How to Build an Affiliate Website using WordPress from Scratch?

Are you looking to create an affiliate website or blog? Perhaps you want to make a large site, or maybe you would rather focus on a particular niche market.

Whichever you prefer, it is possible to monetize both and bring in a substantial income.

This guide will show you how to build an affiliate marketing website from scratch.

This is one of the ways to monetize your niche and build an online presence, but you will be able to find other options as well on this website.

First, I share Why I use WordPress for building my affiliate websites. Next, you find a Quick Guide to get your own website up and running instantly.

After that, there’s a more Detailed Description of all the recommended steps to create your own affiliate website. You can also read about the costs to make a website using WordPress.

Finally, you find the Steps to Monetize Your New Site.

Why I Use WordPress to Create My Own Affiliate Websites

Building a website can seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools, it can be easy and fun. WordPress is one of the most popular website-building tools available, and for good reason.

Here are some of the reasons why I use WordPress for my own affiliate websites:

• It’s easy to use. There are tons of tutorials and articles available online that can help you. If you ever get stuck, there are plenty of support forums and experts available to help you out.

• WordPress is very versatile and can be customized to suit your needs. You can change the look and feel of your website, and add new features as you wish.

• It’s Free to use, and there are plenty of free plugins and themes available. You can also purchase premium themes and plugins if you need more features or customization options.

• WordPress is a Search Engines friendly platform. It’s easy to add keywords and metadata, and you can control how your site is indexed by search engines. This can help your website rank higher in search results.

• It’s scalable, which means that it can handle larger websites with more traffic. If your site starts to grow, WordPress can easily accommodate the increase in traffic.

Want to make your own affiliate website? WordPress is a great platform to use.

So what are you waiting for? Read on and Start building your own affiliate website today!

Quick Guide for Building a WordPress Affiliate Website

Next you find the 4 steps to create an affiliate website using WordPress.

Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name and Hosting

Find a Domain Name

I usually buy my domains at Namecheap.

I prefer a .com, .org, .net, .edu for free traffic purposes (Search Engine Optimization, SEO), but I also use other options (for paid traffic, or redirects). Don’t… overthink this too much.

Keep it Simple and just choose a name that makes sense for the niche market you picked, that sounds good, and is pretty easy to memorize:

• Enter the Domain Name you would like to register, Search and Make sure your Domain is available.

Find a Hosting Plan

Next you need a hosting provider for your WordPress website.

I use Hostgator.

Choose a Hosting plan that fits your needs.

Yes, you can start off with a simple plan (HostGator Hatchling Plan for a single domain) and upgrade later to the Baby Plan (‘unlimited’ domains) to expand your internet based business.

• Choose the Option that Fits your situation Best: Hatchling Plan (single domain), Baby Plan (‘unlimited’ domains), or Business Plan.

Step 2: Transfer Your Domain Name

This step is only needed when you bought your Domain name and Hosting service at different companies, otherwise you can go on to Step 3.

Because I buy my domain names most of the time at Namecheap and I use Hostgator for web hosting, I need to transfer a new domain name from Namecheap to Hostgator.

No worries, this is pretty easy…

• Namecheap domain transfer: When you registered a domain name at Namecheap, you have to change the nameservers in the section called “Domain” (Account dashboard / Manage Domain / Domain details). You can find the HostGator name servers in (1) your Welcome Email or (2) your cPanel (for Shared Web Hosting Only).

• Log into your Hostgator cPanel, add your new (Namecheap) domain as an Addon domain on your hosting account.

Super easy and you are ready to go to step 3.

Step 3: Install WordPress with 1-Click

Let’s install the WordPress blogging software:

• Again You log into cPanel (Hostgator) and install WordPress with 1-click and you’re all set. Remember, you can also ask your host to install it for you.

Step 4: Design and Start your WordPress Affiliate Website

Be aware that any theme can make money. The theme you choose is less important than most people think.

• Install a Free or a Premium theme, using the WordPress dashboard (Appearance / Themes / Add new (featured, popular, latest, favorites) / Search Themes…).

• Next, you can Add Plugins. These are made to deliver additional functionality (for example security, spam control, and / or search engine optimization) to your WordPress site.

• Then create the most important core pages (like the About, Contact, and Privacy Policy page), and you’ve finished the basic steps.

When you are done, you can move on to the next phase: Managing Content And Monetizing Your Site.

As you can see, the process of setting up a WordPress blog is quick and simple, but it’s worth explaining them in more depth because you have a variety of options to consider.

Detailed Step by Step Guide to Building a WordPress Affiliate Website

Step 1: Purchasing a Domain Name and Hosting

Before doing anything else you have to decide on a suitable Domain Name (website address, URL).

If you’re starting an online affiliate business, you want to choose something catchy and simple for potential customers to remember.

You can buy domain names on sites such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Bluehosting, Hostgator, SiteGround, etc. There are lots of domain name registrars.

I use Namecheap for most of my domains, because:

• They offer domain names for very low prices (cheap, just as their name promises);

• Their reliable service and 24/7 support: Available to guide you and answer your questions;

• You also get free “WhoisGuard” (= privacy protection option to stay worry-free) with every domain you register; most registrars charge a (yearly) fee for that.

Below you can find out whether the site name you want is available, pick an extension (TLD’s such as .com, .org, .net, .edu, etc.) and just buy it.

Picking a suitable name depends on what you want your (niche, affiliate) site to be.

If you are looking to serve a big and broad market, then use your own name or brand in the domain name, and attempt to become an authority on the (niche) topic.

You don’t have to worry whether it has specific keywords in it.

However, if you have a very specific niche, you will have more success in choosing a domain name which mentions the niche. 

Here I show you several different ways to Get Niche Ideas for a Niche blog or site.

>>Check Out Your Name Here<<

Next you need a Host for your affiliate website / blog.

It is possible to host a website yourself, but this would require that you permanently keep your servers online. Therefore, to reduce the hassle, most decide to purchase a hosting plan.

There are many different hosting providers around, but HostGator, Bluehost, Dreamhost, SiteGround and GoDaddy tend to be very popular.

I use HostGator (as well as SiteGround) for the hosting of my websites. Why? Well, because of their:

• 99.9% Uptime: The availability of your website is a top priority;

• 24/7/365 support: Available for any hosting-related issue (Telephone, LiveChat, or Email);

• Affordable plans and a 45 Day money back guarantee.

There are also a variety of hosting plans which you can buy; the cheaper ones can be quite limited in their functions, whereas the more expensive plans give you more flexibility, storage and increased bandwidth.

If you’re just starting out, buying a simple plan is advisable, as you can always upgrade if needed later on. Choose a plan here:

Step 2: Transfer Your Domain Name

If you have purchased your domain through WordPress, it will automatically point it to your site.

When you decide to use another hosting service, you will also need to change your nameservers. To do this, you must go to the section titled “My Domains” (WordPress.com), where you can make edits.

Then, click the “Name Servers” tab and choose to use custom name servers. There you will be able to enter the new nameservers which have been provided by your new host.

You can make the process easier on yourself by buying your domain and hosting from the same company. If you do this, you won’t have to transfer your domain name.

As stated before I oftentimes use Namecheap for buying my new domain name (website name or URL) and Hostgator is the hosting service I have chosen.

It’s possible to have Addon domains with your hosting package. This allows you to register new domain names, and have them run off the same package.

For example, if you were to register a domain name at Namecheap, you must change the nameservers in the section called “Domain” (Account dashboard / Manage Domain / Domain details) on your Namecheap account.

Then, you can add the domain as an Addon domain on your hosting account (HostGator):

Changes can sometimes take around 24 hours to show, so your site may be unavailable for a short time.

In my experience it takes less than a couple of hours at most, oftentimes it even takes just a few minutes…

Step 3: Install WordPress with 1-Click

How easy it is to install the WordPress software on your blog is determined by where you have purchased your hosting.

Several hosting services (like HostGator, BlueHosting, GoDaddy, SiteGround, iPage, etc.) allow you to directly install the blogging system from their Control Panel, as if you were installing any program:

However, for those that do Not offer this functionality, you must go to WordPress.org, where you will be invited to download the latest version.

From there, you need to unzip the download, make some adjustments to the files and then upload them through your FTP client.

This sounds complicated, but the wordpress.org website has a thorough installation guide to make it easy for everyone, and solve any problems you may encounter.

Step 4: Design and Start Your WordPress Affiliate Marketing Website

Add Themes

Once you have completed the technicalities, it is time to design your site. Depending on how much you want to invest in the site, you can choose either a free WordPress theme or a premium theme.

There are many sites on the internet which show you the pros and cons of each theme.

Some premium WordPress themes allow you to buy exclusive rights to the theme, which is good if you are keen on making your site totally unique, although it isn’t a necessity.

Add Plugins

You must also decide which widgets you want on the sidebars of your blog or other added functionality. There are a variety of WordPress plugins available (free, paid).

They are offered by lots of other companies, and you can find them by searching for them on the WordPress panel.

The plugins are designed to make your blog more functional, by adding features which WordPress doesn’t provide (by default), such as search engine optimization, banner rotators, opt in boxes, extra security and / or contact forms.

Core Pages to Add

Before writing any content, you should delete the sample page and post first. You want to make your blog look professional, and you won’t do that by leaving these in.

It’s easy to delete them; all you have to do is click on the Pages and Posts tabs on the sidebar of your WordPress panel, and put them in the trash.

Page:

Post:

After that, you should create the Core pages which will give your website validity.

You want to let people know a bit about you and allow them to contact you, as this could help you to make some sales in the long-term.

For your website, add an About page letting people know who you are (this doesn’t have to be more than 200-300 words) as well as a Contact page with a form so you can be contacted directly.

It is also necessary to add a Privacy Policy page. Here you can outline how you collect and manage a customer’s data.

This will reassure potential customers and also cover your back if anything goes wrong.

Privacy policies are typically quite similar, and there are many templates available on the internet to use as a guide if you are unsure how to write one.

Costs to Create a WordPress Affiliate Site

Now you know how to build a affiliate marketing website through WordPress, your next question is most likely, “How much does it cost to build a website?”.

The answer is that it varies. It is possible to start up very inexpensive if you are new to making (affiliate) blogs / sites.

Domain name costs: You can generally purchase domain names for around $10 or less depending on the extension.

Web hosting costs: Basic hosting packages are available from around $4 per month.

Additional costs then come in if you want a more powerful plan, but savings can be made if you buy into long-term contracts. Also you must consider whether you want to buy a Premium theme.

A standard premium theme costs between $50 to $100. But…, don’t hesitate to use a free WordPress theme, when you are starting out.

Quite simply, if you’re just looking to build a(n) (affiliate) site, you can do so for less than $100 per year, and achieve successful results.

However, if you want something more substantial, such as increased bandwidth to cope with higher traffic, or more storage space to host multiple domains, be prepared to spend more.

Different people will have different advice about how to build a (niche) site / blog, but it’s all about finding a package which suits you; there is no “one right way” to achieve success.

How to Monetize Your New Site with Affiliate Marketing?

Now that you know how to set up an affiliate website, it’s time to start making money! There are a few different ways to do this. So keep reading to learn more.

Let’s zoom in on the next steps to perform.

Step 5: Create Content, Find Affiliate Offers, and Publish

When it comes to affiliate marketing, good content is key. High quality content will help your site in the best possible way.

After all, you want people to visit your website, right? So don’t just write for the sake of writing, make sure your content will interest and engage your target audience.

Types of Content

But what are the different types of content that you can include on your affiliate website? Here’s a look at some of the most popular options:

• Blogging is a great way to keep your website fresh and engaging for your visitors. By regularly publishing blog posts, you can share your thoughts on the latest trends in your niche.

• Product Reviews provide value to your visitors and generate traffic from people who are interested in the affiliate products. Just be sure to make your review honest and accurate.

• How-to posts are awesome to show your visitors that you’re an expert in your field. If you can teach them how to do something using your affiliate product, they’re likely to be interested in learning more. Plus, these types of posts are evergreen, meaning they can continue to generate traffic long after they’re published.

• Keeping your website up-to-date with the Latest News and Updates in your niche can be beneficial to attract attention from potential customers.

• Infographics are great to visualize complex information in an easy-to-digest format.

• Videos are excellent to engage your visitors and show them how to use affiliate products. Plus, they generate traffic from people who are interested in learning more about your niche.

• Listicles are fun and easy-to-read to present information.

• And finally, don’t forget to include (links to) helpful resources on your site, such as an FAQ section or a glossary of terms.

When it comes to content for your affiliate site, the sky’s the limit.

Just be sure to choose topics that are relevant to your niche and that will interest your visitors. Think about what questions people might have about it.

By publishing a variety of different types of content, you can keep your affiliate website fresh and engaging, and you’ll be more likely to attract new customers.

Once you have an idea for a post, do some research to make sure your content is accurate and informative. You could also decide to outsource this part of the process to a professional writer.

Affiliate Networks & Programs

To start with affiliate marketing, you need to sign up (and create an affiliate account) for an affiliate network or affiliate program, and find products to promote.

Affiliate networks and affiliate programs are a way for businesses to connect with other businesses and individuals who are interested in promoting their products or services.

An affiliate network acts as a middleman, connecting businesses with an affiliate program with individuals or other businesses (affiliates, affiliate marketers) to promote their products or services.

An affiliate program can be a great way for businesses to increase their sales and reach more customers.

These programs work by providing a special affiliate link that affiliates can use to promote the product or service. When someone clicks on that link, makes a purchase, the affiliate is then paid a commission.

An affiliate network handles all of the payments and tracking, making it easy for businesses to participate in affiliate marketing programs.

There are a number of different affiliate networks to choose from, including Commission Junction, Rakuten, Amazon and Clickbank. The Amazon affiliate program is one of the largest affiliate programs available.

Choose the affiliate programs / products you want to promote, and create review videos, or write blog posts about your experiences using those products or services. Some tips:

• It’s important to select programs / products that complement your website’s topic.

• Choose affiliate products you believe in. If you don’t believe in the product, your audience won’t either. The best way is to select offers that you have used and are happy with, as this will help you to recommend them confidently to your readers.

• Always disclose your affiliate relationship.

After you have created some content, and selected an affiliate program or two, it is time to add affiliate links to your content, and publish it on your website.

Make sure to add images and some catchy headlines to help engage your readers.

Step 6: Promote Your New Website

After your content is published, start promoting it!

This can be done in a number of ways.

Generating Free Web Traffic

There are a number of methods that can be used to generate free traffic, including social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and email marketing.

You can share content on your social media channels, or answer questions on forum websites. Generally get the word out there.

Use a Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter or sites like Medium or Tumblr. It’s free.

SEO is the process of improving the visibility of a site or page in search engine results pages (SERPs). Search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing use algorithms to determine which websites should be ranked higher for a given search term.

In order to improve SEO, it is important to optimize the website content and structure, as well as build backlinks. This process can be difficult and it’s often slow, but can be very effective in the long run.

Email marketing can also be a very valuable way to generate free traffic.

By creating a list of subscribers and sending them regular email messages, you can increase traffic to your website or affiliate links.

In order to maximize the effectiveness of your affiliate marketing efforts, it is important to generate as much free traffic as possible.

By using a combination of the methods listed above, you can increase your chances to make affiliate sales.

Using Paid Web Traffic

You could also consider paid advertising methods such as Google AdWords, YouTube Ads or Facebook Ads to attract more visitors to your website, especially to your content with affiliate links.

One of the benefits of paid traffic is that you can specifically target people who are interested in what you have to offer.

This means you don’t have to waste time and money marketing to people who aren’t interested in your products.

Make sure you test different advertising methods to see what works best for you. The Return On Investment (ROI) will help you determine what methods are the most profitable for you.

Other Ways to Monetize Your New Site

Besides affiliate marketing, there are more ways to create an income from your website.

For instance, by making use of Google AdSense. This program places ads on your website and pays you based on the number of clicks those ads receive.

Here you find more information about Google AdSense and alternatives.

And what about creating and selling your own products or services through your affiliate website? This can be a great way to increase your income and build your online business.

There are a number of different ways to generate an income from a website, and the best way to find out which one will work best for you is to experiment a little.

Try out a few different methods and see which ones work best for you.

I have added more detailed information on this website about how to monetize your website traffic and attract more visitors.

Final Words

In this article, I shared the 4 steps to set up an affiliate site. It doesn’t take much time and effort to build a website using WordPress from scratch.

Monetizing your site by Creating valuable Content (step 5), and Promoting It (step 6), is harder than it sounds, but well worth the effort.

Keep in mind that it can take some time to see results. Rome wasn’t built in a day either.

Whether you use affiliate marketing or another method, it does require hard work, dedication, and patience.

So if you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can definitely succeed with this type of business model.

Finally, it’s always important to Track Your Results so you can see what is working and what isn’t. This will help you to adapt your content and marketing strategies as needed.

It’s time to get started with your own affiliate site using WordPress!

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

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