Affiliate Marketing Malaysia 101 Guide: 11 Best Programs to Join in 2023
Looking to start an affiliate marketing business in Malaysia but don’t know where to start? This guide is for you! We will cover the basics of affiliate marketing, from what it is and how it works, how to start, and choosing a program.
We’ll also recommend 3 affiliate networks and 11 of the best affiliate programs for Malaysian to join. So whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced marketer looking for new opportunities, read on for all the info you need to get started in this lucrative industry!
Contents
- What Is Affiliate Marketing
- Affiliate Marketing is Growing
- How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?
- The Advantages of Being an Affiliate Marketer
- The Risks of Becoming an Affiliate Marketer
- How to Start Affiliate Marketing in Malaysia
- What is an Affiliate Marketing Platform (Affiliate Network)?
- Tips on Choosing an Affiliate Platform
- Our Recommendation for Affiliate Marketing Malaysia
- How To Choose An Affiliate Marketing Program That’s Right For You
- 11 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs in Malaysia
- Lazada Affiliate Program
- Shopee Affiliate Program
- ZALORA Affiliate Program
- Sephora Affiliate Program
- Nike Affiliate Program
- Watsons Affiliate Program
- Berjaya Sompo MotorNOW Affiliate Program
- SkyScanner Affiliate Program
- AXA E-Medic Card Affiliate Program
- Klook Travel Affiliate Program
- Hotels.com Affiliate Program
- Final Thought
- FAQs about Affiliate Marketing Program
What Is Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate’s marketing efforts. The industry has four core players: the advertiser (also known as ‘retailer’ or ‘ merchant’), the network (that contains offers for the affiliate to choose from and also takes care of the payments), the publisher (also known as ‘the affiliate’), and the customer (shopper).
Advertiser are looking to maximize their reach and increase sales, while publishers are looking for ways to monetize their audience. Affiliates are paid based on lead generation (you bring potential customers to us) or pay per sale (you get paid when those customers buy from us).
For customers (shoppers), affiliate marketing offers a way to find new, recommended products or services from trusted sources with minimal effort.
Affiliate Marketing is Growing
According to recent studies, affiliate marketing is on the rise. Spending on affiliate marketing is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2022. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing popularity of e-commerce, e-marketing, online business and the rise of social media platforms. As more and more shoppers move online, businesses are turning to affiliate marketing to reach new customers.
At the same time, social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube have created new opportunities for influencers to promote products and brands. As a result, affiliate marketing is poised for continued growth in the coming years.
How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?
There are four core players in affiliate marketing: the advertiser (online retailers), the network, the publisher, and the shopper.
- The advertiser (merchant) is the online shopping business or e-business that creates and sells the product.
- The affiliate network is the platform that connects the merchant and the publisher.
- The publisher is the website or blog that promotes the merchant’s product.
- And finally, the shopper (consumer) is the person who buys the product.
In order for affiliate marketing to work, all four of these players must be involved.
The advertiser creates a product or service and then signs up with an affiliate network. The affiliate platform then provides the advertiser with a unique link to promote their product. The publisher includes this link on their website or blog.
When a shopper clicks on the link, they are taken to the advertiser’s e-commerce website, where they can buy the product. If the shopper purchases the product, the affiliate is paid a commission by the merchant.
The Advantages of Being an Affiliate Marketer
Being an affiliate marketer has a lot of benefits that often go unnoticed. It is one of the easiest ways to make money online, for starters. Affiliate marketers earn a commission for every product they sell. And since there are no production costs, the profit margins are often very high.
This allows affiliate marketers to make significant money with relatively little effort. In addition, affiliate marketing offers flexible working hours and the opportunity to utilize a wide range of digital assets.
For example, many affiliate marketers use their website or blog to promote products. This helps to build relationships with other businesses, but it also ensures that the work is convenient and hassle-free.
Finally, starting capital is also low in comparison to other business models. So, if you’re looking for a profitable and relatively easy way to make money online, affiliate marketing is a great option to consider.
The Risks of Becoming an Affiliate Marketer
While the concept of affiliate marketing looks promising, some risks are involved. First, the affiliate must be willing to invest time and effort into promoting the product or service. If the affiliate is not committed to the campaign, it will likely fail.
Additionally, the affiliate must be careful not to spam potential customers or engage in other unethical marketing practices. Finally, the affiliate marketer may risk losing commissions if the company decides to change its affiliate program.
While these risks are worth considering, they should not deter you from pursuing affiliate marketing opportunities. With a bit of diligence and care, such as joining a reliable affiliate network, you can easily avoid these risks and enjoy the many benefits that affiliate marketing offers.
How to Start Affiliate Marketing in Malaysia
You need to do three things to start an affiliate marketing business: choose a program, create content, and drive traffic.
First, you need to find a program that’s a good fit for you. There are many programs to choose from, so do your research and find one that’s a good fit for your skills and interests. One of the easiest ways to find these programs is to join an affiliate marketing platform/network (more on this later).
Once you’ve found a program, create content that promotes the product or service. This content can take many forms, such as blog posts, videos, or social media posts.
Finally, you need to drive web traffic to your content. There are many ways to do this, such as paid advertising, online marketing, online advertising, email marketing, or SEO.
What is an Affiliate Marketing Platform (Affiliate Network)?
Affiliate networks are third-party affiliate platforms (most often online marketplace style) that bring together advertisers and publishers. Each party benefits from the convenience of having a one-stop shop to find partnerships. Advertiser doesn’t need to setup their own affiliate program.
Still, the affiliate platform also takes on the role of middleman, facilitating communication and payments between advertisers e-commerce applications and publishers. In addition to providing this valuable service, they also offer to track and reporting tools that help advertisers and publishers better understand the results of their campaigns.
As a result, affiliate marketing platforms have become an essential part of the affiliate marketing ecosystem.
Tips on Choosing an Affiliate Platform
Although there are many affiliate networks to choose from, not all of them are right for every affiliate. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing an affiliate network:
- The payout structure – Some affiliate networks only pay out commissions after a certain threshold has been reached, while others payout more frequently. Be sure to choose an affiliate network that fits your needs in terms of payment frequency.
- The type of products or services offered – If you are promoting products or services that you are passionate about, it will be easier to generate sales. Make sure the affiliate network you choose offers products or services that interest you.
- The reputation of the network – Take some time to research the affiliate network and read reviews from other affiliates. This will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to join the network.
- The size of the network – The larger the affiliate network, the more offers you will have access to.
- The type of tracking and reporting tools offered – Tracking and reporting tools are essential for understanding the performance of your campaigns. Make sure the affiliate network you choose offers tracking and reporting tools suited to your needs.
- The customer service offered by the network – If you have any questions or problems, it is important to know that the network will be available to help you.
Our Recommendation for Affiliate Marketing Malaysia
If you’re looking for an Malaysia’s affiliate network that offers a wide range of products and services, is easy to navigate, and has excellent customer service, we recommend Involve Asia, ACCESSTRADE Global and Commission Factory.
Involve Asia
Involve is an affiliate network that enables brands, affiliates, and influencers to earn revenue through online partnerships. The company has over 4,000 brands on its platform for affiliates to promote.
In addition, Involve provides a single platform for managing payments to all partners and tracking earnings. This makes it easy for affiliates to get paid and stay organized. The company is also trusted and reliable, providing a valuable tool & service for both brands and affiliates.
Most of our sites have been attached to Involve Asia for years, and we have no problem tracking the performance and withdrawing money from our earnings. Involve Asia is a great option for those looking to grow their revenue through effective online partnerships.
Sign Up FreeACCESSTRADE Global
ACCESSTRADE is one of the most trusted and reliable affiliate marketing networks in Japan and South East Asia. The company has been in business for over 20 years and has connected with over 15,000 campaigns and 1 million publishers. In Malaysia, the company was officially launched in 2018.
Malaysia’s platform is not as feature-rich as Involve Asia, but it still offers a good selection of programs. However, because ACCESSTRADE is relatively new in Malaysia, some campaigns may offer better commissions than Involve Asia. They also provide 24/7 support, which is an excellent benefit for publishers, especially beginners.
We have a few smaller sites attached to it and testing on it. Overall, ACCESSTRADE is another good choice for affiliate marketers in Malaysia.
Sign Up FreeCommission Factory
Commission Factory has been a popular affiliate network in Australia since 2011. The company started operating in Malaysia in 2018 and has quickly become a trusted name among marketing professionals. Commission Factory offers a wide range of brands to choose from, including big names and smaller stores.
The company also prides itself on fast global payments, making it a great option for affiliates who want to get paid quickly. While there are not many campaigns running in Malaysia at the moment, this is a good option for those targeting audiences in Australia.
We are still new to them, but it looks like another good option since they established a physical office here.
Which Network to Go For? AccessTrade vs InvolveAsia Malaysia?
The three networks we’ve recommended are reliable and offer a good selection of programs. However, each network has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to consider what is important to you before making a decision. I will recommend joining all of them to test out which one best suits your niche and traffic source.
Next, let’s drill down to choose the right affiliate program to join…
How To Choose An Affiliate Marketing Program That’s Right For You
There are many different programs available for Malaysian affiliates, so it’s important to find one that’s a good fit for you. When choosing a program, consider the top 5 factors below:
- The products or services the merchant sells – Make sure the products or services the merchant sells are something you’re interested in and know a lot about. This will make creating content that promotes the product or service easier.
- The commission structure – Affiliate commissions can vary significantly, so it’s important to find a program with a commission structure that’s favourable to you. Look for a program with high commission rates and low payout thresholds.
- The payment methods – Some programs only payout via PayPal, while others offer a range of different payment options. Make sure the program you choose offers a convenient payment method for you.
- The type of traffic the program – Not all programs are designed to generate the same type of traffic. Some programs limit to a particular type of traffic source.
- The quality of the affiliate training and support – Affiliate training and support is important, especially when you’re first starting. Make sure the program you choose has good affiliate training and support.
11 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs in Malaysia
There are many great affiliate marketing programs available for Malaysian affiliates, but the following are some of the best programs bases on our own testing and the selection criteria:
Lazada Affiliate Program
Lazada is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in Malaysia, and its affiliate program is a great way to earn commission on sales. The program offers a high conversion rate and a competitive commission structure, making it a good choice for affiliates.
However, the commission rate may decrease over time, so it is important to keep an eye on this. Nevertheless, Lazada’s affiliate program is still a great option for those looking to earn commission from online sales in Malaysia.
Pros:
- High conversion rate
- Competitive commission structure
- Many products and services to promote
Cons:
- The commission rate may decrease over time
- Some campaigns only limited to mobile app conversion
Shopee Affiliate Program
The Shopee Affiliate Program is a great way to earn extra income by recommending products to your friends and followers. With a high conversion rate and more audiences than Lazada, you can easily make money by promoting Shopee’s wide range of products.
However, the commission structure is lower than Lazada’s, so you will need to generate more sales in order to earn the same amount of money. Nonetheless, the Shopee Affiliate Program is a great way to supplement your income and help people save money on their online purchases.
Pros:
- High conversion rate
- Many products and services to promote
Cons:
- The commission structure is lower than Lazada’s
ZALORA Affiliate Program
The ZALORA Affiliate Program is a great way to earn commissions on fashion sales. Affiliates can earn a significant income with high commissions up to 8% and si one of the biggest online fashion marketplace.
The program also has a large audience, making it easier to reach potential customers. However, you must use approved creative only, which can limit your ability to promote the products effectively.
Pros:
- High commissions up to 8%
- Well-known fashion brand
Cons:
- Must use approved creative materials only
Sephora Affiliate Program
The Sephora affiliate program has a lot to offer potential affiliates. Sephora is a well-known beauty retailer with a wide range of products for starters. This means that there is potential for a high volume of sales. Additionally, the cookie period is relatively long, at 30 days. This gives affiliates a decent amount of time to generate sales.
Finally, the commission rate is up to 5.6%. While this is not the highest commission rate available, it is still decent. The main drawback of the Sephora affiliate program is that they have a list of negative keywords that affiliates are not allowed to promote. However, the Sephora affiliate program is a good option for those looking to promote beauty products.
Pros:
- High commission rate up to 5.6%
- Well-known beauty retailer
- Wide range of products
Cons:
- Must not promote negative keywords
Nike Affiliate Program
The Nike Affiliate Program is a great opportunity for anyone looking to partner with a well-known and trusted brand in the sports industry. Nike is the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes, apparel, and other sports equipment, so joining their affiliate program is a sure way to gain access to a large customer base.
They also have a decent commission rate at 8.5%, and the high conversion rate makes it a good choice for affiliates. On the downside, the cookie period is only 1 day, so you won’t earn any commission if a visitor doesn’t purchase an item within that time frame.
Additionally, there is a list of negative keywords that are not allowed to be promoted. Overall, the Nike Affiliate Program is a great way to earn commissions by promoting one of the world’s most trusted brands.
Pros:
- High conversion rate
- Well-known and trusted brand
- The commission rate is 8.5%
Cons:
- The cookie period is only 1 day
- List of negative keywords that are not allowed to be promoted.
Watsons Affiliate Program
Watsons is Asia’s leading health and beauty retailer, with over 15,000 stores and 1,500 pharmacies across 13 Asian and European markets. Watsons sets the health, wellness, and beauty market standards, making it an excellent choice for affiliate marketers.
The Watsons affiliate program offers a competitive CPA and a wide selection of products for health and beauty. The average basket size is RM100, making it a great choice for those looking to generate consistent commissions.
However, the downside of the program is the short cookie period (just 1 day) and the low commission rate (just 2.1%). Overall, the Watsons affiliate program is a great option for those looking to promote health and beauty products.
Pros:
- Wide selection of products for health and beauty
- CPA is competitive
- Average basket size is RM100
Cons:
- Short cookie period (just one 1day)
- Low commission rate (just 2.1 %)
Berjaya Sompo MotorNOW Affiliate Program
As one of Malaysia’s leading general insurance companies, Berjaya Sompo strives to provide the best car insurance solutions and services to their customers. The company offers a competitive commission rate of up to RM 49 per sale, making it an attractive option for affiliate marketer.
In addition, the Berjaya Sompo brand name is well-known and respected in Malaysia, which can help to boost conversion rates. However, it should be noted that the car insurance market is highly competitive, and convincing existing customers to switch providers can be challenging.
Nevertheless, the Berjaya Sompo affiliate program provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to tap into the Malaysian car insurance market.
Pros:
- A competitive commission rate of up to RM 49 per sale
- Well-known and respected brand name
Cons:
- The car insurance market is highly competitive
- Convincing existing customers to switch providers can be challenging.
SkyScanner Affiliate Program
The SkyScanner affiliate program is perfect for anyone in the travel industry looking to capitalize on the growing trend of online travel booking. With a high share commission of 35% from Skyscanner, you can earn significant commissions on every sale.
And since the travel industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, now is the perfect time to get started with the Skyscanner affiliate program. The only drawback of the program is that the earning cycle is quite long, as all sales need to be completed and consumed before you receive your commission payment.
But for anyone with patience and a passion for travel, the Skyscanner affiliate program is a great way to earn money.
Pros:
- High share commission of 35%
- Potential for significant commissions on every sale
- The travel industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years
Cons:
- The earning cycle is quite long
- You need to have patience and a passion for travel.
AXA E-Medic Card Affiliate Program
The AXA e-Medic Card Affiliate Program is a great way to earn commission on sales of AXA’s innovative and affordable online medical protection plan. AXA eMedic offers a great product at a competitive price, making it an attractive option for customers.
As an affiliate, you can earn up to RM 56 per sale, making it a great way to supplement your income. The only drawback is that the industry is highly competitive, so it may not be easy to close deals online. However, if you can market the product effectively, the AXA e-Medic Card Affiliate Program can be a great way to earn additional income.
Pros:
- A commission rate of up to RM 56 per sale
- Innovative and affordable online medical protection plan
Cons:
- The industry is highly competitive
- It may not be easy to close deals online.
Klook Travel Affiliate Program
Klook’s travel affiliate program is a great way to earn commission on travel bookings. With a simple click or tap, you can help your readers discover and book amazing in-destination services at the best prices. The cookie period is 30 days, so you have plenty of time to get credit for your referrals, and the up to 5% commission is very competitive.
The only drawback is that you must only use approved creative material, but given the high quality of Klook’s website and marketing materials, this should not be a problem.
Pros:
- A competitive commission rate of up to 5%
- The cookie period is 30 days
- High-quality website and marketing materials
Cons:
- Must only use approved creative material
Hotels.com Affiliate Program
The hotel industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, but there are signs that it is beginning to rebound. Hotels.com is well-positioned to take advantage of this recovery, with a vast selection of accommodations in 200 countries.
The company also offers a generous affiliate program with a commission rate of 4.4%. With the average hotel room costing around RM400 per night, this can add a significant income stream for affiliate partners.
However, it’s important to note that the earning cycle for hotel bookings is relatively long, as customers often don’t check out until after their stay. This means that affiliate earnings can take some time to appear in your account.
Nevertheless, Hotels.com is a great option for anyone looking to make money in the travel industry.
Pros:
- A high commission rate of up to 4.4%
- Vast selection of accommodations in 200 countries
Cons:
- Earnings can take some time to appear in your account as the Earning cycle is relatively long
So there you have it, our top picks for the top affiliate programs in Malaysia. If you’re looking to make some extra money online, these programs are a great way to get started. Do your research, choose the program that’s right for you!
Looking for more? Join the affiliate network to find out more about other affiliate programs!
Final Thought
Making money through affiliate marketing is definitely not a quick and easy process, but it can be a very lucrative way to generate income with hard work and dedication. So if you’re interested in getting started, choose one of the top affiliate programs we’ve listed above and start promoting today! You won’t regret it.
FAQs about Affiliate Marketing Program
Who can participate in affiliate marketing?
Almost anyone! Affiliate marketing programs are open to anyone with a website, blog, or social media following.
How much money can I make through affiliate marketing?
This depends on the program you join and how successful you are at driving traffic to their site. Generally, commissions range from anywhere between 0.50% and 50%, so there is potential to make quite a bit of money if you’re successful.
What is the cookie period?
The cookie period is the amount of time that a customer remains connected to an affiliate after clicking on their link. This period usually ranges from 24 hours to 30 days, so choosing a program with a cookie period that matches your marketing strategy is important.
What is the earning cycle?
The earning cycle is the amount of time it takes for an affiliate to receive payment after a sale has been made. This can vary from program to program but typically ranges from 30 to 90 days.
Is there a minimum payout threshold?
Yes, most programs have a minimum payout threshold which must be met before you can receive payment. This threshold varies; check out your affiliate network’s terms and conditions to find out more.
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About the Author Adam
Adam is the founder of Adam SEO. He started his SEO journey in 2005 and officially ventured into offering an SEO consultancy service in 2011. He helped numerous companies in Malaysia and Singapore to get targeted traffic and increase their website visibility through SEO marketing.