Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons

Affiliate marketing trades product ownership for distribution dependence. That can lower operational complexity while increasing reliance on merchants and platforms.

Pros

No inventory, no direct fulfillment, broad offer choice, and the ability to monetize informational content.

Cons

Commission changes, tracking disputes, program closures, refund exposure, compliance requirements, and limited control over checkout or customer experience.

How to reduce concentration risk

Build an independent brand, own your content, maintain an email list where appropriate, and avoid making one merchant your entire topical identity.