MyThemeShop is a WordPress company that makes and sells its own themes and plugins. It’s also the team behind well known WordPress plugins. The old idea of “selling your own themes on MyThemeShop” doesn’t match how it works: it isn’t an open marketplace for outside authors. The real side hustle is its affiliate program, which pays you for referring buyers.
At a glance
| What it is | A WordPress theme and plugin company with an affiliate program |
| How you earn | A commission on sales you refer |
| Commission | Historically advertised at 55% to 70% per sale; check current terms |
| Cost to join | Free |
| Who it’s for | WordPress bloggers, reviewers and web designers |
| Where it works | Online, worldwide |
How the affiliate program works
You sign up for the affiliate program, get a tracking link and share it in your content. When someone clicks your link and buys within the tracking window, you earn a commission on that sale. MyThemeShop has long been known for one of the highest commission rates in WordPress, with figures of 55% to 70% quoted at different times. Check the current rate, cookie length and payout method on its affiliate page before you build content around it.
Why the commission isn’t the whole story
A high percentage on a low-priced product can still mean small payments. WordPress themes and plugins often cost tens of dollars, not hundreds, so each referral earns modestly. What matters is volume and fit: the right product, recommended to readers who need it, from content that ranks or gets shared. Membership or bundle offers, where available, tend to pay more per sale than single themes.
What to promote
Focus on products you’ve used. Fast, lightweight themes and SEO and performance plugins are easy to explain and compare. Tutorials that solve a problem, such as speeding up a blog or setting up schema, convert better than generic reviews. Honest comparisons with alternatives build trust, and trust is what earns repeat clicks.
Where to share your links
A WordPress-focused blog is the classic route, with tutorials, reviews and “best themes for” roundups. YouTube walkthroughs work well for themes because people want to see them. If you build websites for clients, you can recommend tools you already use, as long as you disclose the affiliate link. Always follow the program’s rules on paid ads, brand keywords and coupon sites.
Disclosure and trust
Affiliate links must be disclosed clearly, both to follow advertising rules and to keep readers’ trust. Put a short note near your links and on a disclosure page. Never recommend a product only because it pays well.
Getting started
Pick a narrow audience, such as food bloggers or local businesses using WordPress. Install and test the products you plan to recommend. Write a few deep tutorials around real problems, add your links where they genuinely help and track which pieces convert.
Tracking and payouts
The affiliate dashboard shows clicks, referred sales and commissions. Use separate links or tracking IDs for different articles or videos, so you can see which content converts. Check the payout method and minimum before you start, and keep records of your earnings for tax purposes.
Owen’s take
High-commission WordPress programs look great on paper, but they only pay if you have content people find. I’d treat MyThemeShop as one program among several in a WordPress content site, not as a stand-alone hustle. Recommend what you’d use yourself, and the commissions follow.
Who it suits
It suits WordPress bloggers, YouTubers and web designers with an audience of site owners. It suits less well anyone without a content channel, or people hoping to sell their own themes.
Similar options
- TemplateMonster runs both an author marketplace and an affiliate program.
- ThemeForest is where you’d go to sell your own WordPress themes.
- Webflow pays creators for templates and runs an affiliate program.
- Super Affiliate System is a course on building affiliate income.
More options are in Affiliates & Referrals and Selling Templates.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Historically high commission rate
- Well known WordPress products
- Free to join
Cons
- Low product prices mean small payments
- You need your own content and traffic
- Commission terms have changed over time
FAQ
Can I sell my own themes on MyThemeShop?
MyThemeShop sells its own products. To sell your themes, look at marketplaces such as ThemeForest or TemplateMonster.
How much does the MyThemeShop affiliate program pay?
It has advertised rates of 55% to 70% per sale at different times. Check the current rate on its affiliate page.
Do I need a website to be an affiliate?
A blog, YouTube channel or newsletter helps a lot, since you earn from people who click your links.
Is it free to join?
Yes. Joining the affiliate program doesn’t cost anything.
Do I have to disclose affiliate links?
Yes. Clear disclosure is required by advertising rules and keeps your readers’ trust.
