How To Set Up an Affiliate Program In PrestaShop

Affiliate marketing remains the most cost-effective channel of growth for any ecommerce. Instead of paying for ads up front, you pay partners only when they deliver a real sale. This, for PrestaShop store owners, translates to predictable ROI, more scalable traffic and lower customer acquisition costs, for no additional increase in ad spend.

If you have questions about how the affiliate and referrals work in PrestaShop, you are in the right spot, as we will be discussing everything in detail here. So without further ado, let’s get started.

Why You Need to Start An Affiliate Program In PrestaShop

Introducing an affiliate program in your PrestaShop store enables you to turn creators, influencers, bloggers and customers into a revenue-generating machine.

They automatically send referral traffic, and you pay them only when the actual sales happen.

Affiliate programs are particularly effective for categories such as fashion, beauty, fitness, SaaS, digital products, online classes and niche DTC brands, where recommendations have a strong effect on purchase decisions.

Affiliates are essentially a part of your marketing team working around the clock, allowing you to scale up faster without pumping money into ads.

Pre-Requisites Before You Start (Version, Module, Settings)

Before starting your PrestaShop affiliate program setup via module, make sure your store meets a few technical and operational requirements.

What You Need:

• A compatible PrestaShop version (typically 1.7.x, 8.x, or 9).
• Admin access with module installation permissions.
• The affiliate module installation file (.zip).
• SSL enabled (HTTPS is required for tracking accuracy).
• Browser cookies enabled (for testing and tracking).
• Tracking pixels and attribution logic will be explained later in this guide.

Step 1: Download and Install the PrestaShop Affiliate Module

• Download the zip file of the Prestashop affiliate & referral module from the FME store.
• Now log in to your PrestaShop back office.
• Go to Modules → Module Manager.
• Click Upload a module.
• Upload the affiliate module ZIP file.
• Click Install, then Configure.

After installation, the affiliate menu usually appears in the main admin sidebar or under “Marketing.”

Common Installation Issues & Fixes

• White Screen After Installation → Empty and block overrides temporarily.
• Module Missing → Verify permission and update module list.
• Upload Size Error → Server upload limits need to be increased.

Step 2: Setting Up General Settings

Enable/Disable Affiliate Program

Use this toggle to enable or disable the affiliate system. Keep it disabled while testing. Only enable it once you’re willing to start accepting affiliates.

Cookie Duration PrestaShop Settings

Affiliate cookies govern the duration for which a referral is tracked following the user clicking an affiliate link.

• Best practice: 30–90 days.
• Short cookies = reduced attribution, lowered affiliate incentives.
• More cookies = more partner trust, increased conversions.
• Cookie length has a direct impact on the accuracy of tracking.

Referral Link/Tracking Pixel Choices

prestashop affiliate tracking (cluster 2) setup, most modules support:

• Unique PrestaShop referral links.
• Optional tracking pixels to enable advanced attribution.

For bloggers and content sites, referral links are best, but influencers and email work best for coupons.

• Enable/Disable Auto-Approval.
• Auto-Approval: Great for small or new sellers.
• Direct Approval: Suggested for fraud security and brand image.

Step 3: Establish Commission Rules & Payment Methodology 

A sample affiliate commission model might look like this: The Fee is set at 25% of every sale, and it applies when the customer reaches at least $100.00 in purchases.

Different Types of Commission Models

You set how affiliates are paid:

• Commission Rate (%) (e.g., 10% per order).
• Flat rate (ex. $5 per sale).
• First-order only or recurring commissions.

Like with the other services, recurring commissions are common on subscriptions and digital goods.

Tiered Commission Setup

Commissions that are tiered or multi-level provide income to top performers.

Example:

• Level 1 affiliates earn 10%.
• Level 2 sub-affiliates earn 3%.
• This encourages affiliates to bring on others and grow your program naturally.

Minimum Earn Money To Get Paid & Payment Methods

Minimum withdraw to minimize the burden of admins. Common payment options:

• PayPal.
• Bank transfer.
• Store credit or vouchers.
• Return / Refund Handling Rules.

Turn on commission reversal for refunded or voided orders, just to protect your margins.

Step 4: Set Up PrestaShop Affiliate Registration & Approval Process

Custom Registration Form Fields

Collect useful data like:

• Full name.
• Website or social profiles.
• Niche or audience type.
• It allows you to vet affiliates and personalizes correspondence for you.

Manual vs Automatic Approval

Manual approval is more secure as it avoids coupon misuse, junk traffic or brand mismatch!

Assigning Affiliates To Groups

Create groups like:

• New affiliates.
• VIP partners.
• Influencers.

One group may have different commission rates or rules than another.

Step 5: Create Your Affiliate Links & Coupons

Here is what all affiliates can find in their PrestaShop affiliate dashboard:

• Generate PrestaShop referral setup links.
• Choose specific landing pages.
• Track clicks and conversions.
• Create Coupon Codes for Affiliates.
• Use coupon-based tracking (ideal for social media and email campaigns).
• Assign unique coupon codes.
• Set expiration dates.
• Combine discounts with commissions.

Tracking Conversions & Orders

Most Systems Support:

• Cookie-based attribution.
• Coupon-based attribution.
• Using both ensures accurate tracking.
• Internal link suggestion: Tracking Cluster.

Step 6: TEST Your Prestashop Affiliate Setup!

To effectively test affiliate program PrestaShop, you can:

• Test referral link.
• Open an incognito window.
• Click a referral link.
• Add a product to the cart.
• Try monitoring logs in the affiliate module configuration.
• Test coupon code.
• Apply the affiliate coupon.
• Complete checkout.
• Confirm affiliate attribution.
• Validate dashboard stats.

Make sure your clicks, conversions and commissions update accordingly on order status changes.

Step 7: Go Live, Track, and Optimize Your Program

• Promote the Affiliate Program.
• Use an “affiliate program” link in your footer.
• Email your customer list.
• Promote on social media.
• Check KPIs Weekly.

Track:

• Conversion rate.
• EPC (earnings per click).
• Top affiliates.
• Refund rates.
• Keep PrestaShop Commission Rules Updated.
• Leverage seasonal promotions, flash commissions or special time-bound rewards.

Common Setup Errors & Troubleshooting Tips

Common issues include tracking pixels not firing, cookies being blocked, affiliates assigned to the wrong group, or coupons not linked correctly. Always clear the cache after changes and re-test attribution.

Take Away

Setting up a PrestaShop affiliate program is one of the smartest ways to grow sales with minimal risk. With the right module, clear commission rules, and proper tracking, affiliates can become a powerful revenue channel for your store.