Business News Daily receives compensation from some of the companies listed on this page. Advertising Disclosure
Updated Oct 20, 2023

Affiliate Links: What Small Businesses Should Know

Jennifer Post, Business Operations Insider and Senior Writer

Table of Contents

Open row

If you spend a lot of time on social media, especially Instagram, you have more than likely seen, or even shopped through, an affiliate link. When an influencer talks about a product and says “swipe up for link,” they are referring to an affiliate link. When you click on it and purchase a product, the influencer gets a return. It’s usually a mutually beneficial relationship, because the company gets more traffic and customers, and the influencer gets a part of those sales. It’s a great way for bloggers and Instagram influencers to actually make money.

While affiliate links can be a low-cost way for businesses to introduce their products to valuable new audiences, developing an effective affiliate program takes time and effort. So what do small businesses need to know about affiliate programs? Industry experts lent their advice to Business News Daily.

Jennifer Post, Business Operations Insider and Senior Writer
Jennifer Post has spent nearly 10 years advising small business owners on best practices for human resources, marketing, funding and more. She devotes her time to ensuring entrepreneurs are equipped with not only the knowledge necessary to launch and grow a successful business but also the software products and tools that are essential for everyday operations. These range from CRM and credit card processing solutions to legal services and email marketing platforms. Post, who has a bachelor's degree in journalism, has shared her expertise through Fundera, The Motley Fool, HowStuffWorks and more. Most recently, she has focused on risk management and insurance, two key areas business owners must understand to sustain their enterprises.
Back to top
Desktop background imageMobile background image
In partnership with BDCBND presents the b. newsletter:

Building Better Businesses

Insights on business strategy and culture, right to your inbox.
Part of the business.com network.