If you’re an affiliate marketer looking to maximize your earnings, joining two tier affiliate programs could be a game-changer for your business. Two tier affiliate programs allow you to earn commissions not only on your own sales and referrals, but also on the sales and referrals generated by your referred affiliates. This enables you to leverage your marketing efforts and build an extensive affiliate network.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain exactly what two-tier affiliate programs are, why they’re so powerful, and provide a hand-picked list of the 10 best two-tier affiliate programs to join as an affiliate marketer in 2023. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What is a Two Tier Affiliate Program?
A two tier affiliate program is a type of affiliate program that offers you two levels of commissions:
- Tier 1: You earn your normal affiliate commission on any sales or leads you directly refer to the company. This works just like a typical affiliate program.
- Tier 2: You also earn a percentage commission on any sales or leads generated by affiliates that you have referred into the program (your sub-affiliates).
For example, let’s say you join ABC Company’s affiliate program that pays a 10% commission on sales. You promote ABC Company’s product and refer John as a new affiliate. John makes $1,000 in sales, so you get a 10% commission of $100 (Tier 1).
Now let’s say John refers Jane to also become an ABC Company affiliate. Jane makes $5,000 in sales. As John’s original referring affiliate, you would get a 5% commission on Jane’s sales of $250 (Tier 2).
So with one referral, you’ve now opened up an additional income stream without doing any extra work! As you build out your affiliate network, your Tier 2 commissions really begin to add up.
Two-tier programs empower you to leverage your marketing efforts and maximize your earnings from every referral. The more affiliates you refer, the more potential income you can generate from your growing affiliate network.
Why Two Tier Affiliate Programs Are So Powerful
There are a few key advantages that make two tier affiliate programs highly attractive for digital marketers:
- Passive Income: After you refer someone to a two-tier program, you can earn passive commissions from their ongoing affiliate efforts. This provides lasting value from each referral you make.
- Increased Earnings: By earning two levels of commissions (your own sales, and sales from your referred affiliates), your income potential is much higher.
- Build an Affiliate Army: Referring other affiliates allows you to leverage their unique audiences and expand your reach. Your earnings grow exponentially.
- Recurring Commissions: Many two-tier programs pay out recurring or lifetime commissions. You continue earning from your network over time.
- Reward Referrals: You can share a unique referral link with prospects to invite them to join the affiliate program and earn from their efforts.
- Residual Income: Even if you take a break from actively promoting, your two-tier affiliate income keeps rolling in from your referred affiliates.
For affiliate marketers looking to scale their business, two-tier programs provide the perfect vehicle to expand your audience, referral network, and passive earnings.
Next, let’s look at 10 of the top two-tier affiliate programs available in 2023.
The Top 10 Best Two Tier Affiliate Programs for 2023
Here are 10 outstanding two-tier affiliate programs across a variety of verticals that offer generous commissions and benefits:
ShareASale is a large affiliate network with over 4,000 merchant affiliate programs. Their two-tier structure allows you to earn commissions from referred affiliates for up to 39 months. ShareASale offers high commissions up to 80%, and lets you join top merchant affiliate programs in one place.
Tier 1 Commission: Varies by merchant program, up to 80% per sale
Tier 2 Commission: 5% for 39 months from referred affiliates
2. ClickFunnels Affiliate Program
ClickFunnels is the leading funnel builder and marketing automation software. Their Cookies for Life program pays lifetime 40% commissions on all products used by your referrals. You can also promote high-ticket offers like their Etison Suite to earn up to $2,000 per sale.
Tier 1 Commission: 40% recurring commission
Tier 2 Commission: 5% l from referred affiliates
3. A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting offers fast, reliable and secure web hosting services. Their affiliate program provides recurring payouts and lets you earn commissions from referred affiliates. Promoting their high-tier hosting plans can net commissions over $100 per referral.
Tier 1 Commission: Up to $150 per sale
Tier 2 Commission: $5 each time your referral makes a sale
4. Teachable
Teachable is one of the leading platforms for selling online courses and coaching programs. Their affiliate program offers a 30% lifetime commission rate and payouts on subscriptions renewals. You can also earn 10% from your referred affiliates.
Tier 1 Commission: 30% lifetime
Tier 2 Commission: 10% lifetime
5. SEMrush
SEMrush is a leading SEO, PPC and online visibility management platform. Affiliates earn 40% commissions promoting annual SEMrush Pro or Guru subscriptions. You also earn 15% from your sub-affiliates’ sales for life.
Tier 1 Commission: 40%
Tier 2 Commission: 15% for life
6. WP Engine Affiliate Program
WP Engine provides managed WordPress hosting optimized for speed and security. Affiliates earn 200% of the first payment on annual plans, plus 100% monthly recurring commissions and 15% from sub-affiliates.
Tier 1 Commission: $200 first payment + 100% monthly
Tier 2 Commission: Up to $50 from sub affiliates.
7. Builderall
Builderall is an all-in-one digital marketing platform for websites, funnels, email, courses and more. Their program provides high recurring commissions and earnings from referred affiliates.
- Tier 1: 100% recurring commission
- Tier 2: 30% recurring commission from your direct referrals
8. Fiverr
Fiverr is the leading freelance services marketplace worldwide. Their affiliate program offers earnings per lead, sales commissions, and passive income from sub-affiliates.
- Tier 1: $15-$150 CPA for various services
- Tier 2: 10% commission from their sales
9.Content At Scale
Content At Scale provides done-for-you content writing services. Their affiliate program pays a combination of upfront and recurring commissions, plus earnings from referred affiliates.
- Tier 1: Up to $500 per sale + 30-50% recurring commissions
- Tier 2: 10% lifetime commission from your referrals
10. System.io
System.io offers a done-for-you affiliate marketing management service. Their multi-tier program provides high commissions and passive earnings from sub-affiliates.
- Tier 1: 60% recurring commission
- Tier 2: 10-20% lifetime commission from your referrals’ sales
By promoting these two-tier affiliate programs across high-demand services, you can further diversify your passive income streams as an affiliate marketer. Be sure to thoroughly research each program before applying.
Tips for Success with Two-Tier Affiliate Marketing
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of promoting two tier affiliate programs:
- Focus on high-ticket, recurring and evergreen offers. This maximizes your long-term passive earnings.
- Be extremely selective about who you refer. Look for affiliates who complement your audience and niche.
- Incentivize quality over quantity. Reward top-tier affiliates that drive the most conversions rather than just the most signups.
- Provide your sub-affiliates with creatives, promo materials and affiliate links to support their efforts.
- Communicate regularly with your referred affiliates to keep them engaged and motivated.
- Track your tier 1 and tier 2 commission data separately to better understand your income streams.
- Promote affiliate offers through both organic content and paid advertising for the broadest reach.
- Build an email list and share affiliate offers with your subscribers to boost conversions.
Mastering two-tier affiliate marketing takes focus and commitment, but the long-term payoff can be well worth the effort. Use this guide to find the best programs to promote and implement the right referral strategies for your business.
Recap: Key Takeaways on Two-Tier Affiliate Programs
Here’s a quick recap of the key points we’ve covered:
- Two-tier affiliate programs offer you commissions from direct sales (Tier 1) plus commissions from your referred affiliates (Tier 2).
- These programs help you earn more from your efforts, build an affiliate army, and generate passive income.
- We looked at 10 top two-tier affiliate programs to consider across industries like SaaS, ecommerce, web hosting and more.
- Focus on recurring, high-ticket offers and incentivize your sub-affiliates to maximize commissions.
- Use organic and paid promotion strategies to drive traffic and increase conversions and referrals.
Two-tier affiliate marketing can be extremely lucrative but does require some up-front effort to see results. However, the compounding effects of building an affiliate network make it well worth the investment.
Ready to boost your affiliate commissions in 2023? Now you know which programs to review and how to promote them for maximum impact.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an affiliate network?
A: An affiliate network is a platform that connects affiliate marketers with merchants who offer affiliate programs. It acts as an intermediary, providing tracking and payment solutions for affiliates and managing the relationships between affiliates and merchants.
Q: What is a two tier affiliate program?
A: A two-tier affiliate program is an affiliate marketing program where affiliates can earn a commission not only for their own sales but also for the sales made by affiliates they refer to the program. It allows affiliates to build a network and earn additional income from the sales generated by their sub-affiliates.
Q: How does promoting two tier affiliate programs benefit affiliate marketers?
A: Promoting two-tier affiliate programs can benefit affiliate marketers in several ways. Firstly, it allows them to earn additional income from the sales generated by their sub-affiliates. Secondly, it enables them to expand their network and reach a broader audience, increasing their overall earning potential. Lastly, it provides an opportunity for affiliate marketers to become super affiliates and earn higher commissions due to their success in building and managing a network.
Q: What is the difference between a first tier and a second tier in affiliate marketing?
A: In affiliate marketing, the first tier refers to affiliates who directly promote the merchant’s products or services and earn a commission on the sales they generate. The second tier, on the other hand, refers to sub-affiliates who are referred by the first tier affiliates and earn a commission on their own sales as well as the sales generated by the sub-affiliates they refer.
Q: How can I join a two tier affiliate program?
A: To join a two-tier affiliate program, you typically need to sign up as an affiliate through the merchant’s affiliate program. Once approved, you will receive a unique affiliate link that you can use to promote the merchant’s products or services. If the program has a two tier structure, you will also have the option to refer other affiliates and earn a commission on their sales.
Q: Do two tier affiliate programs offer recurring commissions?
A: Yes, some two-tier affiliate programs offer recurring commissions. This means that as long as the customers referred by you or your sub-affiliates continue to make purchases or renew their subscriptions, you will continue to earn a commission on those sales. However, not all two-tier affiliate programs have this feature, so it’s important to check the program details or contact the merchant to confirm.
Q: What marketing tools and materials are provided by two-tier affiliate programs?
A: Two-tier affiliate programs often provide a variety of marketing tools and materials to help affiliates promote their products or services effectively. These may include banners, text links, email templates, social media graphics, product images, and more. The exact tools and materials provided can vary between programs, so it’s recommended to review the program details or contact the merchant for specific information.
Q: Can I promote two tier affiliate programs through email marketing?
A: Yes, you can promote two-tier affiliate programs through email marketing. Email marketing can be an effective strategy to reach and engage with your audience, promote the products or services you are affiliated with, and encourage them to make a purchase or join the affiliate program. However, it’s important to follow email marketing best practices and comply with relevant regulations to ensure your campaigns are successful and compliant.
Q: Which are the best two tier affiliate programs for digital marketers?
A: There are several great two-tier affiliate programs for digital marketers. Some of the top options include Affiliate Program 1, Affiliate Program 4, and Affiliate Program 7. These programs offer competitive commissions, high-quality products or services, and provide valuable marketing resources specifically targeted towards digital marketing professionals.
Q: Is the A2 Hosting Affiliate Program a two tier affiliate program?
A: Yes, the A2 Hosting Affiliate Program is a two-tier affiliate program. Affiliates can earn a commission for their own sales as well as the sales made by the affiliates they refer. It’s a popular program among affiliate marketers in the hosting niche due to its generous commissions, reliable hosting services, and supportive affiliate management team.
