A Simple Guide To Affiliate Marketing in Switzerland

Looking for a simple guide to affiliate marketing in Switzerland?

Then you’re in the right place!

In this post, I’ll share with you the state of affiliate marketing in Switzerland, the legal restrictions you have to take into account, and everything else you need to know if you want to get into affiliate marketing.

In the end, I’ll also show you how to start your own affiliate marketing business in case you’re interested.

Well…

Instead of me blabbering on how about we get into it?

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a form of marketing where companies form partnerships with people to get more exposure and boost their sales.

The people they form these partnerships with are called affiliates and they earn a commission for each visit, signup, or sale they generate for those companies. The company decides which of these 3 actions grants a commission beforehand.

The State of Affiliate Marketing in Switzerland

Affiliate marketing and e-commerce in general isn’t as big in Switzerland as it is in the United States but it is gaining popularity every year.

According to multiple sources, the e-commerce market is projected to reach US$13.67bn at the end of 2023. Considering consumer behavior in Switzerland an annual growth rate is expected of 11.69%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$21.27bn by 2027.

To put this into perspective in China US$1,319.00bn in revenue is expected to be generated by the end of 2023. When you think about the size of the population of both China and Switzerland generating this much revenue online is highly impressive.

So what exactly are people purchasing online in Switzerland?

In 2023, the biggest revenue share comes from the fashion niche followed by electronics, and the Beauty and health niche. According to estimations in 2024 these 3 niches will still bring in the most revenue.

The fashion niche is estimated to bring $1 billion worth of revenue more than in 2023.

The 3 top brands receiving revenue online from Switzerland are Galaxus, Migros, and Zalando.

Affiliate marketing regulations in Switzerland

Affiliate marketing is allowed in Switzerland but it is important to uphold the laws concerning affiliate marketing and e-commerce in general. Here are some of the acts you’ll have to uphold:

Federal Unfair Competition Act (UCA). Article 3 para. 1 lit. s UCA

Here’s what the act says about doing e-commerce (which includes affiliate marketing) in Switzerland.

It is now mandatory that each online service provider publishes information about its identity and its contact details, including its e-mail address (imprint).

Furthermore, the e-commerce provider must make the user aware of the individual technical steps leading to the conclusion of a contract and provide its customers with an overview of its order and the option to amend incorrect details before the contract is entered into.

Finally, once a contract has been entered into, the provider must without delay send to the customer a confirmation of its order submitted.

Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation

In Switzerland, you’ll also have to abide the data protection laws such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

It governs how we can use, process, and store personal data (information about an identifiable, person). As an affiliate marketer, you’ll have to disclose that you’re storing data and how it’ll be used.

The subject whose data has been stored also has the right to access their data and demand it to be deleted from your database. This rule will mostly apply to affiliate marketers creating email lists to communicate with prospects.

Top Swiss Affiliate Programs

Affiliate Program: Swiss Activities

Swiss Activities is a renowned company specializing in curated travel experiences in Switzerland. With a passion for adventure and a deep love for the Swiss landscape, they offer a diverse range of activities for tourists.

From skiing in the breathtaking Swiss Alps to exploring charming Swiss cities, their expertly crafted tours cater to every traveler’s preferences

Company Name: Swiss Activities
URL Affiliate Page:.swissactivities.com/en-ch/affiliate/
Commission rate: 3%
cookie duration: 45 days
Types of products sold: Tickets for activities
Paid: Monthly
markets: Switzerland
Resources:

• access to over 1200 leisure activities throughout Switzerland.
• option to sell tickets directly on your website
• versatile and attractively designed custom HTML tools

Affiliate Program: Infomaniak

Infomaniak is a Swiss-based company known for providing a wide array of web hosting and digital services. Established in 1995, they have become a leading player in the industry. Infomaniak offers hosting solutions, domain registration, cloud services, and more, with a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility.

Company Name: Infomaniak
URL Affiliate Page: www.infomaniak.com/fr/affiliation
Commission rate: 20% – 50%
cookie duration:
Types of products sold:
Paid: Monthly via Paypal
markets: Switzerland
Resources:

• Banners
• Widgets
• Analytics tools

Affiliate Program: Jones Snowboards

Jones Snowboards is a prominent company in the snowboarding industry, founded by legendary snowboarder Jeremy Jones.

Known for their innovative approach to board design, they create high-performance snowboards that cater to riders of all levels. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Jones Snowboards places great emphasis on eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes.

Company Name: Jones Snowboards
URL Affiliate Programs: www.jonessnowboards.com/content/480-jones-affiliate-program
Commission rate: 6% per sale
cookie duration: 30 days
Types of products sold: Snowboard Related products
Paid: Monthly
markets: Globally

Affiliate Program: Swissotel

Swissotel is a renowned international chain of luxury hotels and resorts. Known for its elegant and sophisticated accommodations, Swissotel offers a premium experience to travelers worldwide.

With locations in major cities and stunning resort destinations, the brand focuses on delivering exceptional hospitality, fine dining, and wellness amenities.

Company Name: Swissotel
URL Affiliate Page: www.swissotel.com/affiliates
Commission rate: 5%
cookie duration: 30 days
Types of products sold: Hotel and resort bookings
Paid: Monthly
markets: Europe

Affiliate Program: Formula Swiss

Formula Swiss is a Swiss-based company specializing in high-quality CBD (cannabidiol) products.

With a strong focus on natural and organic ingredients, they offer a range of CBD oils, creams, and supplements known for their potential health and wellness benefits.

What is important to know is that search engine marketing isn’t allowed to promote Formula Swiss products.

Company Name: Formula Swiss
URL Affiliate Page: formulaswiss.com/pages/affiliate-program
Commission rate: 30%
cookie duration: 30 days
Types of products sold: CBD products
Paid: Monthly
markets: Europe

Affiliate Program: Lego

LEGO is a globally recognized Danish toy company that has been delighting children and adults alike for generations.

Founded in 1932, LEGO is celebrated for its interlocking plastic brick sets that enable creative building and play. Beyond classic sets, they offer a vast range of themes, from architecture to popular franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter.

Company Name: Lego
URL Affiliate programs: www.lego.com/en-ch/page/affiliate-program
Commission rate: 2.5% per sale
cookie duration: 30 days
Types of products sold: Legos
Paid: Monthly
markets: Globally

Affiliate Program: Burton

Burton is an iconic name in the world of snowboarding. Founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977, it’s a pioneering company that has significantly shaped the sport.

Burton is renowned for its innovation in snowboard design and equipment, including boards, bindings, and apparel. With a strong commitment to rider-driven product development, they have played a crucial role in popularizing and advancing snowboarding.

Company Name: Burton
URL Affiliate Program: www.burton.com/ch/en/affiliate/affiliate-na.html
Commission rate: 6%
cookie duration: 30 days
Types of products sold: Snowboard-related products
Paid: Monthly
markets: Switzerland
Resources:
which gives you an entire month after the click to receive credit for sales.
• Access to official banners, text links, & our product data feed..
• Dedicated program management who is available to answer questions and help you succeed
• Monthly newsletters that keep you informed of the latest Burton news and promotions while providing tips to increase your sales

Affiliate Program: Just Eat

Just Eat, now part of the global food delivery company Takeaway.com, is an online food ordering and delivery platform.

It provides a convenient way for customers to order food from local restaurants and have it delivered to their doorstep. Founded in Denmark, Just Eat operates in several countries, connecting a wide range of restaurants with hungry customers.

Company Name: Just Eat
URL Affiliate programs: just-eat.ch/ch-en/affiliate
Commission rate: 2.5% per sale
cookie duration: 30 days
Types of products sold: Legos
Paid: Monthly
markets: Globally

Top Affiliate Networks used in Switzerland

Just in case your niche isn’t compatible with the Private affiliate programs I have mentioned above you could also find programs on affiliate networks. These networks have thousands of affiliate programs that you can choose from in all kinds of niches.

The top affiliate networks to choose from, if you’re in Switzerland, are:

• Awin
• Avantlink
• CJ Affiliate

How to find Affiliate programs yourself

A great tool for finding affiliate programs is Google.

As soon as you’ve picked a niche you can incorporate it in the keywords you type in the Google search bar.

For example, let’s say you have picked the niche “lawnmowers”. You can use keywords such as:

• “lawnmower + Affiliate Program”
• “Lawnmower + Affiliates”

You could replace your niche in these keywords and Google will do the hard job for you. What you do have to take into account is that when you do this you’ll have to do some research to find out if it’s a trustworthy company.

Tips for success in the Switzerland market

• Join the online affiliate marketing communities for Switzerland on platforms such as Reddit/Facebook/Linkedin.
• Make sure your knowledge about e-commerce regulations is up to date.
• Analyze the competition in your niche.
• Find out if your niche is on an upward or downward trend.
• Keep overseeing your campaigns and test multiple versions of sales pages.

Affiliate Marketing in Switzerland FAQ

Is affiliate marketing popular in Switzerland?

Yes. Affiliate marketing is getting more popular with affiliate programs popping up every week. In combination with online purchases rising in the following year, it is safe to say that affiliate marketing is here to stay in Switzerland.

Can I promote products from other countries?

It’s not uncommon for affiliate marketers to promote products that aren’t from the country they’re based. The online world has made it possible to affiliate marketing from anywhere with products from anywhere.

In Switzerland, a high percentage of purchases are done across borders up to the point that there’s worry that local businesses have a hard time competing with the process of large enterprises outside of Switzerland.

How do I start with Affiliate Marketing?

Most affiliate marketers start by picking 1 product or niche. You can start an affiliate business through social media platforms but the highest chance of success is building an affiliate website.

A personal website has fewer restraints from a visual and branding perspective when it comes to branding and a lot of affiliate programs still require you to have a website to sign up.

After that, you’re going to start creating content or ads promoting that product.

The trick is to find a niche that is popular enough to succeed with but at the same time doesn’t have millions of competing affiliate marketers.

After that, you’ll create a website that you can use to collect emails and direct people to the affiliate companies.

How much does it cost to start with affiliate marketing?

In theory, you can start affiliate marketing for free but if you want to earn meaningful money on a consistent basis I’d recommend getting proper affiliate marketing training and getting affiliate marketing tools for support.

Now it’s your turn to become an affiliate marketer!

Getting 1 or 2 sales every now and then shouldn’t be hard but what if you want to consistently earn money and create a decent side or full-time income?

If you want to learn how to get affiliate sales consistently, then look at the Constant Commissions course. It’s a free beginner course that will teach you how to create a successful affiliate business from scratch.

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A Guide To Affiliate Marketing in Switzerland
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