my application to become an affiliate for <company name>. I feel strongly that your values, products and services will resonate well with my audience.
I look forward to including your affiliate links and creative on pre-existing and forthcoming content on my travel blog.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
<your full name>”
All advertisers want publishers, but they might not always want anyone and everyone. Just a simple introduction goes a long way to professionalism and to look as if you applied with at least some thought process.
4 thoughts on “Top 6 Best Affiliate Marketing Networks for Travel Bloggers”
Great article! We use ShareaSale and find the interface so clunky. We do hope it improves. Will definitely check out some of the others you mentioned! Thanks!
These are great tips. Any advice for someone with a very new blog though? What kind of audience numbers do you need to reach before you can actually make money this way?
Great tips. I’m already with a few of these programmes, will check the others out as well.
Thanks for the super useful tips! We will check out these sites for sure.