Shopify vs Wix Affiliate Programs: An In-Depth Comparison for 2025

More and more businesses are building their own online stores. Today we decided to look at comparing two powerful platforms that offer lucrative affiliate programs are Shopify and Wix – each catering to different segments of the website building market.

If you’re considering promoting website builders or e-commerce platforms, you might be wondering which affiliate program offers the better opportunity. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dissect both the Shopify and Wix affiliate programs to help you determine which one aligns better with your audience and marketing goals.

Market Overview: Understanding What You’re Promoting

Before diving into the specifics of each affiliate program, let’s understand the core products and their market positions.

Wix: The Website Building Giant

Wix has established itself as the dominant force in the website building space. Founded in 2006 by Avishai Abrahami, Nadav Abrahami, and Giora Kaplan, Wix was created after the founders experienced firsthand how challenging and expensive website creation could be.

Fast forward to today, and Wix has helped over 200 million people worldwide create websites. According to BuiltWith, Wix commands an impressive 42% of the “simple website builder” market – more than double its closest competitor, Squarespace.

The global website builder market is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2026, making Wix’s position particularly enviable.

Shopify: The E-commerce Powerhouse

Shopify, also launched in 2006, has grown into one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms. It provides individuals, small businesses, and large corporations with the tools they need to sell products online.

The platform has been used by merchants across 175 countries, generating nearly $500 billion in sales. In its most recent financial year, Shopify itself reported revenue of $4.8 billion.

According to BuiltWith, approximately 3.9 million live websites use Shopify, with about 2% of these ranking among the internet’s top million sites by traffic. Impressively, Shopify stands as the world’s second-largest e-commerce technology platform among high-traffic sites.

Target Audience Comparison

Understanding the target audience for each platform is crucial when deciding which affiliate program to join:

• Wix appeals to a broader audience, including bloggers, small business owners, artists, photographers, and anyone looking to establish an online presence without technical expertise.
• Shopify caters specifically to those looking to sell products online – from small startup entrepreneurs to established e-commerce businesses seeking a robust platform.

Affiliate Program Comparison: The Essentials

Now, let’s dive into the specific details of each affiliate program to understand how they stack up against each other.

Application Process

Wix Affiliate Program:

• Aimed at website owners who create high-traffic content
• Simple application process through Wix’s affiliate landing page
• Basic information required (name, contact details, website information)
• No explicit content or support for discriminatory groups allowed
• Application response within five business days
• Successful applicants receive access to their Wix affiliate dashboard

Shopify Affiliate Program:

• Managed through the Impact affiliate network
• Stricter requirements, including:
  • An active affiliate blog or website
  • An established and relevant audience
  • Published content related to Shopify or e-commerce
  • Experience with Shopify or other e-commerce solutions
• Two-stage application process (Impact network and then Shopify approval)
• Application processing within 5 business days
• No feedback provided for rejected applications

Winner: Wix has a more straightforward application process with fewer barriers to entry, making it more accessible for newer affiliate marketers.

Commission Structure

Wix Affiliate Program:

• Flat commission rate of $100 for every customer who purchases a Wix Premium package
• No commission if users cancel during the 14-day free trial period
• Monthly sales target of $300 minimum to receive payment

Shopify Affiliate Program:

• Fixed bounty of $150 for each qualified referral
• Same commission regardless of which plan the customer chooses
• Additional opportunities through the Shopify Partner program, including:
  • $500-$3,000 commission for Point of Sale Pro Merchant referrals
  • 20% recurring commission on monthly subscription fees for Partners

Winner: Shopify offers a higher base commission ($150 vs. $100) and provides additional earning opportunities through its Partner program, though the Partner program requires more technical skills.

Cookie Duration

Wix Affiliate Program:

• 30-day cookie window
• First-click attribution model (you get credit even if the customer later clicks another affiliate’s link)

Shopify Affiliate Program:

• Standard 30-day cookie duration
• Credit given if visitor signs up for a 14-day free trial within the 30-day window

Winner: Tie – Both programs offer the same cookie duration, which is standard in the industry, though Wix’s first-click attribution model offers a slight edge.

Payment Methods & Terms

Wix Affiliate Program:

• Wire transfer to bank account only
• No PayPal, Payoneer, or crypto options
• $300 minimum payout threshold
• Payment around 45 days from the end of each calendar month
• Requires manual invoice submission

Shopify Affiliate Program:

• PayPal only – no bank transfers or other options
• Bi-monthly payment schedule:
  • Credits from 1st-15th paid five business days after the 15th
  • Credits from 16th-end of month paid five business days after month-end
• No meaningful minimum payout (technically $25, but irrelevant given the $150 commission)
• Dedicated affiliate manager support for payment issues

Winner: Shopify – Despite limited payment options, Shopify offers faster payouts without the need for manual invoicing and has a more responsive support system.

Pros and Cons Analysis

Wix Affiliate Program

Pros:

• Market-leading platform that’s easy to promote
• Attractive $100 commission compared to the low entry price of Wix Premium plans
• User-friendly affiliate dashboard with comprehensive marketing materials
• First-click attribution provides better protection for your referrals

Cons:

• $300 monthly sales target could be challenging for beginners
• One-off payment rather than recurring commissions
• Limited payment options (wire transfer only)
• Cumbersome invoicing process and long payment timeline

Shopify Affiliate Program

Pros:

• Well-established e-commerce solution with strong brand recognition
• Higher base commission of $150 per referral
• Plans catering to businesses of all sizes
• User-friendly Impact affiliate platform for tracking and analytics
• 14-day free trial makes conversion easier
• Faster, more streamlined payment process

Cons:

• More stringent application requirements
• One-time commission rather than recurring (except for Partners)
• PayPal-only payment method limits options
• Less attractive commission structure for higher-priced plans

Which Program Is Right For You?

Choosing between the Wix and Shopify affiliate programs ultimately depends on your audience, expertise, and marketing goals. Here’s how to decide:

Choose Wix If:

1. Your audience is broader – If you cater to a general audience interested in creating websites for various purposes (not just selling), Wix offers wider appeal.
2. You’re newer to affiliate marketing – Wix has fewer barriers to entry, making it more accessible for beginners.
3. You create content about website building – If your content focuses on helping people create professional websites quickly without technical knowledge, Wix aligns perfectly.
4. You have bank transfer capability – If you prefer or need bank transfers over PayPal.

Choose Shopify If:

1. Your audience is entrepreneurial – If your followers are interested in starting online businesses or already run e-commerce operations, Shopify is the natural fit.
2. You have e-commerce expertise – Having personal experience with e-commerce platforms will help you create more compelling content.
3. You’re willing to invest in quality content – Shopify’s higher requirements mean you’ll need to develop authoritative content to succeed.
4. You’re interested in the Partner program – If you have development skills or work with clients who need e-commerce solutions, the Partner program offers significant additional income potential.
5. You prefer faster payments – Shopify’s payment system is more streamlined and regular.

Maximising Your Success With Either Program

Regardless of which affiliate program you choose, here are some strategies to maximise your success:

Content Strategy

For Wix:

• Create detailed tutorials on building specific types of websites
• Develop comparisons between Wix and competitors
• Showcase impressive Wix website examples
• Create “how to start a blog/portfolio/business website” guides

For Shopify:

• Develop comprehensive guides on starting an online store
• Create content around e-commerce strategies and best practices
• Compare Shopify with other e-commerce platforms
• Share success stories of Shopify entrepreneurs

Conversion Optimization

1. Use targeted pre-selling – Address pain points your audience experiences with website building or e-commerce before introducing the solution.
2. Leverage free trials – Emphasise that both platforms offer free trials, lowering the risk for potential customers.
3. Create demonstration content – Show the platforms in action through videos, screenshots, or detailed walkthroughs.
4. Address objections – Research common hesitations about each platform and address them proactively in your content.
5. Highlight value, not price – Focus on the return on investment rather than the cost of each platform.

The Verdict

Both Wix and Shopify represent valuable opportunities for affiliate marketers, but they serve different niches:

• Wix is ideal for promoting to a general audience interested in creating websites for various purposes, with a slightly easier entry point for affiliate marketers.
• Shopify offers greater rewards for marketers who can effectively reach and convert entrepreneurial audiences interested specifically in e-commerce.

For maximum results, consider your audience’s needs and interests, your own expertise, and which platform naturally aligns with your existing content strategy. Some affiliate marketers may even benefit from promoting both platforms to different segments of their audience.

Whatever you choose, remember that success with either program ultimately depends on creating high-quality, helpful content that addresses your audience’s specific needs and demonstrates the value of the platform you’re promoting.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to dive into affiliate marketing with either Wix or Shopify, your first step should be creating a high-quality website that will attract the right audience and build trust with potential customers.

Not sure how to get started building a successful affiliate website? Check out our comprehensive guides on affiliate marketing strategies, content creation, and SEO optimisation to maximise your chances of success.