Updated 2026-09-05.
1. Design commissions competitors can beat
Check your niche's standard (10-30% for SaaS/e-commerce). Affiliates compare programs; a weak rate guarantees silence. Recurring commissions on subscriptions dramatically increase affiliate interest.
2. Pick tracking that fits your checkout
Stripe/Paddle subscription? Payment-gateway trackers work. Store (Shopify/WooCommerce/Magento) or custom checkout? Use platform-native tracking — Tapfiliate covers 30+ integrations either way.
3. Set attribution rules
Cookie duration (30-90 days typical), first-touch vs last-touch, coupon attribution. Decide before recruiting so disputes have answers.
4. Build the affiliate assets
Banners, product images, email swipes, honest talking points. Tapfiliate's asset library serves these inside the affiliate portal.
5. Write the terms
Banned traffic (brand bidding, coupon spam), payout thresholds, refund handling. Short and specific beats long and vague.
6. Recruit where affiliates already are
Your existing customers and newsletter first — they convert best. Then affiliate directories and content creators in your niche.
7. Pay on time, automatically
PayPal mass payouts (Tapfiliate Pro) or your preferred rail. Late payments kill programs faster than low commissions.
8. Report monthly
Top affiliates, conversions, EPC. Share wins publicly in your affiliate newsletter.
9. Iterate quarterly
Raise rates on top sellers, prune fraud, refresh creatives. Programs compound — most revenue arrives after month six.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does setup take?
With Tapfiliate: same-day for tracking; a launchable program with assets and terms typically takes a week.
What commission should I offer?
Benchmark your niche: 10-30% one-time for e-commerce, 20-30% recurring common in SaaS.
Do I need a big audience first?
No — start with customers and newsletter subscribers; affiliates join programs that show real conversions.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our rankings — every comparison is based on published specs and pricing.