Software as a Service (SaaS) is rapidly growing, and affiliate marketing for SaaS products presents one of the most lucrative opportunities in the affiliate marketing world.
Since SaaS products often operate on a subscription-based model, affiliates can earn recurring commissions for every customer they refer.
In this article, we’ll explore the best affiliate programs for SaaS products in 2024 and provide actionable tips to maximize your affiliate marketing efforts.
Why Promote SaaS Products as an Affiliate?
Promoting SaaS products can be a smart strategy for several reasons:
- Recurring Commissions: SaaS products often come with subscription fees, which means you can earn recurring commissions for as long as the customer continues using the service.
- High Customer Retention: Many SaaS companies have high customer retention rates because businesses rely on their software for critical operations. This can lead to long-term commissions for affiliates.
- Premium Products: SaaS companies tend to offer premium products with higher price points, meaning larger commissions per sale compared to physical goods or one-time purchases.
- Growing Demand: The SaaS industry is booming, with businesses and individuals increasingly adopting cloud-based solutions for everything from marketing and project management to accounting and design.
Top SaaS Affiliate Programs for 2024
Here are the best affiliate programs for SaaS products that offer high commissions, recurring payouts, and significant value for customers.
1. ClickUp
- Commission Rate: 20% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: ClickUp is a popular project management and productivity tool used by teams and businesses of all sizes. Its intuitive interface and powerful features make it an attractive product to promote. Affiliates earn 20% recurring commissions for each customer referred, providing a long-term passive income opportunity.
- Best For: Bloggers in the productivity, project management, or business niches.
2. HubSpot
- Commission Rate: Up to 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: HubSpot is a leading CRM, marketing, and sales platform used by businesses around the world. Its affiliate program offers commissions of up to 30% on sales, with the added benefit of recurring payouts as long as the referred customer remains a subscriber. HubSpot is a high-ticket item, making it perfect for affiliates looking to promote premium business solutions.
- Best For: Digital marketers, business consultants, and B2B bloggers.
3. ConvertKit
- Commission Rate: 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed for creators such as bloggers, podcasters, and YouTubers. Its affiliate program offers 30% recurring commissions, making it a great choice for affiliates targeting content creators and entrepreneurs who need email marketing solutions.
- Best For: Bloggers and marketers in the content creation and online business space.
4. Shopify
- Commission Rate: Up to $2,000 per new merchant
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms, powering millions of online stores. Affiliates can earn a one-time commission of up to $2,000 per referred merchant, depending on the plan they sign up for. Shopify’s affiliate program is highly attractive due to its high payout potential and relevance to anyone looking to start an online store.
- Best For: E-commerce, business, and entrepreneurship bloggers.
5. SEMrush
- Commission Rate: 40% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 120 days
- Why It’s Great: SEMrush is a leading SEO and digital marketing tool used by marketers, agencies, and businesses. Its affiliate program offers a generous 40% recurring commission on sales, and with its long cookie duration of 120 days, affiliates have ample time to convert leads into paying customers. SEMrush is a powerful tool, making it a must-have for digital marketers, which increases its retention rate.
- Best For: SEO specialists, digital marketers, and bloggers in the marketing industry.
6. ActiveCampaign
- Commission Rate: 20%-30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: ActiveCampaign is a robust email marketing and automation platform used by small businesses, marketers, and enterprises. Its affiliate program offers up to 30% recurring commissions, giving affiliates the opportunity to earn significant long-term income. ActiveCampaign is known for its excellent customer retention, making it a great product for recurring commissions.
- Best For: Marketers, email marketing specialists, and business bloggers.
7. Teachable
- Commission Rate: 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: Teachable is a leading platform for creating and selling online courses. It offers 30% recurring commissions on all referred customers who sign up for a paid plan. Given the rising demand for online education and digital courses, Teachable is an attractive product for affiliates targeting educators, content creators, and entrepreneurs.
- Best For: Course creators, educators, and bloggers in the online learning space.
8. Thinkific
- Commission Rate: 20% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: Similar to Teachable, Thinkific is another popular platform for building and selling online courses. Affiliates earn a 20% recurring commission on referrals, with a generous 90-day cookie duration. With the growing e-learning market, Thinkific’s affiliate program is ideal for those promoting online education solutions.
- Best For: Bloggers, educators, and entrepreneurs focusing on e-learning and digital products.
9. FreshBooks
- Commission Rate: $10 per trial sign-up, $200 per customer
- Cookie Duration: 120 days
- Why It’s Great: FreshBooks is a leading cloud-based accounting software for small businesses and freelancers. Its affiliate program offers a unique commission structure: $10 per free trial sign-up and up to $200 for every paid customer. FreshBooks is widely used, making it a solid choice for affiliates targeting small business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.
- Best For: Finance bloggers, business consultants, and small business advocates.
10. Webflow
- Commission Rate: 50% one-time and 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: Webflow is a website builder and hosting platform that allows users to design, build, and launch websites visually. Its affiliate program offers a 50% commission on the first payment and a 30% recurring commission for every subsequent payment. Webflow’s visual editor is highly popular among web designers, developers, and small businesses, making it a great product to promote.
- Best For: Web designers, developers, and bloggers in the tech and design industries.
How to Succeed with SaaS Affiliate Programs
Promoting SaaS products is a bit different from traditional affiliate marketing. Here are some tips to maximize your success with SaaS affiliate programs:
1. Understand the Product
Before promoting any SaaS product, make sure you fully understand how it works, its benefits, and its target audience. Many SaaS products are complex, so being knowledgeable will help you create more convincing content.
2. Create In-Depth Reviews and Tutorials
SaaS products typically require more explanation than physical goods. Create detailed product reviews, tutorials, or case studies that demonstrate how the software solves a specific problem for your audience. Use screenshots, videos, or even offer a step-by-step guide on how to use the product.
3. Leverage SEO for Long-Term Traffic
SaaS products often have a long buying cycle, as businesses and individuals may take time to research their options before committing. Creating SEO-optimized content can help your affiliate links get discovered by potential customers over the long term.
4. Target Niche Audiences
SaaS products are often built for specific industries or types of users. Identify your niche and create targeted content that speaks directly to your audience’s needs. For example, if you’re promoting an email marketing tool like ConvertKit, your content should focus on creators, bloggers, and small business owners.
5. Offer Exclusive Bonuses
To incentivize sign-ups through your affiliate link, offer exclusive bonuses like free guides, tutorials, or discounts. These bonuses add extra value and encourage your audience to take action.
Conclusion
SaaS affiliate programs offer significant potential for affiliates looking to build long-term, sustainable income.
With recurring commissions, high customer retention rates, and growing demand for cloud-based solutions, promoting SaaS products is one of the most lucrative strategies in affiliate marketing today.
By choosing the right affiliate programs and focusing on delivering value to your audience, you can maximize your earnings in 2024.
