---
title: "Which InMotion Hosting Referral Program Should You Join?"
description: "InMotion Hosting runs three separate referral programs, and they pay different people for different things. This guide breaks down who qualifies for the Hosting Affiliate Program, Refer a Friend, and..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/blog/inmotion-hosting-referral-programs-compared/
date: 2026-08-14
modified: 2026-08-14
author: "Carrie Smaha"
categories: ["Tips and Advice"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Which InMotion Hosting Referral Program Should You Join?

![Comparing InMotion Hosting Referral Programs - Hero Image](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Comparing-InMotion-Hosting-Referral-Programs.png)

InMotion Hosting runs three separate referral programs, and they pay different people for different things. This guide breaks down who qualifies for the Hosting Affiliate Program, Refer a Friend, and the Agency Partner Program, what each one pays, when the money arrives, and how to pick the one that matches how you actually send business our way.

**The short version**: if you have an audience and no hosting account with us, apply to the [Hosting Affiliate Program](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/affiliates). If you are already a customer sending a friend or colleague our way, use [Refer a Friend](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/refer-a-friend). If you build and manage websites for clients, the [Agency Partner Program](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/agency-partner-program) is the one worth your time.

Pick one. All three run on referral links, and they are designed to work independently rather than stack.

## What Are the Three Referral Programs at a Glance?

| | Hosting Affiliate | Refer a Friend | Agency Partner |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Built for | Publishers, review sites, content creators, marketers with traffic | Current InMotion Hosting customers | Agencies, freelancers, and teams managing client sites |
| Hosting account required | No | Yes | Yes, or a commitment to move client and agency sites over |
| Reward type | Cash commission | Visa Prepaid Card | Percentage commission plus program benefits |
| Amount | Up to $200 per sale, tiered by product and volume | $50 or $75 depending on plan | 8% to 12% of first-year value |
| Tracking platform | Impact Radius | Extole | PartnerStack |
| Extras | Campaign creatives, deep linking, dedicated affiliate support | None | Directory listing, Partner Success Manager, discounts, free migrations |

## How Does the Hosting Affiliate Program Work?

The affiliate program is the traditional commission model. You apply, get approved, and pull tracking links from a library of campaigns and products. Enrollment runs through Impact Radius, and all applications are subject to approval.

You do not need to host anything with us to participate. That is the defining difference. Payouts reach up to $200 per sale across Shared, WordPress, VPS, and Dedicated Servers, with a tiered structure based on the product sold and the volume you generate. High performers can negotiate custom commission and bonus arrangements.

Commissions apply to a new customer’s first payment on qualifying plans and terms. Renewals and upgrades do not generate additional commission, which is the single biggest expectation gap for affiliates coming from recurring-revenue programs. Tracking runs on a 90-day cookie window, and payouts are issued monthly.

One rule worth reading twice: self-referrals are prohibited. Affiliates may host their own sites with us, but attempts to earn commission on your own accounts violate the program terms.

## Who Should Use the Refer a Friend Program?

Refer a Friend is for existing customers, and only existing customers. Your account needs to be in good standing, and you can refer friends, family, clients, or colleagues.

The reward is a prepaid card rather than a commission. Referrals earn a $50 Visa Prepaid Card when the new customer buys Shared (Business Class), WordPress, or Reseller Hosting, and a $75 card for [Managed VPS Hosting](/vps-hosting) or [Dedicated Servers](/dedicated-servers). There is no cap on how many people you can refer.

Availability varies by country. If a Visa card cannot be issued in your region, you can take one month of free hosting credit per successful referral instead.

Enrollment happens inside your Account Management Panel. Log into AMP, opt into the program, and copy your unique referral link.

![Refer-a-Friend Program](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Refer-a-Friend-Q4-2025-1024x738.jpg)

## What Makes the Agency Partner Program Different?

The Agency Partner Program is not a payout program with extras bolted on. It is a channel relationship built for people whose business depends on managing sites for clients.

Commissions are percentage-based on the first-year value of each referred plan, running from 8% at Member tier to 12% at Signature. Tiers are earned through the [annual recurring revenue](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/blog/agency-recurring-revenue-model/) of the accounts you bring and keep.

| Tier | Qualifying ARR | Commission | Client and Agency Discount |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Member | Entry level | 8% | Not included |
| Recognized | $3,600+ | 10% | 8% off new and renewing |
| Preferred | $7,200+ | 10% | 15% off new and renewing |
| Signature | $36,000+ | 12% | 25% off new and renewing |

The commissions are often the smallest part of the value. Partners get free site migrations at every tier, a listing in the public Agency Partner Directory, a Partner Success Manager, Advanced Product Support at Recognized and above, and the [WebPro dashboard](/webpro) for managing client accounts from one login. Higher tiers add InMotion Solutions consulting hours and an executive sponsor.

Agencies already hosting with us can apply directly. Agencies hosting elsewhere are also accepted, with the expectation that you begin moving client sites or your own agency site over. That migration activity is what builds the observable ARR your tier is based on.

The agency program is built for people making hosting decisions for clients. Review sites, coupon publishers, and unrelated verticals are a better fit for the affiliate program.

## When Do You Actually Get Paid?

Both the affiliate and Refer a Friend programs use a 90-day retention window before a reward becomes payable. Rewards are issued 90 days after the referred customer’s purchase, and if that account cancels or is terminated inside the window, the reward is voided.

The reason is straightforward. Our [90-day money-back guarantee](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/about-us/guarantee) means a new customer can leave inside that period with a full refund. Rewards are tied to referrals that stick.

## Can You Participate in More Than One Program?

Participating in one program is the intended path, and the systems enforce it in places. Referrals made through the affiliate program do not qualify for Refer a Friend rewards, and affiliates are disqualified from the customer referral program.

Overlap creates attribution problems. Two links pointing at the same customer means one of them was never going to pay. Choosing the program that matches how you generate referrals gets you a cleaner track record and a better relationship with the team managing it.

## Which Program Should You Apply For?

Answer three questions.

1. **Do you manage websites for clients?** Apply to the Agency Partner Program. The discounts and free migrations alone usually outrun affiliate commissions once you have a handful of client accounts.
2. **Do you have an audience but no client accounts?** Apply to the affiliate program. Content creators, review publishers, and marketers monetizing traffic get the tooling built for that model.
3. **Are you a current customer recommending us to people you know?** Use Refer a Friend. No application review, no traffic requirements, and the reward is a prepaid card rather than a commission you track.

## How Do You Get Started?

Affiliates apply through the [Hosting Affiliate Program page](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/affiliates). Current customers enroll through AMP, with full terms on the [Refer a Friend page](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/refer-a-friend). Agencies apply through the [Agency Partner Program page](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/agency-partner-program) and are onboarded through WebPro after approval.

Not sure which one fits your business? [Contact our team](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/contact) and we will point you to the right program before you apply.