The Amazon Affiliate Program allows website owners, influencers, YouTubers and bloggers to earn commissions by promoting products on Amazon.
When someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase on Amazon, you earn a commission on that sale.
The Amazon Affiliate program is free to join and available globally in many countries including Kenya.
With the growth of ecommerce and online shopping in Kenya, the Amazon Affiliate program presents an excellent opportunity to monetize your website or social media presence.
Amazon has a wide selection of millions of products that cater to the Kenyan market.
As an Amazon affiliate, you can choose to promote products in different niches including electronics, fashion, beauty, home appliances, books, baby products etc.
The commissions earned can become a significant source of passive online income over time.
The more traffic your website or social media pages receive, the higher your earning potential as an Amazon affiliate.
While results may vary, some affiliates in Kenya earn thousands of dollars per month by driving a high volume of sales to Amazon.
Why Join the Amazon Affiliate Program in Kenya
There are several compelling reasons to join the Amazon Affiliate Program in Kenya:
Global Brand Name: Amazon is the largest ecommerce company worldwide. It has built tremendous brand equity and trust globally. Promoting a recognized brand like Amazon tends to convert better than unknown brands.
Huge Product Selection: As an Amazon affiliate, you get access to promote from over 350 million products in different categories. This makes it easy to find relevant products to promote for any niche.
High Commissions: Amazon offers commissions ranging from 1% to 10% on different product categories. These commission rates are among the highest paid in the affiliate industry.
Established Customer Base: Amazon has over 200 million customers worldwide. It receives over 1.5 billion visits per month. This provides a steady base of buyers to convert your traffic.
Seamless Tracking: Amazon provides user-friendly tracking and reporting tools in the affiliate dashboard. You can easily monitor visits, clicks and sales for your affiliate links.
Reliable Commissions: Amazon reliably tracks and pays affiliate commissions every month with no minimum payment thresholds. Their payment system is trusted globally.
Globally Accessible: You can promote the Amazon affiliate program to audiences worldwide. This includes Kenyans in the diaspora who shop on Amazon.
Trust Factor: Amazon is a reputable global brand that shoppers trust. This improves conversion rates for affiliates.
Prime Memberships: Affiliates earn higher commissions on products sold to Amazon Prime members. This subscription service is growing steadily across the globe.
Affiliate Training: Amazon provides free training resources and an active affiliate forum to help you succeed as an affiliate.
Popular in Kenya: More Kenyans are shopping on Amazon thanks to international shipping. The program is growing in awareness locally.
Supplementary Income: The Amazon Affiliate program represents an opportunity for bloggers and content creators to generate a steady supplementary income alongside other monetization models.
How to Sign Up for the Amazon Affiliate Program in Kenya
Here are some tips on how to sign up for the Amazon Affiliate Program if you are based in Kenya:
Here’s what you need to know about the Amazon Associates approval process:
Eligibility:
- Anyone with a website, blog, social media account (including TikTok and YouTube), or mobile app can apply.
- You need a valid Amazon account.
- Your platform must be publicly available and have original content (around 10 posts is a good baseline).
Application Review:
- The Associates team focuses on approving applicants who provide value to Amazon customers.
- This means you should be a content creator, reviewer, curator, or someone who can offer relevant product recommendations.
- During the review, they’ll assess the quality and suitability of your platform for promoting Amazon products.
- This includes checking for compliance with their policies and avoiding unsuitable content.
Approval Criteria:
- Website/Blog: Should have clear navigation, well-written content, and be free of spam or misleading information.
- Social Media: Account should be established, have a decent following, and align with Amazon’s image.
- Mobile App: Must comply with their mobile app policy and provide a good user experience.
Sales Requirement:
- After signing up, you need to drive at least three qualified sales within 180 days to be fully approved.
- Personal purchases don’t count.
Please know this:
- Approval time can vary depending on the volume of applications and your platform’s complexity.
- You can reapply if your initial application is rejected, but ensure you address the feedback provided.
- Always adhere to the program’s policies to avoid termination of your account.
Set Up Your Affiliate Account
After approval, log into the Amazon Associates portal to complete your account setup:
- Ensure your profile information is properly filled out.
- Read through the program policies, terms of use and operating agreement thoroughly.
- Enable order tracking and affiliate link options.
- Customize and grab your affiliate links for the products you wish to promote.
- Go through the training resources provided in the portal.
- You can also join the Amazon Associates Facebook group for Kenya to connect with other local affiliates.
Once your account is activated, you can begin promoting products and earning commissions!
Tip: Ensure you take time to fully understand the program guidelines before promoting any products to avoid account suspension.
Tips for Promoting Amazon Affiliate Links in Kenya
Here are some effective tips for promoting Amazon Affiliate links and products in Kenya:
Create Detailed Product Reviews
Write in-depth reviews of products you recommend, with pros/cons, ratings, usage tips etc.
Use pictures and videos to showcase the product. Visitors find visuals more engaging.
Embed your affiliate links strategically within the reviews. Place some in the content and others near the end/bottom.
Write List Posts
- Compile lists like “10 Best Headphones under Ksh 5000 on Amazon”.
- Provide a brief description of each product and your recommendation.
- Hyperlink the product titles and images to your affiliate links.
Use Comparison Tables
- Create tables comparing specifications of multiple products like laptops or smartphones across various brands.
- Include buttons with affiliate links for visitors to check out the items and buy.
Highlight Use Cases
Blog about use cases and scenarios for certain products – for example “Best Camera Lenses for Wildlife Photography”.
Mention how specific products on Amazon are perfect fit for those use cases.
Embed on YouTube
If you have a YouTube channel, verbally promote relevant products in your videos and include affiliate links in the description below the video.
Promote on Social Media
Share product images, deals and recommendations on your social media channels using affiliate link shorteners like bit.ly.
Participate in relevant conversations and groups where you can organically mention Amazon products.
Add Affiliate Links to Email Newsletters
If you send email newsletters, include sections highlighting products available on Amazon. Link them to your affiliate codes.
Monitor Performance
Use the Amazon Associates dashboard to track clicks, impressions and sales for your links.
Optimize based on best performing products/posts.
The key is to seamlessly blend affiliate links into helpful content across multiple channels beyond just your website. This will increase exposure and potential commissions.
Top Affiliate Products to Promote in Kenya
Here are some of the top selling and high converting affiliate products to promote for the Kenyan market on Amazon:
Electronics
- Smartphones – Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Nokia
- Laptops – HP, Dell, Lenovo, MacBooks
- Headphones – JBL, Sony, Beats
- Digital cameras – Canon, Nikon, Sony
- Smart watches – Apple Watch, Fitbit
Home Appliances
- Microwaves – LG, Samsung, Toshiba
- Blenders – Ninja, Nutribullet, Vitamix
- Coffee makers – Nespresso, Keurig
- Vacuum cleaners – Dyson, Shark
- Air fryers – Cosori, Ninja Foodi
Here are some more top selling affiliate products to promote for the Kenyan market on Amazon:
Kitchen
- Knife sets – Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Cuisinart
- Cookware – Tefal, Calphalon, Cuisinart
- Storage containers – Rubbermaid, Pyrex
- Kettles & toasters – Breville, Oster, Black+Decker
Fashion
- Clothing – Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein
- Shoes – Nike, Adidas, Skechers
- Jewelry – Pandora, Swarovski
- Handbags – Michael Kors, Kate Spade
- Watches – Casio, Citizen, Fossil
Beauty
- Makeup – Maybelline, L’Oreal, Revlon
- Skincare – Cetaphil, Neutrogena, Nivea
- Hair care – Garnier, OGX, Pantene
- Fragrances – Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger
- Personal care – Philips, Braun, Remington
Books
- Nonfiction bestsellers
- Literature & fiction
- Children’s books
- Textbooks & study guides
- Kindle ebooks
Baby Products
- Diapers – Pampers, Huggies
- Wipes – WaterWipes, Amazon Elements
- Formula – Similac, Enfamil
- Strollers – Chicco, Graco
- Carriers – BabyBjörn, Ergobaby
These are popular Amazon categories that will likely appeal to Kenyan consumers across different demographics.
Focus on selecting products you are knowledgeable about and can recommend convincingly.
Latest Amazon Affiliate Commission Structure
The Amazon Associates commission structure changed significantly in June 2023, and it’s important to have the latest information to make informed decisions about promoting products. Here’s a breakdown:
Standard Commission Rates:
- Fixed rates for specific product categories: This is the primary structure, with rates ranging from 1% (e.g., groceries, video games) to 8% (e.g., luxury beauty, furniture). You can find the complete table of rates here: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/node/topic/GRXPHT8U84RAYDXZ: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/node/topic/GRXPHT8U84RAYDXZ
- Performance-based rates: A bonus commission rate of up to 5% can be applied if you exceed certain monthly sales thresholds. Details are available through your Associates account.
Important Points:
- No longer tiered: The previous system with progressive rates based on monthly sales is gone.
- Reduced rates for many categories: Several categories experienced commission rate reductions (e.g., home improvement, health & personal care).
- Regional variations: Rates may differ slightly for specific countries or regions. Check your local Associates Program website for details.
Remember, the commission structure is subject to change, so staying updated through official Amazon resources is crucial.
Amazon Affiliate Rules You Should Know
Navigating the Amazon Associates program’s rules can be tricky, so here are some key ones to remember:
General:
- Transparency: Clearly disclose that you’re an Amazon Associate whenever using affiliate links. Use phrases like “affiliate link,” “#ad,” or “#CommissionsEarned.”
- Content Quality: Focus on providing valuable content to your audience, not just pushing products. Avoid misleading information or spammy tactics.
- Eligibility: Your platform (website, blog, social media) needs to be publicly accessible and have original content (around 10 posts for websites/blogs).
- Sales Requirement: After signing up, you need at least 3 qualified sales within 180 days to stay active.
Link Usage:
- No Offline Promotion: Affiliate links cannot be used in emails, offline materials, or private social media messages.
- 24-Hour Cookie Window: Only earn commission on purchases made within 24 hours of a click on your affiliate link.
- Specific Links: Use only Amazon-generated links, not manually constructed ones. Avoid using link shorteners.
- Dynamic Links: Dynamically generated links (based on user interactions) are strictly prohibited.
Promotional Restrictions:
- No False or Misleading Claims: Don’t make promises you can’t keep about products or earnings potential.
- No Guaranteed Sales: Avoid implying you can guarantee sales or specific commission amounts.
- No Coupons or Deals Outside Amazon: Don’t promote coupons or deals not found directly on Amazon’s website.
- No Impersonation: Don’t pose as an Amazon employee or claim endorsements that don’t exist.
Mistakes to Avoid as an Amazon Affiliate in Kenya
Here are some common mistakes to avoid as an Amazon Affiliate marketer in Kenya:
Not Disclosing Affiliate Links
- Be sure to clearly indicate next to any affiliate link that it is a “paid advertorial link” or similar transparent label.
- This builds reader trust and complies with local affiliate marketing regulations.
Over-Promoting Low Quality Products
- Do not just promote products for high commissions without regard for quality.
- Only recommend products you or your readers would actually buy based on value.
Irrelevant Affiliate Links
- Affiliate links must be contextually relevant and naturally fit the content.
- Don’t force product links where they do not belong just to earn commissions.
Violating Program Terms
- Ensure you read Amazon’s affiliate program rules thoroughly and adhere to them.
- Violations like trademark misuse or deceptive marketing can get your account banned.
Not Diversifying Traffic Sources
- Don’t rely on only one website or social media account to drive affiliate sales.
- Diversify traffic across multiple platforms and owned channels.
Competing Against Yourself
- Be careful about directly competing against the same keywords and products as Amazon.
- Complement Amazon rather than compete against them.
Missing Prime Day & Holiday Promos
- Take advantage of promotions like Prime Day and Black Friday when sales spike across Amazon.
- Prepare affiliate content and links around these peak seasons.
Stopping at Milestone Commissions
- After hitting a commissions milestone, don’t stop promoting.
- Consistency compounds affiliate earnings over time.
Avoiding these common pitfalls will help maximize your Amazon commissions and maintain a sustainable affiliate business long-term.
Top #5 Amazon Associates Alternatives for Kenyans
While Amazon Associates remains a popular option for Kenyans seeking affiliate marketing opportunities, exploring alternatives can offer wider product selections, better commission rates, or cater to specific niches.
Here are 5 top alternatives for Kenyan affiliate marketers:
1. Jumia Affiliate Program:
- Pros: Dominant e-commerce platform in Africa, vast product selection across various categories, good commission rates (up to 11%), dedicated affiliate support for Kenyans.
- Cons: Lower commission rates compared to some alternatives, limited product information sometimes.
2. Kilimall Affiliate Program:
- Pros: Popular platform in East Africa, strong presence in Kenya, decent commission rates (up to 10%), mobile-friendly interface.
- Cons: Smaller product selection compared to Jumia, less brand recognition globally.
3. Carrefour Affiliate Program:
- Pros: Well-known international brand, good reputation for quality products, competitive commission rates (up to 7%), presence in major Kenyan cities.
- Cons: Limited product variety compared to general e-commerce platforms, focus on groceries and household essentials.
4. Sokowatch Affiliate Program:
- Pros: Focuses on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) delivery, convenient for Kenyans, targeted audience, competitive commission rates.
- Cons: Limited product range compared to broader e-commerce platforms, operational mainly in major cities.
5. Travelstart Affiliate Program:
- Pros: Leading online travel agency in Africa, caters to the growing travel sector in Kenya, attractive commission rates (up to 7%), user-friendly booking platform.
- Cons: Niche focus on travel, not suitable for promoting general products.
As you keep looking, consider the following:
- Target audience: Align your chosen platform with your audience’s demographics and interests.
- Product selection: Ensure the platform offers products relevant to your niche and content.
- Commission rates: Compare rates and potential earnings across different programs.
- Payment methods: Choose a platform offering convenient payout options for Kenyans.
- Affiliate support: Consider the level of support and resources available to affiliates.
Remember, diversifying your affiliate marketing efforts can maximize your earning potential and reach a wider audience.
Align your specific goals with alternative options to Amazon Associates for your Kenyan affiliate marketing journey.
Truehost affiliate program
Truehost Affiliate Program: Earn Commissions on Cloud Services
Truehost Cloud offers an affiliate program where you can earn commissions by promoting their managed cloud services.
This can be a great way to monetize your website, blog, or social media channels if your audience is interested in web hosting, domain registration, SSL certificates, and other related services.
Here’s what you need to know about the Truehost affiliate program:
- Commission rates: You can earn up to 100 USD per transaction, and the exact commission rate depends on the specific service purchased.
- Recurring commissions: For most services, you’ll earn recurring commissions as long as the customer remains subscribed. This means you can potentially earn passive income for years to come.
- Payment methods: Payments are made weekly via PayPal, bank transfer, or mobile money.
- Marketing materials: Truehost provides a variety of marketing materials, including banners, text links, and widgets, to help you promote their services.
- Cookie window: The cookie window is 30 days, so you’ll earn a commission if someone clicks on your affiliate link and purchases a service within 30 days.
Pros of Truehost affiliate program:
- High commission rates: You can earn some of the highest commission rates in the web hosting industry.
- Recurring commissions: Earn passive income for as long as your referrals remain customers.
- Variety of marketing materials: Makes it easy to promote Truehost’s services.
- Long cookie window: Increases your chances of earning commissions.
Cons of Truehost affiliate program:
- Limited product selection: Truehost only offers cloud services, so it may not be a good fit if your audience is looking for other types of products.
- High payout threshold: The minimum payout threshold is 20 USD, which can be difficult to reach for new affiliates.
Is the Truehost affiliate program right for you?
If you have an audience that is interested in cloud services, then the Truehost affiliate program could be a good way to earn some extra income.
Key Takeaways
- The Amazon Affiliate program in Kenya allows you to earn commissions by promoting products.
- Joining is free and provides access to millions of products to promote.
- You can sign up if you have a website or social media presence with decent reach.
- Effective promotion relies on product reviews, comparisons, lists and more.
- Top products span electronics, fashion, home, beauty and books.
- Consistency and quality over time drive the best results.
Here are some helpful resources for more information:
- Amazon Associates Program: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/
- Application Review Process: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/
- Amazon Associates Program Policies: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/policies
