Amazon Associates is the starting point for almost every maker who monetizes their content. But it's rarely the ending point for the ones earning real money. The affiliate landscape for makers is broader than most creators realize — and the programs outside Amazon often pay significantly better.
Tools & Hardware
Home Depot Affiliate Program (Impact)
Home Depot runs its affiliate program through Impact. Commission rates are competitive for the home improvement category, and your audience almost certainly shops there. If you're recommending lumber, fasteners, or mid-range power tools, this is worth setting up alongside Amazon.
Lowe's Affiliate Program (Impact)
Similar to Home Depot — runs through Impact, strong brand recognition, and broad product catalog. Worth having both and linking to whichever has the better price on a given item.
Tool Brand Direct Programs
Many tool brands run their own affiliate programs through Impact or ShareASale. If you consistently recommend a specific brand, check if they have a direct program. Brand-direct commissions are often higher than the retailer programs that carry the same products.
Craft & Making Supplies
Michaels (Impact)
The go-to for craft supplies. If your audience includes paper crafters, mixed media artists, or hobby makers, Michaels has a solid program through Impact.
JOANN (ShareASale)
Fabric, yarn, and craft supplies. Strong commission rates for the craft category. If your content touches sewing, quilting, or fiber arts at all, this is a must-have.
Tech & Electronics
B&H Photo (Impact)
The preferred retailer for serious camera, audio, and electronics gear. Commission rates beat Amazon's electronics category, and your audience likely trusts B&H for big purchases.
Newegg
Strong for electronics components, PC building content, and tech-forward makers. If your content touches 3D printing, CNC, or electronics projects, Newegg is worth considering.
How to Manage Multiple Programs
The complexity of running multiple affiliate programs is what stops most creators from diversifying. You end up with different tag formats for different stores, and manually tracking which link needs which tag is error-prone.
MakerManifest handles this automatically. Set up your affiliate rules once per store and every link you add gets the right tag applied without any manual work. Visit Supported Programs to see the full list of programs we track, or check your Affiliate Programs dashboard to set up your rules.