Wondering how to pay your affiliates for their referral earnings? AffiliateWP offers several flexible payout methods, including Stripe payouts, PayPal, Store Credit, and bank transfer.
Whether you prefer automatic payments or manual options, this guide will walk you through the various methods to help you manage affiliate payouts seamlessly.
In This Article
- Paying Affiliates via Stripe payouts
- Paying Affiliates with the PayPal Payouts
- Paying Affiliates with Store Credit
- Paying Affiliates via the Payouts Service
- Paying Affiliates via PayPal or Other Online Mass Payment Systems
- Paying Affiliates via Bank Transfer
- Setting a Commission Holding Period for Payouts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Paying Affiliates via Stripe payouts
Stripe Payouts is a built-in integration in AffiliateWP that lets you pay affiliates directly to their connected bank accounts through Stripe. Once set up, you can send payouts with a single click from your WordPress dashboard, no exports or spreadsheets required.
To configure this option, go to AffiliateWP » Settings » Payouts, click on Stripe Payouts, and then click Configure to enter your API keys and enable the method. To learn how to configure Stripe and connect affiliate accounts, see the Stripe Payouts documentation.
Paying Affiliates with the PayPal Payouts
AffiliateWP includes support for paying affiliates via PayPal directly from your WordPress dashboard. If your PayPal account has Payouts (formerly MassPay) enabled, you can automatically send payments to your affiliates in a few clicks.
To enable PayPal as a payout method, go to AffiliateWP » Settings » Payouts, and select PayPal from the available options. To generate a payout, go to the AffiliateWP » Referrals page, click the Pay Affiliates button, and select PayPal as your payout method. From there, enter your criteria (affiliate name, date range, or minimum earnings), and click Submit Payout. The funds will be automatically transferred to the affiliate’s PayPal account.
To learn more, see our documentation on PayPal payouts.
Paying Affiliates with Store Credit
AffiliateWP also allows you to pay affiliates using store credit, which can be used toward purchases on your site. This is a great option for store owners who want to reward affiliates with in-store value instead of external payments.
To configure this option, go to AffiliateWP » Settings » Payouts, and choose Store Credit as your payout method. For full setup, see the Store Credit documentation.
Paying Affiliates via the Payouts Service
AffiliateWP includes an integrated Payouts Service that simplifies the payment process, enabling you to pay affiliates directly into their bank accounts in over 50 countries. Payments are typically completed in as little as 3 days, making it one of the most convenient methods for managing payouts.
To get started with the Payouts Service, go to AffiliateWP » Settings » Payouts, and select Payouts Service from the list. For more detailed instructions on how to set up the Payouts Service, please see the Payouts Service documentation.
Paying Affiliates via PayPal or Other Online Mass Payment Systems
To pay your affiliates using PayPal or other online mass payment systems, go to the AffiliateWP » Referrals page and click the Pay Affiliates button. Choose Manual Payout as your payout method, then generate a CSV file containing affiliate payment details.
The CSV file will include the email addresses, collective amounts, and currency for all affiliates with unpaid earnings within the specified date range. This file can then be uploaded to PayPal, Skrill, or other similar platforms that support mass payments.
Once you generate the payout file, all unpaid referrals within the specified date range will automatically be marked as Paid.
Paying Affiliates via Bank Transfer
If you prefer to pay your affiliates through bank transfer, this will need to be done manually through your bank. Communicate with your affiliates to gather their bank account details, and transfer the funds directly.
If your bank supports mass payments, you can upload the payout CSV file generated in AffiliateWP to your bank’s online portal. Exporting this file will automatically set all unpaid referrals to a Paid status. If your bank doesn’t support mass payments, you can make individual payments and then manually mark the referrals as paid in AffiliateWP.
Setting a Commission Holding Period for Payouts
The Commission Holding Period is a feature that allows you to delay paying affiliate commissions for a set number of days after a referral is made. This helps protect your business from issues like refunds, chargebacks, or fraud, ensuring that affiliates are only paid for finalized sales.
To set up the Commission Holding Period:
- Navigate to AffiliateWP » Settings » Commissions and look for the Commission Holding Period field.
- Enter the number of days you wish to delay commission payouts. For example, if your refund period is 30 days, it’s recommended to set the holding period to 37 days (refund period + 7 days).
The extra 7 days help account for potential payment processing delays or disputes, ensuring commissions are only paid out once the sale is fully finalized.
By delaying payouts, you can ensure that any refunds or disputes are resolved before commissions are paid, protecting your business from paying out on sales that don’t ultimately complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AffiliateWP Payouts Service?
The Payouts Service is an integrated payment solution that allows you to send affiliate payments directly to their bank accounts in over 50 countries. Payments typically take 3 business days to process.
Can I use PayPal to pay my affiliates?
Yes! You can either use PayPal’s Mass Payment option by exporting a CSV file or automate payments using the PayPal Payouts Addon. The addon allows you to pay affiliates directly from your WordPress dashboard with just a few clicks.
How do I generate a CSV file for mass payments?
To generate a CSV file, go to the AffiliateWP » Referrals page, click the Pay Affiliates button, and select Manual Payout. This will create a CSV file containing email addresses, total amounts, and the currency for all affiliates with unpaid earnings.
Can I pay my affiliates via bank transfer?
Yes, you can pay affiliates through bank transfer, but it must be done manually through your bank. You can also use the CSV file generated from AffiliateWP to streamline the process if your bank supports mass payments.
What is the Commission Holding Period and should I use it?
The Commission Holding Period allows you to delay commission payouts for a set number of days after a referral is made, protecting against refunds and chargebacks. It’s recommended to set this to your refund period + 7 days for added security.
Can I pay affiliates individually?
Yes, you can choose to pay each affiliate individually through any method—whether it’s PayPal, bank transfer, or other online payment systems. You can also mark individual referrals as paid manually in the AffiliateWP » Referrals page.
Will generating a payout file automatically mark referrals as paid?
Yes, once you generate the payout file, all unpaid referrals within the selected date range will be automatically marked as Paid.
Does the Commission Holding Period apply to all payout methods?
Yes, the holding period applies no matter which payout method you use, including the Payouts Service, PayPal, or bank transfer. It simply delays when the commission is marked as eligible for payout.
That’s it! AffiliateWP provides multiple ways to handle affiliate payouts, including the
Stripe payouts, PayPal transfers, store credit, or manual bank payments. The Commission Holding Period offers added security by allowing you to delay payouts, protecting your business from refunds or disputes. Choose the payout method that best fits your workflow, and enjoy a flexible, secure process for managing affiliate payments.