Program Details
| Commission | $50-$125 per sale (Slab) or $30 + 7% lifetime recurring (Hybrid) (Hybrid) |
| Cookie Duration | 90 days |
| Network | Direct (Post Affiliate Pro) |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Wire Transfer, Funds Transfer |
| Min. Payout | $250 (PayPal), $1,000 (Wire Transfer), $100 (Funds Transfer) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (last week of each month) |
| Category | Managed Cloud Hosting |
| Countries | Worldwide |
| Website | www.cloudways.com |
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that simplifies server management by letting users deploy WordPress sites and web applications on top infrastructure from DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, and Linode. Founded in 2011 and acquired by DigitalOcean in 2022, Cloudways now serves hundreds of thousands of websites globally and has built a strong reputation among developers, agencies, and WordPress professionals.
The Cloudways affiliate program stands out in the managed hosting space by offering two distinct commission models – a performance-based Slab model paying up to $125 per referral, and a Hybrid model that combines a $30 upfront payment with 7% lifetime recurring commissions. With a 90-day cookie window and a direct program managed via Post Affiliate Pro, it gives affiliates solid flexibility in how they earn.
Cloudways Affiliate Program Commission Structure
Cloudways runs two main commission models, letting affiliates pick the structure that fits their audience and traffic patterns. The Slab model pays a fixed amount per referral that scales with your monthly referral volume, while the Hybrid model trades a lower upfront payment for lifetime recurring revenue on each referred customer.
There is also a Custom model for high-volume affiliates who refer more than 80 customers per month – Cloudways negotiates terms individually for these partners. This tiered approach means the program rewards both prolific referrers and affiliates who attract long-term, high-value customers.
| Commission Model | Referrals / Month | Commission Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Slab | 1-5 | $50 per sale |
| Slab | 6-20 | $75 per sale |
| Slab | 21-45 | $100 per sale |
| Slab | 46-80 | $125 per sale |
| Hybrid | Any volume | $30 upfront + 7% lifetime recurring |
| Custom | 80+ | Negotiated individually |
Cookie Duration and Tracking
Cloudways uses a 90-day cookie, which is generous by hosting industry standards. Most competing hosting programs run 30 to 60 days, so that extra window gives your referrals considerably more time to convert – useful when your audience is comparison-shopping before committing to a hosting platform.
The program runs through Post Affiliate Pro, Cloudways’ own affiliate tracking platform at cloudways.com/affiliate. You get access to a dashboard with click and conversion tracking, real-time reporting, and creative assets including banners and links. First-click attribution applies – the first affiliate to refer a visitor gets credit for the conversion.
One important note on pending commissions: a referral only moves from pending to approved once the referred customer upgrades their account and pays at least two invoices. This protects against low-quality trial signups, but it does mean there is a built-in delay of at least 30-60 days between a conversion and a withdrawable commission.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High commission ceiling – up to $125 per sale on the Slab model for volume affiliates
- Hybrid model offers 7% lifetime recurring commissions, which compounds well over time
- 90-day cookie is one of the longest in the managed hosting niche
- Multiple payout methods: PayPal, Wire Transfer, and Funds Transfer
- Dedicated affiliate support team and a manager for active partners
- No website required to join – open to social media, YouTube, newsletters, and other channels
Cons:
- High PayPal payout threshold – $250 in approved commissions required before you can withdraw
- Wire transfers only available once you have $1,000 or more in approved commissions per cycle
- Commissions stay pending until referred customers pay at least two invoices – 30-60 day delay
- PPC is restricted: no bidding on trademark terms, no direct-linking ads to Cloudways
- Legacy affiliate pages still show old terms (60-day cookie, different rates) – can cause confusion
How to Join the Cloudways Affiliate Program
Cloudways runs its affiliate program directly – there is no third-party network required. The signup process is straightforward and applications are reviewed within about 24 hours.
- Go to cloudways.com/en/web-hosting-affiliate-program.php and click “Join Now”.
- Fill in your affiliate profile: name, website or promotion channel, traffic volume, and how you plan to promote Cloudways.
- Wait for manual review – Cloudways typically responds within 24 hours. Having a relevant website, YouTube channel, or established audience speeds up approval.
- Once approved, log into your Post Affiliate Pro dashboard at cloudways.com/affiliate to access your tracking links, banners, and reporting.
- Choose your commission model (Slab or Hybrid) from within your dashboard – you can switch models, though Cloudways recommends choosing based on your audience retention rate.
Approval is rated Moderate – Cloudways does review each application manually, but they accept affiliates across a wide range of channels including blogs, YouTube, newsletters, and social media. There are no explicit minimum traffic requirements stated, though a relevant tech or hosting audience improves your chances of quick approval.
Who Should Promote Cloudways?
Best fits: WordPress and web development bloggers, agency owners, and tech YouTubers who write hosting comparisons or tutorials are the natural fit here. Cloudways has strong name recognition in the WordPress and WooCommerce communities, so content targeting developers, freelancers managing client sites, or agencies scaling multiple projects converts well.
Email newsletter publishers with a developer or digital marketing audience also perform well, particularly if they can showcase migration success stories or performance benchmarks. The Hybrid model’s 7% recurring commissions make Cloudways especially attractive for affiliates who build long-form content that continues to generate signups month after month.
Weaker fits: Affiliates targeting pure beginners looking for cheap shared hosting will struggle – Cloudways pricing starts higher than budget hosts like Bluehost or HostGator, and the managed cloud setup has a steeper learning curve. General coupon and deal sites tend to attract low-retention customers who churn before the second invoice, keeping commissions in pending status indefinitely.
How Cloudways Compares to Alternatives
| Program | Commission | Cookie | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudways | $50-$125/sale or $30 + 7% recurring | 90 days | Direct |
| WP Engine | $100-$200+ per sale | 180 days | Direct (Everflow) |
| Kinsta | $50-$500 one-time + 10% recurring | 60 days | Direct |
| SiteGround | 40-75 EUR per sale (tiered) | 60 days | Direct |
| DigitalOcean | 10% of spend for 12 months | 90 days | CJ Affiliate |
Cloudways sits in a strong position against managed hosting competitors. WP Engine offers a higher cookie (180 days) and strong per-sale commissions, but Cloudways’ Hybrid model with lifetime recurring beats WP Engine on long-term earning potential. Kinsta’s 10% recurring is higher than Cloudways’ 7%, but Kinsta’s 60-day cookie and higher price points mean fewer conversions for most affiliates.
SiteGround is worth adding to a comparison article for budget-conscious audiences, but it targets a different customer segment. DigitalOcean via CJ Affiliate appeals to developer audiences, though its percentage-based structure produces lower earnings per referral at entry-level spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Cloudways affiliate program pay?
Cloudways offers two models: the Slab model pays $50 to $125 per sale depending on your monthly referral volume, while the Hybrid model pays a $30 upfront bonus plus 7% lifetime recurring commissions on every payment the referred customer makes. High-volume affiliates sending more than 80 referrals per month can negotiate a Custom rate directly with the Cloudways affiliate team.
How long is the Cloudways affiliate cookie?
The Cloudways affiliate program uses a 90-day cookie, which is longer than most hosting competitors. This gives you a three-month window from the first click to earn a commission, helpful when your audience takes time to compare options before buying.
Which commission model should I choose – Slab or Hybrid?
The Slab model makes more sense if you drive high referral volume and want predictable per-sale payouts – at 46+ referrals per month you earn $125 per conversion. The Hybrid model suits affiliates whose referred customers tend to stay long-term, since the 7% lifetime recurring commissions compound significantly over months and years of customer payments.
How are Cloudways affiliate payouts processed?
Cloudways pays monthly during the last week of each month. PayPal is available once you have $250 in approved commissions, Funds Transfer (credit) at $100, and Wire Transfer at $1,000. Commissions only become approved after the referred customer pays at least two invoices, so factor in a 30-60 day delay after each conversion before funds become withdrawable.
Does Cloudways allow PPC advertising for affiliates?
Yes, PPC is allowed but with restrictions. Affiliates cannot bid on Cloudways trademark keywords or misspellings, cannot use Cloudways as a display URL in ads, and cannot direct-link or redirect PPC traffic straight to Cloudways’ website. Generic hosting keywords and branded content around Cloudways are generally fine.
How long does Cloudways affiliate approval take?
Cloudways reviews applications manually and typically makes a decision within 24 hours. There are no stated minimum traffic requirements, but having a relevant hosting, WordPress, or web development audience makes approval faster. Affiliates without a website can apply using a YouTube channel, newsletter, or social media presence.
When do pending Cloudways commissions become withdrawable?
A Cloudways commission stays in pending status until the referred customer upgrades their account and successfully pays at least two invoices. Once those conditions are met, the commission moves to approved and becomes available in the next payout cycle. This typically adds a 30-60 day delay on top of the initial conversion date.
Final Verdict
The Cloudways affiliate program is one of the better options in the managed hosting space. The 90-day cookie is generous, the Hybrid model’s lifetime recurring commissions can build real passive income over time, and the Slab model rewards affiliates who drive consistent volume with commissions up to $125 per sale.
The main friction points are the high PayPal threshold ($250) and the two-invoice rule that delays commission approval – these make the program less appealing for affiliates who are just starting out or drive low volumes. Beginners may find it slow to hit their first payout.
For WordPress bloggers, web development YouTubers, and agency-focused content creators, Cloudways is worth adding to your hosting recommendations. Sign up at cloudways.com/en/web-hosting-affiliate-program.php and choose the Hybrid model if your audience has strong retention – the compounding lifetime commissions are where the real value lies.
