Want the truth about ClickBank? Find out if this affiliate network is right for you.

So you want to make money through affiliate marketing, huh?

You can smell the moolah.

And among hundreds of affiliate marketing networks out there, all promising you a piece of the scrumptious $12 billion pie, one has caught your fancy.

ClickBank.

But there’s a problem.

You’ve heard a lot of good things about ClickBank.

You’ve also heard many bad things.

What’s true? What’s fiction? Can you really make money on ClickBank? How can you successfully navigate the rich but perilous waters of the ClickBank platform?

That’s what this step-by-step guide is all about.

An unvarnished look at ClickBank, warts and all.

Let’s get to it.

What is ClickBank?

Founded in 1998 in a garage in San Diego California, ClickBank is one of the granddaddies of affiliate marketing networks.

You can make money with ClickBank as a product vendor or affiliate marketer without working like a frazzled cubicle slave.

Here are some staggering numbers about the ClickBank marketplace:

- 200 million customers spread across 190 countries.
- 87th largest Internet retailer in North America.
- 276 categories and 21562 product listings.
- 6 million entrepreneurs on the platform.
- Over 200 million dollars in annual sales.

In short: you can make a killing on this leading affiliate marketplace.

The best part?

Joining a lucrative affiliate program on ClickBank is not labor-intensive like writing for money or making money blogging.

ClickBank is a good option for bloggers, entrepreneurs, and digital content creators who wish to promote digital and lifestyle products.

How is ClickBank Different From Other Affiliate Networks?

ClickBank is not your typical traditional affiliate network.

Five good things stand out:

- Simplicity. The sign-up process is straightforward. You can sign-up for a ClickBank account within a few minutes and start trading without complicated paperwork to fill or administrative hoops to jump through.

- Inclusivity. Anyone can join the network for free. It’s perfect for beginners who want to learn the ropes of affiliate marketing.

- Duality. On most affiliate marketing networks you go in either as a vendor or an affiliate. ClickBank allows you to enter the fray both as a vendor and a marketer so you maximize your earnings.

- Large Selection. With thousands of dazzling affiliate products in every conceivable niche to choose from, your affiliate program choices are numerous.

- Good Commission Rates. ClickBank pays high commissions of up to 75% or even 100%. Plus, they pay fast so you won’t have to wait long to splurge on that you-know-what you’ve had your eye on.

However, there are cons as well:

- Slow Customer Service. Some reports from the Better Business Bureau claim ClickBank may take up to 7 days to respond to customer emails.

- Some Junk Products. More about how to overcome this in a bit.

- Fierce Competition for Quality Programs. A good problem to have, if you ask me.

What are the Sign Up Requirements for ClickBank?

ClickBank is free for anyone, both new affiliates and old, to join.

All you need to join is:

- Live in an eligible country (United States, Canada, etc.) Nigerians are not legally eligible but we would get to that later.

- Enable cookies in your browser

- Have a Tax ID or Social Security number (if you live in the U.S.)

If you plan to register as a ClickBank vendor, you must pay a one-time activation fee of $49.95. You pay only $29.95 for any additional accounts.

What Affiliate Programs are Available with ClickBank?

Whether you are a tentative newbie who wants to dip a toe into this make-money-online thing or a veteran digital marketer who wants to grow her earnings, ClickBank has got you covered.

There are many affiliate programs and multiple products and categories to choose from:

Arts & Entertainment
As Seen on TV
Betting Systems
Business/Investing
Computers/Internet
Cooking, Food, & Wine
E-Business & E-Marketing (Internet Marketing)
Education
Employment & Jobs
Fiction
Games
Green Products
Health & Fitness
Home & Garden
Languages
Mobile
Parenting & Families
Politics/Current Events
Reference
Self-Help
Software & Services
New Age & Alternative Beliefs
Sports
Travel

Not sure where to start? No worries.

What are ClickBank’s Payment Methods?

With ClickBank, you can receive payments in four different ways:

Payment Method #1: Check

The good old paper check is the default payment option. It’s mailed to the address listed in your account.

Payment Method #2: Direct Deposit

ClickBank offers direct deposit in the U.S. and other select countries at no extra charge. Direct deposits take 1-2 business days to reach your account.

Payment Method #3: Wire Transfer

You can receive payments by wire transfer. This option is for countries not covered by international direct deposit. Payments take up to 5 days (depending on where you live).

Payment Method #4: Payoneer

You can also get paid using the Payoneer Mastercard, an international money transfer service you can get for free. Payoneer allows you to open a U.S bank account where your money is deposited.

As you see, ClickBank gives you a lot of options. Plus:

ClickBank doesn’t tie you to the payment method you’ve chosen.

You can change your payment method at any time. It’s your money, so you receive it your way. But, it may take up to seven days for the new payment method to work.

Whenever you change your email address or password, you can’t switch payment methods for a week. This protects you from fraudsters.

You can set the payment threshold as low as $10.

Is ClickBank a Scam? Or, as the Kids Would Say, is ClickBank Legit?

Is ClickBank an elaborate racket or a genuine online business?

Yes, it’s true. Some ClickBank affiliate programs are of low quality. Over-hyped junk products are a dime a dozen. But that’s half the story.

There are solid programs on there too.

ClickBank’s like a mega supermarket packed with assorted goods.

Don’t like what’s on the shelf? No problem. Move to another aisle. You’ll soon find what you want.

With a seemingly infinite number of digital products from entrepreneurs all over the world to choose from, your perfect product awaits.

That’s why millions of entrepreneurs are on the platform. Some ClickBank affiliates and vendors have been with them for decades.

But, ultimately, it’s your reputation on the line. You owe it to yourself and your audience to double-check other people’s products before you promote them.

Here are some tips to help:

5 Smart Ways Not To Get Burned on ClickBank

To weed out the garbage and uncover the gemstones, follow these tips when choosing a product:

1. Try the product first
You genuinely want to help people, right?

Then why not ask for a review sample product from the product creator to see if it’s the real deal. If they say no, buy the product yourself.

This way, you’ll be sure of the product’s authenticity.

2. Check the product reviews
Scour through customers’ feedback about the product you intend to sell. Not just reviews by other affiliates because those may be biased. Look for reviews on trusted review sites like Trust Pilot. If the product is popular, it’s likely to have a product review somewhere on the web.

3. Check the product’s gravity score
Gravity is the number of affiliates who have sold a vendor’s product in the last 12 weeks.

Each gravity point is an endorsement of the product, and the higher the gravity, the higher the product’s trustworthiness.

4. Watch out for overblown claims
While it’s possible to make money on ClickBank, it’s not magic. If a ClickBank offer promises you a million dollars overnight while you binge-watch Friends on Netflix, stay away.

They’re fake. They’re tricksters. And they’re out to get you.

Run, and never look back.

5. Be on the lookout for shadowy vendors
Cheats lurk in the shadows. They don’t want to show their faces.

Google vendors that interest you.

Can’t find them? Think twice.

Good vendors have a traceable online history.

Take Note:
These tips aren’t only for ClickBank — smart bloggers and entrepreneurs use them for CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, eBay Partner Network, Amazon Associates, and every other affiliate platform.

It doesn’t matter how much affiliate marketing experience you have or how well known the affiliate network is, you need to do your homework.