Written by Matt Zavadil
Updated February 26, 2024
CPA marketing is a great way to make money online.
In this article, I’ll discuss what cost-per-action marketing is and how you can get started with it.
I’ll also cover a few of the best CPA networks so you know where to find these offers.
Whether you’re a beginner affiliate or a more experienced affiliate marketer, the CPA model may be right for you.
What is CPA Marketing?
CPA (cost-per-action) marketing is a form of online advertising where you earn commissions based on the actions that your visitors take, such as signing up for a service, downloading software, or making a purchase.
With cost-per-action marketing, there is no need to sell products or services; you simply need to get people to take the desired action.
How Does CPA Marketing Work?
The CPA marketing model works by allowing you to promote products or services through affiliate links.
When a user visits your site, they will be presented with an offer and asked to complete an action for you to earn a commission. This could include signing up for a free trial of the software, downloading an app, or becoming a lead.
Benefits of CPA Marketing
There are many benefits to cost-per-action marketing, including:
- No need to sell products or services
- You can eliminate ugly banner ads from your website
- It can connect you with experienced affiliate managers
- Commission payments are based on actions taken, not clicks or impressions
- Both beginner & experienced affiliate marketers can use it
- Easier to make money than with a traditional affiliate program
- CPA marketers can combine the method with other online marketing efforts
Related Reading: Why Start an Affiliate Marketing Business? Is Affiliate Marketing Worth It? Affiliate Partner
Design Your Site Around CPA
When you design your site around a CPA offer, it is important to consider the needs of your target audience. You should also include a clear call to action on every page so that visitors know what they need to do next.
For example, if the CPA marketing offer is for an app, you should include a link to the app store or Google Play Store so visitors can download it directly from your site.
CPA Marketing Payment Model
The cost-per-action marketing payment model works by allowing advertisers to pay only when a specific action is taken.
For example, if you are promoting a software program that pays out $50 for every person who downloads it, the advertiser will only need to pay when someone downloads the software.
This is in contrast to traditional advertising models, where payments are made based on clicks or impressions.
Best CPA Affiliate Networks
There are many great CPA affiliate programs to choose from, including:
- Madrivo
- Perform[cb] (Formerly Clickbooth)
- Admitad
- CrakRevenue
- AdWork Media
- CPAMatica
- Toro Advertising
- A4D
- Fireads
- Adscendants
- Mobidea
Let’s review the best CPA networks in more detail.
Madrivo
Madrivo is a great CPA network with a wide selection of offers. They have a lot of campaigns in a variety of niches, and they are always expanding their selection of products and services.
Perform[cb] (Formerly Clickbooth)
Clickbooth is probably the longest-running global affiliate marketing network online. They have been in business since 2002 and have a large selection of offers in a variety of niches.
Admitad
Admitad is quickly making a name for themselves. They have a lot of offers in a variety of niches, and their customer service is top-notch.
CrakRevenue
CrakRevenue is one of the most popular CPA networks. They have a huge variety of offers and can help any affiliate manager find quality affiliates.
AdWork Media
AdWork Media is a well-established CPA network. They have a large selection of offers, and their customer service is top-notch.
CPAMatica
CPAMatica is a new CPA network that specializes in dating and Nutra offers. Their customer service is top-notch, and they have a large selection of offers in all sorts of niches.
Toro Advertising
Toro Advertising is one of the most popular CPA networks. They have a huge variety of offers, and they are always expanding into new niches.
A4D
A-four-D is a cost-per-action affiliate network with a large selection of offers. They are always expanding their selection of products and services, and they have a great customer service team.
Fireads
Fireads is a new CPA marketing network that specializes in dating and Nutra offers. Their customer service is top-notch, and they have a large selection of offers in all sorts of niches.
Adscendants
Adscendants is a global affiliate network that specializes in cams and dating offers. They have a huge selection of offers, and their customer service is top-notch.
Mobidea
Mobidea is one of the most popular CPA networks. Their campaigns are constantly expanding into new niches, and they have a large selection of products and services to choose from.
CPA Affiliate Network Tips
If you are new to cost-per-action marketing, you must learn how to find the best offers and work with them effectively. Here are some tips for success:
Look For High-Converting Offers
The first step in finding a good offer is looking for high-converting offers. This means that the offer has a high conversion rate, meaning that a lot of people who visit the page will take action.
Target The Right Audience
It is important to target the right audience with your affiliate link offers. For example, if you are promoting a weight loss program, you should only target people who are interested in losing weight.
Test Different Landing Pages
It is important to test different landing pages for your offers. Try creating multiple versions of each page, and see which one converts better. This will help you optimize your campaigns and make them more effective.
Test Different Banners And Text Ads
It is also important to test different banners and text ads for your offers. Some ads may work better than others, so it is important to test them all.
CPA Marketing Best Practices
There are a few best practices to follow when it comes to cost-per-action marketing. Follow these tips for success:
- Stay above the fold
- Don’t use pop-unders
- Follow FTC guidelines on affiliate advertising disclosure
- Use short and descriptive link text instead of long, ugly ones
- Get good at tracking affiliate sales
- Make sure your landing pages are mobile-friendly
- Optimize your campaigns for better conversions
- Use retargeting to reach people who have already visited your site
FAQs for CPA Networks & Affiliate Marketers
What does CPA mean in marketing?
CPA stands for cost per action. It is a type of online advertising where the advertiser pays the publisher (or affiliate) only when the ad generates a conversion, such as a sale or sign-up.
Is CPA marketing still profitable?
Yes, cost-per-action marketing is still profitable. It’s a very simple way to make money online, and you don’t need any special skills or experience.
Is CPA marketing the same as affiliate marketing?
No, CPA marketing is a bit different. In cost-per-action marketing you don’t have to sell anything to earn money, it’s enough if your visitors take action.
How do I start a CPA marketing?
To start CPA marketing, you first need to find an offer. You can do this by searching for cost-per-action affiliate networks that pay the highest commission rates. Then you need to create a landing page or website where people can visit your CPA ads.
How much can you make from CPA marketing?
Your income from CPA marketing will depend on the number of visitors who take action, your conversion rate, and CPC. It’s impossible to say how much you can make from cost-per-action marketing without knowing these numbers.
How do I get traffic for CPA offers?
To get quality traffic for CPA offers, you can use paid advertising methods like PPC and Social Media Ads. You can also use organic traffic methods such as SEO and Content Marketing.
What is the difference between CPC and CPA?
CPC stands for cost per click, while CPA stands for cost per action. In other words, CPC is the amount you pay for each click on your ad, while CPA is the amount you pay for each conversion.
Can I use Google AdWords with CPA offers?
Yes, CPA affiliate marketers can use Google AdWords with CPA offers. Many people use Google AdWords to promote their CPA offers. You can also use other paid advertising methods like PPV and Social Media Ads.
Can I use Facebook Ads with CPA offers?
Yes, you can use Facebook Ads with CPA offers.
Which is the best platform for CPA marketing?
CPA affiliate networks are the best platforms for cost-per-action marketing. These CPA networks have thousands of offers and allow you to promote them on your website or blog.
How do I choose the best CPA offer?
The best CPA offers are the ones with the highest commission rates and payouts. You should also look for offers that reward you for converting more than one time.
How do I get approved by a CPA network?
To get approved by a CPA network, you need to apply for an account and wait for them to review your application. Most CPA networks will approve you if you have good website traffic.
What is an affiliate marketing funnel?
It’s a series of steps that leads the visitor to your website or landing page. The visitor then takes action and you earn money from it, such as filling out a form or making a purchase.
How do I create an affiliate marketing funnel?
You need to use different traffic sources to send people to your website or landing page. You can then use retargeting ads to get them back and take action.
Final Thoughts on CPA Marketing
CPA marketing is a simple way to make money online.
If you’re an affiliate marketer struggling to get other affiliate offers to convert, consider looking at CPA affiliate marketing as a more profitable way to monetize your website or blog.
Take action. Look for the best CPA affiliate network for your needs and get started.