Woodworking affiliate programs are some of the best ways to monetize your hobby and help fellow artisans discover products and services that can boost their craft.
After all, nearly 17 million American households do woodwork as a hobby, behind drawing, scrapbooking, and crocheting.
Here’s the real gem!
Woodworking hobbyists and enthusiasts spend over $3 billion to pursue their passions.
Now, that’s plenty of opportunities to earn a passive income while enjoying your hobby.
So, which affiliate programs should you join? Hang tight because we have nine platforms worth joining today!
9 Best Woodworking Affiliate Programs for 2023: Join Today!
Amazon Associates
A brand that requires no introductions, Amazon covers almost every imaginable niche. It has a huge selection of products (over 353 million) from over 9.7 million merchants across 234 countries. In 2022, this industry giant generated a whopping $514 billion.
And get this!
Amazon has over 900,000 Associates promoting various products across multiple niches. And while it might seem counterproductive to join an already-saturated platform, beginner affiliates should still sign up with Amazon.
The affiliate support mechanism is exceptional, and the user experience is superb. And while you specialize in woodworking products, you can also market offerings from other various niches (i.e., games, electronics, health & beauty, and more).
Your chances of earning more this year increases exponentially with Amazon’s diverse, multi-million offerings.
Unfortunately, its 24-hour cookie duration remains the “elephant in the room.”
Still, don’t be surprised if seasoned affiliates tell you to join Amazon Associates. Income-generating opportunities abound with this platform, especially when you remain steadfast in your marketing campaigns.
- Commission: 3% for woodworking tools
- Cookie lifespan: 24 hours
Etsy
Etsy might not have an impressive selection of woodworking tools, but the platform is a haven for the finest craftspeople with an enterprising spirit.
It’s an e-commerce company and the brainchild of Rob Kalin, Haim Schoppik, and Chris Maguire. This 2005-established brand specializes in handmade products (including stunning wood-derived items), wares, and vintage and rare objects.
As a woodworking affiliate, you can focus your campaign on Etsy’s “woodworking & carpentry” under its “craft supplies & tools” category, although promoting other items from other niches wouldn’t hurt.
Although Etsy’s affiliate commissions aren’t as lucrative as others, it has an ace up its sleeve.
Conversion!
Did you know Etsy has more favorable conversion rates (1% to 3%) than other platforms (industry average is 0.5% to 1%)? Super-affiliates can even reach 5%.
These figures suggest 1 to 3 out of 100 Etsy visitors buy products from the program. And that can translate to better commissions.
Now that’s something worth looking forward to!
- Commission: 2% (user-generated content), 4% (standard publishers)
- Cookie lifespan: 30 days (7 days on Etsy mobile app)
Rockler
Rockler is an online business with over 30 physical stores and over 60 retailers across the US. It offers high-quality woodworking resources, such as hardware, hand tools, power tools, workshop systems, and wood.
And here’s something wood artisans will love about Rockler.
It offers woodworking plans for free!
Established in 1954 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rockler’s humble beginnings as a mail-order business transformed into a woodworker’s haven for everything craftspeople need to accomplish their projects.
Rockler’s nearly-seven-decade history gives it an edge over other woodworking companies. And its commission looks great, too!
It might only be 5%, but you can still earn generously.
For example, suppose you sold 20 Makita 9903 variable-speed belt sander for the month. You can expect to earn about $16.95 each or $339 total. And what if you sold 50? That’s about $847.50.
Moreover, Rockler’s minimum payout threshold is only $25, although some programs might not have any.
Still, this program is worth joining, especially if your audiences want to finish their woodworking endeavors with high-quality resources.
- Commission: 5% per net sale
- Cookie lifespan: 14 days
KC Tool
What do Stahwhile, Felo, NWS, Wera, Gedore, Picard, Stabila, Halder, Knipex, Heyco, and Hazet have in common besides being remarkable products of German engineering?
That would be KC Tool!
Surprisingly, this Kansas-based American brand only provides premium-quality German-made tools for woodworkers, DIYers, and craftspeople.
And there’s a valid reason for this.
German technology, craftsmanship, and quality are some of the world’s best, if not THE best.
And KC Tool has proof. Bloomberg’s 2020 Innovation Index recognizes Germany as a world leader in innovation. And that extends to German tools.
KC Tool’s inventory is impressive, with over 10,000 tool types from tens of reputable German brands. There’s a good chance your woodworking audiences will find the German woodworking technology they need to complete projects with KC Tool.
Surprisingly, KC Tool’s commission percentage is higher than Amazon’s and Rockler’s. That’s welcome news for affiliate marketers dreaming of a fat check by month’s end.
- Commission: 10% per sale
- Cookie lifespan: 30 days
Tools Today
If you want your audiences to build the ultimate woodworking shop, you’ll want to try Tools Today. It might not have an all-German lineup, but its offerings are equally impressive.
Moreover, it doesn’t limit the people who promote woodworking products to. After all, most folks would still prefer American brands or even Japanese versions.
Tools Today has been around for over half a century, making it one of the most trusted names in the woodworking and crafts industry. Proof of this is their over four million social media followers.
And they expect nothing less from aspiring affiliates.
Although Tools Today’s commission only starts at 5%, a handsome earning is still possible, especially with big-ticket items.
For instance, selling the Jet JWBS-14DXPRO bandsaw kit can net you about $110.50. You’ll easily breach the thousand-dollar mark if you can sell ten monthly.
Its cookies only last 15 days, but it’s still better than Amazon’s and Rockler’s. That’s good news for you.
- Commission: Starts at 5%
- Cookie lifespan: 15 days
ToolBarn
Are you fed up with ultra-short cookie lifespan? What if we extend the conventional 30 days to 45? Would you be more encouraged to promote woodworking products?
That’s what ToolBarn offers! It makes this company slightly better than other affiliate programs.
The 1998-established ToolBarn specializes in tools, parts, and accessories from reputable brands, such as DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Panasonic, and 3M.
Internet Retailer also listed ToolBarn as one of its Top 500 largest US e-retailers for several years since 2006.
That’s an accomplishment.
Your woodworking audiences won’t say no to these brands. These products should be excellent for various home refurbishment and renovation projects.
Impact Radius is ToolBarn’s partner, giving you access to real-time reporting, advanced marketing campaign monitoring, and a wealth of creatives.
Never worry about your commissions because ToolBarn’s average order is $75, guaranteeing at least $2.25 per sale.
And if these aren’t enough, a dedicated affiliate team will also assist you in your journey.
- Commission: Up to 3%
- Cookie lifespan: 45 days
Hardware World
Lifestyle, DIY, and home improvement influencers and bloggers love affiliating with Hardware World.
Not only does it have an impressive selection of tools for woodworking activities. Hardware World also features other resources to ensure a more comfortable and convenient home.
Hence, you’ll not only appeal to woodworkers and wood craftspeople. You can also target homeowners, landscapers, DIYers, gardeners, plumbers, painters, contractors, and more.
And you already know what this means.
Established in 2010, Hardware World’s trustworthiness score is high. You’ll never have audiences complaining about product quality.
And with an average order of about $65 (as of 2017), you can expect a more decent monthly income than other affiliate sites.
Although Apogee manages Hardware World’s program, ShareASale is the brand’s exclusive merchant. Hence, applying as an affiliate with Hardware World requires a sign-up with the latter.
So, join Hardware World today and start earning from your passion.
- Commission: 6%
- Cookie lifespan: 30 days
Furniture and Wood Craft Plans
The woodworking programs we covered so far offer a maximum of 10% commission. Furniture and Wood Craft Plans guarantees three-quarters of each front-end and back-end (add-ons) sale.
What?
Seventy-five percent is ridiculous!
You might think this platform’s offerings are inexpensive. Hence, 75% will amount to a not-so-impressive earning.
Not necessarily.
Mark Stuart leveraged his 26 years of woodworking experience to compile 9,000 highly-detailed plans for different woodworking projects. And he priced each $77.
Try doing the math, and you can earn about $57.75 per plan. Add-ons cost $39, giving you a $29.25 commission.
And if Mark sells the plans for its original price of $328, you’re in for a more lucrative commission.
Furniture and Wood Craft Plans is the most promising of the many woodworking programs we reviewed.
You will want to join this program.
- Commission: 75% per sale
- Cookie lifespan: 60 days
Ted’s Woodworking
We lauded Etsy’s 1% to 3% conversions. However, Ted’s Woodworking’s conversion rating is an astonishing 11%! Its warm leads’ conversions are even more astronomical at 23%, making this program a lucrative platform to join this year.
Promoting a Ted’s Woodworking digital product can assure you of a $125 commission.
It even blasts Furniture and Wood Craft Plans’ 9,000 detailed projects by adding over 7,000 more to the collection. Your audiences will love all 16,000 plans (if they have the time to read all).
Here’s another cool thing about this program.
You can earn a commission on various customer transactions, including recurring offers, high-value upsells, and downsells.
Unimpressed?
What if we told you Ted’s Woodworking pays its affiliates hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly?
And since this platform works with ClickBank, you can complement these products with training videos from related niches.
Kudos to Ted McGrath for creating a platform where woodworking enthusiasts and DIYers can create stunning masterpieces and affiliates making loads of cash.
- Commission: 75%
- Cookie lifespan: Undisclosed
What are Woodworking Affiliate Programs?
These affiliate programs are excellent money-making platforms for affiliates, especially those passionate about carpentry, wood sculpting, and related activities.
The woodworking industry is a sub-niche of the arts and crafts market, a global economic driver valued at $4.412 billion in 2021. Experts say the arts & crafts market grows 5.4% annually, reaching $7.446 billion by 2031.
Woodworking is as much an art as it is science. Craftspeople use intricate skills to create stunning wooden masterpieces, while considering scientific principles in their activities.
For example, carving an ornate design on a wood block requires spatial intelligence and knowledge of proportions. It also demands woodworkers to use only the best tools. Wearing safety equipment is also essential. They need adequate and relevant resources to create.
And this is where woodworking affiliate platforms come in.
As mentioned, affiliate programs in this niche are perfect for woodworking and arts & crafts bloggers, bloggers, influencers, website owners, podcasters, digital creators, and other modern marketers.
Marketing partners (you) promote a wide range of woodworking products to woodworkers, artisans, and craftspeople. They earn a commission every time a customer buys from the woodworking company.
Hence, woodworking affiliate platforms help artisans and affiliates alike. They supply much-needed resources to the woodworking industry and boost affiliates’ earning potential.
How Do Woodworking Affiliate Programs Work?
Affiliate platforms in the woodworking niche operate like any other marketing activity. It requires active (sometimes aggressive) product promotions to generate as many leads as possible and drive traffic to woodworking brands.
Promoting woodworking-related products goes beyond the usual marketing strategies.
Affiliates write relatable posts, produce compelling videos, deliver engaging podcasts and webinars, create woodworking-relevant digital products, and more. They embed unique affiliate links into these creations as “markers” for woodworking artisans and enthusiasts.
When audiences click on these links, the system “drops” cookies or codes into their browsers. These digital trackers create an invisible link between potential customers and the brand, allowing the latter to credit a commission to the affiliate if the customer buys.
And that’s how woodworking programs work.
It’s a simple process of using links to drive traffic to a brand’s website and paying the affiliate a commission for every verified “customer action” (i.e., subscribe to a plan, complete a form, or buy any physical products).
One can consider these programs results- or performance-oriented. You’ll earn a commission only if you produce expected outcomes.
On the other hand, failing to produce verifiable results can lead to financial stagnation. The woodworking company won’t pay you, unlike marketers duly employed by the business who get compensated (they have a base salary) regardless of performance (some might get fired, though).
What Makes Woodworking Affiliates a Good Choice?
We understand why some affiliates, especially newbies, ask if woodworking programs are a good choice. Affiliates in these niches vary in motivations. However, they share some common themes. Allow us to share three.
Extensive product offerings
Unlike other niches, woodworking has a wide selection of offerings. These products range from physical to digital offerings, training, blueprints or plans, and more. Some platforms provide exclusive woodworking resources available nowhere else.
More products to promote translates to more income-generating opportunities. And what if such offerings are high-value woodworking tools (i.e., power tools)? You can start dreaming of that much-needed family vacation.
Attractive compensation
Almost every affiliate we know wants to earn huge commissions. And why not? If you’re going to pull all the stops and work your butt off to mount an effective promotional campaign, you might as well receive a handsome compensation for your efforts.
Thankfully, woodworking affiliate platforms recognize your contributions. And they will reward you with bonuses, exclusive discounts, and other perks (on top of your commission).
Profit meets passion
Woodworking affiliate platforms aren’t only financially rewarding. These programs can also make you a better-rounded person. And if you’re passionate about arts & crafts, they are the perfect vehicles for meeting passion and profit.
Nothing is more fulfilling than fueling your passions and interests while earning a handsome reward. That’s our belief and seasoned affiliates who found joy and contentment in this niche.
How to Choose Suitable Woodworking Affiliate Programs?
Okay, so woodworking marketing programs are great passion-building and income-generating platforms. But how can you weed out the high-quality ones from the mediocre types?
Check the brand’s reputation
Some companies recognize the need for people to earn money, and they exploit this perceived weakness. Hence, some programs might be fictitious. They might not be hurtful to affiliates, but customers will be in their crosshairs
Hence, your duty is to protect audiences against nefarious organizations masquerading as legitimate affiliate programs. You can use trust-certification institutions (i.e., Better Business Bureau and ISO) to validate a program’s trustworthiness. Reviewing historical records can also help.
Evaluate product quality
Offering an extensive range of products can be overwhelming, even for seasoned affiliates. Why? Although you can expect reputable brands to deliver only high-quality offerings, it doesn’t hurt to evaluate them individually.
Read product reviews from trustworthy online platforms (i.e., Consumer Reports, Wired, Wirecutter, CNET, and The Spruce). Alternatively, you can buy the product at a discount and evaluate it yourself.
Consider the commission scheme
Commission rates vary across affiliate programs, even in the woodworking industry. Some are decent, while others are exceptionally lucrative. Other brands offer extra perks and bonuses for high-performing affiliates.
Although it’s tempting to pick the program with the highest rate, you might want to consider the ease of promoting the product and its price. For example, a $20 tool sought by artisans might sell quicker than a $500 equipment only select craftspeople use.
Analyze the affiliate terms
Affiliate programs vary in terms and requirements, and woodworking platforms are no different. You’ll want to check the application guidelines and marketing conditions to avoid invalidating your commission.
Moreover, check the program’s payout terms, including minimum thresholds and payment methods.
What Are Woodworking Affiliate Programs for Beginners?
Here is the answer.
First, woodworking affiliate marketing programs must be suitable to your niche. Woodworking is part of a larger arts & crafts market. Hence, it’s possible some products are not suitable for your content.
For example, promoting construction equipment seems out of place if your audiences are small, home-based artisans.
Second, the program must make it easy for beginners to join. After all, nobody wants to join something that seems like they’re entering boot camp.
Thankfully, our woodworking programs are perfect for beginners because they make signing up a breeze. They partner with affiliate networks to manage their programs, including affiliate applications.
Third, beginner affiliates must receive adequate and timely marketing support. First-time affiliates might be unaware of affiliate industry secrets and tricks, making marketing campaigns seem challenging.
The affiliate programs we featured are ideal for beginners because they provide exceptional support, including a dedicated affiliate management team (in some).
Lastly, the program must offer decent commissions and other perks (if any). For example, Ted’s Woodworking and Furniture & Wood Craft Plans offer 75%, while KC Tool can give you 10%,
Although all nine affiliate programs we reviewed are excellent for beginners, our Top 3 recommendations are Ted’s Woodworking (love the commission), Etsy’s (we’re fans of handmade products), and KC Tool (we’re crazy with German innovation).
Still, any of these affiliate platforms make excellent choices for beginners.
FAQs
Are woodworking affiliate programs free to join?
Yes,these programs are free to join. However, some platforms charge a refundable joining fee (i.e., AWIN’s $5).
How to start making money with woodworking affiliate programs?
Making money as a woodworking affiliate starts with creating engaging digital content (i.e., articles, reviews, videos, podcasts, social media posts, etc.) centering on the promoted product or woven through the content. Embed the unique link from the program in these materials.
The content must be encouraging enough for audiences to click on the link. Ideally, you will want to keep producing high-quality content focusing on the program’s offerings.
What types of products can I promote as a woodworking affiliate?
Woodworkers use many tools, from wood carving equipment to table saws, sanders, files, drills, mallets, chisels, hammers, and more. Some might require detailed plans with step by step instructions in print or video format. Others might need training and other woodworking resources.
This niche is expansive enough you’ll never run out of products to promote to your audiences as an affiliate.
Conclusion
Woodworking affiliate programs are excellent money-making opportunities for arts & crafts, home improvement, lifestyle, and DIY bloggers, influencers, and other modern digital marketers.
While these platforms are easy to join, provide adequate support, and guarantee attractive compensation, affiliates must do their part to promote such products to their respective audiences. High-quality, relatable content equals more production lead generation and a higher commission potential.
One must remember affiliate programs reward you for results.