# Carrd Affiliate Program vs Site123 Affiliate Program: Which Pays More in 2024?
If you're comparing the Carrd affiliate program vs Site123 affiliate program, you're looking at two popular website builders with solid commission structures. Both offer recurring payouts, easy approval, and straightforward tracking—but they're not identical. This guide breaks down the real differences so you can pick the right one for your audience.
Verdict: Which Program Should Publishers Choose?
Winner: Carrd Affiliate Program (for most publishers)
Carrd takes the edge because of its 40% recurring commission, which significantly outpaces Site123's 30% over the lifetime of a customer. If your audience converts at similar rates, Carrd will deliver 33% higher earnings per referred customer—month after month.
However, Site123 deserves consideration if:
- You have an audience in markets where Site123 gains traction (non-US regions, specific niches)
- Your readers convert slowly; the extra 30-day cookie window (60 vs 30 days) gives Site123 a small advantage
- You already have Site123 promotional materials built into your content strategy
For the majority of affiliate publishers, though, Carrd's superior commission rate makes it the stronger choice.
Cookie Window: 30 Days vs 60 Days
What It Means
The cookie window is the number of days a referred visitor can make a purchase and still credit you with the commission.
Carrd: 30-day window
- A visitor clicks your link on Day 1 but doesn't sign up until Day 25? You get credited.
- They wait 35 days? You don't.
Site123: 60-day window
- Same scenario, but you have until Day 60 to capture the conversion.
- This is a 2x advantage for Site123 on decision time.
Impact on Real-World Earnings
For website builder affiliate marketing, the 60-day window is moderately valuable:
- Carrd audience: Tend to be quick-decision makers (solopreneurs, small businesses)—30 days usually captures conversions
- Site123 audience: May include more research-heavy buyers—60 days captures procrastinators
Estimated impact: Site123's longer window likely recovers 5–10% of missed conversions from Carrd's shorter window. However, Carrd's 40% commission makes up for this loss in most cases.
Net effect: Carrd still wins financially, but Site123's longer cookie window is a real benefit for certain audience types.
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Network & Reliability: In-House Programs
Both Carrd and Site123 run in-house affiliate networks (not through third-party networks like Impact or Refersion).
Tracking Accuracy
- Carrd: Clean, straightforward tracking. Pixel-based + click tracking. Real-time dashboard updates.
- Site123: Solid tracking infrastructure. No major complaints in publisher communities; similar real-time updates.
Winner: Tie. Both are reliable. In-house programs often have fewer tracking glitches than third-party networks because the affiliate team works directly with product teams.
Payout Consistency
- Carrd: Monthly payouts via PayPal, Stripe, or bank transfer. Reliable and timely.
- Site123: Monthly payouts via similar methods. No widespread reports of payment delays.
Winner: Tie. Both pay reliably. Check your preferred payout method before joining (both support multiple options).
Dashboard Features
- Carrd: Basic but functional—shows clicks, conversions, revenue, and real-time stats.
- Site123: Similar dashboard depth; easy to navigate.
Winner: Slight edge to Carrd for slightly cleaner UI, though this is subjective.
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Approval Requirements: Both Easy
Both programs embrace affiliate publishers and have minimal barriers to entry.
Carrd Approval Process
1. Sign up for Carrd Affiliate Program (via Carrd.co/affiliates) 2. Complete basic profile (name, email, website/blog URL) 3. Approval usually granted within 24–48 hours 4. No minimum traffic or audience size required
Requirements: A legitimate website, blog, or social media channel. No promotion of illegal/adult content.
Site123 Approval Process
1. Apply via Site123 affiliate portal 2. Provide website/channel info and traffic overview 3. Approval typically within 24–72 hours 4. No strict traffic minimums
Requirements: Similar—active channel, no prohibited content.
Real Difference?
None. Both programs prioritize speed and inclusivity. If you have any legitimate digital presence, you'll get approved.
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Features & Program Highlights
Carrd Affiliate Program Unique Features
- 40% commission (industry-leading for website builders)
- Simple, no-nonsense platform (Carrd's whole philosophy)
- Good for beginners—easy to understand and promote
- Real-time tracking dashboard
- Multiple payout methods
Site123 Affiliate Program Unique Features
- 60-day cookie window (longer decision period)
- Visual website builder angle (appeals to non-technical users)
- 30% is still solid for recurring revenue
- Competitive bonus structures in some regions (check current offers)
- Active affiliate support (responsive email support)
Marketing Materials
Both provide:
- Promotional graphics and banners
- Pre-written email swipes
- Tracking links and unique URLs
- Landing page assets
Carrd materials emphasize simplicity; Site123 materials emphasize visual building and ecommerce features. Choose based on your audience's pain points.
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Publisher Fit: Who Should Promote Which?
Promote Carrd Affiliate Program When:
1. Your audience values simplicity and speed
- Freelancers, solopreneurs, indie creators who want a quick website
- Your content focuses on "done fast, not perfect"
- Carrd's straightforward pitch aligns with your brand voice
2. You need maximum earnings per referral
- You have moderate-to-high traffic (500+ clicks/month)
- 40% commission directly impacts your bottom line
- You're comfortable with a 30-day cookie (most conversions happen fast anyway)
3. Your niche is creative/personal branding
- Portfolio sites, personal brands, small business websites
- Carrd dominates this segment; audience fit is strong
Promote Site123 Affiliate Program When:
1. You target non-technical, deliberate buyers
- Older demographics, traditional small business owners
- Readers who compare options over several weeks
- 60-day cookie catches more conversions
2. Your audience needs ecommerce and advanced features
- Site123 has stronger ecommerce tools than Carrd
- If your audience needs stores, CRM, or inventory—Site123 is the better fit
- Your content focuses on feature comparisons
3. You have existing Site123 relationships or audience overlap
- Maybe you already promote complementary tools to Site123 users
- You have an established audience in a market where Site123 performs well (certain international regions)
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FAQ
Q1: Can I promote both Carrd and Site123 simultaneously?
Yes. Promoting both is common and ethical. Many publishers run comparison content that mentions both (like this guide). Your audience isn't exclusively one or the other—some readers will be better suited to Carrd, others to Site123. Honest comparisons build trust and often generate more commissions than pushing a single product.
Q2: Which program has better retention rates?
Neither publicly discloses retention data, but Carrd likely has slightly higher retention because:
- Carrd users tend to be more committed (they chose simplicity intentionally)
- Site123 attracts some window-shoppers due to its visual builder appeal
However, both programs benefit from recurring commission models, so even modest retention (60–70%) generates strong lifetime value.
Q3: What's the average approval-to-first-commission timeline?
Expect:
- Carrd: 24–48 hours for approval; first conversion within 1–2 weeks (if you have active traffic)
- Site123: 24–72 hours for approval; similar first-conversion timeline
Neither has a long wait. The real bottleneck is your traffic, not their approval process.
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Disclosure
This article may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and sign up for Carrd or Site123 through our referral, AffiliPilot may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend programs we believe deliver real value to publishers. Our comparison is based on publicly available program details and affiliate marketer experience.
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Final Thoughts
The Carrd affiliate program vs Site123 affiliate program choice boils down to:
- Pick Carrd if you want maximum earnings per customer (40% beats 30%)
- Pick Site123 if your audience needs a longer decision window and advanced features
Most affiliate publishers choose Carrd for its commission advantage, but Site123 deserves consideration if your audience profile matches its strengths. Running both? Even better—you maximize your options and commission potential.
Related: Carrd Affiliate Program vs Leadpages Affiliate Program: affiliate program comparison