Program Details
| Commission | 200% of first month's subscription; $1,500 for enterprise referrals (Cost Per Sale) |
| Cookie Duration | 90 days |
| Network | Impact (program closed May 2025) |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Bank Transfer |
| Min. Payout | No minimum |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly |
| Category | E-commerce Platform |
| Countries | Global (was available worldwide through Impact) |
| Website | www.bigcommerce.com |
BigCommerce is a publicly traded e-commerce platform founded in 2009, serving over 60,000 merchants across more than 150 countries. The company competes directly with Shopify and WooCommerce, targeting mid-market and enterprise retailers who need a hosted storefront with advanced catalog management, multi-channel selling, and built-in SEO tools. Its customer base ranges from independent boutiques to major brands like Toyota and Ben & Jerry’s.
BigCommerce Affiliate Program Overview
Note: The BigCommerce affiliate program was officially closed on May 17, 2025. BigCommerce cited a strategic shift toward more efficient return on investment as the reason for the closure. Commissions for referrals made before that date were paid out through August 16, 2025. This page covers the program as it existed for historical reference and comparison purposes.
While active, the BigCommerce affiliate program ran through Impact and paid 200% of a referred merchant’s first monthly payment on standard plans – so a Plus plan referral ($79.95/month at the time) would yield $159.90 in commission. Enterprise plan referrals paid a flat $1,500 regardless of the subscription value. For comparison, most competing platform programs at the time paid fixed fees of $100-$150 per referral.
The cookie window was 90 days – well above the 30-day standard seen at most competitors. Payment came via PayPal or direct bank transfer on a monthly basis with no minimum payout threshold. The program ran through Impact, which gave affiliates access to a real-time dashboard for tracking clicks, conversions, and earnings.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 200% of first month’s subscription – higher than the $100-$150 flat fees most competing platforms paid
- Flat $1,500 payout for enterprise referrals with no sales quotas
- 90-day cookie duration, compared to the 30-day standard at most competitors
- No minimum payout threshold – any earned commission could be withdrawn
- Ran through Impact, a widely used network with real-time tracking and reporting
Cons:
- Program closed permanently as of May 17, 2025 – no longer accepting affiliates
- Commissions were one-time only, with no recurring payouts on renewals
- Approval criteria were not clearly documented, creating uncertainty for new applicants
- Monthly verification period meant a 30+ day wait before commissions were confirmed
How to Join
The BigCommerce affiliate program is no longer accepting new applications. BigCommerce confirmed the program closure on May 17, 2025, with final commission processing through August 16, 2025.
For affiliates in the e-commerce platform niche, the Shopify affiliate program (also on Impact) pays up to $150 per full-priced plan referral with a 30-day cookie. The WooCommerce/Automattic affiliate program pays up to 30% commission. Check each program’s official page for current availability and terms.
Competitor Comparison
| Platform | Commission | Cookie | Network | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | 200% of first month / $1,500 enterprise | 90 days | Impact | Closed May 2025 |
| Shopify | Up to $150 per referral | 30 days | Impact | Active |
| Wix | $100 per premium referral | 30 days | Direct | Active |
| Squarespace | $100-$200 per subscription | 45 days | Impact | Active |
| WooCommerce | Up to 30% | 30 days | Direct (Automattic) | Active |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BigCommerce affiliate program still active?
No. BigCommerce permanently closed its affiliate program on May 17, 2025. The company announced the closure citing a need for more disciplined, ROI-focused marketing. All tracking links stopped working on that date, and final commission payments were processed through August 16, 2025.
What commission did the BigCommerce affiliate program pay?
Affiliates earned 200% of the referred merchant’s first monthly subscription fee on standard plans. For enterprise plan referrals, BigCommerce paid a flat $1,500 regardless of the actual subscription value. These were one-time commissions – there were no recurring payouts on renewals.
Which network did BigCommerce use for its affiliate program?
The program ran through Impact (formerly Impact Radius). Affiliates used the Impact dashboard for tracking clicks, conversions, and earnings in real time.
How long was the BigCommerce affiliate cookie?
BigCommerce offered a 90-day tracking cookie, which was significantly longer than the 30-day standard used by most competing programs. This gave affiliates a wider window to earn credit for referrals who took time to evaluate the platform before purchasing.
What alternatives exist now that the BigCommerce affiliate program is closed?
Active e-commerce platform affiliate programs include the Shopify affiliate program, which pays up to $150 per full-priced plan referral through Impact with a 30-day cookie. Squarespace (also on Impact) pays $100-$200 per subscription, and the Automattic/WooCommerce program pays up to 30% commission for affiliates targeting WordPress-based store builders.
How were BigCommerce affiliates paid?
Payments were processed monthly via PayPal or direct bank transfer. There was no minimum payout threshold, meaning any earned commissions could be withdrawn regardless of amount. Commissions typically required a one-month verification period before becoming payable.
Final Verdict
The BigCommerce affiliate program paid 200% of first-month subscriptions and offered a 90-day cookie – both well above what most competing platform programs paid at the time. The one-time commission structure (no recurring payouts) was a drawback, but the $1,500 enterprise flat fee was a meaningful payout for affiliates with a business or mid-market audience.
The program is now closed. Affiliates in the e-commerce platform niche can find similar programs on Impact – Shopify pays up to $150 per referral and Squarespace pays $100-$200 per subscription. Neither matches the payout ceiling BigCommerce offered. Check each program’s official page for current availability.
