The Short Version
Some of the links on WholeSMB are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product or sign up for a service, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. This is how we keep the site running and the comparisons free.
Our recommendations are based on independent research and testing, not on which companies pay us commissions.
How Affiliate Links Work
When you click an affiliate link on WholeSMB, you're taken to the software vendor's website. A cookie is set that identifies WholeSMB as the referral source. If you sign up for a paid plan (sometimes within a certain time window, typically 30–90 days), we earn a commission from the vendor.
Important things to know:
- You pay the same price whether you use our link or go directly to the vendor's site. Affiliate commissions come from the vendor, not from you.
- Not every product we recommend has an affiliate program. We recommend them anyway if they're the best option.
- We clearly label affiliate links on our comparison pages.
Our Editorial Independence
We take editorial independence seriously. Here's how we maintain it:
- Research first, monetization second. We evaluate tools on their merits before checking whether an affiliate program exists. If the best tool doesn't have an affiliate program, it still gets our recommendation.
- No pay-to-play rankings. Vendors cannot pay for a higher ranking or a more favorable review. Our evaluations are based on our methodology, not on revenue potential.
- Negative reviews happen. If a tool has significant drawbacks for SMBs, we say so — even if we earn affiliate revenue from that tool.
- Transparency. We disclose affiliate relationships clearly. You'll see a note on every comparison page that contains affiliate links.
Types of Compensation
WholeSMB may receive compensation through:
- Affiliate commissions — a one-time or recurring payment when a reader signs up for a product through our link.
- Referral bonuses — some programs offer flat-fee bonuses for qualified referrals.
We do not accept:
- Payment for writing reviews
- Payment for guaranteed positive coverage
- Payment to rank one tool above another
- Free products or services in exchange for favorable reviews
FTC Compliance
This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255). We are committed to transparent and honest communication with our readers.
Questions?
If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships or how we make money, we're happy to explain. Contact us at hello@wholesmb.com.