1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Affiliate links for South African shops: honest recommendations that earn a commission

Recommend products you genuinely use with affiliate links from South African online shops, and earn a percentage when people buy. This guide covers published commission rates, payout rules, disclosure, a click-to-commission worked example, scripts and a 14-day plan.

  • 25 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 2 hours in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • You already share useful tips, reviews or deals, and people ask you what to buy.
  • You have a niche you know well: baby gear, beauty, tech, books, health or home.
  • You are patient: commissions build slowly with your audience.

Think twice if

  • You need money this month: commissions are small at first and pay out after a delay.
  • You would recommend products you have not used just for the commission.

Honest expectations

  • First commissions usually take one to three months, because approval takes time and returns windows must pass.
  • Published rates are a small share of each sale: for example Loot pays 5% of a referred customer's first order.
  • We found no reliable average earnings for South African affiliates, so we do not promise any.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How affiliate links workFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Set up step by step: ready for your first link5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Commission rates and getting paid: what shops publish5 min (in the full guide)
    4. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Read each programme's terms3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Write your disclosure line3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your audience: where to post5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Your 14-day first-posts playbook6 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Apply and post ten helpful recommendations3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Track clicks and sales per post3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Answer every question in comments3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Common mistakes new affiliates make4 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Do more of the posts that sell3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Add a monthly picks list3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Months two and three, task 3: Drop programmes that pay nothing3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Free courses to fill your skill gaps4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    7. Tax: what to put aside, with worked examples6 min (in the full guide)
    8. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Phone with a camera and data
  • Affiliate programme sign-up

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 26 April 2027.