Are you an affiliate marketer trying to expand your existing Amazon Associates income stream? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Many affiliates, especially new ones, turn to Amazon first when first starting out. That’s because Amazon is a very user-friendly platform with lots of helpful resources and support.
But while the Amazon Associates program is great, there are other options out there that can offer better commission rates than the ones offered by Amazon.
One option that is available is Target’s affiliate program.
Target is a globally recognized retail brand that has been around since 1902. The company has more than 1,900 stores located in the United States and has made a revenue of around $106 billion dollars in 2022.
Given these impressive figures, it makes complete sense for affiliate marketers to collaborate with such a well-established and reliable company.
In this Target affiliate program review, we will be looking into the program and its benefits for affiliate marketers.
So let’s dive in and see what the program is all about.
What Is the Target Affiliate Program
The Target Affiliate Program, also known as the Target Partners Program, offers website owners, bloggers, and social media influencers the chance to make money by recommending Target products.
There are countless products you can promote and make commissions on, including everything from books to gadgets, clothing, and more.
Once you get approved, you can start earning money without spending any of yours because this affiliate program is free to join.
Benefits of Joining the Target Affiliate Program
There are many benefits to take advantage of if you decide to join the Target Affiliate Program.
The program stands out from other affiliate programs thanks to a variety of distinctive features as well as its reputation for paying out competitive commissions to its affiliates.
Just consider:
Trusted brand
Target has established a reputation as a dependable and trustworthy business as a result of its commitment to providing high-quality products and excellent customer service.
By becoming a Target affiliate marketer, you can be certain that the goods customers purchase through your affiliate links will satisfy their demands.
Wide selection of Target products
Whether you’re a fashionista or a tech geek, Target can satisfy a wide range of interests and needs.
You may customize your marketing campaigns to fit any need or interest thanks to its wide range of items. This covers everything from apparel and cosmetics to outdoor living and baby gear.
Competitive Commission Rates
You may earn a respectable income of up to 8% as a Target affiliate for each purchase made through your affiliate link.
This means that that simply recommending Target’s products to your visitors, you can start earning consistent revenue from your niche affiliate website.
Exceptional Customer Service
Target is renowned for providing excellent customer support and service. Customers can readily connect with Target’s customer service team 24/7 if they have any questions or problems.
Your affiliate links are probably going to enjoy higher conversion rates thanks to Target’s simple and stress-free purchase process, which will lead to more sales and more commissions.
These are just a few of the advantages that affiliates who sign up with Target can take advantage of.
Given its reputable reputation, wide selection of products, and commiserate commission rates, it is undoubtedly something to take into account.
However, it’s imperative that you fully comprehend the program’s operation and what it takes to succeed before you get started.
How Does Target Affiliate Program Work
The Target Partners program functions similarly to the Amazon affiliate marketing scheme if you’re familiar with that. The main difference is that Target’s affiliate program is managed by Impact Radius, a very successful network for CPA affiliate marketing.
When you are approved as a Target affiliate, Impact Radius will give you specially tracked links that you can use as banners, widgets, text links, or other promotional tools on your website.
Any purchase a visitor makes as a result of clicking on one of these links will be associated with your account. However, the purchase has to be made within 7 days for you to get a commission for the sale.
Therefore, your chances of receiving commissions from Target are increased by the number of sales you refer to them and the number of purchases they place within that seven-day window. And for the record, this process is similar to that of other affiliate programs you might encounter.
How to Become a Target Affiliate
It’s not too difficult to sign up for the Target affiliate program. What you must do is as follows:
Step 1: Go to the Target website’s sign-up page.
Step 2: Enter your personal information.
Step 3: Describe your business or website and your payment method.
Step 4: Decide the method(s) you’ll use to advertise Target merchandise.
Step 5: Select the “Sign Up” button.
It should take about 48 hours after you finish and submit your application for you to learn whether you’ve been accepted.
If you intend to use a website, check to see if the existing traffic receives a respectable volume daily, weekly, and monthly.
Do not forget that when you register for the Target affiliate program, you will actually be setting up an Impact Radius account. That’s because Impact Radius handles all affiliate payments and tracking.
Common Reasons Why Applications Are Denied
Your application to the Target affiliate program may be rejected for one of two main reasons:
Unsuitability
Target wants to make sure that its partners align well with their brand and values. As a result, they could reject applications from websites whose target market, product offerings, or general brand image don’t match theirs.
Your application can be rejected, for instance, if your website promotes the consumption of adult material, gambling, or other activities that go against Target’s family-friendly ethos.
Prohibited Activity
If your website engages in actions that are against Target’s program policies, your application may also be denied for this reason.
For instance, the Target affiliate marketing program forbids participation from websites that encourage violence, hate speech, unlawful activity, or violations of intellectual property rights.
It’s important that you carefully read and understand Target’s program standards and ensure that your website is family-friendly to prevent being rejected due to inappropriate content or forbidden activities.
Insufficient Amount of Affiliate Traffic
Aspiring affiliates who wish to work with Target should focus on establishing a strong online presence before submitting their application. This is because Target, like other reputable companies, values affiliates who can effectively promote their products to a diverse audience.
The ability to generate interest and drive sales is crucial in the affiliate business, and affiliates with little to no traffic numbers may not meet Target’s standards and may be a cause for your application being disapproved.
What Products can you Promote with Target's Affiliate Program?
As a Target Affiliate, you have access to the wide range of products that Target.com offers for sharing and promotion including those listed below:
- Apparel and Accessories
- Baby Gear Furniture
- Health & Beauty
- Groceries and Essentials
- Home & Outdoor Living
- Kitchen and Dining
- Movies, Music, and Video Games
- Office Supplies
- Patio and Garden
- Sports and Outdoors
Although this list might not be all that comprehensive, bear in mind that some categories do not qualify to earn any money.
Additionally, restrictions could apply to specific categories or promotions at different times throughout the year.
For instance, the following categories won’t bring in the dough:
- Digital Downloads
- Gift Cards
- Memberships and Subscriptions
- Apple products
- Pharmaceutical items
- Any Target optical or photo studio products
- Electronics & Toys
Although not exhaustive, it is essential to become familiar with the policies to make sure that the items you’re endorsing are qualified for commission on sales.
Understanding the rules can help you make sure you’re optimizing your earnings because Target offers various compensation rates for various product categories.
Furthermore, it’s especially important to remember that Target alters its policies from time to time, so it’s necessary to stay current to prevent any problems.
Affiliates can enhance their earning potential and make informed decisions regarding the things they’re marketing by taking the time to familiarize themselves with Target’s terms and conditions.
Target Affiliate Program Commission Structure
Depending on the product category, an affiliate can receive a different compensation rate through Target’s program.
The earnings per sale percentage might be anywhere between 1% and 8%, though it’s typically around 3-5%.
A much lower 1% commission rate is offered in other areas, such as health and beauty, which is a complete waste of time in my opinion.
The product categories that you can potentially make consistent earnings are in:
- Home & Outdoor Living
- Apparel and Accessories
- Baby Gear Furniture
That’s because Target has switched to a tiered bonus commission structure for these categories.
Meaning, you will get a flat percentage rate for a qualified category, which increases based upon the amount of actions in that occured within that category.
For example, a customer purchases a countertop dishwasher after reading a review I wrote and clicked on the affiliate link in that post.
Countertop dishwashers fall under the “Home & Garden” category, and is considered a small appliance. According to Target’s affiliate pay table, I would earn 5% for that sale.
Now if I was lucky enough to make 12 sales within the referral window period, I would be rewarded with 6% commissions for each sale.
So as the sales volume increases in a qualifying product category, so does the commission depending on the bonus tier you qualify for in a given period.
Additionally, there’s an Earnings Per 100 Clicks (EPC) system in place for Target’s affiliate program. This means that you will make between $12 and $13 for every 100 hits on your affiliate links.
Target’s compensation system is generally inconsistent, so it’s important to thoroughly consider the possible earnings for the goods you’re promoting.
Is the Target Affiliate Program Worth It?
Determining whether the Target affiliate program is the right choice for you ultimately depends on your goals as an online entrepreneur.
You already know you have the benefit of a trusted brand that has a variety of quality products to choose from.
However, there are some drawbacks worth mentioning.
For example, the commissions that are paid out may not meet your expectations given the niche or products you are promoting.
Many new affiliates get into affiliate marketing with the expectation of getting rich overnight, but the truth is, it takes a lot of time and effort to create lasting success.
So if you don’t make any sales, your efforts won’t result in generating any serious income. And if that happens you might give up as many people inevitably do.
Negative Aspects of the Target Affiliate Program
Although joining the Target affiliate program can be a terrific way to supplement your income, it’s important to take some of the negative aspects into account first.
The negative aspects of this program include:
Only four product categories offer good commissions
For such a wide selection of products, four categories may not be enough for some affiliates who are looking for more specialized options.
Limited cookie duration
Target’s affiliate cookies only last for 7 days, which can make it challenging for affiliates to earn commissions on higher-priced products.
Not profitable for sites with most traffic coming from outside the United States
Since Target ships only within the US, international customers will not be able to purchase items through your links.
Alternative Affiliate Programs
Target is not the only show in town when it comes to affiliate programs.
There are many other great options out there to consider if you want to maximize your earning potential such as:
Walmart affiliate program
Costco affiliate program
BJs affiliate program
Joining multiple programs can give you a better idea of how each one works and which one is most suited to your particular marketing strategy.
Gaining a comprehensive understanding of each program can be beneficial to ensure that the most effective approach is taken.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Target affiliate program can be a great way to supplement your income. However, it is important to consider both the positive and negative aspects of this program before making an informed decision.
The limited cookie duration and lack of international customers may make it challenging for affiliates to earn commissions on higher-priced products.
If you are looking for more specialized options or want to maximize earning potential, there are many other alternative programs available such as Walmart Affiliate Program, Costco Affiliate Program, and Amazon Associates that you could explore instead.
