Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click and go through my product links, I’ll receive a small commission for my efforts with no additional cost incurred to you. It's a win-win ?
Creating an affiliate marketing blog or website seems tough, but trust me, it is quite easy. All you need to know is the right steps and how to create the right content on it that generates sales for you.
You also must have so many doubts in your mind, like what do we need to start an Affiliate marketing blog, do we need any knowledge of coding or hire a coder for it.
Take a deep breath now, because, in this tutorial, you are exactly going to learn: How to start an affiliate marketing blog – step by step.
What You Should Know Before We Get Started
Before you create your first affiliate marketing website and spend your precious time in it, there are a few things you must have a pretty good understanding:
Mindset Matters:
Your mindset really matters before starting any business. You must understand that every business takes some time, and Affiliate marketing is also a business.
If you are looking at it as a get rich quick strategy, trust me, it is not. However, it can still make you rich fast.
Confused what I just said?
Starting with an affiliate marketing blog is just the beginning. You have to be patient before you make your first income or to get profit. Your first earning can take some time, but once it is started, it can make you rich within a short period of time.
How much you need to invest:
Do you want to start it without spending any money right now? I can totally understand it. And technically it is possible too, but I won’t recommend that. I would suggest starting in the right way.
If you want to start with your first affiliate marketing blog in the right way, you will be spending a little bit of money on a ‘domain’ and ‘website hosting’. And it’ll save a lot of your precious time and effort in getting success.
In this tutorial, I’ll also guide you on how you can choose the right domain and web hosting so that you set up your great website working right. The hosting service I recommend is Bluehost. It will cost you only around $60/year or even cheaper if you go for a long term plan.
Bluehost is one of the best recommendations by WordPress, serving more than 2 million websites throughout the world. Bluehost also gives a free domain name for one year.
In case you are looking for hosting multiple sites, you can also easily get a domain name from Namecheap under $10 only. Till the end, your loving business will be running up and live in under $100.
Just to Clear:- I recommend Bluehost's Shared Hosting Plane only. I have never tried their other plans, and I cannot recommend it.
No coding skills required:
To create your own Affiliate marketing blog, you don’t need any coding skills. You can create your affiliate marketing blog yourself. I'll also guide you on how you can set up your website live. This Tutorial is also for the complete novice.
There are so many ways available to create your first affiliate marketing blog without the knowledge of coding. You can use any of the “drag and drop” website builders out there like Wix or Weebly. Or you can use the best CMS WordPress, which runs 36% of the entire Internet.
When I started with my affiliate marketing blog, I knew a bit of coding too. But when I realized how WordPress could save my lot of time, I started with it. Now I don’t care much now about coding at all. WordPress does all for me.
Getting started in the Correct Order
When starting with your affiliate marketing blog, it is very important to do all the things in the correct order. And to make this easy for you, I have shared the exact order below that I follow myself.
STEP 1: Choose an Affiliate Marketing Niche
Before we start thinking about how to set up your first affiliate marketing website, you need to identify what your website is going to be about. And it can be very tricky if you are very new into affiliate marketing.
“The riches are in the niches.”
You might have heard this saying before. Whoever said it, I’m grateful to them because it has led me to start my successful business online.
Your niche is going to be the most determining factor for the success of your website. Before choosing a perfect niche for your blog, You must take care of the following things:
And that is not all. Here is a great video for you on how to find the right affiliate marketing niche online.
STEP 2: Register your Domain Name
Once you’ve chosen the niche you want, the time is to register the right domain for your niche. Choosing the right domain name is also a very crucial step before creating your Affiliate marketing blog.
A domain name is simply the URL address of your website. For example, the domain name of this website you are on is “marketingmood.com”.
Finding the right Domain name for you can be tough because all the good Domain names are already taken. But here are a few tips you should consider while registering the right domain name.
Only use a .com domain – The most preferred domain extensions are .com, .net, and .org. I personally only register a .com domain name and recommend you as well.
Keep it Short & Simple – Always try to keep your domain name as short and simple as you can. Keep it straightforward, and don’t make it too complicated.
Your domain name must be easy to pronounce, type, and remember. Because if it is tough, the audience might not be able to type it correctly and go to the wrong website.
Use Keyword – You can use your main keyword (niche topic) in your domain name if you can, it will also help you in SEO.
Don’t Use Numbers – You should not use numbers in your domain because they are not easy to remember and confuses sometimes.
Give your domain a room to expand – It is best if you choose a domain name related to your market/niche. Because it gives your visitors some idea of what your website is all about. But you also must take care that it should not limit your market for the long term.
For Example, If I choose a domain name like “bestcameralenses.xyz”. Here it is clear that you want to work on Camera lenses, but if in future you want to work on other camera accessories like camera batteries, chargers, focusing screens, etc. In that case, this domain won’t let you expand and attract your readers.
To be safe from this frustrating situation, where you may need to change the domain name and to prevent loss of data. It is so essential to pick the right domain name that you can expand.
If you still couldn’t figure out the domain name for you, you can note down one keyword and brainstorm the domain name using the LeanDomainSearch and many other tools like this.
Where Can I Register A Domain Name?
You can easily buy your domain name from any domain name registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. Personally, I prefer Namecheap as It gives better service and best renewal rates.
In order to register a domain name, please do the following:
Note: If you don't have the credit card or PayPal, you can also buy your domain name from Dynadot here.
If you have not created an account, it will prompt you to do before the checkout process.
STEP 3 Setting Up Web Hosting
In order to start your Affiliate marketing blog, you will need a “Web Host”. A Web Host is a place where all the files of your blog are stored.
It is just like the hard-disk of your computer, where you keep all your data, and it allows your blog to appear live over the internet.
The Web Host I recommend you to go with Bluehost because they are well-known, specialized, easy to use, affordable and also one of the best recommendation by many bloggers and marketers.
Here is the step-by-step process to set up.
1. Visit Bluehost.com, and Once you are on the website, click on “GET STARTED”.
2. Choose Your Hosting Plan. You can choose whatever plan you want. If you're going to make more than 1 website, I suggest to go with PLUS or CHOCE PLUS plan. Otherwise, Stick with the BASIC one.
3. Choose your Domain. Bluehost hosting setup includes a free domain for an year. If you have not bought your domain name, you can get one free domain itself from Bluehost. If you have it already, Enter your domain in the box below Use a domain you own on the right and click next.
Now you are at the payment page. Here is a tip for you: Move your cursor pretending like you are closing the page or tab; a Special Bluehost Sign-Up Offer pop-up will appear for you with the best offer. Click On the Claim Savings to get the offer.
4. Now fill up your account information and payment details. Select the period you want(by default it is for 3 years).
If you are going with the BASIC plan, for better privacy I recommend to check the Domain Privacy + Protection checkbox, it will cost you only $11.88/yr extra. Check the privacy box. Now click on Submit Button.
5. Once you have completed your order, you will receive a welcome email in your email inbox, And land on the receipt page with the amounts' detail you paid. Now scroll your page and click on the create account button.
6. Now in the next page, enter your domain name, create your password and check the privacy policy and terms of condition box. Again Click on the Account button.
7. Finally, your account is ready to go. Click on the go to login button. Enter your domain name and password you created, and then click Log in Button.
8. At last, you are ready to create your website inside Bluehost panel. Install the WordPress.
9. After the installation, in the Bluehost Dashboard, you can click on My Sites and then Log into your WordPress account.
Now, the Funny part is, you website is still not active.
For that, first you need to verify your account by clicking verify button in your email.
Then, In your Bluehost Dashboard, click on My Sites and then manage site button. Finally click Launch my Site to make your site live.
If you have a question about why WordPress? Then here is the Answer.
WordPress is a widely used CMS (Content Management System) tool that offers a lot of benefits for blogging. It is designed specifically for blogging purposes and has a lot of exceptional features that come in handy while creating your blog from scratch.
For any support from me, you can contact me at admin@marketingmood.com.
STEP 4 Install Any Theme
Once WordPress is installed, and everything else is done, the first thing you need is to do is install any theme that suits your niche. You can simply select any theme paid/free but I prefer to go with GeneratePress.
If you want to install your own theme, simply login to your website, click over your website name, and select Themes.
Now click on Add New.
Finally, you are on the page where you can search and select any theme you want. Select the required theme and install it. You can also upload your theme if already have.
Make yourself familiar with the theme and WordPress before moving ahead.
STEP 5 Create Your First Page
There are two most important areas of your WordPress Blog, where you must keep your focus on. These are your Blog’s Pages and Posts. And in this step, I’m going to show you how you can create your first Page.
You will want to create Pages for your Affiliate Marketing Blog like your About Me page, Disclaimers, Privacy Policy, etc. For now. Let’s get started with your first page, which is about me page. This 5 minutes tutorial will teach you exactly how to create your about me page in WordPress.
You can also simply generate your privacy-policy, disclaimer, and terms & conditions from the given links for free. But for better safety, talk to your lawyer to create these pages for you.
STEP 6 Do Keyword Research
Now, as you have created your first Page already, it’s time to write your blog post. But before that, you must do some keyword research.
Keyword research is extremely important. The right keyword is what going to allow your audiences to search your content organically. If you don’t target the right keyword, all your efforts in your affiliate marketing blog are going to be wasted.
Putting all your efforts in building your affiliate marketing website, writing posts and promoting it over social media, won’t make a good a result as you want if your site is not visible.
Your website visibility generates trust if Google suggests your website. With the right keyword and promotion, you set up the base for your money-making website.
Now, the question that arises here is how to perform the keyword research. Well, Let’s make it easy for you. Just below, it is a worth watching video by Neil Patel on How to Find the Right Keywords for your website that Rank on Google.
STEP 7 Create your First Post
As you have created your first Page already. Now it’s time to write your blog post. But before that, keep a few things in your mind.
You want to create an Affiliate marketing blog; then, you must keep in mind that your first aim must be to give value to your visitors. An Affiliate marketing blog doesn’t mean to write an article with just full of Affiliate links. Your visitors will buy from you only if they could trust you. Give so much value to your audience with the proofs if you can.
And here, you can see a pretty good video on How you can write your very first blog post in WordPress.
STEP 8 Find and Apply to Affiliate Programs!
You have already chosen your niche, and you must know some products that you can sell in that niche. The good news is, whatever niche you chose, you will always get something in the market.
One simple way to find out the affiliate programs for your niche is type in your niche, followed by “affiliate program” in quotes, and you will be amazed by the results.
Some best affiliate marketing networks I like are ShareASale, ClickBank, Amazon Associates, JVZoo, etc.
Caution: As your blog is totally new, I recommend not to apply to affiliate programs too early. Give some time to your Affiliate marketing blog to get enough traffic(at least one month). Meanwhile, put some great content and share it with the World.
Congratulations! You have finally ready to start with your Affiliate marketing blog. If you follow all the above steps properly, you will have your own fantastic affiliate marketing blog ready.
For better designing of your blog, if you want, you can buy any good Premium theme. I’ll recommend GeneratePress. And according to Authority Hacker Experiment GeneratePress is the best WordPress Theme.
FAQs about Affiliate marketing Blog
Q1. How much does it cost to start an Affiliate Marketing Blog?
To start an Affiliate marketing blog, it will cost you under $10.00 per month(including hosting and domain) if you go through the links I recommended and get it for a year.
Q2. How much time does it take to start earning in Affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is not a get rich quick strategy. You can have to wait at least one month before expecting your first sale. But after having enough posts, you will get more deals from time to time.
Q3. Can I start affiliate marketing without a website?
Yes, you can start Affiliate marketing without a website by promoting simply on social media. But we recommend you must have a website so that you can create more sales in automation by writing best articles, reviews and creating landing pages.
Q4. How can I get traffic Affiliate Starting My Affiliate Marketing Blog?
Once you have created your Affiliate marketing blog, there are many ways to get traffic.
1. You can get organic traffic if your article is properly SEO optimized.
2. You can get traffic from social media by sharing your blog post links and giving value.
3. You can get traffic from Youtube by creating and sharing videos.
4. You can call visitors via Email marketing.
5. You can run paid advertisements.
6. You can do podcasts and share your knowledge.
Q5. Can I start my Affiliate marketing blog for free?
Yes, you can create your affiliate marketing blog for free on platforms like blogger. But I don't recommend it.
Bloggers won't give you the results that you want. If you really want to make money, I recommend to go and purchase a better hosting.My Final Words
Just like you, so many people want to start with an Affiliate marketing Blog. But this single question “How to start an Affiliate Marketing Blog” is the pain point. They have so many doubts in their minds.
To start an Affiliate Marketing Blog, all you need is a great idea and generously follow all the steps mentioned above. Keep working with the right mindset. If you do each and everything mentioned above correct, you will have your own blog ready to make money for you.
Hey Tej,
Your entire blog is very helpful in Afflicate Marketing. I love the article and enjoy also. Your writing strategy is very well
You Provide better understanding for Beginners
Thanks
Thank you so much bro. I’m happy that you like it.
Hello Tej,
Your article has helped me to understand the mindset we should have before starting an affiliate blog. You have written the article in a simple but effective manner. As a newbie it is very easy to understand.
Great going 🙂
I’m really glad you liked it and it helped you Satyam. And yes my main purpose was to keep it simple so it can provide maximum value to the newbies. ?