Affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to earn commissions by sharing links to products or services. It’s a win-win: you help others discover great products, and you earn a bit of money in return!
Whilst starting out with affiliate links might seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. In this guide, I’ll break down the steps to find and get affiliate links for the products you want to promote.
Whether you’re a newbie or looking to refine your strategy, these tips will help you kickstart your affiliate marketing journey. 🚀
So, if you’re ready to dive in and start earning, let’s get those affiliate links sorted!
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What Are Affiliate Links?
Affiliate links are unique URLs provided to you by a company via an affiliate program. When someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. It’s as simple as that!
Each link is tracked to ensure that the sales are attributed to you. This way, the company knows who referred the customer to them.
Typically, these links contain a special code or tracking ID. This is what helps the company keep track of where their customers are coming from.
When you use affiliate links on your blog, social media, or emails, you’re essentially acting as a promoter for the product or service. The more you share, the higher the chance someone will click and buy.
It’s a straightforward process and an excellent way to monetize your content while helping your audience find great products.
Affiliate Link Example
Let’s say you have a blog and you’re promoting a popular fitness tracker. Your affiliate link might look something like this: https://www.example.com/product?affid=12345.
When one of your readers clicks on this link and purchases the fitness tracker, you would earn a commission from that sale.
Here’s how it works:
- Reader clicks the link: A visitor on your blog finds your review of the fitness tracker useful and clicks on the affiliate link to learn more.
- Tracking the referral: The affiliate link contains a unique tracking ID (in this case,
affid=12345) that lets the company know that the visitor came from your site. - Reader makes a purchase: The visitor decides to buy the product. Once they complete the purchase, the company attributes the sale to you.
- You earn a commission: Depending on the agreement, you will receive a percentage of the sale or a flat fee for the referral.
How Much Do Affiliate Links Pay?
Affiliate link payments can vary greatly. The commission you earn depends on the company and the product you’re promoting.
Some companies offer a fixed amount per sale, while others provide a percentage of the sale amount. For example, you might earn £5 per sale or 10% of the total purchase.
Higher-priced products typically mean bigger commissions. So promoting expensive items like electronics can bring in more money than cheaper ones.
Focusing on promoting higher-priced products with bigger commissions is a method often referred to as high-ticket affiliate marketing.
Some programs also offer tiered commissions. This means the more sales you make, the higher your commission rate can go. For instance, you might start at 5% and work your way up to 10% as you sell more.
Are Affiliate Programs Free To Join?
Yes, most affiliate programs are completely free to join. Companies often offer their affiliate programs at no cost because they benefit from the sales you generate.
It’s a low-risk way for businesses to gain new customers, and they’re happy to pay you a commission without charging a fee. Simply sign up, get approved, and start sharing your unique links.
However, do keep an eye out for any hidden costs or conditions. Some programs might require you to make a minimum number of sales to remain active or offer additional paid features.
In general, though, you can access a wide array of affiliate programs without spending a penny. This means you can start promoting products and earning commissions with minimal upfront investment.
How To Get Affiliate Links For Products
Finding affiliate links is easier than you might think. Here are a few quick steps to get you started:
1. Choose Your Niche
Before diving into affiliate marketing, it’s essential to choose a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise. This could range from fitness and wellness products to tech gadgets or home decor.
The more passionate and knowledgeable you are about the niche, the more genuine and engaging your recommendations will be. Remember, authenticity is key in building trust with your audience.
2. Research Affiliate Programs
Not all affiliate programs are created equal, so it’s crucial to find ones that fit your niche and offer good commission rates. Start with popular platforms like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Rakuten.
Also, look into smaller, niche-specific programs that may offer higher payouts or exclusive opportunities.
A simple Google search of “[Company] affiliate program” will usually reveal whether a brand has a dedicated program. Consider joining multiple programs to diversify your income streams.
You can learn more about finding affiliate programs here.
🎁 Bonus: Here is a huge list of free-to-join affiliate programs for beginners.
3. Sign Up & Get Approved
Once you’ve found suitable affiliate programs, you’ll need to apply. Most platforms will ask for details about your blog, social media presence, or website traffic.
Take the time to present your platform as professionally as possible, even if you’re just starting. Include any relevant stats that demonstrate your audience engagement, such as your email list size, monthly pageviews, or follower counts.
Approval times can vary, but typically range from a few hours to a few days.
If you’re applying to Amazon Associates, here are some tips to get approved.
4. Browse Products
After gaining approval, take time to explore the products available in the affiliate network. Many platforms offer search filters that allow you to narrow down your choices by category, brand, or commission rate.
Choose products that resonate with your audience’s needs and align with the content you produce. Don’t just promote popular items—pick products you genuinely believe in or have used yourself. This will strengthen your credibility.
5. Generate Links
Once you’ve found a product you’d like to promote, use the affiliate platform’s dashboard to generate your unique tracking link.
Some programs even allow you to create shortened or branded URLs to make the links more aesthetically pleasing and easier to share.
Keep track of all your affiliate links in one place—whether it’s a spreadsheet or a dedicated tool—so you can quickly retrieve them for future use.
On top of that, some affiliate platforms offer link customization options, enabling you to match the link to your branding.
Example: How To Get Amazon Affiliate Link
Getting an Amazon affiliate link is straightforward and quick. Here’s how to do it:
1. Join Amazon Associates
First, you need to sign up for the Amazon Associates program. Visit their website and click “Join Now for Free.” You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself and your platform.
2. Set Up Your Account
Once you’re approved, log in to your Amazon Associates account. Complete your profile by adding payment details and other required information.
3. Search for Products
Navigate to the Amazon homepage and use the search bar to find the product you want to promote. You can search for anything from books to electronics.
4. Generate Your Link
When you find the product, look for the “Get Link” button at the top of the page. This is part of the SiteStripe tool available to Associates. Click on it, and a unique affiliate link will be generated for you.
5. Copy and Share
Copy the link and paste it wherever you plan to share it – your blog, social media, or emails. Each click and purchase through this link earns you a commission.
There you have it! Your Amazon affiliate link is ready to go.
Do Affiliate Links Expire?
Some affiliate links do expire, while others do not. It all depends on the affiliate program you’re working with.
Many affiliate programs set something known as a cookie duration. This is the period during which any sales you refer can still earn you a commission. For example, a 30-day cookie means you’ll get credit for sales made within 30 days of someone clicking your link.
If a potential customer takes longer than that to make a purchase, you won’t earn a commission unless they click your link again.
Some cookies last much longer, and a few may even be permanent, but it’s always best to check the terms of the program you join.
For example, Amazon Associates’ affiliate cookies expire after 24 hours. This means that the customer needs to make a purchase within that time frame for you to earn a commission. Other programs might have longer cookie durations, like 30 or even 90 days.
It’s essential to understand the terms of each affiliate program you join. Check the specific details about cookie durations and link expiration to ensure you maximise your earnings.
Even if some links do expire, you can always generate new ones to keep your content fresh and your commissions flowing. Regularly updating your links ensures they remain active and relevant for your audience.
Checking Your Affiliate Link Is Working
Before you start sharing your affiliate links, it’s crucial to make sure they’re working properly. Here’s a simple checklist to follow:
1. Click the Link
Start by clicking on the link yourself. It should take you directly to the product page or landing page without any errors.
2. Check the URL
Look at the URL in your browser’s address bar. Ensure it contains your unique affiliate tracking ID. This ID is what ensures you get credited for any sales.
3. Test on Different Devices
Test the link on various devices – desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This ensures the link works well for all your audience members, no matter what device they’re using.
4. Verify in Dashboard
Finally, log in to your affiliate account and verify that the clicks and are being recorded accurately.
Stay Legal With an Affiliate Link Disclaimer
Using affiliate links is a great way to earn money, but it’s essential to stay transparent and legal.
Most countries require you to disclose your affiliate relationships to your audience. This means you should tell them you might earn a commission if they click on your links and make a purchase.
Not only is this a legal requirement, but it also builds trust with your readers. They’ll appreciate your honesty and be more likely to support you.
Make sure to place your disclaimer in a clear and noticeable location, such as at the start or end of your blog post, or even in a visible footer on your website.
Affiliate Disclaimer Example
Here’s a simple, effective example of an affiliate disclaimer you can use:
“Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I personally use and believe will add value to my readers.”
Feel free to tweak it to fit your personal style and the specifics of your blog. Just make sure it’s clear and easy to understand.
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into affiliate disclaimers, be sure to check out this post.
How To Get Your First Affiliate Sale
Landing your first affiliate sale is a rewarding milestone, and with the right approach, it can happen sooner than you think. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you achieve that goal:
Choose the Right Products
Your first sale will often come down to promoting the right products. Select items that genuinely resonate with your audience and align with their needs or interests.
Your readers follow you because they trust your opinion, so promoting products you believe in ensures authenticity and builds long-term trust.
Also, aim for products that solve a problem or enhance your audience’s lifestyle, as these tend to perform well.
Create Engaging Content
Simply adding affiliate links isn’t enough—you need to create compelling content that captures attention and drives clicks. Whether it’s a detailed blog post, an in-depth product review, a YouTube tutorial, or social media posts, focus on highlighting the product’s benefits.
Use storytelling to connect with your audience, and include personal experiences or case studies to make your recommendations more persuasive.
Visuals like product photos, infographics, or videos can also significantly boost engagement.
Use SEO Techniques
Search engine optimization (SEO) can help your content reach a broader audience, bringing in organic traffic that’s more likely to convert.
Identify relevant keywords related to the product you’re promoting and naturally integrate them into your blog posts, headings, meta descriptions, and URLs.
High-quality, keyword-optimized content has a better chance of ranking on Google and other search engines, making it easier for potential buyers to find your recommendations.
Leverage Social Media
Social media platforms are invaluable for driving traffic to your affiliate content, so be sure to share your blog posts, videos, or reviews on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Use engaging captions, relevant hashtags, and striking visuals to grab attention.
And don’t forget to engage with your followers by replying to comments and messages. This interaction fosters trust and encourages more people to click on your affiliate links.
Build an Email List
Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to generate affiliate sales.
Create a lead magnet—such as a free guide, checklist, or e-book—to encourage readers to sign up for your email list. Once you’ve collected their emails, send them valuable content, product recommendations, and exclusive deals featuring your affiliate links.
An engaged email list can become a reliable source of conversions, as you’re speaking directly to an audience that already trusts you.
Stay Consistent
Achieving your first affiliate sale often requires consistency. Keep producing quality content, promoting your links, and engaging with your audience regularly.
Don’t be discouraged if results aren’t immediate—affiliate marketing is a long-term strategy. The more you build trust and maintain visibility, the more likely your readers are to make a purchase through your links.
Want more detailed guidance? Sign up for our free affiliate marketing course to access a full walkthrough and additional tips that will help you fast-track your success and start earning commissions in no time. 💸
Affiliate Link FAQs
Even though it’s ultimately a pretty simple process, affiliate marketing can be a bit confusing when you’re just starting out.
So, to help you out, I’ve put together some frequently asked questions about affiliate links. These answers will (hopefully) give you a clearer understanding of how to use and promote them effectively.
Can You Use Your Own Affiliate Link?
Using your own affiliate link for purchases is generally frowned upon, and many programs have strict rules against it. Some even ban accounts if they detect self-referrals. Always read the fine print of the affiliate program to understand their policies. The goal is to promote to others, so focus on delivering value to your audience.
What’s The Best Way To Promote Your Affiliate Link?
Promoting your affiliate link effectively requires a mix of strategies. High-quality content is key – write engaging blog posts, create informative videos, or share visually appealing social media updates. Incorporate SEO techniques to increase organic traffic. Don’t forget to leverage email marketing by sending out newsletters with your links. The aim is to build trust and provide genuine recommendations.
Can Anyone Get an Affiliate Link?
Yes, almost anyone can get an affiliate link. Most affiliate programs are open to bloggers, social media influencers, and even newbies. The main requirement is having a platform to share your links, like a blog, YouTube channel, or social media profile. Some programs may have additional criteria, such as a minimum number of followers or traffic, but many welcome beginners.
