Learn about the ShareASale affiliate program.

In the realm of affiliate marketing, ShareASale.com stands out as one of the prominent and long-standing platforms that has been facilitating the connection between merchants (advertisers) and affiliates (publishers) for over two decades. Founded in the year 2000 by Brian Littleton, the platform has garnered a reputation for its reliability, diverse network of partners, and a user-friendly interface. This piece delves into the intricacies of ShareASale, offering a comprehensive overview of its operation and background.

Historical Background

Beginning its journey in 2000, ShareASale started with the vision to create an efficient affiliate marketing network, bridging the gap between businesses seeking to market their products and individuals or companies looking to monetize their online presence. Its early years were marked by steady growth, as it rapidly built a base of both merchants and affiliates.

By providing robust tracking and reporting tools, ShareASale quickly positioned itself as a preferred choice for many businesses, ranging from small enterprises to larger, well-established brands. Its reputation for transparent operations and timely payments further solidified its position in the affiliate marketing space.

Operational Overview

ShareASale operates on a performance-based marketing model, meaning advertisers pay only when a specific action—such as a sale, click, or lead—is completed. This offers advertisers a cost-effective method of promoting their products, as they only incur costs when there is a measurable and meaningful outcome.

For affiliates, ShareASale provides a plethora of choices. With thousands of merchant programs available on the platform, affiliates can select the ones that align best with their audience and content, ensuring relevance and increasing the potential for earnings.

Key Features and Tools

1. Affiliate API: For tech-savvy affiliates, ShareASale offers an Affiliate API, enabling the creation of custom applications or integrations to access real-time data, which aids in efficient tracking and optimization.
2. Real-time Tracking: Merchants and affiliates benefit from real-time tracking of clicks, sales, and commissions. This ensures timely data availability, crucial for optimizing campaigns and strategies.
3. Datafeed Download: Merchants can upload their product data feeds, and affiliates can easily download them. This facilitates the promotion of specific products and makes the creation of product-centric content more straightforward.
4. Clickstream Attribution: A unique feature, Clickstream Attribution provides insights into the click path of users, helping affiliates understand the sequence of clicks that led to a sale or conversion.
5. Training and Support: Recognizing the challenges faced by newcomers to the affiliate marketing scene, ShareASale provides an array of training resources, webinars, and a dedicated support team to assist both merchants and affiliates.

The Awin Acquisition

In a significant move that impacted the affiliate marketing industry, in 2017, ShareASale was acquired by Awin, a global affiliate network. This acquisition was seen as a strategic step for Awin to expand its footprint in the North American market and for ShareASale to tap into Awin’s vast global network. Post-acquisition, both platforms retained their individual identities, yet benefited from shared insights, resources, and technologies.

Strengths and Considerations

Strengths:

1. Diverse Network: ShareASale boasts a wide variety of merchants, spanning numerous industries and niches, ensuring that affiliates of all types can find relevant programs.
2. Transparency: With a clear fee structure for merchants and regular, dependable payments for affiliates, ShareASale is known for its transparent operations.
3. User-friendly Interface: The platform offers an intuitive dashboard, making navigation and operation easier for both seasoned affiliates and newcomers.

Considerations:

1. Platform Fee: While it offers numerous benefits, merchants need to be aware of the setup fee and recurring monthly charges associated with the platform.
2. Learning Curve: Like all platforms, there’s an initial learning curve involved, particularly for those new to affiliate marketing.

An Unbiased Glimpse

ShareASale.com, over its more than two decades of operation, has evolved into a reliable and sought-after affiliate marketing platform. With a history marked by innovation, consistent performance, and an emphasis on transparency, it’s clear why both merchants and affiliates hold the platform in high regard. Whether one is a brand seeking to expand its reach or an affiliate aiming to monetize an online presence, ShareASale offers tools and opportunities that cater to a diverse range of needs and preferences.