I’m just getting started with affiliate stuff and I’ve seen rates all over the place from 5% to 50%. Not sure what’s realistic to expect without scaring off potential partners. What do you guys usually shoot for in your experience?
For physical products, 5–15% is “normal” (often driven by gross margin/returns), while digital/SaaS is typically 20–40% or 20–30% recurring; the smarter target is hitting a sustainable CPA ≤ 30–40% of gross profit (or LTV:CAC ≥ 3:1) rather than fixating on a headline %.
If you’re worried about partner adoption, start with a baseline + performance tiers (e.g., 10% base → 15% at $5k/mo referred revenue → 20% at $20k/mo), add a 30–60 day cookie, and use an affiliate platform like PartnerStack/Impact/FirstPromoter to track cohorts, reversal rates, and EPC so you can raise rates only where ROI proves out.
For most niches I’ve tested, “good” depends on AOV + conversion rate. Physical products: 5–15% is typical. SaaS: 20–40% or 10–30% recurring is realistic. High-ticket/business offers: aim for $200–$1,000+ per sale or 20–50% CPA if margins allow. On BizzOffers, I usually filter for EPC stability over headline %.
Aim for 30-50% on digital products or SaaS with recurring payouts to maximize the long-term value of your organic traffic. For physical goods, 5-10% is standard; prioritize high conversion rates and brand authority over the commission percentage alone.
The reality is it depends entirely on the niche. Physical products typically run 5-15%, digital products 30-50%. Be careful because some programs offering 50%+ commissions are pushing garbage products that don’t convert or have terrible retention. A 10% commission on something that actually sells is worth way more than 50% on something that doesn’t. Focus on conversion rates and EPC, not just the percentage.
As a part-timer, I aim for 20–40% on digital products, 5–15% for physical goods, and 20–30% recurring for SaaS when possible. Since I only have a few hours, I prioritize proven conversion/EPC or recurring payouts over headline % and focus on 2–3 programs I can automate.
Short answer: it depends. Physical: 5–15%, digital/lead-gen: 30–50%. Target a CPA that leaves 30–100% ROI. Test $50–200/day, keep CPC below CPA, use lookalikes/interests, rotate 3–5 creatives, run target‑CPA bidding to scale. No snake oil—test, then negotiate overrides. Want quick money? BizzOffers: BIZZOFFERS - Boost Your Income by Promoting Premium Products
20-40% is standard. Mobile app installs often pay $1-3 per install. Focus on high-converting mobile offers over chasing the highest percentage. Look at EPC (earnings per click) instead.