# LiquidWeb vs MediaTemple: Affiliate Program Comparison for 2024
When comparing LiquidWeb vs MediaTemple affiliate programs, publishers face a straightforward choice between two established hosting providers with different commission models, approval gates, and ideal use cases. Both programs operate directly through the companies' in-house affiliate systems rather than third-party networks, which typically means better tracking and more personalized support.
This guide breaks down the key differences to help you decide which program aligns with your audience and revenue goals.
Commission Comparison
LiquidWeb Structure
- Flat rate: $150 per sale
- All products included: Applies to shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and managed WordPress hosting
- No tiering: You earn the same $150 whether the customer signs up for a $5/month or $500/month plan
MediaTemple Structure
- Recurring commission: 20% of monthly revenue
- Lifetime earnings: Commissions continue as long as the customer remains active
- Plan-dependent: A customer on a $25/month plan generates $5 monthly; a $100/month customer generates $20 monthly
Earnings Scenario: 1,000 Clicks/Month
Assumption: 2% conversion rate, typical for hosting content (20 conversions/month)
LiquidWeb earnings:
- 20 conversions × $150 = $3,000/month
MediaTemple earnings (Month 1):
- 20 conversions × average plan price ($40/month) × 20% = $160/month
MediaTemple earnings (Month 12, assuming 90% retention):
- 240 total customers × $40 average × 20% × 90% retention = $1,728/month
Verdict: LiquidWeb pays better upfront. MediaTemple catches up around month 8-10 if you maintain consistent traffic and customer retention is strong. For publishers with short content lifespan or inconsistent traffic, LiquidWeb's immediate payout is more reliable.
---
Cookie Window
LiquidWeb: 120 Days
A visitor who clicks your affiliate link has up to 120 days to purchase. This is industry-leading and covers research cycles where customers evaluate hosting for weeks or months before committing. It also captures return visitors who bookmark your site or find you again through organic search.
MediaTemple: 90 Days
The 30-day difference matters less than it sounds—most hosting purchases happen within 30 days—but it does exclude some methodical planners who spend 90+ days evaluating options.
Impact on publisher earnings:
- LiquidWeb's longer window adds roughly 5-10% extra attributable sales for content that draws repeat traffic (tutorials, guides, reviews)
- MediaTemple's 90-day window is still competitive, but doesn't capture the "slow converter" segment as effectively
Winner: LiquidWeb's 120-day window is a meaningful advantage for evergreen content and builds slightly higher lifetime value per click sent.
---
Network & Reliability
Both LiquidWeb and MediaTemple operate proprietary in-house affiliate systems rather than relying on third-party networks like Impact or Refersion.
Tracking & Attribution
LiquidWeb:
- Direct integration with their billing system
- Fast, reliable cookie-based tracking
- No third-party delays or data loss
- Straightforward dashboard (though basic in UI)
MediaTemple:
- Also direct integration with their CMS system
- Comparable tracking accuracy to LiquidWeb
- Slightly more polished reporting interface
Verdict: Functionally equivalent. Both use first-party tracking, so neither has a meaningful advantage in accuracy.
Payout Consistency
LiquidWeb:
- Pays net-30 via check, ACH, or wire transfer
- Minimum threshold: $100
- Reputation for reliable, on-time payouts
- No account holds or delays reported in publisher communities
MediaTemple:
- Pays net-30 via the same methods
- Minimum threshold: $100
- Equally reliable
- GoDaddy backing (via acquisition) provides corporate stability
Verdict: Tie. Both are established, funded companies with clean payout histories.
---
Approval Requirements
LiquidWeb: Medium Approval
What you need: 1. A website or content platform with genuine traffic (no affiliate-only sites) 2. At least 5+ pieces of original content related to hosting, servers, web development, or business technology 3. Clear privacy policy and affiliate disclosure 4. No spammy traffic sources (PPC arbitrage, low-quality ads) 5. Active promotion plan (they'll ask what you intend to promote their service)
Approval timeline: 1-3 business days
Success rate: ~75-80% for legitimate publishers
MediaTemple: Hard Approval
What you need: 1. Established authority in WordPress, web design, or development communities 2. Consistent traffic demonstrating relevant audience (ideally 10,000+ monthly sessions) 3. 20+ pieces of content showing expertise in hosting, WordPress, or site performance 4. Proven history of other affiliate partnerships or product recommendations 5. Specific WordPress/designer focus (less flexible than LiquidWeb)
Approval timeline: 5-10 business days (more rigorous review)
Success rate: ~40-50% for typical publishers
Verdict: LiquidWeb wins for accessibility. MediaTemple's stricter gate benefits established publishers but blocks newer creators.
---
Features & Program Highlights
LiquidWeb Affiliate Program
- Deep-linking: Full support; link to specific hosting plans or product pages
- Marketing materials: Banner ads, text links, landing page templates (basic)
- Bonuses: Occasional seasonal bonuses ($175-$200 per sale during promotions)
- Support: Dedicated affiliate email; responsive to questions
- Referral bonuses: Refer another publisher; earn $50 if they generate $500+ in commissions
MediaTemple Affiliate Program
- Deep-linking: Limited; primarily homepage links (less flexible for targeting)
- Marketing materials: Logo, description copy, WordPress-specific content kits
- Bonuses: Performance bonuses for 50+ referrals/month ($5 bonus per additional referral)
- Support: Account manager assigned at higher tiers
- Developer tools: API access for advanced publishers (rare perk)
Verdict: LiquidWeb's deep-linking and referral bonuses make it more flexible for content creators. MediaTemple's developer tools appeal to a narrower but more technical audience.
---
Publisher Fit — Who Should Promote Which?
Promote LiquidWeb When:
1. You run a broad tech blog or tutorial site covering hosting, WordPress, servers, or web development across multiple angles. LiquidWeb's flat $150 rate rewards any customer you send, regardless of plan tier.
2. Your audience has moderate-to-high intent but isn't exclusively WordPress-focused. LiquidWeb serves startups, small businesses, and developers equally well.
3. You want predictable, immediate earnings with minimal approval friction. The 120-day cookie and $150 flat rate create reliable revenue you can forecast.
Promote MediaTemple When:
1. You're a WordPress specialist or design agency owner with an established audience. MediaTemple targets designers and WordPress developers specifically, and your credibility in this niche is your advantage.
2. Your audience signs up for higher-tier plans and stays subscribed long-term. Recurring 20% commissions outpace $150 flat rates if your average customer LTV is $500+.
3. You already have approval with other premium hosting programs and can clear MediaTemple's stricter vetting. Your track record as a trusted recommender is your key asset.
---
FAQ
1. Can I promote both LiquidWeb and MediaTemple simultaneously?
Yes. Both allow promotion on the same website. However, direct comparison articles (like this one) should disclose the affiliate relationship clearly. Most publishers find LiquidWeb easier to promote due to lower approval barriers, but MediaTemple works well if you have a specialized audience. Avoid recommending both for the same use case unless you have genuine reasons to differentiate them.
2. Which program is better for PPC traffic?
LiquidWeb is safer. MediaTemple's strict approval typically includes restrictions on paid search and display ads. LiquidWeb is more flexible with Google Ads and Bing Ads as long as keywords are relevant and landing pages match ads. Always check current policies before launching paid campaigns.
3. What's the average customer lifetime value for each program?
LiquidWeb: You earn $150 upfront, then $0 additional commission. For your revenue model, customer LTV is one-time.
MediaTemple: Average customer stays 18-24 months at ~$50/month. Total lifetime commission: $180-$240. This is why MediaTemple's recurring model potentially pays more, but only if retention is strong and average plan prices are higher than LiquidWeb's typical customer base.
---
Disclosure
This article may contain affiliate links to LiquidWeb and MediaTemple. If you click and purchase through these links, AffiliPilot may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend programs we've independently evaluated and believe offer fair value to publishers. See our [full affiliate disclosure policy] for details.
---
Final Thoughts on LiquidWeb vs MediaTemple
The LiquidWeb vs MediaTemple decision ultimately depends on your approval status, audience niche, and revenue strategy. LiquidWeb wins for flexibility, speed of approval, and predictable payouts. MediaTemple wins for specialized WordPress/design audiences willing to wait longer for recurring commission upside.
Start with LiquidWeb if you're new to hosting affiliate promotion. Move to MediaTemple once you've built authority and want to maximize recurring revenue from a premium, design-focused audience.
Related: LiquidWeb vs Namecheap: affiliate program comparison