Consumer Affiliate Programs vs. “Make Money” Programs: Which Should You Start With?

I remember sitting at my kitchen table in 2014, staring at my computer screen. I was convinced that affiliate marketing would be the ticket to a new source of income. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Not that year, at least. My first attempt netted me exactly $0. It wasn’t until I revisited the idea in 2025—this time with the help of AI tools—that I started seeing the potential.

Fast forward to today, and I’m navigating the world of affiliate programs again. This time, I’m trying to decide between consumer affiliate programs and those notorious “make money” programs. The decision isn’t as simple as it sounds, especially when you’re on a fixed income like me.

Consumer Affiliate Programs

Consumer affiliate programs are what most people think of when they hear “affiliate marketing.” Amazon Associates is probably the biggest name here, but there are countless others—Target, Walmart, you name it. They let you earn a commission by promoting products that people are already buying.

The upside? They’re straightforward. You promote a product through your blog or social media, someone buys it using your link, and you earn a small percentage of the sale.

The downside? Those percentages are often quite small. We’re talking single digits here—sometimes razor-thin margins if you’re looking at low-cost items. It’s not an immediate path to paying off your mortgage, especially if you don’t have a large audience yet.

“Make Money” Programs

Then there are the “make money” affiliate programs. These promise higher commissions because you’re essentially selling the dream of earning money online—often through courses or software subscriptions designed to help others get started in their own ventures.

The potential for earnings is higher here, but so is the risk. These types of programs can sometimes feel less genuine or veer into scammy territory if you’re not careful about which ones you choose to promote.

Also, these tend to require more convincing on your part. You’re not just recommending a pair of shoes; you’re asking people to invest in something intangible—and potentially life-changing (for better or worse).

Which One Should You Start With?

If you’re just getting started like I was when dabbling back into this space, begin with consumer affiliate programs. They’re easier to wrap your head around and don’t carry as much ethical weight as pitching “get rich” schemes.

• Trust Factor: You’ve probably bought products from these retailers yourself, making them easier for your audience to trust too.
• Simplicity: Promoting products allows you to focus on creating content without having to convince anyone to change their life plans.
• Learning Opportunity: You’ll develop skills in audience building and conversion tactics that will serve you well if you later decide to explore other types of programs.

A Few Cautionary Notes

No matter which route you take, make sure you’re transparent with your audience about any affiliations you have. People appreciate honesty and it’s important for maintaining credibility—something I learned the hard way when my first attempts floundered due to lack of trust.

Also, don’t expect overnight success from either type of program. Building income through affiliate marketing takes time and patience—a lesson I’ve had reinforced over more late nights than I’d care to admit.

Your Next Step

If you’re ready to start testing the waters with consumer affiliate programs—or if you’re curious about whether those “make money” offers might be worth exploring later—I invite you to check out my free guide specifically crafted for those over 40 right here.