TemplateMonster

emplateMonster is a strong option for affiliates in the web design / WordPress / ecommerce ecosystem. The program stands out with a 60-day cookie, an attractive 30% first-purchase commission, and an exceptionally strong public reputation. The main downsides are that payouts are manual request-based and commissions are not true SaaS recurring (though repeat purchases can still generate ongoing commissions).

Category
Digital Marketing
Rating
7.6 / 10
Commission
Up to 30%
Commission Model
CPA
Cookie Duration
60 days
E-Mail
affiliate@templatemonster.com
Software
Proprietary Soare

Key Highlights

TemplateMonster Affiliate Program – Rating Breakdown
Category: Website Templates & Digital Products · Commission: 30% first purchase + 10% repeat (plus 5% sub-affiliates) · Cookie: 60 days · Payout: PayPal / Wire / WebMoney (manual request)
Overall: 7.6 / 10

TemplateMonster is a long-running digital marketplace with a very strong public reputation, a solid cookie window, and an affiliate system that supports content sites, PPC (with brand restrictions), and broad template-related audiences. The biggest limitations are that commissions are primarily “purchase-based” (not true SaaS recurring), and payouts are handled via manual request + verification rather than automated weekly payments.

Best for: web design, WordPress, ecommerce audiences Cookie: 60 days Commission: 30% first + 10% repeat Payouts: manual request (5–10 business days)

TemplateMonster commissions are attractive for a marketplace-style offer:

  • 30% on the first purchase a referred user makes
  • 10% on further purchases from the same user
  • 5% from sub-affiliates (two-tier)

This creates a longer earning lifespan than “single purchase only” programs because repeat purchases can continue producing commissions. However, it is not a true subscription-based recurring model.

Why not 7–8: The program is mainly purchase-based (not SaaS recurring), and program documentation contains some inconsistencies about repeat-purchase rates across pages—always confirm the exact commission terms inside your affiliate dashboard.

60-day cookie duration. This is above-average for a digital marketplace and works well for users who compare templates, themes, or bundles before purchasing.

Why not higher: It’s strong, but not “lifetime” tracking.

Payments are supported via PayPal, Bank/Wire Transfer, and WebMoney. To withdraw, affiliates must complete identity verification (government ID) and then submit a payout request.

  • Methods: PayPal / Wire / WebMoney
  • Processing: typically 5–10 business days after a payout request
  • Minimum threshold: program guide references $50 minimum
Why not 8–9: It’s not automatic weekly payouts—withdrawals are request-based and can be delayed by verification checks or compliance review.

The affiliate program provides a public FAQ, a detailed affiliate guide, and clear policies around promotion. It also explicitly states PPC is allowed, but brand bidding on “templatemonster” terms and misspellings is restricted.

Why not 9–10: Some commission details differ between program pages; the affiliate dashboard should be treated as the source of truth for exact rates by product/type.

The score is calculated using following formula:

(Trustpilot Score × 0.7) + (Internal Review Score × 0.3)

  • Trustpilot rating: 4.5 / 5 → 9.0 / 10 (by doubling)
  • Internal review score: 8.0 / 10 (editable)
Result: (9.0 × 0.7) + (8.0 × 0.3) = 6.3 + 2.4 = 8.7 / 10
Optional: If you tell me your exact internal trust score (1–10), I’ll recalculate this value precisely.

Product appeal is strong because TemplateMonster targets broad, evergreen needs: WordPress themes, ecommerce templates, landing page templates, plugins, and related web assets.

  • Works for beginners building their first site
  • Also works for freelancers/agencies building client sites
  • Large catalog supports many niches and long-tail searches

The program is affiliate-friendly: it supports many promotional tool types (banners, articles, showcases, videos) and allows PPC under clear restrictions (no brand bidding).

Why not 9–10: High competition in the space means “generic review” content converts worse than niche, use-case pages (e.g., templates for a specific CMS, industry, or store type).

(Higher score = less competition)

Web templates and WordPress/ecommerce keywords are competitive. You can still win by focusing on:

  • Long-tail niches (industry + platform + template type)
  • Comparison pages vs. specific alternatives
  • “How to build” tutorials paired with template recommendations

Support includes an affiliate manager contact email and extensive documentation. For most affiliates, the combination of the admin panel + guide + manager access is strong.

Why not 8–9: Support appears solid, but the program is still structured more like a traditional marketplace affiliate program than a “hands-on performance partner” model.
🟠 Final Verdict
Good · reliable brand
TemplateMonster is a strong option for affiliates in the web design / WordPress / ecommerce ecosystem. The program stands out with a 60-day cookie, an attractive 30% first-purchase commission, and an exceptionally strong public reputation. The main downsides are that payouts are manual request-based and commissions are not true SaaS recurring (though repeat purchases can still generate ongoing commissions).

Overall Affiliate Value: 7.6 / 10 (weighted score, rounded up to the nearest 0.1).
Commission Structure TemplateMonster — CPS marketplace commissions with repeat-order earnings and a 2-tier sub-affiliate layer
30% first + 10% repeat

TemplateMonster runs a cost-per-sale (CPS) commission model. The program’s materials describe a higher commission for a customer’s first order, plus a lower commission on later orders from the same customer, which extends earning lifespan beyond a single purchase. The program also includes a two-tier element that pays you when affiliates you recruit generate sales.

Model: CPS (per sale) First order: 30% Repeat orders: 10% Sub-affiliates: 5% Cookie: 60 days
Commission type Rate & what triggers it What it means for affiliates
Customer’s first purchase 30% commission on the first purchase made by a user who arrives via your affiliate link. Strong “first conversion” economics for SEO and tutorial traffic (users often buy immediately once they’ve chosen a theme/template).
Further purchases by the same customer 10% commission on additional orders placed by the same referred user. Creates an extended earning lifespan versus pure one-time CPS. Works best when you attract builders who purchase multiple assets over time.
Two-tier (sub-affiliate) earnings 5% commission from sales generated by your sub-affiliates (affiliates who join under your referral). Adds a scalable “network” layer if you have an audience of designers, bloggers, or creators who can become affiliates themselves.
Attribution basis Sales must occur through tracked attribution (cookie window is 60 days; some program guides also reference tracked carts/links inside the affiliate system). Your best pages are high-intent “best theme for X” pages and step-by-step tutorials where the user clicks and buys in the same session or within the cookie window.
Best-fit product categories Marketplace digital products: themes, templates, and related web assets; the broader ecosystem (e.g., ONE membership) can also be promoted depending on program rules. Broad catalog = lots of niche angles (platform + industry + layout type). Long-tail traffic is the easiest path to consistent conversions.
How to maximize commissions (what converts best)
  • Long-tail niche pages: “WordPress theme for dentists”, “Shopify theme for fashion”, etc.
  • Implementation tutorials: install + customize + speed/mobile tips + template recommendation
  • Comparison pages: TemplateMonster vs alternatives, focused on a single platform/use-case
  • Bundles / stacks: theme + hosting + plugins + design tools (affiliate ecosystem content)
What reduces earnings (watch-outs)
  • Generic “TemplateMonster review” pages without a niche angle
  • Broad low-intent traffic (users not ready to build a site)
  • Users who price-shop across many affiliates (last-click overwrite risk)
  • PPC campaigns that violate brand-bidding rules (account risk)
Simple example (illustrative):
A $59 first purchase at 30% yields ~$17.70 commission.
If that same customer later buys $120 of additional products, a 10% repeat rate would yield $12 more.
Affiliate takeaway: TemplateMonster’s commission model is stronger than typical “one-and-done” CPS programs because it pays 30% on first purchases and still rewards you with 10% on repeat orders. It’s best monetized with high-intent website-building traffic (niche theme searches, tutorials, demos), and it can scale further if you recruit sub-affiliates via the 5% second-tier layer.
English
Target Market Who TemplateMonster converts best with (audience fit, buyer intent, and the most effective traffic sources for affiliates)
Digital products · Global

TemplateMonster’s buyers are people who need a website (or a website component) fast. The offer converts best with audiences who already have clear intent: launching a business, rebuilding a site, starting a store, creating landing pages, or fulfilling client projects. Because products are digital and delivered instantly, the most profitable traffic is typically high-intent SEO and tutorial-led content.

Best audience: website builders & designers Best intent: “buy a theme/template” searches Best model: SEO + tutorials + comparisons Also works: agency/freelancer client workflows Harder: broad “make money online” traffic
Highest-converting audiences
  • DIY website builders (small business owners, founders, creators)
  • WordPress users looking for a theme for a specific niche
  • E-commerce starters (Shopify / WooCommerce / store templates)
  • Freelancers & agencies needing fast client builds and reusable assets
  • Developers searching for admin templates, UI kits, landing page bundles
Best traffic sources for affiliates
  • SEO “money pages”: “best [niche] WordPress theme”, “Shopify theme for [industry]”
  • Tutorial content: “how to build a site for [industry]” + template recommendation
  • YouTube walkthroughs: theme demo, install + customize, speed & UX improvements
  • Tool stacks: hosting + CMS + theme + plugins (bundle content)
  • Client workflows: agency packs, starter kits, and ready-to-deploy templates
Segment What they want Best affiliate positioning
Small business owners A professional site quickly, without hiring a full dev team. “Launch in a weekend” content: niche templates + essential plugins + setup checklist.
WordPress niche builders A theme tailored to a specific industry (restaurants, gyms, coaching, portfolios). Long-tail comparisons: “best theme for [industry]” + live demos + speed/mobile notes.
E-commerce starters A store design that looks trustworthy and converts (product pages, checkout UX). Conversion-focused templates + “store setup” tutorial content + recommended add-ons.
Freelancers & agencies Faster client delivery and reusable site starters. “Agency toolkit” angle: theme bundles, multipurpose templates, and client-ready layouts.
Developers / builders UI kits, landing pages, admin templates—assets that reduce build time. “Ship faster” angle: component libraries, dashboards, and starter templates for frameworks/CMS.
Simple “Target Market” line for your directory:
Website builders, WordPress users, e-commerce starters, and freelancers/agencies who need ready-made templates and digital site assets—best reached via high-intent SEO, tutorials, and theme demos.
Affiliate takeaway: TemplateMonster performs best when your content matches buyer intent: focus on niche theme searches, “how-to build” tutorials, and real demos. Generic “theme marketplace review” content tends to underperform compared with industry-specific pages and step-by-step implementation content.
Bank Transfer
Paypal
Payouts & Payment Methods TemplateMonster — supported payout methods, withdrawal rules, verification, and the realistic payout timeline affiliates should expect
PayPal · Wire · WebMoney

TemplateMonster supports multiple payout methods and uses a manual withdrawal request flow (instead of automatic weekly payouts). Before receiving payments, affiliates typically must complete identity verification. Once verified and eligible, withdrawals are processed in roughly 5–10 business days after you request a payout.

Methods: PayPal / Wire / WebMoney Style: manual withdrawal request Typical processing: 5–10 business days Verification: ID required Minimum: $50 (program guide)
Payout element What TemplateMonster states What affiliates should do
Payment methods Payouts are available via PayPal, Bank/Wire Transfer, and WebMoney. Choose the method that matches your region and business setup. Ensure payout details (email / bank fields) are correct inside the affiliate account settings.
Withdrawal type Withdrawals are generally request-based (you submit a withdrawal request when you want to cash out). Treat it like a “cash-out on demand” system with a processing queue—plan around processing time instead of expecting weekly auto-pay.
Processing time After a request is submitted, payouts are typically processed in ~5–10 business days. Submit withdrawal requests early if you need funds for upcoming ad spend or content production.
Minimum payout threshold The affiliate guide references a $50 minimum threshold for withdrawals. If you’re below $50, focus on higher-intent content (niche theme searches + tutorials) to reach the minimum faster.
Verification / compliance Identity verification is required (e.g., government ID) before payout is released. Complete verification as soon as possible—this prevents your first withdrawal from being delayed by KYC checks.
Activity requirement The guide mentions a requirement to have at least one sale in the current year in order to withdraw. Maintain at least one tracked sale yearly (even a small one) so you don’t get blocked from withdrawing accumulated earnings.
Common reasons for delays Missing/incorrect payout details, incomplete verification, compliance review, or withdrawal requests that don’t meet minimum/eligibility. Keep traffic compliant, avoid prohibited PPC brand bidding, and ensure payout profile fields match your real identity details.
Pros for affiliates
  • Multiple payout methods (PayPal, Wire, WebMoney)
  • Request-based withdrawals (flexible timing once eligible)
  • Clear processing expectation (business-day timeframe)
Cons / limitations
  • Not weekly/instant — withdrawals are processed after request
  • ID verification can slow first payout if done late
  • Eligibility rules (minimum + yearly sale requirement) add friction for low-volume affiliates
Practical timeline (what to expect):
Earn commissions → complete verification → reach minimum threshold → submit withdrawal request → payout processed in ~5–10 business days.
Affiliate takeaway: TemplateMonster payouts are reliable but more “admin-driven” than modern SaaS programs: you’ll likely need to verify your identity and request withdrawals. If you complete verification early, keep your payout details accurate, and maintain at least one sale per year, the payout process should remain smooth.
Affiliate Approval Requirements TemplateMonster — what you need to get approved, what’s restricted (especially PPC), and what can get commissions withheld
Fast signup · Policy-sensitive

TemplateMonster’s affiliate program is generally easy to join: you register, add your promotional details, and start using your tracking links. The most important “approval requirements” are not complicated paperwork — they’re compliance rules (especially around PPC/brand bidding, misleading promotion, and valid traffic sources). Payment eligibility can also require account verification before withdrawals.

Signup: online registration Often required: website/traffic source Strict: no brand bidding Strict: no misleading claims Payments: verification before withdrawal
Step 1 — Create an affiliate account
Required

Register in the affiliate portal and provide standard account details. Add your website URL(s) or primary traffic source so the program can understand how you plan to promote TemplateMonster.

Step 2 — Set payout method & profile details
Required

Configure your payout details (PayPal / Wire / WebMoney, depending on what you choose). Keep profile data consistent — payout reviews and account checks often depend on matching identity information.

Step 3 — Promote within policy (compliance)
Strict

Follow TemplateMonster’s promo rules. This is the real “approval gate”: affiliates who violate brand bidding rules, use spammy tactics, or make misleading claims risk rejection, withholding, or removal.

Step 4 — Complete verification for withdrawals
Before payout

To withdraw earnings, affiliates may need to complete identity verification (KYC-style). Doing this early prevents first payout delays.

Requirement / rule What it means What to do (safe + effective)
Valid traffic source Your application is strongest when you can show a clear promotion method (website, blog, YouTube, social channel, email list, etc.). Provide your main site/channel and a short, specific plan (e.g., “WordPress theme comparisons + installation tutorials”).
PPC allowed, but brand bidding restricted Paid traffic can be permitted, but bidding on TemplateMonster brand keywords (and common misspellings) is typically prohibited/restricted. Use non-brand keywords (“best theme for…”, “WordPress template…”) and drive to your review/tutorial page first.
No misleading promotion Claims must be accurate (pricing, licensing, included features). Misrepresentation can trigger reversals or removal. Show screenshots, clarify what’s included, and avoid “guaranteed” claims. Link to the exact product category/page you describe.
No spam / forced clicks Spam email, pop-under/forced redirects, misleading buttons, or incentivized clicks can violate program rules. Use value-first content: demos, tutorials, comparisons, and resource pages that earn the click naturally.
Tracking integrity Sales must be attributed via your tracking link. Cookie blockers, broken redirects, or excessive cloaking can reduce credited sales. Use clean links, minimize redirect chains, and test tracking. Send traffic to relevant landing pages, not generic homepages.
Verification for payouts Before payouts/withdrawals, the program can require identity verification and consistent payout details. Complete verification early and ensure your account profile matches your payout identity (especially for wire transfers).
What gets affiliates rejected or removed most often
  • Brand keyword PPC bidding (or trying to “appear official” in ads)
  • Misleading price/licensing claims to inflate conversions
  • Spam traffic or forced redirects
  • Fraud patterns (fake leads, stolen cards, abnormal refund spikes)
Fast approval checklist (best practice)
  • Add a real site/channel and a clear niche (WordPress, Shopify, landing pages, agency builds)
  • Use non-brand SEO/PPC terms; avoid all brand bidding
  • Publish “how to choose/install/customize” content (higher quality traffic)
  • Complete payout verification early to avoid delays
Simple rule of thumb:
If you promote TemplateMonster through helpful content (tutorials, comparisons, niche theme lists) and avoid brand bidding + misleading ads, approval and long-term account stability are typically straightforward.
Affiliate takeaway: TemplateMonster is easy to join, but it’s policy-sensitive on traffic quality and PPC brand bidding. For the smoothest approval and payout experience, use content-led promotion, keep claims accurate, and complete verification before your first withdrawal.