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Web hosting affiliate programmes: how the money works, and the costs marketers miss

Web hosting has long been one of the better-paying affiliate niches: the products are recurring, the buyers are often businesses, and a single good comparison page can earn for years. But the headline commission is only part of the picture. Refunds, cookie windows, payout rules and your own running costs decide what you actually keep.

This guide explains how hosting affiliate programmes are structured, using two real programmes as examples, then walks through the costs that new affiliates tend to overlook. Programme terms change often, so always check the current terms before you join.

How hosting affiliate programmes pay

Most programmes use one of two models.

Percentage of the sale

You earn a share of what the customer pays, usually on the first purchase. Hostinger's affiliate page says every eligible sale earns a commission that starts at 40% and grows depending on sales volume. Percentage models reward you for sending customers who buy longer plans or higher tiers, because the first payment is larger.

Flat fee per sale, in tiers

You earn a fixed amount per sale, rising as you sell more in a month. SiteGround's programme lists $50 per sale at 1 to 5 sales a month, $75 at 6 to 10, up to $100 at 11 to 20, and a custom deal above 21. It also says referrals have 60 days to convert, payouts are weekly, and that if a referral signs up for another SiteGround service instead of hosting, you earn 60% of the first year from that service.

Flat fees are predictable and reward volume. Percentages can pay more on big orders but less on cheap introductory plans.

Terms that matter more than the headline rate

Cookie window. How long after a click you still get credit. Hosting buyers often compare for days, so a longer window is genuinely valuable.
Attribution. Most programmes credit the last affiliate link clicked. If your reader later clicks a coupon site's link, that site may get the commission.
Hold periods and refunds. Hosts commonly offer money-back guarantees; Hostinger advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee. Affiliate terms typically hold or reverse commission on sales refunded within such periods, so expect a delay between a sale and getting paid.
Payment thresholds and methods. Check minimum payouts, currencies and any transfer fees.
Prohibited traffic. Many programmes ban bidding on their brand name in search ads, coupon-only sites or incentivised sign-ups. Breaking these rules can void all your commission.
Self-referral rules. Buying through your own link is usually banned.

The hidden costs of being a hosting affiliate

Commission is revenue, not profit. Budget for:

Your own hosting, domain and tools. You need a fast, reliable site to be credible when recommending hosting.
Testing accounts. To write honestly about a host's control panel, support and speed, you may need to buy a plan. Be transparent with readers about how you assessed a product.
Content production. Hosting comparisons go out of date quickly as prices and features change. Plan time, or money, to update them several times a year.
Traffic costs. Paid ads can work, but in competitive hosting keywords, clicks are expensive and brand-bidding is often banned.
Tax and admin. Commission is taxable income. Keep records of payments and expenses.
Currency. Many programmes pay in US dollars. If you're in the UK or Australia, exchange rates and conversion fees affect what you receive.

Disclosure is part of the job

In the UK, the ASA and CAP's affiliate marketing advice says the advertising code applies to affiliate marketing and that affiliate content must be obviously identifiable. On a review site, that means a clear disclosure near the top of each page with affiliate links, not just a line in the footer. On social media, it means labelling posts as ads upfront.

Disclosure also builds trust. Readers who know how you earn money are more likely to believe you when you say a cheaper host is the better choice for them.

Choosing which programmes to join

Start with products you'd genuinely recommend. Your reputation outlasts any single commission.
Read the full terms, especially cookie windows, refund handling and prohibited traffic.
Compare effective earnings, not headline rates. Estimate a realistic plan price for your readers and work out what each model would pay.
Check renewal pricing. If introductory prices jump sharply on renewal, say so, or readers will blame you.
Look at support quality. A host with poor support produces refunds and angry comments.

Common mistakes

Promoting whichever host pays most, regardless of fit.
Quoting introductory prices without mentioning renewal prices.
Leaving comparison tables unchanged for a year while prices move.
Hiding affiliate disclosures.
Counting commission as earned before the hold period ends.

Checklist

Commission model understood: percentage or flat-fee tiers.
Cookie window, attribution and hold period noted for each programme.
Banned traffic sources listed and avoided.
Disclosure at the top of every affiliate page and on every promotional post.
Content update schedule set.
Income and costs tracked for tax.

Frequently asked questions

Do hosting affiliates get paid if the customer asks for a refund?

Usually not. Hosts commonly offer money-back guarantees (Hostinger advertises 30 days), and affiliate terms typically reverse commission on refunded sales. Check the specific programme's terms for its hold period. Source: Hostinger: Affiliate programme.

What is a cookie window?

It's how long after a click you can still be credited with a sale. SiteGround says referrals have 60 days to convert. A longer window helps with hosting, because people often research for days before buying. Source: SiteGround: Hosting affiliate programme.

Do I need to disclose hosting affiliate links?

Yes. In the UK, the ASA treats affiliate content as advertising, so it must be obviously identifiable as an ad, for example by labelling it clearly before people click.

Sources and further reading

Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.