Why do 80% of Brands Invest in Affiliate Marketing?

In the growing world of digital marketing, over 80% of brands now spend money on affiliate marketing.

This isn’t some small-time tactic anymore. For most companies, it’s a huge part of how they grow their business.

So, why is it so popular? And more importantly, what are you missing out on if you’re one of the 20% not doing it yet?

In simple terms, Partnermarketing is when you pay people (your “affiliates”) a commission for sending paying customers your way. You only pay for what works.

In this post, we’ll break down why so many businesses love this approach and show you how to easily get your own affiliate program started for your WooCommerce store.

So, Why Is Everyone Using Affiliate Marketing?

It’s no accident that affiliate marketing is this popular.

It’s low-risk, it works, and it feels more genuine than a regular ad.

Brands love it because it solves a lot of the usual headaches with advertising and brings in sales you can actually track.

Here’s a closer look at why.

You Only Pay For Results

This is the biggest reason of all.

With traditional ads, you pay for clicks or views and just hope they turn into sales. With the affiliate model, you only pay a commission when someone actually buys something.

This “pay-for-performance” approach means you never waste your budget on ads that don’t work, and your return on investment (ROI) is crystal clear.

It’s Affordable to Start

Compared to expensive pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, affiliate marketing is cheap to get started with.

There are no fees for ad views or clicks that don’t lead to a sale. You set the commission rates yourself, so you have full control over how much you spend to get a new customer.

This makes it a great option for small businesses and a smart way for big companies to scale up.

Reach the Right Customers

Your affiliates are content creators, bloggers, and influencers who have already built an audience that trusts them.

By partnering with them, you get instant access to these loyal followers.

For example, a fitness blogger can send customers who are actually ready to buy to your supplement store, something a generic ad could never do.

This lets your brand reach new groups of people through a source they already know and like.

Get Genuine Recommendations

People today are tired of ads. They’d rather get recommendations from people they follow and respect.

When a trusted affiliate recommends your product, it acts as powerful social proof. It’s a real endorsement, not just another ad.

This genuineness leads to more interest and more sales because it feels like a helpful suggestion, not a pushy sales pitch.

Why You Should Care About the 80% Stat

Knowing that 8 out of 10 of your peers are using a certain strategy isn’t just a fun fact, it’s a major hint about what’s working right now.

Here’s why that number should get your attention.

Your Competitors Are Already Doing It

The simple truth is, if you’re not using affiliate marketing, your competitors probably are.

They’re reaching new customers, building partnerships, and making sales through a channel you’re ignoring. By not taking part, you’re letting them get ahead and capture more of the market.

To stay competitive, you have to meet customers where they are, and affiliate marketing is one of those key places.

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Relying too much on one marketing channel (like social media ads or SEO) is risky.

An algorithm change or rising ad costs could hurt your sales overnight. Affiliate marketing helps you diversify.

It creates a new, steady stream of traffic and sales that makes your business stronger and less vulnerable to sudden changes in the market.

Getting started is easy, as this guide on starting an affiliate program in WooCommerce shows.

Easy to Grow

An affiliate program is incredibly flexible. It works if you’re a startup looking for your first 10 sales or a huge brand with thousands of partners.

You can start small with a few hand-picked affiliates and simply add more as your business grows.

Bringing on new affiliates expands your reach without creating a ton of extra work for you, making it one of the easiest marketing methods to scale up.

A Few More Stats to Think About

The 80% number is just the start. Other stats from a recent affiliate marketing statistics report paint an even clearer picture:

• Huge Industry Growth: The affiliate marketing industry is expected to be worth over $15.7 billion in 2025, showing that brands are continuing to invest more and more into it.
• A Big Driver of E-commerce: Affiliate marketing is behind about 16% of all online sales. That’s a huge slice of the pie for any online store.
• Influencers Are Key: Influencer marketing and affiliate marketing now go hand-in-hand. Many affiliates are creators who promote products to their loyal followers on social media.

Ready to Get Started? Here’s How.

Sold on the idea? The good news is that starting an affiliate program on your WooCommerce store is easier than you think.

First, decide your goals (like increasing sales by 15%), set a fair commission rate, and choose the right tool to manage everything.

For a simple, all-in-one solution, the Coupon Affiliates for WooCommerce plugin is the perfect place to start. It works right inside your WordPress dashboard, so you don’t need to learn a complicated new platform.

Here’s how it helps you get your program up and running:

• Quick and Easy Setup: Get your program running in minutes. Manage affiliates, promotions, and payments right from your WooCommerce dashboard.
• Track Everything: See how things are going with real-time stats. You’ll know exactly who is driving sales so you can make smart decisions.
• Simple Coupon Tracking: Our unique system uses special coupons to track sales. It’s super simple for both you and your affiliates, no messing with complicated scripts, cookies, or links.
• A Dashboard for Your Affiliates: Give your partners a professional, easy-to-use dashboard where they can see their progress, check their earnings, and find marketing materials.

Don’t Get Left Behind

The numbers are clear: 8 out of 10 advertisers are using affiliate marketing to find new customers, expand their reach, and grow their revenue.

This isn’t just a passing trend, it’s a proven way to get results.

The only question left is: are you ready to join them?

Try Coupon Affiliates for WooCommerce Today!

Elliot Sowersby

Elliot Sowersby ist ein WordPress-Entwickler aus Yorkshire, Vereinigtes Königreich. Er ist der Gründer und leitende Entwickler von Coupon-Affiliates und RelyWP.