How the score works
The quiz looks at the six things that decide whether a partner program takes off or quietly dies: proof (do customers already love and understand the product), people (is someone accountable, and is leadership patient), economics (can you afford to share revenue), tracking (can you tell who sent a customer), enablement (can a partner sell you without you in the room) and demand (are people already recommending you).
Three of the questions don't affect your score at all. Price, buying motion and services work decide which kind of program fits. A self-serve tool at $20 a month and an enterprise platform with a six-month sales cycle both need partners, just very different ones.
The four partner models, in one table
| Model | Who the partners are | Fits when |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliate | Content creators, bloggers, YouTubers, newsletters | Self-serve signup, lower price, a big audience you can reach through content |
| Referral | Customers, consultants and contacts who make introductions | Sales-assisted deals where a warm intro speeds things up |
| Agency / solution partner | Agencies and consultants who implement your product for clients | Your product creates setup, integration or ongoing service work |
| Reseller | Companies that buy and resell your product, often with their own services | Larger deals, procurement-heavy buyers, regional or industry markets you can't reach alone |
Most companies end up running more than one. Start with the one that fits best, get it working, then add the next. If affiliates came up as your fit, my zero-budget affiliate guide walks through the whole setup.