Affiliate Marketing — Explained with Examples

# affiliate_calculator.py
def calculate_affiliate_earnings(model, visitors, conversion_rate,
                                 commission_value):
    """
    Calculate earnings for different affiliate models.
    """

    if model == "cps":
        conversions = visitors * conversion_rate
        total = conversions * commission_value
        print(f"CPS Model ({(conversion_rate*100):.1f}% conversion, "
              f"${commission_value:.2f}/sale):")
        print(f"  {visitors:,} visitors → {conversions:.0f} sales → "
              f"${total:,.2f}")

    elif model == "cpa":
        conversions = visitors * conversion_rate
        total = conversions * commission_value
        print(f"CPA Model ({(conversion_rate*100):.1f}% conversion, "
              f"${commission_value:.2f}/lead):")
        print(f"  {visitors:,} visitors → {conversions:.0f} leads → "
              f"${total:,.2f}")

    elif model == "cpc":
        ctr = conversion_rate
        total = visitors * ctr * commission_value
        print(f"CPC Model ({ctr:.1f}% CTR, "
              f"${commission_value:.2f}/click):")
        print(f"  {visitors:,} visitors → "
              f"{visitors * ctr:.0f} clicks → ${total:,.2f}")

    return total

# Compare models for 50,000 monthly visitors
calculate_affiliate_earnings("cps", 50000, 0.03, 15.00)
calculate_affiliate_earnings("cpa", 50000, 0.05, 5.00)
calculate_affiliate_earnings("cpc", 50000, 0.04, 0.25)

<!-- Direct affiliate link -->
<a href="https://dodatech.com/download?ref=affiliate123&utm_source=blog"
   target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">
  Download Doda Browser
</a>

<!-- Cloaked link (using redirect) -->
<a href="https://go.dodatech.com/affiliate123"
   target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">
  Get Doda Browser Free
</a>

// Affiliate cookie example (simplified)
function setAffiliateCookie(affiliateId, days) {
  const expires = new Date();
  expires.setTime(expires.getTime() + days * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000);
  document.cookie = `affiliate_id=${affiliateId};expires=${expires.toUTCString()};path=/`;
  console.log(`Affiliate cookie set: ${affiliateId} (${days} days)`);
}

function getAffiliateCookie() {
  const match = document.cookie.match(/(?:^|; )affiliate_id=([^;]*)/);
  return match ? match[1] : null;
}

// When someone clicks an affiliate link
document.querySelectorAll('.affiliate-link').forEach(link => {
  link.addEventListener('click', function(e) {
    const affiliateId = this.dataset.affiliateId;
    if (affiliateId) {
      setAffiliateCookie(affiliateId, 30);
      console.log('Affiliate cookie set from click');
    }
  });
});

<!-- Good disclosure — clear, prominent, before the link -->
<p>
  <strong>Disclosure:</strong> Some links on this page are affiliate links.
  If you purchase through them, DodaTech earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
  <a href="/affiliate-policy" target="_blank">Learn more</a>.
</p>

<!-- Affiliate link with proper rel attribute -->
<a href="https://dodatech.com/download?ref=tutorial123"
   rel="nofollow sponsored"
   class="affiliate-link">
  Download Doda Browser
</a>

# affiliate_program_setup.py
class AffiliateProgram:
    def __init__(self, name, commission_rate, cookie_days):
        self.name = name
        self.commission_rate = commission_rate
        self.cookie_days = cookie_days
        self.affiliates = {}
        self.sales = []

    def register_affiliate(self, affiliate_id, name, email):
        self.affiliates[affiliate_id] = {
            'name': name,
            'email': email,
            'clicks': 0,
            'conversions': 0,
            'revenue': 0.0
        }
        print(f"Affiliate registered: {name} (ID: {affiliate_id})")

    def track_conversion(self, affiliate_id, order_value):
        if affiliate_id not in self.affiliates:
            print(f"Unknown affiliate: {affiliate_id}")
            return

        commission = order_value * self.commission_rate
        self.affiliates[affiliate_id]['conversions'] += 1
        self.affiliates[affiliate_id]['revenue'] += commission
        self.sales.append({
            'affiliate': affiliate_id,
            'order': order_value,
            'commission': commission
        })
        print(f"Commission earned: ${commission:.2f} for {affiliate_id}")

    def generate_report(self):
        print(f"\n=== {self.name} Affiliate Report ===")
        print(f"{'Affiliate':<15} {'Sales':<8} "
              f"{'Revenue':<10} {'Commission':<10}")
        print("-" * 43)
        for aid, data in self.affiliates.items():
            print(f"{data['name']:<15} {data['conversions']:<8} "
                  f"${data['revenue']:<8.2f} "
                  f"${data['revenue'] * self.commission_rate:<8.2f}")

# Example: DodaTech's affiliate program
program = AffiliateProgram("DodaTech Tools", 0.20, 30)
program.register_affiliate("A001", "TechBlogger", "tech@blog.com")
program.register_affiliate("A002", "DevTuber", "dev@youtube.com")
program.track_conversion("A001", 45.00)
program.track_conversion("A002", 45.00)
program.track_conversion("A001", 89.00)
program.generate_report()