How To Make $150 Per Day With Shopify | Shopify Affiliate Program

If you need $150 a day and you already spend time online, the Shopify affiliate program is one of the most direct paths to that number. One paid Shopify signup. One $150 commission. Do that once a day and you hit the target. The math is not complicated. Getting consistent referrals is where most people get stuck, and that is exactly what this post breaks down.

In the video above, Alston walks through the commission structure, the sign-up process, and seven specific content strategies for getting in front of people who are already looking for what Shopify does. Every strategy listed here came directly from that video, including real view counts from real small channels so you can see what is actually possible without a big audience.

What You’ll Walk Out With

The exact commission structure: $150 per paid subscription, $500 for a point-of-sale machine
How to join the Shopify affiliate program through Impact.com (Impact Radius) for free
How to create a course on Udemy or Skillshare that pays you on the front end and back end
Seven content angles that work on YouTube and TikTok even if you have under 3,000 subscribers
The “Shopify versus” keyword strategy and how to go through the alphabet to find untapped comparisons
Four lead magnet ideas that build your email list and keep the pipeline full
A plain look at what takes time and what to expect in the first 60 to 90 days
A free tool to find your best starting point: finder.platformproof.com

The Shopify Affiliate Program: Commission Breakdown

Shopify pays $150 per referral when the person you send signs up for a paid subscription. A free trial does not count. The person has to actually pull out a card and subscribe before you earn anything. That matters because it sets your targeting strategy: you want to reach people who are already sold on the idea of starting an online store, not people who are still wondering whether e-commerce is worth it.

There is a second commission tier that most people overlook. Shopify sells a point-of-sale machine, a physical card reader and retail system, for brick-and-mortar stores. If you refer a clothing boutique, a pop-up shop, or any retailer that needs a POS setup, the commission is $500 per signup. That is one referral a month paying $500 on top of whatever you make from standard subscriptions. Brick-and-mortar business owners are a smaller audience, but the payout is more than three times higher.

For most affiliates, the main opportunity is the $150 digital subscription commission. The audience is broad: dropshippers, print-on-demand sellers, service providers who want an online storefront, artists selling their work, and anyone who has ever thought about selling something online. That is a lot of people, and Shopify is one of the first names they hear.

How to Sign Up for the Shopify Affiliate Program

Shopify runs its affiliate program through Impact Radius, also known as impact.com. Impact is an affiliate network, which means it sits between you and Shopify, handling your affiliate links, tracking conversions, and issuing your commission payments. You do not apply directly to Shopify. You apply through Impact.

Start at impact.com and create a free account. The signup is free, but you will likely need a website to get approved. If you do not have one, getting a basic site up first is worth the effort. Once your Impact account is live, go to the Brands section and search for Shopify. Apply to the program and wait for approval. Once approved, you get your affiliate links and any creative assets Shopify provides through the network.

One practical tip from the video: before you start creating content, scroll through the main Shopify homepage and look at the words they put in bold or highlight. Those words tell you what Shopify’s own marketing team believes matters most to their customers. Build your online store. Sell to every buyer. Point-of-sale. Those phrases reveal the pain points and desires you should be speaking to in your content.

Method 1: Create a Course on Udemy or Skillshare

One of the highest-value strategies in the video is building a course on a platform like Udemy or Skillshare around dropshipping or starting a Shopify store. The math here is unusually good: you get paid for the course itself on the front end, and then every student who follows your instructions and signs up for Shopify generates a $150 affiliate commission on the back end.

When Alston searched “drop shipping” on Udemy during the recording, he found courses priced between $19.99 and $24.99 in the category. Some were being offered at the Udemy promotional price. The same search showed a clear demand signal: people are actively looking for structured instruction on how to build a dropshipping business, and Shopify is the platform they need to make it work.

You do not have to charge for the course at all. Offering it free in exchange for an email address turns the course into a lead magnet and gets you a subscriber you can market to over time. If you already have an audience on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, you can point them to a $4.97 paid course and still earn the affiliate commission from every student who uses your Shopify link. The course pays you. The affiliate commission pays you. That is two revenue streams from one piece of work.

Method 2: YouTube Reviews, Tutorials, and Setup Walkthroughs

YouTube is the highest-value free traffic source for Shopify affiliate commissions because the people searching for Shopify tutorials are not casually curious. They have already decided they want to build a store. They are in the research and comparison phase. That makes them easy to convert. You are not convincing them that e-commerce is a good idea. You are just helping them figure out the right tool.

The content angles that work best are reviews, full setup walkthroughs, and beginner tutorials. When Alston searched YouTube for these during the video, the top results showed channels with under 3,000 subscribers earning 6,800 views and 10,000 views on single videos. One result showed a complete Shopify tutorial from 2023 sitting at 1,600 views from a channel with 3,000 subscribers. These are not massive channels. They are regular people who published the right content in the right category.

The reason small channels can compete here is the nature of the audience. Someone searching “complete Shopify tutorial 2024” is not looking for entertainment. They are looking for information. A clear, well-organized walkthrough from a 500-subscriber channel beats a flashy video from a big creator if the walkthrough actually shows them how to do the thing. Production quality matters less than clarity and completeness.

In your description and in the video itself, include your affiliate link with a clear explanation of what it does. Tell viewers it is a free trial link, explain they need to start a paid subscription to use the store, and point out that using your link helps support the channel. Transparency builds trust and it is required by FTC guidelines for affiliate content.

Method 3: “Shopify Versus” Comparison Content

Comparison content is one of the highest-converting content categories in affiliate marketing. When someone searches “Shopify versus Squarespace” or “Shopify versus Wix,” they are very close to a decision. They have narrowed it down to two options. Your job is to give them a clear comparison so they can make the call. Most of the time, if you do the comparison honestly and Shopify is the right fit for their use case, you can recommend it with confidence.

Alston used the “Shopify versus Squarespace” query as an example during the video. The results showed a video with 5,200 views from a 72,000-subscriber channel and another with 12,000 views from a 23,000-subscriber channel. On TikTok, the same query showed individual comparison videos pulling 8,000 views, 2,000 views, and 739 views. These are not viral numbers, but they represent real people who are deciding right now. Even a 739-view video converting at 5% produces 37 potential referrals.

The alphabet strategy Alston describes is one of the most practical research methods in the video. Type “Shopify versus” and then go through each letter of the alphabet in the YouTube or TikTok search bar. See what autocomplete suggestions appear. Some letters will produce nothing useful. Others will surface comparisons you had not thought of: Shopify versus BigCommerce, Shopify versus Printify, Shopify versus Etsy. Each one is a video idea with a built-in audience of people ready to choose.

For each comparison video, cover the pricing of both platforms, the key features, who each one is best suited for, and then make a genuine recommendation based on the viewer’s situation. You do not have to push Shopify in every video. If Squarespace is better for a specific use case, say so. That honesty is what makes viewers trust your affiliate link when Shopify is the right answer.

Method 4: “Best Websites for [Niche]” Lists

Another strong content category is the “best websites for” format. These searches happen across every niche: best websites for drop shipping, best websites for affiliate marketing, best websites for selling clothes, best websites for selling handmade goods. Each one is a list article or list video opportunity where Shopify can appear as a top recommendation.

In the video, Alston pulled up a “best drop shipping websites” video that had 6,000 views from a channel with 1,000 subscribers, published five months earlier. A “best websites for selling clothes” search returned a result with 27,000 views from a 5,000-subscriber channel. The numbers tell the same story as the comparison content: this audience is highly targeted and relatively small channels can reach them.

For this format, pick five to six options in your list and rank them honestly. Shopify does not need to be number one on every list for you to earn commissions. Some readers will resonate with the number two or number three pick and click through anyway. Include your affiliate link in the description for each platform you recommend that has an affiliate program. This is how you can stack multiple income streams from a single piece of content.

Method 5: Business Name Generator Content

One of the more creative angles in the video involves business name generator traffic. Shopify itself ranks for “business name generator” keywords because they understand a simple truth: anyone looking for a business name is about to start a business, and every real business eventually needs a website. The connection between the search intent and the product is one step removed, which means less competition than direct Shopify queries.

The strategy is to create content around business name generation in a specific niche. Alston used tennis as an example during the video: you type “tennis business name generator” and walk viewers through the process. When their name idea lands and a domain is available, the next natural step is getting a website. That is where you recommend Shopify. The viewer came in searching for a name and leaves with a clear path to launching their store using your affiliate link.

This angle works well for niches where people are starting from scratch: food, fitness, fashion, crafts, sports, and local services. The person searching has not even committed to a business name yet, which means they are very early in the process. You can be the guide who walks them from naming to launching, and Shopify fits naturally into that journey.

Method 6: “How to Sell [Blank] Online” Content

Search any product category plus “how to sell online” and you will find real search volume and real content gaps. How to sell clothes online. How to sell handmade jewelry online. How to sell digital art online. How to sell vintage items online. Each of these searches represents someone who has something to sell and wants to know where to start.

Shopify fits every one of these searches as the platform recommendation. In the video, Alston typed “how to sell” and then went through the alphabet to find variations: how to sell clothes online, how to sell without products, and others. The results showed clear demand and relatively low subscriber counts among the creators winning those results.

For this content type, lead with the specific niche. A video titled “How to Sell Handmade Candles Online” will outperform “How to Start an E-commerce Store” for someone who makes candles, even if the underlying advice is similar. Specific titles attract specific viewers, and specific viewers convert better than general traffic. Put your Shopify affiliate link in the description and mention it naturally in the video when you reach the part about choosing a platform.

Method 7: Affiliate Marketing Alternatives Content

The final strategy in the video is creating content about alternatives to affiliate marketing. This sounds counterintuitive for an affiliate marketer, but the logic is solid. Someone searching “affiliate marketing alternatives” is interested in making money online, knows what affiliate marketing is, and is looking for other paths. Dropshipping using Shopify is a natural alternative to present.

You can expand this to cover alternatives for any popular online business model: freelancing alternatives, blogging alternatives, print-on-demand alternatives, social media marketing alternatives. In each case, you put together a list of five or six options, explain each one honestly, and include dropshipping or e-commerce as one of the alternatives with a link to your free Shopify training or your affiliate link.

This content type works particularly well because it shows up in front of people who are researching their options before committing. They are not burned out on any one model yet. They are still open. A calm, honest comparison of options including dropshipping via Shopify can be the nudge that sends them through your link.

Not sure which online business model fits your skills and schedule?

Answer five questions and get a personalized recommendation at finder.platformproof.com. Free, no email required.

Lead Magnets That Keep the Pipeline Full

Every content strategy above works better when you have a lead magnet pulling viewers into your email list. A lead magnet is something you give away free in exchange for an email address. Once you have that address, you can follow up over time, share new content, and present your Shopify affiliate link again if someone did not convert the first time.

In the video, Alston mentions four lead magnets that work well for this niche:

A dropshipping checklist: a step-by-step PDF covering what someone needs before launching their first store
A free drop shipping course: a short email sequence or video series that walks through the setup process and naturally includes your Shopify affiliate link
A free Shopify course: similar to the drop shipping course but focused specifically on the platform
A free website template: Shopify allows theme customization, and a pre-built template you give away becomes a reason for someone to use your affiliate link when they sign up

The goal of the lead magnet is not to replace the affiliate commission but to extend the time you have to earn it. Someone who clicks your video, does not sign up for Shopify, but downloads your checklist can still convert two weeks later when they are ready to move. Without that email address, they are gone forever. With it, you stay in front of them until they are ready.

Honest Drawbacks: What the Video Does Not Oversell

Alston ends the video with a comment worth repeating: $150 per day is possible and attainable, but it will take time. This is not a same-day income strategy. You are creating content, building an audience, and waiting for the content to rank or circulate. The first video or article you publish is unlikely to generate a commission. The tenth might. The thirtieth probably will.

There are also approval gates to clear. Impact.com wants to see that you have a real website and an audience before approving your application to the Shopify program. If you are starting from zero, expect to spend a few weeks building a basic site and getting some content published before you can even apply. That is not a reason to avoid the program. It is a reason to start the site now rather than later.

The $500 POS commission is real, but reaching brick-and-mortar business owners requires different content than reaching online entrepreneurs. If your audience is primarily people building side hustles from home, the POS commission may never apply to your traffic. The $150 standard commission is the number you should plan your content strategy around.

Finally, the Shopify affiliate program is competitive. You are not the only person creating Shopify reviews and tutorials. The advantage you have is specificity: the more narrowly you define your audience (candle makers, clothing resellers, photographers selling prints), the less competition you face and the more your content resonates with the exact person who is ready to buy.

Find Your X

Shopify affiliate marketing is one path to $150 a day. But it is not the only path, and it may not be the right one depending on what skills you already have and what platform you are most comfortable creating content on. If you are not sure where to start, the Platform Proof Finder can help. Answer five quick questions about your schedule, your skills, and what you have tried before, and it will point you toward the method most likely to work for your specific situation.

No email required. No pitch at the end. Just a clear recommendation based on your answers. Visit finder.platformproof.com to find your starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Shopify store of my own to join the affiliate program?

No. You are promoting Shopify to other people who want to start stores. You do not need to run an e-commerce business yourself. You do need a website and a presence online, which is what Impact.com reviews when you apply, but you are not required to be a Shopify merchant.

How long does it take to earn the first $150 commission?

It depends entirely on when your first piece of content gets traction. Some creators make their first commission within 30 days if they already have an audience. For someone starting from zero, three to six months is a more realistic window. The video is clear that consistency and persistence are required. One video is not enough.

Does the free trial count toward my commission?

No. As stated in the video, the referred person has to sign up for a paid Shopify subscription for you to earn $150. A free trial referral generates no commission. This is important for your content strategy: target people who are ready to commit, not people who are still casually exploring the idea.

Can I promote the Shopify affiliate program on TikTok without a website?

You can drive traffic from TikTok, but you still need to meet Impact.com’s application requirements, which typically include having a website. Even if TikTok is your main platform, setting up a basic website and putting your Shopify content there makes you a stronger applicant and gives you a second place for your affiliate links to live.

Is the Shopify versus content strategy still worth doing in 2025?

Yes. Shopify releases updates and changes its pricing periodically, which means comparison content needs to be refreshed, but it also means there is always a reason for people to search for current comparisons. A “Shopify versus Squarespace 2025” video published in January will pull search traffic for months if the content is accurate and complete.

What if I do not know anything about drop shipping or e-commerce?

That is actually a useful starting point. Document your learning process. “I am learning how to start a Shopify store from scratch” is a compelling content hook that shows authenticity and invites others who are in the same position. You do not need to be an expert to help someone who is one step behind you. The affiliate link works either way.

How many pieces of content do I need to make before I start seeing results?

There is no fixed number, but based on what Alston shows in the video, small channels with 10 to 30 videos in a niche are the ones pulling 6,000 to 30,000 views per video. The pattern is not one viral hit. It is consistent publishing in a focused topic area until the algorithm recognizes you as a reliable source of Shopify-related content.

Can I earn the $500 POS commission alongside regular subscription commissions?

Yes. The two commission tiers are separate. If you refer someone who signs up for an online store, you earn $150. If you refer a brick-and-mortar business owner who purchases the POS machine, you earn $500. The two do not cancel each other out. If you build content targeting retail business owners in addition to online entrepreneurs, you can stack both.

Sources

Shopify Affiliate Program overview via shopify.com (as shown in video)
Impact.com affiliate network: impact.com
Udemy dropshipping course listings and pricing shown in video
YouTube search results for “Shopify tutorial,” “Shopify review,” and “Shopify versus Squarespace” as demonstrated in video
TikTok search results for “Shopify versus Squarespace” as demonstrated in video
Keyword research tool data showing 3.7 million monthly Shopify searches (shown in video)