Is the Cloudways Affiliate Program Worth It in 2025? The Honest Truth
The Cloudways affiliate program keeps popping up for marketers who crave high-paying hosting commissions. With earnings up to $125 per sale and a mix of commission structures, it’s managed to stand out among a sea of hosting affiliate programs.
The Cloudways affiliate program is worth a look in 2025 if you can actually drive quality traffic. It’s got some of the highest commissions in the hosting space and lets you pick how you want to earn—immediate payouts or recurring income, your call.
Your results will depend on how well you target the right folks and pick a commission structure that matches your style. The performance-based partnership is great for those who can deliver steady traffic, but it’s not a magic money machine—you’ll need realistic expectations about conversions and what it takes to actually get paid.
What You’ll Learn?
- Cloudways pays up to $125 per sale and offers both slab and hybrid commission models—big potential if you’re active and focused.
- You’ll need steady traffic and solid targeting, so it’s best for tech bloggers, developers, or web pros with an engaged audience.
- The program’s tracking tools and marketing support are better than what most other hosting affiliate programs offer in 2025.
How the Cloudways Affiliate Program Works
The Cloudways affiliate program is a performance-based partnership where you get paid to promote their managed cloud hosting services. You’ll find three commission models, a 90-day tracking cookie, and plenty of promotional tools from different cloud providers.
Affiliate Sign-Up Process
Getting started is pretty simple. Just head to the Cloudways affiliate page and fill out their sign-up form.
Required Information:
- Your website or platform
- How you plan to promote
- Preferred payment method
- Audience info
Approval usually takes a few business days. They’ll check your application to make sure you fit their basic requirements.
Once you’re in, you get access to the Cloudways affiliate dashboard with your links, tracking, and marketing stuff.
You’ll need to keep an active online presence with content that makes sense for Cloudways’ crowd—think web developers, agencies, or business owners.
Tracking and Attribution Methods
Cloudways uses a 90-day cookie for tracking referrals. If someone clicks your affiliate link and buys within 90 days, you get the credit.
The system tracks things like:
Tracked Data:
- Click-through rates
- Conversions
- Customer value
- Commission totals
Your dashboard gives you real-time stats so you can see what’s working. The long 90-day cookie means you don’t miss out if people take their time before buying.
This is longer than what a lot of other programs offer, where 30-60 days is more common.
Available Hosting Partners
Cloudways is basically a managed hosting platform built on top of big-name cloud hosting providers. So when you promote Cloudways, you’re really giving folks access to premium infrastructure with an easier interface.
Infrastructure Partners:
- DigitalOcean – Great for developers and small businesses
- Google Cloud – Enterprise-level performance
- AWS – Pretty much the industry standard
- Vultr – Fast SSD cloud servers
- Linode – Developer-friendly options
Each provider has its own server locations, prices, and features. Your referrals can pick whatever fits their needs from the Cloudways dashboard.
This variety gives you more ways to pitch Cloudways. You can tailor your message to different audiences and budgets.
Commission Structure and Earnings Potential
Cloudways offers two main commission models: up to $125 per sale with the Slab system, or $30 plus 7% lifetime recurring commissions with the Hybrid model. The payout threshold starts at $250 if you’re using PayPal.
Slab vs. Hybrid Models
The Slab model is all about volume. You start at $50 per sale for 1-5 customers, but if you refer 46-80 in a month, it jumps to $125 each.
This CPA setup is best if you can send a steady stream of high-converting leads. The more you sell, the more you make per sale.
The Hybrid model is a blend—$30 upfront plus 7% recurring on renewals. It’s a way to stack up passive income as long as your customers stick around (and Cloudways says their churn rate is just 3%).
If you like steady recurring income more than one-off big payouts, the Hybrid model might just be your thing.
Commission Rate Breakdown
Slab Model Commission Rates:
| Tier | Customers Per Month | Commission Per Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Slab 1 | 1-5 customers | $50 |
| Slab 2 | 6-20 customers | $75 |
| Slab 3 | 21-45 customers | $100 |
| Slab 4 | 46-80 customers | $125 |
Your commission jumps as you move up the tiers within a month. So, if you bring in 25 customers, you’ll get $100 for each of those sales that month.
Hybrid Model Structure:
- Upfront: $30 for every sale
- Recurring: 7% of every monthly payment your referral makes
- Duration: Lifetime, as long as they stay with Cloudways
Recurring commissions can really add up, especially if you land enterprise clients with bigger bills.
Payout Thresholds and Payment Methods
The minimum payout depends on how you get paid. PayPal needs $250 before you can cash out, and wire transfers require $1,000.
Most folks stick with PayPal, but if you’re earning big, wire is an option. Payments go out monthly during the last week, which helps with planning your cash flow.
That 90-day cookie gives you a longer window to earn commissions, even if people don’t buy right away.
Tracking, Reporting, and Performance Tools
The Cloudways affiliate program has solid tracking tools with a 60-day cookie and SubID tracking. Your dashboard gives you real-time stats so you can see conversion rates and optimize your campaigns on the fly.
Cookie Duration and Tracking Accuracy
Cloudways gives you a 60-day cookie on all affiliate links. That means if someone buys within two months of clicking your link, you get paid.
Their system tracks visitor IPs and drops cookies, so you don’t lose out if someone doesn’t buy right away.
Tracking feels pretty reliable—every click is logged right away. You can peek at your dashboard for up-to-date clicks and conversions, no waiting around for reports.
SubID Tracking Explained
SubID tracking lets you tag your affiliate links. You can see which blog posts, landing pages, or social posts are actually making sales.
For instance, use a different SubID for each channel. That way, you’ll know exactly what’s working (and what’s not).
The SubID tracking really helps you double down on your best content. The dashboard breaks it all out by date, SubID, or conversion type—super handy for tweaking your strategy.
Analyzing Conversion Rates
Your dashboard gives you the nitty-gritty on conversion rates for all your traffic. You can see what percent of clicks turn into sales and track this over different time frames.
Cloudways claims higher conversion rates than most hosting companies, which is good news if you’re sending the right traffic.
Track conversion rates by traffic source using SubIDs. It’s a straightforward way to figure out which channels actually move the needle.
The dashboard shows you trends over time, so you can spot what’s working and adjust your promotions as you go. Not everything will be a hit, but at least you’ll know what to fix.
Strategies for Promoting the Cloudways Affiliate Program
If you want to see results with the Cloudways affiliate program, you’ll need to get a bit strategic. Focus on creating content for developers and online business owners, try out coupon deals, run paid ad campaigns (but watch those trademark rules), and build trust with real customer stories.
Content Creation and Blogging Tips
Start with detailed tutorials on migrating sites to Cloudways hosting. Developers and bloggers are always hunting for migration guides, so you’ll never run out of readers.
Write step-by-step posts on setting up WordPress, getting the most out of server performance, and managing cloud hosting in a way that doesn’t sound like a manual.
Honest comparison reviews between Cloudways and other hosts go a long way. Toss in real performance data and break down the pricing—people can spot a sales pitch a mile away, so skip that.
Try targeting long-tail keywords like “best managed WordPress hosting for agencies” or “cloud hosting for high-traffic blogs.” These are the folks ready to buy.
Case studies are gold. Show how businesses improved website speed after switching to Cloudways, with screenshots of load times and traffic spikes. That’s the stuff that really convinces.
Don’t forget “how-to” content around server management, SSL installs, or backup strategies. Online business owners aren’t always technical, so keep it practical and clear.
Coupon and Deal Promotion
Push exclusive Cloudways coupon codes in your email newsletters and on social. Limited-time deals create a little FOMO and can nudge folks to sign up faster.
Set up landing pages just for your coupon promos. Spell out exactly how to use the codes, and make the savings impossible to miss in your headlines.
Seasonal promos—think Black Friday, New Year, or hosting renewal times—see more action. Businesses are planning ahead, so make your offers count when they’re in buying mode.
Team up with other affiliate marketing pros and swap coupon codes. Share each other’s deals to reach bigger, but still relevant, audiences.
Countdown timers work wonders. A big “Save $50 – Expires in 3 Days” banner grabs more attention than a plain text link ever will.
Paid Advertising Channels
This is important: don’t bid on “Cloudways” trademark terms in Google Ads or Facebook Ads. That’s a fast way to lose your account.
Instead, go for keywords like “managed cloud hosting,” “WordPress hosting solutions,” or “website performance optimization.” You’ll get the right people without breaking the rules.
On Facebook, target website developers, digital agencies, and online business owners. Use interest targeting like “web development,” “WordPress,” and “website optimization” for a tighter audience.
Google Ads can work for keywords like “vs Cloudways alternatives” or “best cloud hosting 2025.” People searching those are already comparing options.
Give video ads a shot—show off Cloudways dashboard features or performance perks. Sometimes a quick demo says more than a paragraph ever could.
Leveraging Social Proof
Gather testimonials from clients who switched to Cloudways because you suggested it. Be specific—mention faster load times and better uptime.
Share your own analytics screenshots if you’ve seen real performance gains. Personal results tend to stick with people way more than generic claims.
Video testimonials from other bloggers and developers are even better. They just feel more real than a block of quoted text.
Jump into hosting-related Facebook groups and forums, but don’t spam. Offer advice, build real relationships, and mention Cloudways only when it makes sense.
Show off trust badges and your Cloudways affiliate credentials on your site. A little official recognition never hurts when you’re trying to build confidence.
Key Features of Cloudways Hosting Relevant to Affiliates
Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting with strong performance, automated server management, and 24/7 support. For affiliates, those are big selling points—especially if you’re talking to businesses or developers who want things to just work.
Managed Cloud Hosting Advantages
Cloudways takes care of all the server management for you. No need to be a tech wizard to keep your site running smoothly.
They handle server updates, security patches, and maintenance. That’s a relief for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with the nitty-gritty.
Key management features include:
- Automatic server updates and patches
- One-click application installs
- Built-in caching
- Database optimization tools
You can pick from five major cloud providers: AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, or Vultr. That flexibility is a nice touch.
Staging environments are included, so you can test changes before going live. No more “uh-oh” moments after hitting publish.
Need more resources? Server scaling is just a few clicks, and you don’t need downtime or a degree in IT to do it.
Performance and Security Features
Cloudways is fast, plain and simple. Average TTFB is under 200ms, and their caching setup really helps boost speed.
Performance features that matter:
- SSD storage everywhere
- Advanced caching (Varnish, Memcached, Redis)
- CDN integration
- PHP 8+ support
Security is mostly hands-off. DDoS protection is built in, so you’re not left scrambling if something happens.
Free SSL certificates come standard, thanks to Let’s Encrypt. Two-factor authentication is there if you want extra peace of mind.
Backups run automatically every day. Restore your site to any previous backup in seconds—no stress if you mess something up.
Security measures include:
- Regular security patches
- Firewall protection at the server level
- Malware scanning and removal
- Dedicated firewalls for each app
Customer Support Overview
Cloudways has 24/7 live chat with real hosting pros. Most times, you’ll get a response in under three minutes during business hours.
They handle everything from simple questions to gnarly technical issues. If they need to, they’ll jump right into your server and fix things for you.
Support options available:
- Live chat (all day, every day)
- Ticketing system
- Phone support (premium plans)
- Knowledge base packed with guides
Migrating your site? They’ll do it for you at no extra cost. Their team takes care of the technical side so you don’t have to stress.
If you’re running WordPress, you get specialized support from people who actually know the platform. They’re good at sorting out plugin drama and performance slowdowns.
Support quality is pretty steady across all plans. Even if you’re on the cheapest tier, you still get help from real experts.
Comparing Cloudways to Competing Affiliate Programs
Cloudways stands out for its commissions—up to $125 per sale. Most hosting affiliates top out at $50-75. Sure, shared hosting programs are easier to convert, but cloud hosting brings in higher-value customers.
Cloudways vs. SiteGround
SiteGround pays $50-100 per sale depending on how many referrals you send monthly. You get $50 for 1-20 sales, and it jumps to $100 if you hit 21+ in a month.
Cloudways pays $50-125 per sale with its slab model. Start at $50 for 1-5 customers and work your way up to $125 for 46+.
The Cloudways commission structure gives you a 90-day cookie window, while SiteGround only offers 60 days. That’s 30 extra days to earn from a click.
SiteGround’s crowd is mostly shared hosting customers, usually spending $3-15 a month. Cloudways users pay $10-100+ monthly for managed cloud hosting.
Payment differences:
- SiteGround: $50 minimum payout via PayPal
- Cloudways: $250 minimum for PayPal, $1,000 for wire
SiteGround is great for beginners and small sites. Cloudways is more for developers, agencies, and growing businesses that need serious performance.
Cloudways vs. Other Cloud Hosts
Most cloud hosting affiliate programs pay 10-25% recurring. Cloudways lets you pick: $125 one-time or $30 upfront plus 7% lifetime via its hybrid model.
DigitalOcean gives 25% recurring commissions, but their users often stick to basic $5-20 droplets. Cloudways customers usually spend more on managed services.
AWS and Google Cloud don’t have traditional affiliate programs. They stick with partner programs for consultants and agencies.
Vultr pays 20% recurring on their servers, but since they’re unmanaged, customers typically spend less than Cloudways’ managed clients.
Cookie duration comparison:
- Cloudways: 90 days
- Most cloud hosts: 30-60 days
The managed cloud hosting space isn’t packed with affiliate programs. That means less competition if you’re promoting Cloudways, compared to the shared hosting crowd.
Cloudways has dedicated affiliate managers who actually help you out. A lot of other cloud hosts just give you a dashboard and wish you luck.
Pros, Cons, and Final Verdict for 2025
The Cloudways affiliate program offers high commissions up to $125 per sale. There are some requirements and restrictions though, so it’s worth figuring out if it fits your style before jumping in.
Advantages and Challenges for Affiliates
Major Advantages:
- High commission rates: You can earn up to $125 per sale through the slab model
- Extended tracking: 90-day cookie gives you more time to convert
- Multiple earning models: Pick slab, hybrid ($30 + 7% recurring), or custom
- Low customer churn: Only about 3% leave, so recurring commissions are more reliable
Key Challenges:
- High payout thresholds: $250 minimum for PayPal, $1,000 for wire transfers
- Trademark restrictions: No bidding on “Cloudways” in paid ads
- Technical audience required: Works best if you’re reaching developers or experienced users
The program rewards affiliates who stick with it, but you’ll need a bit of patience to hit those payout minimums.
Is the Program Worth It for Your Audience?
Whether this program is a good fit really depends on who your audience is. Tech-savvy folks usually appreciate Cloudways’ managed cloud hosting and all its bells and whistles.
Best audience matches:
- Web developers and agencies
- WordPress pros
- Businesses that are growing fast and need scalable hosting
- Content creators with sites that get a lot of traffic
Poor audience fits:
- People brand new to web hosting
- Small businesses on a tight budget
- Readers who aren’t into the technical side of things
If your crowd cares about performance and you can break down the technical perks like server management or cloud infrastructure, Cloudways could be a solid affiliate play. Your content should lean into scalability and performance, not just how easy it is to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your traffic and niche. Most affiliates see their first commissions within 1–2 months after promoting Cloudways consistently through blogs, YouTube, or email marketing.
Yes, but it’s better suited for those with some hosting or tech audience. Beginners can still join—just focus on writing comparison articles or tutorials that attract potential hosting buyers.
A website or platform (like a blog, YouTube channel, or social media page) is required during signup. Cloudways uses this to check if your audience aligns with their target market.
Cloudways has strict verification systems. Commissions are only approved after a customer’s payment is verified and the refund period passes, protecting affiliates from invalid or spam leads.
No—you must choose one model when joining. However, you can request to switch later if your promotion strategy changes or you prefer recurring income over one-time payouts.
Focus on genuine comparisons, performance reviews, and tutorials that solve real user problems. Use SubID tracking to find which content converts best and double down on those topics.
In the Hybrid model, your 7% recurring commission adjusts automatically based on their active plan. You’ll continue earning as long as they remain a paying Cloudways user.
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