The Best Affiliate Programs for Back-To-School Season: A Comprehensive Guide

Published : 03 Aug 2024   author : Irina

As the summer ends, the back-to-school season presents a lucrative opportunity for marketers and businesses, that’s why we have selected the best affiliate programs for back-to school season, which have everything you need to make this shopping season the most profitable ever.

Parents, students, and educators are on the hunt for essential supplies, the latest gadgets, and innovative tools to make the upcoming academic year a success. For affiliate marketers, this period is ripe with potential, offering a chance to capitalize on the increased spending and demand for school-related products.

With countless affiliate programs available, identifying the most profitable and reliable options can be a daunting task. This guide delves into the best affiliate programs for back-to-school, highlighting top-notch choices that promise high commissions, quality products, and robust support to ensure your marketing efforts hit the mark. We will provide you with the insights needed to boost your earnings during this peak shopping season. 

Our insights focus on the US, however, we have affiliate programs for Europe and other regions as well.

Let’s dive into your profitable BTS season!

E-commerce of the Back-To-School season 

How long will Back-to School Season 2024 continue?  

Even though a lot of parents of schoolkids and students have already started their BTS shopping, approximately 86% still have more than a half of shopping list needed to be purchased. So, the BTS season will continue till mid-September. The reasons for this prolonged shopping are mostly anticipating bigger deals and figuring out what other items will be needed.  

How much are people planning to spend? 

  • $875 on average by families with children from elementary through high school 
  • $1,365 on average by college students and their families  

Total back-to-school spending, including both preparations for school kids and college students, is expected to reach $125.4 billion ($38.8 billion for school kids and $86.6 billion for college students). 

What do consumers buy during Back-to-School season? 

K-12 shoppers (it’s a short form for individuals involved in purchasing products and services for K-12 education, which includes kindergarten through 12th grade) 

  • Electronics: 13.7 billion  
  • Clothing and accessories: $11.2 billion 
  • School supplies: $6.3 billion 
  • Shoes: $7.6 billion 

What are the top shopping destinations? 

  • 57% – online 
  • 50% – department stores 
  • 47% – discount stores 
  • 42% – clothing stores 
  • 23% – electronics stores 

College kids and families 

  • Electronics: $22.8 billion   
  • Dorm or apartment furnishings: $12.2 billion 
  • Clothing and accessories: $10.9 billion 
  • Food: $9.5 billion 
  • Shoes: $7.1 billion 

What are the top shopping destinations? 

  • 50% – online 
  • 35% – department stores 
  • 31% – discount stores 
  • 26% – college bookstores  
  • 26% – office supply stores 
  • 26% – clothing stores 

Source: NRF  

BTS unrelated purchases 

Although parents are concentrating on necessities, 85% of parents are eager to splurge on a must-have item or brand to make the start of school exciting or enhance their child’s self-esteem. 

50% of parents are going to shop for themselves too during this season, and parents who buy items for themselves while shopping for their children tend to spend 1.4 times more than those who don’t. 

Source: eMarketer, Deloitte’s 2024 back-to-school survey 

What’s next? 

Consumers will keep shopping in August. According to the NRF, 55% of shoppers began their shopping in early July, yet most still have at least half of their purchases remaining. One of the reasons behind that is waiting for more deals, because price is one of the most crucial factors for the majority of customers.  More than 80% of consumers consider rewards programs and loyalty as one of  impactful aspects when making decisions on purchases.   

As you see, back-to-school season is in full swing. Let’s get to the best affiliate programs from e-commerce and travel verticals which can bring you big profits.  

The best affiliate programs for back-to-school season 2024 

Multicategory retailers 

Walmart Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 12.58.20

Type: CPS 

GEO: US 

Payout: up to 15% 

Cookie: 3 days 

Hold: 90 days 

Deeplinks: yes 

AR: 50.22% 

Clothing and shoes 

Matalan Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 13.04.40

Type: CPS 

GEO: GB 

Payout: 1% 

Cookie: 30 days 

Hold: 60 days 

Deeplinks: yes 

AR: 43% 

Crocs Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 14.34.24 Type: CPS 

GEO: FR, DE, SG, GB 

Payout: 1% 

Cookie: 60 days 

Hold: 30 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 80% 

Electronics 

Best Buy Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 15.45.01

Type: CPS 

GEO: US 

Payout: 0.5% 

Cookie: 45 days 

Hold: 70 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 11% 

Goodee Affiliate Program 

best affiliate programs back to school

Type: CPS 

GEO: US, GB 

Payout: up to 14% 

Cookie: 60 days 

Hold: 60 days 

Deeplinks: no 

Gabb Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 18.08.49

Type: CPS 

GEO: US 

Payout: $24.5 

Cookie: 30 days 

Hold: 60 days 

Deeplinks: no 

Books 

AbeBooks Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 16.04.22

Type: CPS 

GEO: Worldwide 

Payout: 2% 

Cookie: 50 days 

Hold: 90 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 65% 

ThriftBooks Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 16.12.41

Type: CPS 

GEO: US 

Payout: 4% 

Cookie: 7 days 

Hold: 45 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 80% 

EdTech 

Udemy Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 16.49.10

Type: CPS 

GEO: Worldwide 

Payout: 10% 

Cookie: 7 days 

Hold: 60 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 91% 

Domestika Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 16.52.27

Type: CPS 

GEO: AR, BR, CA, CL, FR, DE, IT, MX, NL, PL, PT, ES, GB, US 

Payout: up to 40% 

Cookie: 30 days 

Hold: 60 days 

Deeplinks: yes 

AR: 45% 

Marketplaces 

AliExpress Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 17.06.41

Type: CPS 

GEO: Worldwide 

Payout: up to 8% 

Cookie: 3 days 

Hold: 30 days 

Deeplinks: yes 

AR: 77% 

TEMU Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 18.52.26

Type: CPS 

GEO: AU, AT, BE, BR, CA, CL, CO, CZ, DK, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IE, IT, JP, KR, MY, MX, NL, NZ, NO, PH, PL, PT, RO, SK, ES, SE, CH, UA, GB, US 

Payout: up to 15% 

Cookie: 1 day 

Hold: 120 days 

Deeplinks: yes 

AR: 50% 

LightInTheBox Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 17.13.31 

Type: CPS 

GEO: Worldwide 

Payout: 1% 

Cookie: 30 days 

Hold: 75 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 66% 

DHgate Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 17.24.56

Type: CPS 

GEO: Worldwide 

Payout: up to 15% 

Cookie: 30 days 

Hold: 60 days 

Deeplinks: yes 

AR: 70% 

Train tickets (for Europe GEOs) 

Trainline Affiliate Program 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 17.50.35

Type: CPS 

GEO: GB 

Payout: up to 8% 

Cookie: 30 days 

Hold: 30 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 95% 

National Express Affiliate Program (EXCLUSIVE) 

Screenshot 2024 08 02 at 17.57.17

Type: CPS 

GEO: FR, DE, GB 

Payout: up to 8% 

Cookie: 30 days 

Hold: 60 days 

Deeplinks: no 

AR: 4%  

Marketing techniques for your affiliate campaigns for this Back-to-school season 

Affiliate marketers can capitalize on the back-to-school season by strategically planning their campaigns to meet the needs of students, parents, and educators. Here are some detailed pieces of advice to optimize back-to-school affiliate marketing efforts:

1. Understand Your Audience

  • Segment Your Audience: Identify and segment your target audience into categories such as K-12 students, college students, parents, and teachers. Tailor your messaging and promotions to each segment. 
  • Research Trends: Stay updated on the latest back-to-school trends, popular products, and educational needs to create relevant content and promotions.

2. Choose the Right Products

  • Promote Essential Items: Focus on essentials like school supplies, backpacks, electronics (laptops, tablets, calculators), clothing, and footwear. 
  • Highlight New and Innovative Products: Showcase the latest tech gadgets, learning tools, and innovative products that can enhance the educational experience.

3. Create Engaging Content

  • Product Reviews and Comparisons: Write detailed reviews and comparisons of popular back-to-school products to help consumers make informed decisions. 
  • Guides and Checklists: Develop comprehensive buying guides, checklists, and tips for back-to-school shopping. 
  • Video Content: Create unboxing videos, tutorials, and product demonstrations to engage visual learners.

4. Utilize Multiple Channels

  • Social Media: Leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest to reach a broader audience with engaging posts, stories, and ads. 
  • Email Marketing: Send targeted email campaigns with personalized recommendations, exclusive discounts, and timely reminders. 
  • Blog and SEO: Optimize your blog posts and website content for SEO to attract organic traffic from search engines.

5. Offer Exclusive Deals and Discounts

  • Promotions and Coupons: Offer special discounts, promo codes, and limited-time offers. You can find a bunch of promo codes in our offer descriptions.  
  • Bundle Deals: Create attractive bundle deals combining various products, such as a laptop with a backpack or stationery set. 
  • Early Bird and Last-Minute Deals: Cater to early shoppers and procrastinators with specific promotions.

6. Optimize Your Landing Pages

  • Dedicated Back-to-School Sections: Create dedicated landing pages or sections on your website specifically for back-to-school products. 
  • Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website and landing pages are mobile-friendly, as many shoppers will browse and purchase from their phones. 

7. Plan for Seasonality

  • Post-Season Follow-Up: After the peak season, continue to engage with your audience by promoting leftover inventory, clearance sales, or other educational content. 

By implementing these strategies, affiliate marketers can effectively capture the back-to-school market, drive traffic, and increase conversions during this lucrative season. 

 

Bottom line 

The back-to-school season presents a golden opportunity for affiliate marketers to tap into a thriving market. By promoting the best affiliate programs tailored to the needs of students, parents, and educators, marketers can maximize their earnings and provide valuable resources to their audience.  

Remember, the key to a successful back-to-school campaign lies in understanding your audience, creating engaging and informative content, and leveraging multiple marketing channels. Partnering with out top-notch affiliate programs and boost your affiliate income.  

Happy marketing and here’s to a profitable back-to-school season!  

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