There are countless free blogging and publishing platforms online. In many cases, a lot of people who are new to affiliate marketing do find success in earning generous affiliate commissions without ever having a website.
So.. is affiliate marketing without a website or blog possible?
That depends. For the most part, yes, it sure is. There are great tools out there that you can take advantage of. You may not get all the revenue from ads and you may not get all the power over design but what you do get is: established traffic, existing pagerank, at times there is a built-in community that you can take advantage of, and you get more ways to build links, gather followers, and improve your online presence.
Affiliate Marketing Without A Website – Examples
• Building traffic to a free hosted blog with links and advertisements through your content and social media marketing as well as off page SEO strategies.
• Creating HubPages, Tumblr pages, and Squidoo lenses and directing traffic to a free blog that acts as a landing page with links and banners and even an opt-in.
• Using social media tools to drive traffic to your affiliate links.
• Using free tools that let you create opt-in lists for newsletter and email marketing.
Kicking Your Affiliate Marketing Efforts Up A Notch
While a lot of newcomers to affiliate marketing get started exclusively with free online tools, the top 10% or more of earners will say that you need your own self hosted blog or website to take your earnings to the next level, though.
It takes a lot of work to build consistent and passive income and when you use free tools, you are relinquishing some control and leaving some money on the table because you’re giving away part of your profit potential.
Many will use bum marketing techniques, such as article marketing, and directing to affiliate links from free blogs such as Blogger and WordPress.com exclusively for a while but eventually they look for their own piece of online real estate that they’ll have 100% control over. While there are great free publishing and blogging tools out there, the most successful internet marketers use them in conjunction with some tools that require an investment.
Many of even the most successful affiliate marketing pros will use free blogs and other free tools for multi-way linking strategies and for SEO purposes to build rankings for their landing pages and blogs. They will use as many tools as possible, but in the end they will direct traffic to their own self hosted blog or website so they have maximum control over their income and their success.
Sean Rasmussen
Aussie Internet Marketer
Learn Affiliate Marketing with Year Of The Affiliate © 2012
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Sean,
This is EXACTLY the strategy I use online.
I made my first money online with NO website with affiliate marketing. It blew my mind because I heard people say you could make money online but until you make that first sale it seems unbelievable. I sold an ebook on weightloss from Clickbank.
Upon the success of my first sale something clicked in my brain. I had a mind shift about selling online and it changed my life forever. I began to think quietly, ” What else can I sell online?” I still sell affiliate products online as there are many good quality products online, as you and others know so well.
Oh, I finished reading my copy of YEAR OF THE AFFILIATE for the third time now, underling, jotting in the margins, and making notes. It is a goldmine of online marketing and affiliate common sense. I find it very practical too.
Your explanation of article marketing I found very useful. Here are some of the key points I got from your Year of the Affiliate volume:
*Keyword research phrases for article marketing
*Start with a good article title to attract the reader’s interest
*Importance of the article body: always deliver what you promise in the article tittle
*How article marketing builds trust for affiliate sales
*How article marketing can lead to having lots of links that point back to your affiliate site
I know your have a lot more internet marketing resources, but I took my time to really digest the information and wisdom in your Year of the Affiliate, and then apply it online and learn as I go with this approach.
I know a lot might find this a bit slow, but I like this method as I gain a really good handle on one major online marketing tool, in this case article marketing, rather than jumping around too much with every new sales method and having none of them work.
I am digging into Year of the Affiliate often as I find it a good way to get my creative juices flowing and you need to be creative somewhat to make money online.
Thanks again.
.-= psychicjim´s last blog ..Career Change- Stop Bad Habits =-.
Good on you Psychicjim. It sounds like you are really working hard to succeed in internet marketing and having the focus is fantastic. Affiliate marketing is exciting and can be extremely rewarding.
.-= Jackie Stenhouse´s last blog ..What to Look For in a Child With Anxiety =-.
That first sale surely does awaken people to the possibilities available online Jim. It’s great to hear that my book has helped you to achieve success, taking action and implementing the strategies is what it’s all about
Hi psychicjim,
Thanks for the reminder. I’ve read Sean’s book Year of the Affiliate a couple of times but it’s been a while. It’s an excellent guide to what I need to do to be a successful internet marketer.
I think it’s time I went over the book again and re-applied the strategies. I always have the most success when I read something and try to apply it straight away.
Again, thank-you for reminding me how great Sean’s book is.
.-= Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Finding Your Passion =-.
Sean
Affiliate Marketing Without A Website is certainly a catchy phrase. However, I am hoping to be a fantastic affiliate marketer with a website. With your help I am sure it will be accomplished.
I am a member of LinkedIn and have joined Alexa.
Thanks for a fun webinar this afternoon. I found myself on your ‘dollars’ website. I think my gravatar is the greatest one there and should be considered for an additional 100 or so points.
Look forward to Twitter information on Friday. I have been on Twitter twice now, but am anxious to learn how to make use of it. Mostly I find it unfriendly and difficult to manage. I am sure that after Friday’s upcoming webinar I will Tweet like a ‘twit’ with great aplomb.
Dobbs
Hey Frank, your poor pooch looks down and out LOL! My puss is curious as to why he feels like that when you are so positive!
Affiliate marketing without a website? Yes, but it is so much better and more flexible if you have one or a blog. I have used Twitter to direct folks to a Clickbank hoplink – and that doesn’t need a website as the the hoplink links to the sellers page.
Nowadays a blog is almost the same thing as a website – you can tart them up so they look like one – with all the good (& free) templates out there. It’s a great way to provide more pre-selling information – a lot of visitors don’t buy straight off – and having a content laden blog or website with loads of useful information helps establish credibility and trust – and therefore more likely you will get return visits and possibly sales etc.
Hi Sean,
Hm, Affiliate Marketing Without A Website? I would say if you don’t define a blog or Squidoo page as a website than you are right. You don’t need a classical website.
But you do need some site that allows you to show your affiliate links (and if it is only a landing page or sales page).
You do not need an expensive website created by some expert company to work as an affiliate marketer, there I fully agree with you. And driving traffic to that page via social media of all kinds really works. For example Twitter
Looking forward to the next webinar while busy going through my home study course
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Breaking Habits – 7 Tips How To Do It =-.
The reference to “without a website” in the article, is related to “free” sites and other ways to market without spending money. Many people don’t realise that there are opportunities online that don’t cost a cent to get started with. Of course, once you have got a taste of the free options and you find it’s something you enjoy and want to pursue further, self-hosted sites are well worth considering for long term ventures
Ahh – that makes sense
But you are right – many people do not know that you can create opportunities only without spending thousands on a “classic” website first but by using the free offers that are out there.
You have shown me how to start without the big cost attached, now I am hooked and have my self hosted site
.-= Renee´s last blog ..How To Enjoy Healthy Diet Food Even With A Busy Lifestyle =-.
Sean you have completely solved the turmoil I have been feeling the last few days about affiliate marketing without a website. I have been thinking about starting another blog and have been tossing up free blogs compared to a self hosted blog. I have decided to go the self hosted blog and be more focused with my topic. Thanks for clarifying this.
.-= Jackie Stenhouse´s last blog ..What to Look For in a Child With Anxiety =-.
Great to hear the article has given you some direction Jackie. I look forward to seeing your new site
Now that’s a celebration moment Jackie!
I started off with a free UWCBlog and also tried my hand at Blogger. Making the switch to a self hosted blog was the best move that I have made. You gain so much more control over your content and if you have been using Sean’s UWCBlog platform, then you can’t go wrong with installing WordPress.
.-= Cemil´s last blog ..Online Public Relations Steps To Take For Your Freelance Business =-.
Hi Sean
I thought it was interesting that you mentioned ‘bum marketing’ I did take a good look at that method to get myself started in affiliate marketing. I hesitated as I knew there had to be other people with different methods.
Had I taken the bum marketing path I do ask myself would I have ever known that it was possible to have a self hosted website of my own. Without spending thousands for someone else to produce a fully functional e-commerce site .. $$$ ouch!! That is where I was heading, my how things have changed.
Thank you!
Great tips Sean. There are basically 101 ways to make money online
Just one thing on using social media to drive traffic to your affiliate links. Some affiliate programs do not allow the use of Social Media. When you sign up to a program make sure that you carefully read the advertising terms. Others encourage it due to the way it can take off virally, but again it will pay to check the terms to avoid being banned.
.-= Cemil´s last blog ..Sydney Freelance =-.
I am soaking up all the info I can about affiliate marketing and certainly this article about affiliate marketing without a website is full of great info. It sounds like a self hosted blog is they way I will go to have maximum control but it was great to read about several of the options worth considering.
Hi Melanie,
if you already have some knowledge and know what you want selfhosted is the way to go, as it gives you this extra bit of control.
I found that as a beginner I was quite happy to only have part of the control and have someone else worry about the technical details and talk to the host company etc. Now that I have found me feet (first with a free blog, next step a managed YOTB blog) I am now starting my first fully self hosted blog – and I am a bit proud
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Motivational Music =-.
To succeed in affiliate marketing without a website is rather difficult I believe if you don’t have a decent sized mailing list. That is if you are affiliate promoting products by email.
I imagine it is easier with social media. Year of the affiliate is a great ebook and I need to re-visit it again. Now with the latest advice and tips on Seans articles the future is looking better.
I am still not clear though on the difference between a self hosted website and a self hosted blog. For instance are the blogs at uwc self hosted or not?
.-= Isa Potter´s last blog ..How to Care for Your Back =-.
Hi Isa,
A self-hosted website and a self-hosted blog are the same thing. Your UWC blog is a free blog and is not self hosted. Your UWC blog and other free blogs cost you nothing to start up.
You don’t have to buy a domain name or pay for hosting. Whereas you pay for both of these with a self-hosted blog. Also, free blogs are pretty easy to set up and use.
With a self-hosted blog, you have a lot more freedom to build them anyway you want them. But, you will need a little technical knowledge to set them up. It’s not hard once someone shows you how to do it.
I hope this helps, Isa.
.-= Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Finding Your Passion =-.
I find it daunting to have a blog for so many avenues of business and keep on top of all of them. I don’t like to mix obvious business with pleasure as I don’t want to turn away those who follow me for my ahem… wisdom and insight. Trying to sell to friends and family is such a tight rope walk that I try to avoid altogether.
Sean, do you have any tips for someone who is trying to dive into the affiliate marketing business with both feet while keeping a head and shoulder above the water?
.-= Sarah Butland´s last blog ..Asking the Universe =-.
Free hosted bloggs are a good place to start when learning affliate marketing. But if you are serious about making money online then it sounds like self hosted blogs are the way to go. For now I just need to master my free blog. Then “the sky is the limit”.
Hi Ailsa,
that’s the right way of thinking
Learn all the does and don’ts with a free blog, gain experience on what works and what doesn’t and then use your new knowledge to go full steam ahead. With a teacher like Sean you will be there in no time!
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Self Improvement Books – What Are Your Favourites =-.
Once I make enough moolah with my free blog, I will get a self hosted blog!
Thank you Sean.
Or if you are hooked to the fun and endless possibilities you have with blogs you might get it started even earlier
. At least that is what happened to me and I am having fun (and lots of work with all my blogs) at the moment 
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Self Improvement – 25 Self Motivation Quotes =-.
Hi Sean
Affiliate marketing without a website, how I wish I knew that years ago.
My very first site was one I did without any knowledge, and wondered why nobody was booking tours through “My Site” I soon found out why.
I was the only one who knew it was there so then I had someone else manage it for me and it cost me a packet .
I wish I had known then what I know now and I would have made a packet when I sold the site along with the business.
Hi rita,
I’m sure yours is not the only story like this one. Even paying for courses that promise the world, but just don’t deliver is probably the same sort of thing.
I always believe that things like that happen for a reason. We can either learn from that lesson or not! Our choice.
Luckily it is obvious you have learnt. I hope you are enjoying the journey.
Cath
Hi Sean,
Again thanks for expanding my horizons and encouraging us to think outside the box. At first my answer to your question would have been “No you can’t without a website” but where there’s a will there’s a way!
Technical tips are one thing, but most importantly thanks for challenging the way I think!
Hi Sean,
There are so many options that it becomes hard to focus on where we should be concentrating our efforts. I would think we should learn on the free options in preparation for a full out assault on the I.M. world.
Hi Sean,
Once I would have thought that it’s impossible to sell and earn money on-line without a website. Now, after reading Year Of The Affiliate (YOTA) ebook. I know it’s possible to sell Affiliate products without a website. I also know this because YOTA Forum people are doing it.
The YOTA book is not available right now. I do believe you will need to make it available again soon Sean. People will be asking for it….I will bet on that.
.-= Jill Brown´s last blog ..Couples Marry at Common Law =-.
Hi Sean,
Affiliate marketing without a website sounds like a difficult task but of course nothing is impossible & I am sure there are plenty of people out there that have done it & continue to do it with success.
I have to say that for me the idea of selling products online as an affiliate at first seemed a bit unbelievable & I too have had the pleasure of making my first sale online that has made it all come to life.
.-= jeremy´s last blog ..jlagatule- RT @gurubob- True influence is not forcing people to say yesit is systematically destroying their reasons to say no – GuruBob =-.
Congratulations Jeremy, making that first sale surely does make you realise the possibilities of what can be achieved online
I think learning Affiliate marketing without a website is a great place to start your internet marketing journey. From what others have said, you learn from that and move onto bigger and better things when you are well and truly ready for them.
Thanks again for a great article Sean.
Cath
I’m a strong believer in self-hosted sites for Affiliate Marketing.
Now that sounds odd from a guy who has never really put his “expertise” to use for the purpose of Internet Marketing on his own behalf. The reason for my comment is because it is now so inexpensive to utilise self-hosting.
Registering a domain name now runs about $10. If you want to use multiple domains then sign up with a hosting company, such as Hostgator, that allows multiple domains on one account. You don’t even have to pay someone to develop your site. Most hosting companies provide access to web development software or alternatively, you can use free Content Management Systems like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla to mention just three.
So don’t be afraid, jump in with both feet and give it a go.
.-= Don White´s last blog ..Meeting Family =-.
Cheap as chips and well worth the small outlay indeed Don
. For those who are ready to move up to the next level of course.