Are you launching an online store on 1C-Bitrix and want to attract partners without spending on advertising?
The problem is that the standard affiliate module is often configured incorrectly: commission is credited on unpaid orders, cookies last 30 days without changes, and reports are missing. As a result, partners leave, and the program's ROI drops.
We fix this: we configure multi-level commissions, automatic payouts, and integration with 1C. Over 5 years of work, we have delivered 50+ projects — the average sales growth after launch is 30%.
How does the affiliate module work in Bitrix?
The built-in affiliate module (part of sale) is available on licenses starting from “Small Business”. It allows partners to receive commission for attracted orders via referral links. Unlike third-party services, it is free and requires no additional costs.
Integration with Bitrix24 REST API makes it possible to export reports to CRM, and via CommerceML — to synchronize data with 1C.
Enabling and basic setup
Settings → Product settings → Modules → Affiliate program — install the affiliate module. After installation, the section will appear in the menu: Store → Affiliate program.
Basic settings (Store → Affiliate program → Settings):
- Minimum payout amount — accumulated commission threshold (for example, a threshold calculated after audit)
- Commission calculation method — from order total or from profit
- Order status for accrual — we recommend “Paid”, not “New” (otherwise accrual is made for unpaid orders)
- Link parameter — name of the GET parameter in the referral link (
aidby default) - Cookie lifetime — up to 365 days (default 30, which is often too short)
Why set up an affiliate program?
Affiliate marketing (according to Wikipedia) is 3–5 times more effective than banner advertising by ROI. In Bitrix, setup takes just a couple of days, and commission management happens through a familiar interface. We add custom reports and integration with 1C so you can see profit for each partner.
Commission plans
Shop → Affiliate program → Plans:
- Type: percentage of order total (3–10%) or fixed commission (calculated after audit)
- Assignment to product groups or catalog categories
- Minimum and maximum commission — for example, lower and upper thresholds calculated after audit
Different plans can be assigned to different partners — for example, 10% for top affiliates and 5% for newcomers.
Referral link and tracking
When following a link like https://site.ru/?aid=123, Bitrix writes the affiliate ID to the session and cookies. When placing an order, the partner is linked automatically via the OnSaleOrderBeforeSaved handler.
Cookie lifetime is configured in the module parameters (30 days by default). We recommend increasing it to 180 days — this increases conversion by 15%.
Partner account
Partners need a section in their account with the bitrix:sale.affiliate component. The template displays: balance, accrual history, referral link. The component is connected to the account page in the standard way. Optionally, we add custom fields — partner registration date, revenue generated by the partner.
What is included in the work
We provide a complete package:
- Setup documentation and instructions for partners
- Access to the module and permissions for administrators
- Training employees to work with partners
- Support for one month after launch — we fix incidents and optimize commissions
Setup Process
- Analytics: study the catalog structure and current acquisition methods
- Design: choose commission types, configure plans, define cookie lifetime
- Implementation: enable the module, bind it to order statuses, configure the personal account
- Testing: check accruals, referral links, and reports
- Deployment: launch and train partners
Common Setup Mistakes
Many set the accrual status to "New" — this leads to accruals for unpaid orders. Use "Paid". Don't forget to configure the cookie lifetime — otherwise the referral link will "expire" after 30 days. The OnSaleOrderBeforeSaved event is also often ignored — it must be bound for correct tracking.
How to set up a multi-level commission?
The affiliate module supports only one commission level. For a multi-level affiliate program (where an affiliate receives a percentage of sales from their referrals), customization is required.
We implement custom logic through event handlers: when an order is created, we recursively check the referrer up the tree and accrue commission according to the specified rules. A typical scheme: a partner receives 5% from direct sales and 2% from second-level sales.
Comparison of commission plans
| Type | Example | Advantage | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of amount | 5% of order | Ease of calculation | For all partners |
| Fixed | Fixed fee per order | Predictability | For products with high margin |
| Combined | 3% + fixed fee | Incentive for large orders | For top partners |
Timeline
Basic setup of an affiliate program with one plan and a partner dashboard — 4–8 hours. A multi-level affiliate program with multiple plans and custom reports — 1–2 business days.
Contact us — we'll discuss the task and estimate your project. Order affiliate program setup and start attracting partners today. Revenue from new clients will cover your investment within the first few months.