Can you do Affiliate Marketing on Shopify?

Affiliate marketing has been proven to be a strong method to drive traffic and boost sales for Shopify merchants. Starting and maintaining affiliate marketing on Shopify is actually easy with its robust add-ins, helping businesses easily set up and manage these programs.

This article is created exclusive for Shopify merchants looking a way to start affiliate marketing! Here is the main content included in this article:

• The basic of affiliate marketing?
• Why Shopify a good platform for affiliate marketing?
• Steps to set up an affiliate program for Shopify Store?
• FAQs

How Affiliate Marketing Works

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where businesses (affiliate merchants) incentivize individuals (affiliate marketers) to promote their products. Affiliates earn a commission for each sale generated through their unique referral links. This model benefits both merchants and affiliates: merchants gain access to a broader audience, while affiliates earn passive income without the need to manage inventory or logistics.

Affiliate marketing operates through a simple yet effective mechanism:

1. Affiliate joins the program: Individuals sign up to promote a merchant’s products.
2. Affiliate receives a unique link: Each affiliate gets a unique tracking link to share with their audience.
3. Customer clicks the link: Potential customers click on the affiliate’s link and are redirected to the merchant’s site.
4. Customer makes a purchase: If the customer completes a purchase,1 the sale is tracked via cookies.
5. Affiliate earns a commission: The affiliate receives a commission based on the agreed-upon percentage or fixed amount.

03 reasons Shopify is the best platform for to run affiliate marketing campaign

You can definitely run a robust affiliate marketing campaign on Shopify. The platform supports easy integration with affiliate marketing apps, making it simple to set up and manage your program.

Shopify’s own data shows that stores with affiliate programs can see up to a 30% increase in sales, as affiliates drive new traffic and convert casual browsers into buyers.

There are several reasons make Shopify to be the best platform to run your affiliate program on, including:

1. Multiple affiliate program apps integrated with Shopify platform

Shopify integrates directly with affiliate marketing apps like BixGrow, making setup and management simple and efficient. Stores can use third-party software, but Shopify offers built-in options that allow merchants to run an affiliate program seamlessly. Shopify ensures the quality of apps by spotlighting the best ones and controlling for issues like payment processing and flaws. BixGrow is one of the most common affiliate marketing apps on this platform.

2. Your program gets supported by Multiple Marketing Channels on Shopify ecosystem

Benefit from the extensive Shopify ecosystem, including various apps and plugins that enhance your affiliate program’s functionality.

For example, apps like BixGrow can integrate with email marketing tools like Klaviyo and customer loyalty apps like Smile.io. This integration makes it easier to manage affiliates and convert customers into affiliates, streamlining your marketing efforts.

3. Global reach

With Shopify, businesses can easily expand their affiliate network globally, reaching customers in different regions and boosting international sales.

FIY, thanks to this ability of Shopify, many stores have got rid of the infrastructure’s constraints.

Who should consider using Affiliate Marketing on Shopify?

Affiliate marketing is particularly beneficial for Shopify store owners looking to grow their brand’s reach without investing heavily in traditional advertising. It’s also a good strategy for those who want to leverage the power of social media and influencer marketing.

Affiliate marketing on Shopify is ideal for:

1. E-commerce Store Owners looking for Sales: Businesses looking to increase sales and reach a broader audience without upfront marketing costs. 80% businesses launch affiliate programs – it is simply a good strategy for growth.
2. New Entrepreneurs: Startups wanting to grow their brand with minimal investment by leveraging the networks of affiliates. This could be a bit challenge, to be honest, as not affiliates want to collab with a new brand. You should consider getting helps from some marketing agencies for a quick pace. If you choose calmer approach, consider BixGrow!
3. Niche Product Sellers: We highly recommend niche brands to partner with affiliates. Typically, there are not too many influencers in a small niche, and the conversion rate is always high.
4. Global Brands: Businesses aiming to expand internation ally can use affiliate marketing to reach customers in different regions through local affiliates.

How to set up Affiliate Program on Shopify

The booming of social media influencers, bloggers, and existing customers is a big opportunity for merchants to get more sales. Setting up an affiliate program on Shopify is a strategic way to leverage those potential affiliates. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set it up:

1. Choose an Affiliate Marketing App

• Research Apps: Start by exploring affiliate marketing apps available in the Shopify App Store. Some popular options include BixGrow, GoAffPro, Simple Affiliate, and Affiliatly.
• Install the App: Once you’ve chosen the app that best suits your needs, install it on your Shopify store.

2. Configure the Program Settings

Please note that each niche requires a different affiliate program structure to ensure the promotion process being effectively.

• Commission Structure: Define how much commission affiliates will earn per sale. You can choose a fixed percentage or a flat rate. But please mind that this is just the basic and the commission structure can be very sophisticated!
• Tracking Methods: Set up tracking methods such as affiliate links, coupons, or email tracking to ensure accurate commission attribution.
• Payment Options: Decide how you will pay your affiliates—through PayPal, bank transfers, or store credit.

3. Design the Affiliate Portal

• Brand Customization: Customize the affiliate portal to reflect your brand’s look and feel. This includes logos, colors, and messaging.
• Onboarding Materials: Provide affiliates with essential resources like banners, product images, and marketing copy to help them promote your products effectively.

4. Recruit Affiliates

Recruiting affiliates can be done through both active and passive strategies. Active methods include directly reaching out to potential affiliates, attending industry events, and engaging in targeted social media campaigns. Passive methods involve setting up an attractive affiliate program with good incentives, optimizing your website for search engines, and using content marketing to attract potential affiliates.

• Add affiliates manually: You can simply add your friends, family members as store affiliates. Commission is incentives for their helping hands.
• Promotion: Promote your affiliate program on your website, social media, and email newsletters. Encourage customers, influencers, and bloggers to join.
• Approval Process: Review applications and approve affiliates who align with your brand values and audience.

5. Monitor and Optimize

There are maybe some problems with your affiliate program – just check out the dashboard and see what to optimize.

• Track Performance: Use the app’s analytics tools to monitor affiliate performance, sales, and commissions.

FAQs