Who this guide is for
Freelance web developers, WordPress developers, small web agencies, technical consultants, site builders, and developers who publish tutorials or recommend infrastructure and website tools to clients.
Affiliate programs to consider
Quick comparison
| Program | Commission | Cookie | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinsta | For qualifying WordPress hosting referrals, a one-time commission of $50 to $500 plus 10% monthly recurring commission. | 60 days | Developers recommending managed WordPress hosting for client sites, migrations, performance-focused builds, and higher-value WordPress projects. |
| Cloudways | Up to 30% commission on qualifying referred sales under the current public affiliate program. | 60 days | Developers recommending managed cloud hosting for websites and client projects that need flexible infrastructure. |
| Elementor | 45% of transaction value on eligible first purchases of Elementor Editor or Host; Elementor One is currently listed at 55% as a limited-time rate. | 45 days | WordPress developers and site builders recommending visual site-building, hosting, landing-page, and client-site workflows. |
| Hostinger | Starts at 40% per eligible sale and can increase with sales volume. | Verify current attribution window in the affiliate dashboard/agreement before promotion. | Developers recommending accessible web hosting, WordPress hosting, website infrastructure, and hosting for smaller client projects. |
| Namecheap | 20% on domain registrations/transfers and Private Email/PremiumDNS; 35% on listed hosting packages and SSL certificates. Eligible commissions generally apply to first purchases by new customers; product exclusions apply. | 30 days | Developers helping clients register domains, configure branded email, obtain SSL, or set up supporting website infrastructure. |
| Shopify | Up to $150 USD per qualified full-price merchant referral depending on the referred merchant's location; eligible referrals are for Basic, Grow and Advanced store plans. | 30 days from click to Free Trial; an eligible full-price conversion can occur within the program's qualifying trial-to-paid window. | Developers building ecommerce sites, advising merchants, or publishing tutorials about launching and operating online stores. |
Commission structures and attribution rules can change. Detailed cards below include the source and verification date used for each program.
Kinsta
- Commission
- For qualifying WordPress hosting referrals, a one-time commission of $50 to $500 plus 10% monthly recurring commission.
- Cookie duration
- 60 days
- Network
- Kinsta Affiliate Program
- Payout
- Kinsta uses its own affiliate dashboard and pays affiliate commissions through PayPal. Current validation and payment details should be confirmed in the affiliate dashboard.
Best for: Developers recommending managed WordPress hosting for client sites, migrations, performance-focused builds, and higher-value WordPress projects.
Kinsta's current documentation confirms the one-time plus recurring structure for WordPress referrals and a 60-day cookie. Commission amounts depend on the referred plan.
Terms last verified: October 6, 2026
Cloudways
- Commission
- Up to 30% commission on qualifying referred sales under the current public affiliate program.
- Cookie duration
- 60 days
- Network
- Post Affiliate Pro
- Payout
- Cloudways' public affiliate FAQ states that PayPal is available and the minimum payout can be set at $100. Confirm current account-specific payment options and approval rules before promotion.
Best for: Developers recommending managed cloud hosting for websites and client projects that need flexible infrastructure.
Cloudways' current public program page states a 60-day cookie and commissions up to 30%. The affiliate system uses cookies and referral tracking through Post Affiliate Pro.
Terms last verified: October 6, 2026
Elementor
- Commission
- 45% of transaction value on eligible first purchases of Elementor Editor or Host; Elementor One is currently listed at 55% as a limited-time rate.
- Cookie duration
- 45 days
- Network
- Elementor Affiliate Program
- Payout
- $200 minimum payout threshold. Current terms specify EOM + 60 processing, subject to required tax and identity documentation.
Best for: WordPress developers and site builders recommending visual site-building, hosting, landing-page, and client-site workflows.
Current terms generally limit commissions to qualifying first-ever purchases. Renewals, upgrades, and cross-grades are not ordinarily commissionable; the Elementor One promotional rate can change.
Terms last verified: October 6, 2026
Hostinger
- Commission
- Starts at 40% per eligible sale and can increase with sales volume.
- Cookie duration
- Verify current attribution window in the affiliate dashboard/agreement before promotion.
- Network
- Hostinger Affiliate Program
- Payout
- Hostinger's public affiliate page confirms performance-based commissions but does not state all payout mechanics on the cited page; confirm current threshold, validation, and payment details in the affiliate dashboard/agreement.
Best for: Developers recommending accessible web hosting, WordPress hosting, website infrastructure, and hosting for smaller client projects.
Hostinger says its affiliate program is intended for established websites or audiences focused on hosting, website building, or affiliate marketing. Current attribution and payout mechanics should be verified in-account.
Terms last verified: October 6, 2026
Namecheap
- Commission
- 20% on domain registrations/transfers and Private Email/PremiumDNS; 35% on listed hosting packages and SSL certificates. Eligible commissions generally apply to first purchases by new customers; product exclusions apply.
- Cookie duration
- 30 days
- Network
- Impact or CJ
- Payout
- Impact supports EFT and PayPal with a $10 USD-equivalent minimum withdrawal. CJ payment methods and minimums vary by currency and payment method.
Best for: Developers helping clients register domains, configure branded email, obtain SSL, or set up supporting website infrastructure.
Useful for development resources that begin before the build itself. Premium domains, marketplace domains, and certain apps/add-ons are excluded under current terms.
Terms last verified: October 6, 2026
Shopify
- Commission
- Up to $150 USD per qualified full-price merchant referral depending on the referred merchant's location; eligible referrals are for Basic, Grow and Advanced store plans.
- Cookie duration
- 30 days from click to Free Trial; an eligible full-price conversion can occur within the program's qualifying trial-to-paid window.
- Network
- Impact
- Payout
- Shopify's affiliate program is managed through Impact. Current withdrawal methods, thresholds, validation, and country-specific commercial terms should be confirmed in Impact.
Best for: Developers building ecommerce sites, advising merchants, or publishing tutorials about launching and operating online stores.
This is most relevant when the developer's work includes ecommerce. Commission eligibility and amounts vary by qualifying plan and referral location.
Terms last verified: October 6, 2026
What matters for Web Developers
Web developers should consider technical fit, client requirements, support quality, recurring versus one-time compensation, attribution windows, payout rules, self-referral restrictions, and whether accepting a commission could create a conflict with a client's interests. Affiliate relationships should be disclosed clearly.
How we chose these programs
Programs were selected for direct relevance to building and maintaining websites: managed WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, domains and supporting infrastructure, and WordPress site-building tools. Preference was given to established programs with first-party documentation and terms that can be described without guessing.
Frequently asked questions
Should web developers use affiliate links when recommending services to clients?
They can, but transparency matters. The recommendation should be based on the client's needs, and the affiliate relationship should be disclosed.
Are hosting affiliate programs a natural fit for developers?
Often, yes. Developers frequently help clients choose hosting, but reliability, performance, support, and technical requirements should come before commission size.
Do developers need a large public audience to earn affiliate commissions?
Not necessarily. Tutorials and public content can help, but client referrals and highly targeted technical resources can also produce qualified referrals when program rules permit them.