# Liquid Web vs Cloudways Affiliate Program: Complete Comparison for Publishers
When evaluating web hosting and cloud infrastructure affiliate opportunities, the Liquid Web vs Cloudways affiliate program comparison matters. Both represent established players in the hosting space, but they serve different publisher audiences and offer distinct earning models.
This guide breaks down the real differences so you can choose the program that maximizes your earnings potential.
Verdict: Which Program Should Publishers Choose?
Winner: Cloudways Affiliate Program for most publishers seeking recurring revenue potential.
Reasoning:
- Cloudways' 30% recurring commission significantly outpaces Liquid Web's flat $100 model over 12+ months for retained customers
- The 120-day cookie window provides 30 extra days to capture conversions from high-intent traffic
- Easier approval process reduces friction before you can start promoting
- Better suited to content-heavy publishers (blogs, tutorials, reviews) where relationship-building drives customer lifetime value
That said, choose Liquid Web if you have access to high-volume, enterprise-focused traffic willing to commit immediately to premium managed services.
Cookie Window
Liquid Web: 90 Days
A visitor has 90 days from clicking your affiliate link to make a purchase. After 90 days, the tracking cookie expires and you lose the commission.
What this means: Publishers need fresher traffic or must rely on repeat visits from the same user. Less margin for error if audiences take time to decide.
Cloudways: 120 Days
Visitors have a full 120 days to convert while still attributed to your link.
What this means:
- 33% longer window to capture high-intent but slower-deciding prospects
- Better for educational content where readers research hosting before committing
- Reduces urgency on the publisher's side to drive immediate conversions
Winner: Cloudways' extended window is valuable for content marketing strategies where customer journeys span weeks or months.
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Network & Reliability
Both Liquid Web and Cloudways operate their affiliate programs in-house, meaning they manage tracking, payouts, and support directly rather than through a third-party network.
Tracking Accuracy
- Liquid Web: In-house system with pixel and cookie-based tracking. Reliable for straightforward conversions.
- Cloudways: In-house system integrated with their customer dashboard. Transparent real-time tracking for recurring charges.
Edge: Cloudways provides clearer visibility into recurring revenue attribution.
Payout Consistency
- Liquid Web: Monthly payouts via ACH, PayPal, or check. Minimum threshold $100.
- Cloudways: Monthly payouts via bank transfer or PayPal. Minimum threshold varies.
Edge: Liquid Web's lower minimum threshold reaches more publishers faster; Cloudways' integration with their platform means fewer reconciliation disputes.
Support Quality
Both programs provide dedicated affiliate managers for top-performing publishers. Cloudways' support is generally considered more responsive for ongoing optimization.
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Approval Requirements
Liquid Web: Medium Approval
What you need:
- Active website or platform with regular traffic
- Clear monetization strategy (affiliate disclosure required)
- Professional-quality content demonstrating hosting knowledge
- Typically takes 3–7 business days to review
- May request links to content you'll be promoting on
- Higher threshold for approval; Liquid Web is selective about publisher partners
Typical rejection reasons: Low-traffic sites, weak content quality, unclear audience alignment.
Cloudways: Easy Approval
What you need:
- A website, blog, YouTube channel, or other audience platform
- Any niche related to web hosting, development, or business tools
- Basic affiliate disclosure in your terms/privacy policy
- Typically approved within 24–48 hours
- Minimal barriers; Cloudways welcomes new affiliates
- No minimum traffic requirement strictly enforced
Typical rejection reasons: Rare; mostly only if you're using prohibited marketing tactics (spam, cloaking, malware).
Winner for accessibility: Cloudways wins. Much faster onboarding and fewer gatekeeping requirements.
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Features & Program Highlights
Liquid Web Affiliate Program
- Marketing materials: Logos, banner ads, product comparison sheets
- Product range: Dedicated servers, cloud VPS, WordPress hosting, WooCommerce hosting
- Partner tiers: Standard, Silver, Gold levels with higher commissions for top performers
- Bonus structure: Tiered bonuses available for high-volume months
- API access: Affiliate API available for custom integrations
- Training: Hosting knowledge base and product documentation
Cloudways Affiliate Program
- Marketing materials: Banners, text links, email swipes, video templates
- Product range: Managed cloud hosting across AWS, DigitalOcean, Linode, Google Cloud, Vultr
- Partner tiers: No public tier system; all affiliates access same tools
- Bonus structure: Performance bonuses for consistent monthly targets
- Deep linking: Full support for deep links to pricing pages and specific products
- Affiliate dashboard: Real-time stats, customer data, custom tracking parameters
- Content library: Pre-written blog posts, tutorials, case studies available for publishers
- Dedicated manager: Top affiliates assigned personal account manager
Edge: Cloudways offers more turnkey content and dashboard transparency. Liquid Web suits publishers who prefer building original content.
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Publisher Fit — Who Should Promote Which?
Promote Liquid Web When:
1. You target enterprise and high-budget audiences — companies purchasing dedicated servers and premium managed services willing to pay upfront 2. You write in-depth technical reviews — your audience trusts long-form hosting comparisons and specifications matter more than price 3. You can drive high-intent, ready-to-buy traffic — your audience converts quickly, so the non-recurring $100 model still yields solid revenue in absolute terms
Promote Cloudways Affiliate Program When:
1. You create tutorials, courses, or educational content — your audience learns over weeks, and recurring revenue captures the entire customer journey 2. You have a growing audience in tech, business, or development niches — easier approval means you can start immediately without gatekeeping delays 3. You prefer passive, long-term revenue — once customers stay active, you earn 30% recurring indefinitely, compounding your efforts
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FAQ
1. Can I promote both Liquid Web and Cloudways?
Yes. Most affiliate policies allow this. However, manage expectations with your audience—clearly explain why you recommend each platform for different use cases (e.g., "Cloudways for scaling WordPress; Liquid Web for bare metal servers"). Transparency builds trust and prevents conflicts of interest.
2. Which program pays faster?
Liquid Web pays higher upfront ($100 immediately), but Cloudways compounds faster over time. For example, if you refer 5 customers/month to Cloudways, by month 6 you're earning $90–150/month passively. With Liquid Web, you reset to $500/month from new referrals only.
3. Do I need hosting experience to be approved?
For Cloudways: No. Enthusiasm and an engaged audience matter more. For Liquid Web: Helpful but not required. Demonstrating domain expertise speeds approval.
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Disclosure
This article may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase via links on this page, AffiliPilot may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our ongoing research and comparison work. We maintain strict editorial standards and only recommend programs we've thoroughly evaluated.
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Final Thoughts
The Liquid Web vs Cloudways affiliate program choice depends on your traffic quality, audience stage, and revenue model preference. Cloudways edges ahead for most modern publishers due to recurring revenue potential, easier approval, and better tools. Liquid Web remains the stronger choice for specialists with premium, enterprise-focused audiences.
Start with whichever aligns to your content strengths. Many successful affiliates eventually promote both.
Related: Liquid Web vs Crucial Hosting Affiliate Program: affiliate program comparison