BigCommerce Affiliate Program vs Volusion Affiliate Program: affiliate program comparison

Metric	BigCommerce Affiliate Program	Volusion Affiliate Program
Commission	$200	$100
Model	flat cpa	flat cpa
Recurring	No	No
Cookie window	90 days	60 days
Network	In-house	In-house
Approval	medium	easy

# BigCommerce Affiliate Program vs Volusion Affiliate Program: Which Ecommerce Platform Pays Better?

If you're looking to monetize content about ecommerce platforms, the BigCommerce affiliate program vs Volusion affiliate program decision matters. Both are legitimate platforms for promoting hosted shopping cart solutions, but they offer different commission structures, approval processes, and earning potential.

This guide compares them side-by-side so you can pick the right fit for your audience and traffic profile.

Commission Comparison

BigCommerce Affiliate Program

Rate: $200 per sale
Commission type: Per-purchase (CPA)
Recurring potential: None (one-time commission)

Volusion Affiliate Program

Rate: $100 per sale
Commission type: Per-purchase (CPA)
Recurring potential: None (one-time commission)

Real-World Earnings Example

Assume you drive 1,000 monthly clicks with a typical 2% conversion rate (20 sales):

Program	Per-Sale Commission	Monthly Sales	Monthly Earnings
BigCommerce	$200	20	$4,000
Volusion	$100	20	$2,000
Difference	2x	—	+$2,000 (100% more)

At a 1.5% conversion rate (15 sales):

BigCommerce: $3,000/month
Volusion: $1,500/month

The takeaway: BigCommerce's flat $200 rate creates substantially higher earnings for the same traffic volume. This makes it the stronger choice for publishers with quality, intent-rich audiences (e.g., ecommerce how-to blogs, small business resources).

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Cookie Window

BigCommerce: 90 Days

Users who click your link and return within 90 days to complete a purchase are attributed to you. This extended window accounts for:

Research and comparison phases
Budget approval cycles for small business owners
Decision-making delays

Volusion: 60 Days

A shorter 30-day difference may seem minor, but it meaningfully impacts earnings when prospects take 2+ months to convert.

Example: A small retailer clicks your BigCommerce review in Week 1, gathers internal feedback, and purchases in Week 9 (63 days). BigCommerce attributes and pays the commission. Volusion does not.

For content marketing and SEO-driven traffic (which converts more slowly), BigCommerce's 90-day window is a material advantage.

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Network & Reliability

Both programs operate in-house affiliate networks rather than third-party networks like Impact or ShareASale.

Tracking Accuracy

BigCommerce: Industry-standard pixel and link tracking. Rare cookie loss issues. Real-time dashboard reporting.
Volusion: Reliable tracking but less transparent real-time reporting. Expect 2-3 day delays in commission visibility.

Payout Consistency

BigCommerce: Monthly payouts on or before the 15th. Direct deposit or check options.
Volusion: Monthly payouts around the 20th. Slightly slower than BigCommerce.

Verdict: BigCommerce's in-house network is more transparent and faster. Neither has major reliability red flags, but BigCommerce publishers report smoother payment experiences.

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Approval Requirements

BigCommerce Affiliate Program

Approval Level: Medium

Requirements:

Active website or content property with 100+ monthly visitors (estimated)
No black-hat SEO, paid search manipulation, or cookie-stuffing tactics
Relevant content: ecommerce, small business, web design, SaaS comparisons
Clear affiliate disclosure
No adult, hate, or illegal content on your site

Timeline: 3–7 business days

Tips: Submit detailed site info. Mention your audience size and traffic sources. Link to your top 3 relevant posts.

Volusion Affiliate Program

Approval Level: Easy

Requirements:

Website or blog (any niche)
Basic affiliate disclosure
No severely brand-damaging content

Timeline: 1–2 business days

Verdict: Volusion's low barrier makes it ideal for new publishers or side projects. BigCommerce filters for quality but remains achievable for most legitimate publishers.

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Features & Program Highlights

BigCommerce Exclusive Features

Tiered commission bonuses: Some markets offer 10-15% bonuses for high-performing affiliates (check program details).
Deep linking: Full product catalog deep-linking support.
Marketing assets: Professional product screenshots, demo videos, and case studies.
Dedicated affiliate manager: Mid-to-high-volume publishers assigned support.
Conversion tracking: Advanced UTM and custom parameter support.

Volusion Exclusive Features

Ease of promotion: Simpler onboarding means faster time to first commission.
Budget-tier positioning: Better for promoting to cost-conscious, early-stage retailers.
Flexible content: Lower approval standards allow broader content approaches.

Unique factor: BigCommerce's program feels more enterprise-focused; Volusion caters to bootstrapped affiliates.

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Publisher Fit — Who Should Promote Which?

Promote BigCommerce Affiliate Program When:

1. You write for established SMB audiences — your readers are decision-makers evaluating serious ecommerce investments (e.g., "best platforms for $20K+ stores") 2. You have 5,000+ monthly visitors — higher traffic volumes justify the higher commission rate and make approval worthwhile 3. Your content converts — blog posts, reviews, and comparisons with 2%+ click-through rates justify BigCommerce's premium payouts

Promote Volusion Affiliate Program When:

1. You're newer to affiliate marketing — rapid approval lets you start earning quickly without waiting 2. Your audience is price-sensitive — Volusion's budget positioning resonates with solo founders and side-hustle ecommerce starters 3. You want low promotional friction — minimal approval requirements mean you can test promotional strategies faster

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FAQ

Q1: Can I promote both programs simultaneously?

A: Yes. Both allow you to recommend multiple platforms. Many publishers run comparison posts featuring both (e.g., "BigCommerce vs. Volusion"). Disclose the affiliate relationship clearly, and focus on honest positioning: BigCommerce for serious businesses, Volusion for budget-conscious starters.

Q2: Which program has better affiliate support?

A: BigCommerce. Dedicated account managers (for qualified affiliates) and more robust marketing collateral make it easier to create compelling content. Volusion offers basic support but less proactive assistance.

Q3: How do I maximize earnings from either program?

Target high-intent keywords: "BigCommerce pricing," "Volusion reviews," "best ecommerce platforms for [use case]"
Build comparison content: Side-by-sides convert better than single-platform reviews
Update content quarterly: Pricing and features change; stale reviews hurt conversions
Drive quality traffic: 500 engaged SMB owners convert better than 5,000 random clicks

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Disclosure

This article may contain affiliate links to BigCommerce and Volusion. If you click and sign up, AffiliPilot may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend programs we believe serve publishers and merchants fairly. This comparison reflects current program terms as of the publication date; check official program pages for the latest details.

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Ready to start? Apply to BigCommerce's program here or Volusion here. Either way, focus on honest, audience-first recommendations—that's what converts long-term.