Does the Etsy Affiliate Program Have a Joining Fee?
As part of my experience in affiliate programs, I have never, for once, come across a program that requests a joining fee. Sadly enough, Etsy's was the only one I would come across.
Though the fee is low, the $5 sounds odd to many. The fee is not hard to pay, but it is still not fair. In a case where you need to pay for joining, you are no more regarded as an affiliate, rather, a client.
Is the $5 Fee worth it?
The truth be told, Etsy stands out among its contemporaries. With this, we can say it is fair to pay a token to join. But that is not only the barrier.
There is also an Etsy policy that acts as a great obstacle. The policy has it that, you cannot sell only Etsy products on your site. This is against affiliate freedom of running your business as you are pleased.
With this in place, being an affiliate of Esty seems to put you under a boss to answer. I am saying all this about Etsy not because I hate them, but because I have always heard negative talks about them.
I will still try to show you a means of justifying their mediocre actions.
Etsy Affiliate Program Benefits
A 30-Day Cookie
Etsy has a 30-day cookie. With this, if you send a visitor to Etsy, the visitor has a period of 30 days to make a purchase before you can be paid a commission.
It does not matter which day of the 30-day period your visitor purchases a product; you get your 4% commission.
Though some software affiliate programs offer a lifetime cookie, Etsy’s 30-day cookie length still deserves an accolade when compared to its rival, Amazon. Amazon has a 24-hour cookie.
A Lot of Resources Made Available to Use
If you do not care about the 4% commission and some other weird policy of Etsy, you will be provided with a number of diverse resources to promote Etsy.
Among resources made available – is a wide category of banners, link tracking and newsletter to keep you updated with new development.
Join the Discussion
Lizken
Premium
Isn't amazon paying also but 4% and even less these days? (I started with Amazon at the beginning of my site but got thrown off for not selling enough at the start of my site).
I do think that Etsy is ideal for my niche though, so that's kind of hard if I would want to change.
True though, it is hard to make a good income with only 4% commission, I have noticed that by now.
So I think I am going to make a second website that has affiliates with much higher commission. Thanks for this post!
I do think that Etsy is ideal for my niche though, so that's kind of hard if I would want to change.
True though, it is hard to make a good income with only 4% commission, I have noticed that by now.
So I think I am going to make a second website that has affiliates with much higher commission. Thanks for this post!
Reply
CountessCtry
Premium
Lizken
Premium
yes, for sure, thanks! But I see now that this is an older post, talking about the 8% commission on Amazon, I think that has gone down now anyway. I believe that to be the problem with Amazon: too many strict rules and always lowering their commission. (rereading all the comments from Jeanine here in the thread, I see that I have reacted before haha)
cwb237
Premium
Hello there!
I am a few steps away from launching my blog and wanted to reach out because I share many products from Etsy sellers and am really hoping to get approved to their affiliate program.
I would greatly appreciate any advice you would be willing to share on what they might deem mandatory in order to get approved.
Should I apply via ShareaSale or Awin or both?
I have read a few people say they recommend applying right away, even if you don't have a lot of traffic or are new, but thought I would check to see your thoughts.
I have about 10 blog posts and a lot of information on each seller that I share in addition to the blog posts. I was hoping to apply in time for Christmas, do you think they will approve if its only a month or 2 since it's been advertised?
Also, they mention they don't want you only writing about Etsy products. Does this mean they like if you're an affiliate on other websites too?
One last thing, do I need to ask each Etsy seller permission to use their photos on my site when I'm linking products to their Etsy shop before and/or after being an affiliate?
Thank you so much for your time. I hope you are having a great day!
I am a few steps away from launching my blog and wanted to reach out because I share many products from Etsy sellers and am really hoping to get approved to their affiliate program.
I would greatly appreciate any advice you would be willing to share on what they might deem mandatory in order to get approved.
Should I apply via ShareaSale or Awin or both?
I have read a few people say they recommend applying right away, even if you don't have a lot of traffic or are new, but thought I would check to see your thoughts.
I have about 10 blog posts and a lot of information on each seller that I share in addition to the blog posts. I was hoping to apply in time for Christmas, do you think they will approve if its only a month or 2 since it's been advertised?
Also, they mention they don't want you only writing about Etsy products. Does this mean they like if you're an affiliate on other websites too?
One last thing, do I need to ask each Etsy seller permission to use their photos on my site when I'm linking products to their Etsy shop before and/or after being an affiliate?
Thank you so much for your time. I hope you are having a great day!
Israel17
Premium
Follow exactly what Jean tells you. She is a pro affiliate marketer who understands everything about e-commerce. She will walk you through every step you need. Follow her through one of her posts below: Why does Awin want $5 to join their affiliate network? Israel Olatunji
keishalina
Premium
Israel17
Premium
Thanks for being awesome, my friend, Keisha! Much appreciated! No doubt about it, Jean is an affiliate marketing pro. She is a blessing to us on WA.
Israel Olatunji
Israel Olatunji
sahasrara
Premium
Awin will provide you a welcome pack--a PDF on how you can promote the products (social media included). I believe yes you can use the seller's photos as you promote their products. And I agree, awesome Jeaninnine can elaborate on that.
She has mentioned that Awin looks for around 8-12 posts to see the direction of your blog. My blog was just 3 months young when I got accepted in Awin, so I guess it's the content on, not the age of the site.
I think it's also important to consider this: what Etsy looks for is a blog that provides 'original content and personalized experiences around Etsy to their posts vs product recommendation/ aggregation sites'. :-)
-A
She has mentioned that Awin looks for around 8-12 posts to see the direction of your blog. My blog was just 3 months young when I got accepted in Awin, so I guess it's the content on, not the age of the site.
I think it's also important to consider this: what Etsy looks for is a blog that provides 'original content and personalized experiences around Etsy to their posts vs product recommendation/ aggregation sites'. :-)
-A
cwb237
Premium
Thank you so much for your response Sahasrara!
Hmm, so they dont want someone who recommends sellers based off of what their readers are looking for? Could you please elaborate on what you mean by "original content and personalized experiences around Etsy to their posts "
Thank you!
Hmm, so they dont want someone who recommends sellers based off of what their readers are looking for? Could you please elaborate on what you mean by "original content and personalized experiences around Etsy to their posts "
Thank you!
sahasrara
Premium
I'm currently at Level 3 module and really want to skip being part of the Amazon Associates. I'm finding reasons to skip the Amazon task and researching more about other affiliate networks I could join that are relevant and would fit my vision for my blog. I've been a fan of Etsy for more than a decade and I would be proud to feature handmade items in my blog.
Just dropping by to express my gratitude for this post as I do my research, and my appreciation of the healthy discussion going on around here. I've gained clarity! Thanks a lot!
Just dropping by to express my gratitude for this post as I do my research, and my appreciation of the healthy discussion going on around here. I've gained clarity! Thanks a lot!
Israel17
Premium
Wow, thanks for leaving a thought, sahasrara! It's my pleasure having you onboard. Of course, there are hundreds of millions of affiliate products that you can promote. Just select products that are related to your niche and you're good to go.
Israel Olatunji
Israel Olatunji
JeannineC
Premium
Great news to hear that! When you are ready: https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/affiliate-programs/etsy-us
sahasrara
Premium
Great! Thanks for the link.
Would love to ask a question, and hear it straight from the Etsy expert! Does the age of the website matters, and do affiliate networks actually gauge the traffic our site is having?
My website is just a week old. I have loads of content (because I do tarot/oracle readings everyday per zodiac), but I feel like I should add more product articles that would "look good" for Awin.
I have 3 articles that's non-reading related, and I wish to build on it this week. Do you think it's best that I should load up more product-related articles before applying, or just give it a go, so I could integrate links already to product-related content?
I feel like working on my resume! Is it right to feel that way about affiliate network application?
Thank you so much for helping a newbie out. :)
A
Would love to ask a question, and hear it straight from the Etsy expert! Does the age of the website matters, and do affiliate networks actually gauge the traffic our site is having?
My website is just a week old. I have loads of content (because I do tarot/oracle readings everyday per zodiac), but I feel like I should add more product articles that would "look good" for Awin.
I have 3 articles that's non-reading related, and I wish to build on it this week. Do you think it's best that I should load up more product-related articles before applying, or just give it a go, so I could integrate links already to product-related content?
I feel like working on my resume! Is it right to feel that way about affiliate network application?
Thank you so much for helping a newbie out. :)
A
JeannineC
Premium
Lots of questions - I'll do my best!
First I can speak on behalf of Awin and ShareASale - we won't necessarily look at the age of the website, but we will see when the last time was that you updated it. Are you posting regularly? We'll check that.
If it's appropriate, yes, product review articles would be of interest to a merchant like Etsy. Each merchant has different requirements, but Etsy definitely would consider that in determining whether you would be approved.
Hope that helps!
Jeannine
First I can speak on behalf of Awin and ShareASale - we won't necessarily look at the age of the website, but we will see when the last time was that you updated it. Are you posting regularly? We'll check that.
If it's appropriate, yes, product review articles would be of interest to a merchant like Etsy. Each merchant has different requirements, but Etsy definitely would consider that in determining whether you would be approved.
Hope that helps!
Jeannine
Israel17
Premium
Glad you got answers to all your questions, sahasrara! Jean got you covered indeed. Thanks to her!
Israel Olatunji
Israel Olatunji
Lizken
Premium
I do not understand the Etsy programme to be honest. I have a niche that would be so good to be linked with Etsy (dollhouses and miniatures), but when I join, I get referred to the affiliate program 'Awin' , which has nothing to do with crafting or DIY affiliates or even selling on Etsy. Theres a lot off selling from Zalando and other companies. I don't get it ? Can you even have affiliate links for Etsy itself and there products ? Probably not, it is a totally different affiliate sale then on their own site .. thank you !
DianeScorpio
Premium
Hi - some affiliate programs belong to affiliate networks, and you have to join the network to get access to them. Etsy is part of the AWIN network, so if you join AWIN, you get access to Etsy and around 700 other advertisers. Do be aware that there is a joining fee, but you get it refunded with your first commission.
Israel17
Premium
That's true to know, Diane! The fee is refunded as clarified by their representative here at WA, Jean! Thanks for helping someone around here!
Israel Olatunji
Israel Olatunji
JeannineC
Premium
I'm the Awin representative here on WA. @DianeScorpio had it exactly right - Etsy has chosen to offer their affiliate program via an affiliate network (Awin) rather than having an in-house program.
The first step in the process is to apply to the Awin network (which is why the link points there). Once approved into Awin, you then apply to the Etsy program. If they approve you, then you have access to promote all of their products and can even deeplink to any page on their site.
Let me know if I can be of assistance.
The first step in the process is to apply to the Awin network (which is why the link points there). Once approved into Awin, you then apply to the Etsy program. If they approve you, then you have access to promote all of their products and can even deeplink to any page on their site.
Let me know if I can be of assistance.
Lizken
Premium
Hi Jeannine ! Thank you very much for this information, I hope to be able to promote Etsy soon, it would be so great for my niche ! Do they have a time-limite for sales, like Amazon does or doesn't it matter ? I'm only starting out with my website, so I will need more time to build it up. Thanks again !
JeannineC
Premium
The cookie for Etsy is 30 days long, versus just a one day cookie on Amazon.
Etsy prefers to work with publishers who focus on content. Don't just do reviews of their products, but talk about how you would incorporate them into whatever scenario your discussing. Let me know if I can assist.
Etsy prefers to work with publishers who focus on content. Don't just do reviews of their products, but talk about how you would incorporate them into whatever scenario your discussing. Let me know if I can assist.
