How to do Affiliate Marketing Without a Website?

Do you think you need a website with millions of monthly visitors to make money doing affiliate marketing? If that’s the case, you’re completely wrong. In this article we will debunk the myth of having to work for years to build a popular website to make big bucks through affiliate offers.

Stop Wasting Time on Website Traffic

Let’s face it, building a successful website is a slow game - it takes a lot of time, hard work, and patience to get a website off the ground these days. Today’s market and search engines are way too saturized, and it has become extremely difficult to break through the barriers when building your own site.

If you’re coming to the game with no SEO or content marketing experience, you’re not going to have a great time. In fact, you will be competing with highly trained professionals no matter what industry you choose. Whether you want to build a website about spacecraft technology or something as simple as household plants, you are going to run into a lot of competition.

As someone who’s just starting out in affiliate marketing, putting all your time and effort into building your own website is a huge mistake. Why? Because it will take years to build it up and actually see reasonable results. Besides, there’s a much better way to go about this.

Here’s How to Make Affiliate Money Without a Website

Think about it, why would you spend months trying to get people to your website in order to show them your affiliate offer when you can simply go where the crowd is already at? Instead of trying to bring the flock to you, it’s way easier to find where your ideal customers are hanging out and get in front of them.

Whether you choose to take the organic route or invest in paid advertising, utilizing existing social networks is a much smarter way to get your affiliate products in front of the right people. While you’re spending months trying to learn SEO and implement all the right strategies, some other beginner out there is already making thousands of dollars through affiliate commissions by using existing channels that have proven to work over the years.

With that in mind, here are four ways to do affiliate marketing without having your own website (or ever starting one):

#1 Online Communities

There are so many online communities out there where people who share a certain interest like to spend their time. Let’s say you have an affiliate offer for a gaming mouse (taking a complete guess here), wouldn’t it make much more sense to join gaming online communities and talk about your products there instead of trying to get all those gamers to visit your website?

The key is to figure out who your ideal customer is (depending on the product you’re selling) and where do they hang out online. Once you nail down these two important questions, making sales will become easy. The right message placed in front of the right person will convert into a sale 9 times out of 10. That’s what we’ve seen in the business/sales world over and over again.

So, invest your time into researching what your ideal customer wants, needs, and does in their spare time. Find out where their attention is invested - what groups do they engage in, what type of content do they respond to? Once you’ve got this data, your possibilities will be endless. Simply position yourself as a trustworthy figure in those groups and the right people will buy from you.

#2 Social Media

Another way to do affiliate marketing without having a website is to use social media to promote your offers. Again, social media networks like Instagram and TikTok are much better cashcows for affiliate marketing because people are already there. In this game, what you need to figure out is how to get their attention and direct it toward your affiliate offers.

Nowadays, a single viral reel or TikTok clip can put you on the map and make you millions of dollars in revenue. But, we have to be realistic - hitting the viral jackpot is difficult and unpredictable - it’s definitely not something you can plan for.

Hence, instead of hopping to unlock that viral gold mine, you need a more sustainable, long-term social media strategy. Focus on one or two social media networks and put your time and attention into attracting the right person.

What many people do wrong when positioning affiliate offers through social media is that they post content that they think will work. In reality, you have to post the content that already works in your niche. The positive side of working with overly saturized markets and networks is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Chances are that there’s somebody out there who’s using social media to sell the same or at least similar products to yours. Find those people and see what works for them. Use your competitors as an inspiration to build a content strategy around your affiliate offers and focus on the long-term rather than hoping to hit the viral sweetspot (you never know if or when it can happen).

#3 YouTube

Online selling is a very competitive space, regardless of what your affiliate offer is about. Having seen thousands of ads on a daily basis for over half a decade, customers are becoming more and more resilient to offers being thrown at them every day. That’s why you need to build trust with your audience first.

Having an audience that trusts you and values your opinion is going to make affiliate marketing way easier for you. However, building trust is the tough part but luckily YouTube makes it possible. A platform such as YouTube allows you to connect with your audience through long-form video content, which is where the trust-building happens.

In comparison to 15 second reels or TikToks, longer form videos on YouTube actually allow your audience to make a connection with you. And, as you could’ve guessed, the stronger the connection the more affiliate sales you’ll be able to make.

Hence, using YouTube for affiliate marketing is a really smart idea that will not only get your offer in front of people’s eyes but also help you build the rapport needed to turn affiliate marketing into a long-term type of income source.

#4 Paid Advertising

So far we’ve discussed using online communities, social media, and YouTube for affiliate marketing, as opposed to building your own website. These are all great outlets you can use to gain traffic and sales organically, although you should keep in mind that each takes a lot of time and effort.

However, if you truly want to scale your affiliate marketing business and make the big bucks, your next best step would be to invest in paid advertising on social media. Over the last decade people have gone crazy for Facebook ads and some have invested multi-millions of dollars into single campaigns and seen enormous returns.

There’s no doubt that paid advertising gets the job done, when executed correctly. A couple of ways you can make more money doing affiliate marketing is by utilizing Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube ads to promote your offer and bring more traffic to your social pages. This is still way more efficient than building a website or even sending paid traffic to your site instead of a video or a landing page.

#5 Etsy

As an affiliate marketer, you can tap into Etsy's vast marketplace by promoting individual products or curated collections across various social media channels, forums, or even through email marketing.

Etsy's affiliate program allows marketers to earn commissions by driving traffic and sales to the platform. Through affiliate links, you can showcase one-of-a-kind items, handmade crafts, and vintage finds, catering to niche audiences with specific interests. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook to visually highlight Etsy products, providing an engaging and direct route for potential buyers.

Given Etsy's diverse range of products, from personalized jewelry to vintage home decor, affiliate marketers can tailor their promotional efforts to profitable niches. This targeted approach, coupled with Etsy's reputation for unique and artisanal offerings, can result in effective affiliate marketing campaigns even in the absence of a dedicated website.

But remember, while Etsy provides an excellent opportunity for affiliate earnings without a website, it's crucial to adhere to Etsy's affiliate program policies and guidelines. After all, Etsy will not hesitate to remove affiliates from their program if they violate guidelines.

#6 Create eBooks

By crafting informative and engaging eBooks centered around niche topics or interests, you can embed affiliate links seamlessly within the content, directing readers to relevant products or services.

The key to success in this approach lies in selecting a niche that aligns with your expertise or interests, ensuring that the eBook resonates with your target audience. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing offer a straightforward avenue for self-publishing your eBooks, granting you access to a vast audience without the need for a dedicated website.

Within the eBook, strategically place affiliate links in a non-intrusive manner, offering valuable recommendations that complement the eBook's content.

For instance, if your eBook delves into fitness tips, integrate affiliate links to fitness equipment, supplements, or workout gear. The goal is to seamlessly incorporate affiliate promotions into the narrative, enhancing the reader's experience while generating potential earnings.

#7 Participate in Online Forums

Choose forums that align with your expertise or interests, ensuring that your contributions are authentic and well-received. Many forums allow you to include a signature at the end of your posts—a prime location for placing affiliate links. Craft a concise and compelling message in your signature that encourages forum members to explore the products or services you endorse.

Ensure that your affiliate links are contextually relevant to the discussions within the forum. Whether you're participating in conversations about technology, fitness, or lifestyle, tailor your recommendations to meet the needs and interests of the forum community.

Building trust within the forum is essential for the success of this approach. Consistently offer valuable insights, contribute meaningfully to discussions, and avoid overly promotional content. As you become a respected member of the community, your affiliate recommendations are more likely to be well-received.

#8 Email Marketing

Harnessing the power of email affiliate marketing provides a potent avenue for making affiliate money without the necessity of a dedicated website. Building an email list allows you to directly connect with your audience, delivering carefully curated affiliate promotions straight to their inboxes.

Start by creating a valuable lead magnet, such as an informative eBook, exclusive content, or a special offer, to entice individuals to subscribe to your email list. Platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or ConvertKit offer user-friendly tools to manage and automate your email campaigns.

Once you've cultivated a subscriber base, craft targeted email campaigns that seamlessly integrate affiliate links into valuable content. Whether it's product reviews, exclusive promotions, or industry insights, ensure that your emails provide genuine value to your audience while subtly showcasing the affiliate products or services you endorse.

#9 Solo Ads

To venture into the realm of solo ads, connect with reputable solo ad providers who cater to your niche. These providers typically have cultivated extensive email lists within specific industries, enabling you to reach a targeted audience without the need for your website.

Craft a compelling email copy or ad content that resonates with the solo ad provider's audience. Your goal is to create an enticing offer or message that encourages recipients to click on your affiliate link. It's essential to communicate the value of the product or service you're promoting and provide a clear call to action.

Monitor and analyze the performance of your solo ads meticulously. Track metrics such as click-through rates, conversions, and overall engagement. This data allows you to refine your approach, ensuring that your solo ads yield the desired results and maximize affiliate earnings.

While solo ads bypass the need for a website, they demand careful research and collaboration with reputable providers. When executed strategically, solo ads present a powerful method to amplify your affiliate reach and connect with targeted audiences, driving affiliate success beyond the confines of a dedicated website.

#10 PPC Marketing

PPC platforms like Google Ads and Bing Ads allow you to place ads directly in front of your target audience, paying only when someone clicks on your ad.

Begin by conducting thorough keyword research to identify the terms and phrases relevant to the products or services you're promoting as an affiliate. Craft compelling ad copy that aligns with your affiliate offerings, ensuring that it resonates with potential customers and encourages clicks.

Choose your target audience based on demographics, interests, and online behavior. This level of precision ensures that your PPC ads are presented to individuals most likely to be interested in the affiliate products, maximizing the potential for conversions.

Integrate your affiliate links seamlessly within your PPC ads, directing users to the products or services you're endorsing. Employ persuasive language and compelling visuals to capture the attention of your audience and entice them to click through.

#11 Retargeting

Retargeting involves displaying targeted ads to individuals who have previously visited specific pages or shown interest in your affiliate products.

To initiate a retargeting campaign, collaborate with ad platforms that offer retargeting services, such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads. These platforms provide tools to track user interactions with your affiliate promotions, enabling you to tailor your ads based on their past engagement.

Craft compelling retargeting ads that highlight the value proposition of the affiliate products or services you're promoting. Emphasize special offers, discounts, or unique selling points to rekindle the interest of individuals who may not have converted during their initial interaction.

Segment your retargeting audience based on their behavior. For example, create distinct ad campaigns for users who viewed a product but didn't complete a purchase versus those who abandoned their shopping carts. This tailored approach ensures that your retargeting efforts align with the specific actions and interests of your audience.

Continuously monitor the performance of your retargeting campaigns, analyzing metrics such as click-through rates and conversion rates. Adjust your strategy based on the data, refining your ad content and targeting parameters to optimize for maximum affiliate earnings.

Retargeting proves to be a powerful tool for re-engaging potential customers and driving affiliate success without the reliance on a dedicated website. By strategically positioning your affiliate promotions in front of individuals who have already expressed interest, retargeting enhances the likelihood of conversions and contributes to a robust affiliate marketing strategy.

#12 Giveaway Campaign

Begin by collaborating with affiliate programs that align with your niche and are willing to sponsor the giveaway prizes. Ensure that the products or services being promoted resonate with your audience and generate genuine interest.

Leverage your social media presence or other online platforms to announce and host the giveaway. Encourage participants to take specific actions, such as following your social media accounts, sharing the giveaway post, or subscribing to your email list. Each action can be tied to an affiliate link, ensuring that participants engage with your affiliate promotions.

Craft compelling and visually appealing promotional material to showcase the giveaway prizes and highlight the value they bring. Communicate the entry requirements and the duration of the giveaway to create a sense of urgency and encourage swift participation.

Select winners transparently and announce them publicly, either through a live stream, a dedicated post, or other engaging formats. This not only adds credibility to your campaign but also provides an opportunity to reiterate the affiliate products or services being promoted.

Start Doing Affiliate Marketing without a Website

By now you should be convinced that doing affiliate marketing without a website is not only possible but also a much smarter way to do it. Instead of spending time and money trying to get the buyers to come to you, you can simply go to wherever they are and place your offer.

Many people who already have an established online presence don’t understand the full potential it offers. Besides, you don’t need 100k+ followers on Instagram or subscribers on YouTube to make affiliate sales.

Even small audiences can convert well if you’ve got the right message and product. In fact, you can get started with no audience whatsoever if you’ve got the budget to go straight into paid advertising.

Either way, one of the biggest challenges in your affiliate marketing career (especially if you’re a beginner) is going to be keeping up with all the different affiliate networks, links, and commissions that you’ll be swimming in.

Check out Strackr.com to learn how this tool can make your life as an affiliate marketer easier and less stressful. Strackr is an affiliate dashboard that lets you manage over 150 different affiliate networks in one place.

On top of that, you can automate link creation and increase your revenue by understanding the data behind your affiliate marketing. The tool includes easy publishing tools, reports, segmentation features and much more. With Strackr, you’ll be able to take your affiliate marketing business to the next level without ever having to build your own website.