There are so many options for affiliate marketing platforms out there. It can be quite confusing on which one you should choose to use. Recently the big debate has been ShopMy vs LTK and which one is better between the two. In this post you’ll learn the key differences between them and which platform is better suited for you.
In This Article
What is affiliate marketing?
Before diving into the differences between ShopMy and LTK, let’s talk about affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing allows an influencer, blogger, YouTuber or other 3rd party to market a company’s products or services. This can be done through their social media, blog, website, or newsletter.
A unique link, called an affiliate link, is used to track sales made by the 3rd party and they earn a commission on each sale. The amount of commission they earn varies by company and product category. This amount is set by the company and can vary from one affiliate marketing platform to the next.
Depending on your goals as an affiliate marketer, you may prefer ShopMy over LTK or vice versa.
What is LTK?
LTK, previously know as LikeToKnow.it and RewardStyle, is one of the more well-known affiliate marketing platforms. Especially amongst lifestyle and beauty influencers and bloggers. It’s been around since 2011 and has grown significantly since then. It has quite a few features that differ from ShopMy so let’s talk about them.
Key Features of LTK
1. LTK is its own social media platform.
2. You can post video and pictures in app.
3. You can link to posts you create in the app or you can create direct links.
4. Links can used on Pinterest.
5. Rewards are unlocked by reaching tiers.
So, what are the pros and cons?
Pros of using LTK
1. It’s a great affiliate marketing platform if you’re in the beauty, fashion, or home decor niche.
2. You can unlock brand partnerships. (Although, compensation varies by project and some are only gifted)
3. They host Zoom webinars to keep you updated on import dates like preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
4. An in-app seasonal posting calendar is available to help you prepare in advance.
5. It’s easy to link to single products or create gift guides and collections right in the app.
Cons of using LTK
1. There are requirements you must meet in order to be accepted (follower count, social media presence, etc). Many people have reported being denied multiple times.
2. You can’t link to other affiliate marketing platforms.
3. Your community has to download the LTK app if you want to direct them to your LTK posts.
4. Depending on your niche, it can be tough to grow your community on LTK.
5. It can be difficult to get questions answered by a representative.
6. You can’t reach out to brands directly.
What is ShopMy?
There are so many options for affiliate marketing platforms out there. It can be quite confusing on which one you should choose to use. Recently the big debate has been ShopMy vs LTK and which one is better between the two. In this post you’ll learn the key differences between them and which platform is better suited for you.
Key Features of ShopMy
1. Create an all-in-one storefront for your community to shop with no frills.
2. Link your shelves to your social media posts.
3. Can be viewed in any browser, no extra app needed.
4. Easy to understand analytics
5. Rewards are unlocked when you reach certain tiers.
So, what are the pros and cons of ShopMy?
Pros of using ShopMy
1. Signing up is easy and you typically get a response within a few days. Requirements for acceptance are less strict than LTK.
2. Once you reach a certain tier, you can chat with any brand on the app, request gifting, or propose a collaboration.
3. You can create a customized storefront and include links from other affiliate platforms.
4. It’s very user friendly for both the creator and your community.
5. Easily embed products on your blog with widgets.
6. There’s no need for your community to download another app.
7. Commission is often higher on ShopMy. If you find a higher commission on another app, they can potentially increase it on the ShopMy platform.
Cons of using ShopMY
1. You can’t chat with brands until you reach the 3rd tier. However, if they reach out to you first, you can continue the conversation.
2. Links can’t be used on Pinterest when tagging products.
3. Sometimes the cookie window on the links are short so conversions may be off.
Shopmy vs ltk, Which affiliate marketing platform is better for you?
The affiliate marketing platform you choose, be it ShopMy, LTK, or a different one, largely depends on how you choose to link and what your goals are as an affiliate marketer. However, if you’re trying to decide on ShopMy vs LTK, some factors to consider are:
1. Do you want to keep up with an additional social media-like platform?
2. How do you want the user experience of your audience to flow?
3. Do you want your audience to have to download an additional app?
4. Do you only plan to share links on occasion?
5. Where will you be posting your links.
Answering these questions will help you decide which of the two affiliate marketing platforms are right for you.
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