Last Updated on February 26, 2022 by Matt Zavadil
If you’re looking for a way to make money as an affiliate marketer, you’ve probably heard of Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate).
CJ is one of the largest and most well-known affiliate networks in the world. It has over 2,500 merchants in its network, including Walmart, Apple, Amazon, and Home Depot.
If you’ve invested a little time reading Commission Junction reviews and still feel a bit confused, let’s see if I can shed some light on how CJ Affiliate by Conversant works.
In this article, we’ll explain what Commission Junction is, how it operates worldwide, and show you how to use it to make more sales on your website as an affiliate marketer.
What is CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)?
CJ Affiliate by Conversant, (rebranded from Commission Junction to CJ Affiliate in 2014), is a third-party affiliate marketing network. It connects digital marketers with brands to help them promote pay-for-performance programs.
That means it’s a platform where merchants (brands and businesses) can create affiliate programs, and where affiliates (publishers and influencers) can find those programs to promote.
CJ Affiliate is one of the largest affiliate networks in the world. You can find a variety of merchant partners to promote, such as Lowe’s, GoPro, Overstock, and Travelocity.
The network also works with smaller brands in a wide range of industries.
The CJ Affiliate by Conversant home office address:
530 East Montecito St
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
The CJ Affiliate by Conversant telephone number: 800-761-1072
Top Benefits of Commission Junction
There are many benefits of using CJ Affiliate to market products and service links online. Here are some of the top benefits:
Huge range of advertiser programs: Commission Junction has thousands of programs from leading brands worldwide, so you can find the perfect one for your business.
Robust tracking and reporting tools: The CJ Affiliate platform offers advanced tracking and reporting features that let you monitor your campaigns in real-time. This helps you optimize your results quickly and easily.
Time-saving integration options: You can easily integrate CJ Affiliate with your website or online store, using a variety of integration methods. This saves you time and makes it easy to get started.
Best Features of CJ Affiliate
Here are some of the best features of CJ Affiliate:
Integrated payment processing: CJ Affiliate offers integrated payment processing, so you can get paid quickly and easily for the sales you generate.
Flexible commission structures: Commission Junction allows you to choose from a variety of commission structures, so you can find one that best suits your business model.
Dedicated account management: You’ll have a dedicated account manager who will help you set up and run your campaigns, and provide expert advice on how to improve your performance.
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Before getting you started with Commission Junction, it’s worth reviewing the basics of the affiliate marketing business model.
In a nutshell, affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing system in which businesses pay commission to third-party publishers (affiliates) for generating sales or leads.
The commissions are typically paid on a cost-per-action (CPA) basis, but they can also be paid on a cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-impression (CPI) basis.
As an affiliate marketer, you can find the affiliate program offered by a specific product you want to promote.
Or, you can use an affiliate network like Commission Junction and review advertisers (some of the world’s largest brands) looking for affiliates to pay money to as they promote each company.
How Does Commission Junction Work as an Affiliate Network?
Commission Junction works by connecting advertisers’ pay-for-performance programs with CJ affiliates willing to promote their products or services.
Advertisers create campaigns and set commission rates, while Commission Junction affiliates sign up for promotional offers. Affiliates then share links to the advertiser’s products or services on their web page, blog, or social media channel.
When a visitor clicks on one of the publisher’s links and makes a purchase, the advertiser pays the commission to Commission Junction, which in turn passes on a portion of the network earnings to the publisher (affiliate).
As a CJ affiliate, you get paid inside the CJ network as you generate sales for advertisers.
Difference Between an Affiliate Program & Affiliate Network
An affiliate program is run by the merchant, while affiliate networks like CJ Affiliate by Conversant or ShareASale offer a range of merchants in one place.
Affiliate networks also have more sophisticated tracking and reporting tools than most merchants do on their own.
Generally speaking, most affiliate networks also typically offer dedicated account management, which can be helpful for a Commission Junction affiliate publisher just starting their marketing journey.
–> RELATED READING: Affiliate Marketing for Beginners
Commission Junction is a great place to start your as an affiliate publisher because it offers a wide variety of advertisers, robust tracking and reporting tools, and easy integration options.
Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate) Pros and Cons
As with all things, advantages and disadvantages exist when discussing organizations like CJ Affiliate by Conversant.
Commission Junction Pros
Easy To Use: CJ is easy to navigate, and even those with limited internet skills can be successful in using the network.
Variety of Offers: There are a variety of offers available through CJ, so you’re not locked into promoting just one product, service, or industry.
Global Brands: Advertisers on Commission Junction come from all over the world. You’ll find some of the most recognizable websites and companies that online consumers already trust.
Simple Payment Methods: As a Commission Junction affiliate, you can choose to get paid via Payoneer, check, or direct deposit.
Commission Junction Cons
Slow Payment: Commission Junction sometimes takes a while to process payments, so you may not see the fruits of your labor right away (although this is common when using either an affiliate program or network).
Lack of Customer Service: CJ doesn’t offer customer service beyond what is available through their extensive knowledge base and FAQs section. If you’re struggling with a technical issue or need help setting up a campaign, it can be difficult to get assistance.
How Does CJ Affiliate by Conversant Work?
Now that you know what Commission Junction is and what it has to offer, let’s take a look at how to use it to make money as a Commission Junction affiliate.
First, you’ll need to sign up for an account with Commission Junction. You can do this by visiting their website and clicking on the “Sign Up” link in the top right-hand corner of the homepage.
Once you’ve registered, you can browse through CJ’s extensive list of advertisers and find one that best suits your interests and business model.
When you find an advertiser that interests you, click on their name to learn more about their program. You’ll be able to review the commission structure, terms, and conditions of the program before you apply.
If everything looks good and you decide to join the program, simply click on the “Apply to Program” button.
Once you’ve been approved as a Commission Junction affiliate, you can start promoting the advertiser’s links to products or services on your website or blog.
Be sure to use CJ-provided tracking links, as these will help you keep track of your sales and commissions.
Pay-For-Performance Programs Offered by Commission Junction
The Commission Junction site offers plenty of opportunities for affiliate marketers to make money online marketing as publishers.
Here’s a quick list of all the choices you have after you join CJ Affiliate as a Commission Junction affiliate.
- Adidas
- American Golf
- Avis
- Best Western Hotels
- British Airways
- Buy Cosmetics
- Carnival Cruises
- DirecTV
- eHealth Insurance
- Expedia.co.uk
- Good Sam Club
- Hot Topic
- Kaspersky Anti-virus
- Kodak
- Monster.com
- Music Today
- My Jewelry Box
- The New York Times
- Priceline
- Puritan’s Pride
- Quickbooks
- Rubbermaid
- Skype
- Sony
- Starbucks
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Wall Street Journal
- The Wine Society
(NOTE: Merchants come and go on Commission Junction. If you find that any of the above websites no longer exist on the affiliate network, look for a good replacement to join inside your work as a publisher)
CJ Affiliate Reviews FAQ
Let’s review a few additional questions you may have about Commission Junction before you join at their site.
How do you get paid from Commission Junction?
Commission Junction affiliates are paid via Payoneer, check, or direct deposit. You’ll need to provide your banking information when you sign up for an account with CJ so they can send your payments directly to your bank account.
How often do I get paid from Commission Junction?
Commission Junction usually processes payments within 30 days of the end of the month in which the sale occurred. However, this can vary depending on the advertiser you’re working with and the type of program you’re promoting.
How much does Commission Junction cost?
It’s free to join Commission Junction as either an affiliate or a merchant. However, there are some fees associated with running a campaign on the network. For example, advertisers are charged a commission fee based on the sales generated by their CJ-affiliated partners.
What brands are on Commission Junction?
There are thousands of brands on Commission Junction, ranging from small businesses to large corporations.
What does CJ stand for?
CJ is short for Commission Junction Affiliate by Conversant, which is the name of the company that acquired Commission Junction in 2014.
What’s the difference between Commission Junction and other affiliate networks?
Commission Junction is one of the oldest and largest affiliate networks, with over 20,000 merchants and affiliates on their network. They offer a wide variety of programs in a variety of industries, making it one of the most comprehensive affiliate networks available.
Does Commission Junction have an affiliate program?
Yes, Commission Junction does have an affiliate program. You can find more information on their website.
What is CJ Affiliate publisher?
A Commission Junction publisher is an affiliate who promotes the products and services of Commission Junction advertisers on their website or blog. As a publisher, you’ll earn commissions on sales generated by your links.
How much do CJ affiliates make?
Commission Junction affiliates can earn up to 20% commission on sales, depending on the program they’re promoting.
Can I trust CJ Affiliate?
Commission Junction is a well-established company with over 20 years of experience in the affiliate marketing industry. They’re one of the most reputable networks available, and their platform is trusted by both merchants and affiliates.
Final Thoughts on Commission Junction
Commission Junction is a great way for affiliates to make money online. With a wide variety of programs and brands to choose from, you can find a program that fits your niche and start earning commission on sales.
The key to winning when marketing products offered by Commission Junction is to select a niche that you know something about.
Work on generating traffic to your blog and then select the programs to promote. Most affiliates select products first.
However, you should see which pages rank on your site first.
Then, select the appropriate Commission Junction link to promote. That way, you’ll get traffic over to the link that will earn you an income. It avoids wasting time filling up links on pages that Google isn’t sending traffic to.
