These 5 Industries MUST Have an Affiliate Program to Compete

As we all scramble to diversify our sources of website traffic, Canadian businesses are looking for options. Affiliate programs have been a big part in American and European marketing strategies for a couple of decades. However, Canadian companies have been slower to adopt this lucrative, relatively risk-free way to generate not only traffic, but traffic that converts.

The golden key is this: If it doesn’t convert, you pay nothing.

I started affiliate marketing over 25 years ago, and I managed an affiliate program for six of those years. Working with hundreds of affiliate partners in a wide range of sectors, I’ve watched as affiliate programs became non-negotiable for certain highly-competitive industries.

I’m regularly on the various affiliate networks, most of which allow you to rank partners according to their commission rates or how much affiliates are earning with it through the platform. This information, balanced with my own experience, revealed industries where the majority of businesses have an affiliate program. That’s important because it means having an affiliate program is no longer optional for those businesses if they want to remain competitive. Further research showed how the most successful among them are making it work, at least in part.

If you’re in any of the industries noted in the following list, I highly recommend you research affiliate marketing as soon as possible. If you’re still at the consideration stage, read How to Start an Affiliate Program for a Canadian Business. If you have a languishing affiliate program already, place your focus on improving it with expert management.

Canadian Businesses in These Industries MUST Have an Affiliate Program

While not every type of business is suitable for affiliate marketing, the vast majority could profit from it. In other industries, it’s absolutely critical that you have an affiliate program for one reason: at least some of your competitors almost certainly do. Canadian businesses may be slower to jump on the affiliate revenue train, but more are doing so every day. That means there’s still a real competitive advantage in this country, as well as an opportunity to compete more effectively at the global level. By the time other Canadian companies launch affiliate programs, yours will already be established.

Once you’ve entered the affiliate world, being competitive means matching or exceeding the commission rates (or other rewards) of your direct competitors. Additionally, you’ll score points with an expertly-managed affiliate program designed to recruit and retain influencers and super-affiliates.

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1. Retail Trade, Consumer Products, Business Products

This sector encompasses businesses that sell goods to consumers, such as department stores, clothing stores, and electronics retailers.

The retail industry includes ecommerce, whether your entire store resides online or you sell through both online and offline channels. Retail was one of the first industries to leverage affiliate programs, but it’s also most notorious for low commission rates. That said, there are some retailers that offer higher commissions, such as those selling cannabis products. Others may have low rates but a consistently bigger basket size (like Amazon) or more expensive products that increase commissions due to their price (such as jewellery or computers).

There are razor-thin profit margins on many products at the retail level. However, most successful affiliate marketers aren’t going to bother with any program paying less than 5% when there are options, and most have a minimum of 10%. Look beyond that first conversion to the potential lifetime value of each referred customer. Win their loyalty and the repeat purchases will render that initial commission insignificant. Focus on customer retention to maximize long-term financial rewards.

2. Technology

Canada has a thriving technology sector, excelling in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and SaaS (Software-as-a-Service).

“Canada is home to world class talent and R&D in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, augmented and virtual reality, cybersecurity, next generation networks and semiconductors,” says the Government of Canada in a Canadian ICT Sector Profile.

Virtually all B2C and B2B tech companies must use affiliate marketing to compete. In fact, some of the highest commissions are paid out by the tech industry. Canadian website hosting (such as HostPapa) & ecommerce platforms (like Shopify) have been using affiliate programs for growth since the early days, and they continue to offer some of the most competitive commission rates.

Cybersecurity tools frequently use affiliate marketing as well, such as Malwarebytes. The SaaS category has fully embraced affiliate marketing, to a point that there are entire affiliate program platforms dedicated to it (like Canadian platform, PartnerStack).

By nature, the tech category is in a perpetual state of evolution. Products usually need to hit the market fast and hard, and tech affiliates are always looking for the latest thing. For example, there are dozens of new AI tools hitting the market every single day right now. Your affiliate partners want to be among the first to offer the latest tech, so you have a real opportunity to work with them and strike while the iron’s hot.

3. Finance and Insurance

Canada has a strong and stable financial system, including banking, insurance, and investment services.

Accounting, investing, and insurance companies often have affiliate programs for their services or related technology. For example, Intuit QuickBooks Canada promotes its accounting software through an affiliate program. Questrade investment services has an affiliate program for those with related content, and the majority of insurance companies have some kind of affiliate or referral program.

4. Transportation and Warehousing

The most recent industry to pop up on my radar is Transportation and Warehousing. This category includes businesses involved in moving goods, such as trucking companies and logistics providers.

Currently, third-party logistics (3PL) companies lead the way in this industry category as businesses try to find affordable, reliable ways to store their products and deliver them to customers. Today’s services go well beyond delivery, including packaging and labelling for specific marketplaces. Contracts can be worth thousands of dollars per year so competition is fierce, and commission rates reflect that. ShipBob is a good example of an international, full-service 3PL company.

5. Health & Life Sciences

This sector includes businesses involved in pharmaceuticals, natural remedies, wellness, medical devices, biotechnology, weight loss, and so on. Success in the Health industry depends heavily on affiliate marketing and influencer marketing. Having your products on multiple websites creates brand awareness and increases conversions through familiarity. Add influencers to help build trust and offer products to review for top affiliates. Well.ca and Weightwatchers Canada both have affiliate programs in this category.

TIP: It’s important that affiliate programs in this category be professionally managed by someone who is familiar with advertising laws for the health sector.

Hedge Your Bets

Affiliate programs have become a necessary part of the digital marketing toolbox, especially in the industries mentioned above. You may be missing a profitable, low-risk opportunity by not having an affiliate program in any industry, but not having one in these industries means you are almost certainly leaving money on the table.

Note that Canadian affiliate marketers want to promote Canadian as much as shoppers in this country want to buy Canadian. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked for a Canadian company to recommend and found no options. If I can’t find a relevant company with an affiliate program, I have to go with a business located elsewhere. And if your competitor is the only Canadian option I can find? They win the slot by default. Now multiply those scenarios by thousands of affiliate marketers across Canada, every single day. There’s no denying an affiliate program can have a profound impact on your bottom line.

TIP: While anyone can learn the mechanics of affiliate marketing, it takes a much higher level of expertise to fully leverage it. Hire a talented, experienced affiliate program manager to enjoy all the benefits. LinkedIn is a great place to begin your search.

Is affiliate marketing part of your online advertising strategy yet? Please share your experience or questions in the comments below, or join us in the Online Business Canada Facebook group.

Related Reading

How to Recruit Top Influencers for your Affiliate Program

Review: How to Build and Manage an Affiliate Program or Affiliate Network

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Last Updated on July 26, 2025 by Melody McKinnon, Online Business & Marketing Manager

  Canadian affiliate marketing, Canadian affiliate programs, Canadian e-commerce, Canadian marketing