Overview of Gusto Affiliate Program

Gusto is a leading all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform designed primarily for small businesses. Its affiliate program provides an opportunity for marketers and partners to earn commissions by referring new customers to Gusto’s services.

Affiliates promote a trusted brand in HR and payroll software, which enjoys a strong reputation for simplifying complex administrative tasks for businesses. This makes the program attractive to affiliates targeting entrepreneurs, small business owners, accountants, and bookkeepers.

Commission Structure

• Commission Rates: The Gusto Affiliate Program offers commissions on a pay-per-qualified-lead basis rather than a fixed percentage of sale or recurring revenue. Affiliates earn a flat fee for each business that signs up and successfully processes payroll using Gusto.
• Commission Amounts: According to the most recent data from official Gusto resources and affiliate networks, commissions typically range from $100 up to $400 per qualified lead, depending on the type of plan the referral subscribes to.
• One-time vs. Recurring: Commissions are paid one-time per qualified sale. There is no recurring commission structure for ongoing subscriptions.
• Sub-affiliate Commissions: Gusto’s program does not currently offer a sub-affiliate or multi-tier commission system.
• Cookie Duration: The cookie tracking window is 30 days, meaning affiliates are credited for referrals who sign up within 30 days of clicking their affiliate link.
• Affiliate Management: The program is managed externally through trusted affiliate networks, primarily via PartnerStack—an established SaaS affiliate network platform that facilitates tracking, commissions, and payments.

Gusto Promotion Policy

✅ Allowed Promotional Channels:

• Content marketing including blogs and review sites.
• Email marketing to opted-in subscribers.
• Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Paid search advertising targeting relevant keywords.
• Webinars and online events.

❌ Prohibited Promotional Channels and Methods:

• Spamming or unsolicited mass emails.
• Incentivized clicks or fraudulent lead generation tactics.
• Trademark bidding or using “Gusto” brand terms in PPC campaigns without permission.
• Misleading or false advertising about Gusto’s capabilities or pricing.
• Promotion on unauthorized coupon or deal sites.

Commission Payment

• Approval Timeframe: Commissions are typically approved after the referred business successfully runs payroll, which generally occurs within 45 days of the referral’s sign-up to ensure validity.
• Minimum Payout Threshold: Affiliates must reach a minimum balance of $100 before receiving payout.
• Payment Schedule: Commissions are paid out on a monthly basis. Payments are processed around the 15th of the following month for commissions earned in the previous month.
• Payment Methods: Payments are made primarily through PayPal. Other payment methods may be available upon arrangement through the affiliate network platform.

Summary

The Gusto Affiliate Program is a solid opportunity for affiliates targeting small business owners and professionals involved in payroll and HR services. With attractive flat-fee commissions for qualified referrals, a reputable product, and an easy-to-use affiliate platform through PartnerStack, Gusto’s program suits experienced affiliate marketers and newcomers alike.

Important to note, commissions are one-time payments with no ongoing residuals, and promotion policies require compliance to maintain program eligibility. Overall, affiliates benefit from a well-established brand offering a straightforward commission structure and dependable payouts.