Affiliate marketing

Affiliate links for SA shops on social media and WhatsApp

Recommend products you genuinely use through affiliate links from South African online shops (and Amazon through a supported country), and earn a commission when people buy.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

People who already post helpful content (reviews, deals, how-tos) and have followers or groups who trust their picks.

In South Africa: Works from anywhere with data.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 4 hours a week · age 18+
  • Marketing & social media (learning or better) or Writing (learning or better) or Video (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

Published rates: Loot 5% of a referred first order, Zando 5%, Faithful to Nature up to 15%. Takealot has not published a rate. We do not model monthly income.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R0 to R500
Every month
Data, maybe a domain or link tool.
Payment fees
Programmes pay by EFT or through networks; Amazon US pays in dollars.
Margin
High once you have an audience; your time is the cost.

How it is paid: A percentage of each sale you refer. Our viability score for it: 45 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Pick a niche you know (baby gear, beauty, tech, home)
    • Post 10 genuinely useful recommendations before adding links
    • Success signal: your first commission within three months

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Choose one niche and three shops in it with affiliate programmes
    • Read each programme's terms, commission and payout rules
    • Write a short disclosure line you will use on every post

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Apply to the programmes and post 10 helpful recommendations
    • Track clicks and sales per post
    • Answer every question in comments

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Do more of the posts that sell
    • Add a simple monthly deals list for your group
    • Drop programmes that pay nothing

Approval takes a few weeks, and commissions usually pay after the return window. First income usually takes 30 to 270 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

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

25 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Your followers and readers who want trusted product picks.

Saves people time choosing what to buy.

Is there demand?

SA shops with published affiliate rates include Loot (5% of a referred first order), Zando (5%) and Faithful to Nature (up to 15%). Takealot advertised an Affiliate Program Manager role in October 2026 but publishes no commission rate yet. Amazon has no SA Associates programme, so SA creators join a supported marketplace such as the US. Earnings depend on your audience; we found no reliable averages.

Loot affiliate programmeZando affiliatesFaithful to Nature affiliatesAmazon Associates (US marketplace)Affiliate networks such as Awin

Getting customers

Honest reviews, deal posts and comparisons in places your audience already reads.

Affiliate linksBeing found through search or contentResponding to enquiries

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Without an audience, links earn nothing: build the audience first
  • Programmes change rates or close
  • Recommending things you have not tried damages trust

Competition: High: many deal pages. Trust and a clear niche are your edge.

Room to grow: Grows with your audience; content keeps earning after you post it.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Always make it clear that a link earns you money, at the start of the post (for example #AD): the Advertising Regulatory Board's social media code and every programme's rules require it.
  • Never give financial advice without FSCA authorisation.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start affiliate links for SA shops on social media and WhatsApp?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R500. Recurring costs: Data, maybe a domain or link tool.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 90 days, and between 30 and 270 days. Approval takes a few weeks, and commissions usually pay after the return window.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Always make it clear that a link earns you money, at the start of the post (for example #AD): the Advertising Regulatory Board's social media code and every programme's rules require it. Never give financial advice without FSCA authorisation. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (5)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy