How to Create an Affiliate Marketing Website in 10 Easy Steps

A survey by Influencer Marketing Hub revealed that “Over 80 percent of advertisers and 84 percent of publishers run affiliate programs.”

It also projects that the industry will reach $15.7 billion by 2024.

From the statistics, you can easily feel the competition and the opportunity in this sector. To be a successful affiliate marketer and earn money online, you should have solid knowledge, from selecting your niche to building your website. 

So, in this article, we will show you how to create an affiliate marketing website that helps you earn more. 

How to Create an Affiliate Marketing Website in 10 Steps 

If you are interested to know how to create an affiliate website, just follow the below steps.

Let’s jump into the details of each step to learn how to create a professional-looking website.

Step 1: Choose A Suitable Niche for Your Affiliate Website

The first step of building an affiliate website is to pick a well-defined niche. 

Once you know what interests you and who your target customer is, it's much easier to create a successful website and marketing strategy for promoting your products or services.

To get started, consider doing a little research on the topic that interests you. Look online for articles, watch videos, or read books about the subject. Selecting the right one can be crucial to the success of your website, as it will determine the type of content you create, the products you promote, and the audience you attract.

Here I am presenting some popular niche ideas that I personally like and worked with for affiliate marketing:

Tips for Selecting the Right Niche

Here are some tips for you that I personally follow when selecting a niche for an affiliate marketing website.

Step 2: Decide On a Website Type You Want To Go With 

Once you have selected a suitable niche, you must decide on the website type. You can choose from several different types of websites, each with its advantages and disadvantages. You can consider the following options:

Blog

A blog site focuses on providing regular updates and articles on a specific topic or niche. It is a platform for creating engaging and informative content that can attract an audience and establish the website as an authority in the niche. 

Blogs can be a great way to build trust with readers and naturally promote affiliate products. For example, you can post reviews, tutorials, buying guides, or comparisons and include affiliate links.

Retail Listings

A retail listing website lists products from various retailers in a specific niche. It may resemble an eCommerce site. But this type of website acts as a directory of products and allows visitors to find and compare different products from different retailers. 

You can earn commissions from multiple retailers if you choose this type. However, the design and functionality need to be well thought out to make it easy for visitors to find the products they want. So, you can go for this type of affiliate site.

Product Review Site

A product review site provides reviews and ratings of products in a particular category. This type of website is focused on providing in-depth information about the products, including features, pros, cons, and pricing. 

It can help customers make informed purchasing decisions and earn commissions from product sales. Therefore, it may serve as a great source of passive income.

Price Comparison Site

A price comparison site compares the prices of products from various retailers in a specific niche. This kind aims to present a side-by-side comparison of different products' prices, features, and ratings. Through these websites, customers can find the best product deals, and you can earn commissions from product sales.

Daily Deals Website

A daily deals website features limited-time offers and discounts on products in a particular section. This website promotes products that are on sale or on offer for a limited time. But you have to work on catching the visitors' attention for better output.

After analyzing the above-mentioned types of websites, it is clear that each has its unique approach. Therefore, the best one for you will depend on your goals, audience, and niche. 

Step 3: Choose a Domain Name

Choosing a domain name is an essential step in creating your site because it will be the address of your website and will be used to promote your brand. 

Here are a few tips to help you select a good domain name.

Keep it short and memorable: A short and unique domain name is more accessible for people to remember and type into their browser. Additionally, it is more likely to stick in their minds. Aim for a domain name that is between 8-15 characters long. 

Make it easy to spell: Avoid using words that are easily misspelled or challenging to pronounce. It will help to prevent potential customers from accidentally visiting the wrong site or getting frustrated trying to find your website.

Consider your brand: If you're planning on building a brand around your affiliate marketing business, choose a domain name that aligns with your brand. This will establish trust and credibility with your customers, making them more likely to return to your site in the future.

Check availability: Before registering your domain name, ensure it's available and the corresponding social media handles are available. It will help to ensure that your brand is consistent across all channels.

Choose the right extension: The most common and recognizable extensions are .com, .net, and .org. These are the extensions that people are most likely to trust and remember.

You can select a domain name that will help establish your brand and drive traffic to your site by following these tips and considering the factors necessary to your business.

Step 4: Choose a Website Building Platform to Build Your Website

Selecting the best website builder is one of the most crucial steps in your journey. Before choosing a platform, you should consider several factors. Here, I am highlighting the most significant ones. 

Ease of Use

You must choose a platform that is easy to use and navigate. This will simplify the process of creating and managing your website. At the same time, it will make it more user-friendly for your visitors. Therefore, look for a platform with drag-and-drop functionality and a user-friendly interface. 

Freedom of Customization 

Customization options allow you to tailor your website to your specific needs and preferences. So, the builder you seek must facilitate a wide range of templates and customization options.

Affordable Pricing Plan

The price is one of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing a web platform. Try to find a platform that offers a range of pricing options to fit your budget. Remember that some builders may require additional costs for specific features or services.

Mobile Friendliness

In today’s world, you can’t imagine creating a money-making website that is not mobile-friendly. According to research conducted only in the US by Buildfire,

1. Mobile commerce represents 31% of all retail e-commerce sales in the United States.
2. 35% of US consumers use only their mobile devices to buy online.
3. The US generates $338 billion in mobile commerce sales. 
4. By 2024, experts estimate there will be 187.5 million mobile shoppers in the US.

From the statistics, it is clear that the website builder you will use must have a fully responsive template so that your affiliate website performs well on all devices. 

SEO Settings

A good website builder should feature pre-built search engine optimization (SEO) setting to boost your affiliate website. It should give you the freedom to customize the slug, add meta tags, add alt text to images, and many more. 

Analytics and Statistics

Without properly tracking your site's performance, it is impossible to observe how it is going on. You can not see the traffic, conversion rates, site health score, etc. Therefore, elect one that is equipped with analytics and statistics features. 

Third-party Integrations

The website builder must have the ability to integrate with other tools and platforms, such as email marketing services, social media platforms, payment, etc. 

Blogging Capabilities

If you plan to use your website for blogging, look for a website builder that offers easy-to-use blogging features and customization options for your blog posts. This is one of the most fundamental features of affiliate income.

Security

Website security is crucial to protect your website from hacking and malware attacks. Choose a website builder that offers built-in security measures and regularly updates its security measures to keep your website secure.

Support System 

Access to a reliable support team can make a big difference in managing and maintaining your website. So, pick a builder with a dedicated support team to solve any problem. Be sure whether they provide email, phone, and live chat support.

So, take time to evaluate these factors. Choose a platform that will meet your needs and help you achieve your goals. 

👉 If you want to know more about the must-have features of a website builder, read the following blog 15 Must-Have Features of a Website Builder.

Important! For this article, we’ll use Dorik to build an affiliate website. 

There are a good number of platforms out there, but Dorik is the best website builder for affiliate marketing because it comes with unparalleled features. Let’s see what it has got. 

Why We Have Chosen Dorik?

We have picked Dorik because it offers:

Step 5: Let's Create Your Affiliate Marketing Website With Dorik 

Are you wondering how to create a website for affiliate marketing? No worries because Dorik, a no-code website builder, has everything you need. So, let's build your site! 

i) Choose a Template

Visit Dorik. You will find a Sign-Up button on the top right corner of the screen. Click on it. Complete the process following the on-screen instructions.

You can also click the “Try Dorik Now” button. It will allow you to explore the website builder. But you won’t be able to publish your site until you're logged in or sign up. So, we recommend you sign up in the first place. 

After signing up, it will redirect you to Dorik Dashboard, from where you can manage all your projects and control your website settings. 

Dorik offers you two different options to build a new website. They are:

Dorik Classic is good if you want to create a static site with only text and images. As we will design an affiliate marketing website, Dorik CMS would be the best choice. 

So, from the Dashboard, choose the Dorik CMS option. Then click on Create a New CMS button. 

Now, it’s time to select your affiliate marketing website template. But before picking one, you must decide which type of template you prefer. As most affiliate sites focus on blogs, we are going for a blogging template. 

Scroll down the page to find your desired template. Once you have one, hit the Preview button to explore it. If you think it’s a perfect match, click the Select button.

A pop-up window will show up as soon as you select the template, allowing you to set a title for your project and a domain name for the website. By default, your site’s URL will bear the .dcms.site extension as you use its free version.

However, you can add a custom domain on Dorik after upgrading to a premium plan. At last, hit the Create button.

Your website has been created, and at once, you will land on Dorik CMS Site Dashboard. First, you should closely examine every feature and element of the dashboard so that you can work efficiently. Now, hit the “Launch the Builder” button.

ii) Personalize Menus And Other Elements

After launching it, you can edit, add, drag and drop, and delete any element you want. You need to hover your cursor over any specific part, and the builder will provide you with all the available options. 

Now, hover your mouse over the header area. Click on Edit Element. Delete the default logo and upload your brand logo.

To customize the Menus, click on the “+” icon beside the LINKS option. Hit the drop-down arrow of each item to enjoy all the fantastic features. Do necessary modifications depending on your needs.

If you need more menus, click the Add New button and customize it. In the same way, you can modify the CTA (Call to action) button. 

If you need to add any section, hover your mouse over a specific section, and you will see a button labeled “Add New Section.” Click on it.

A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to pick a section from the Section Library, Custom Section, Section Symbols, and Saved Sections. Select your preferred one from the available options. 

iii) Customize Pages and Global Styles

The left-side editing panel of the builder gives you easy access to control your site. Top of the bar, you will see the Pages option.

You can edit, add, and remove them depending on your necessity. Next comes Global Styles, which permits you to change Background Style, Background Color, Typography, fonts, etc.

iv) Configure Site Settings & SEO Tools 

Site Settings & SEO hold a significant role in an affiliate marketing website. So, you should configure them carefully. Let’s do it!

Click the Site Settings gear icon from the editing panel. Set your site’s language, Favicon, and Social Media image under the GENERAL tab.

Now, click on the INTEGRATIONS tab. Add Google Analytics ID and Google Tag Manager ID to track your website. You can even integrate different MARKETING tools (Email, Zapier, Integromat, and Pabbly Connect) to organize and collect your lead.

We hope the following video will help you to integrate all of the above-mentioned tools. 

v) Create a New Blog Post

This is vital as we are creating the site depending on blogs. So, go to the Dorik dashboard. Hit the Post option located in the CONTENT segment. Then click the ‘+ New Post’ button.

Now, write a new blog post. Add all the mandatory fields such as slug, excerpt, author, category, thumbnail image, keywords, etc. At last, click the Publish icon. Your blog will be published by this time.

vi) Publish Your Website

We hope you have done all the customizations you need to build your affiliate marketing website. Now, you are one click away from going live. So, hit the Publish button.

You can also see the preview of the site if you want by clicking on the "Eye Icon" before publishing it.

Now, you know how to create affiliate marketing website and you have got one by this time. After customization and publishing your blog posts, your website may look like this.

Step 6: Prepare the Must-Have Documents for Your Affiliate Business 

Creating documents and pages for your affiliate marketing business is another staircase to creating a professional and trustworthy website. 

There are no set rules to determine how many documents and pages your website should have. It entirely depends on your need. The following are some examples that you can include. 

Affiliate Marketing Agreement

An affiliate marketing agreement outlines the terms and conditions of your relationship with your affiliates, including commission rates, payment terms, and marketing guidelines. This document is essential to protect you and your affiliates from misunderstandings or disputes.

Privacy Policy

It is a legal document that indicates how you collect, use, and protect the personal information of your visitors and customers. It helps build trust with your audience and comply with legal regulations.

Copyright Notice

A copyright notice is a statement that informs others that copyright laws protect your content. It would be best if you prominently displayed this notice on your website and in your marketing materials to protect your rights as a content creator.

Affiliate Marketing Disclosure

An affiliate marketing disclosure is a statement that informs visitors that you may receive commissions from the products or services that you promote on your website. It helps to build transparency and trust with your audience.

Terms of Use and Disclaimer

Terms of use and disclaimer are legal documents describing your website's terms and conditions. It includes information about your liability, warranties, and other important information that visitors should be aware of when using your website.

Step 7: Develop Killer Content Strategy

Creating killer content is essential for any affiliate marketing website. The goal of your content should be to provide valuable information to your audience while promoting your affiliate products. 

You can generate different types of content, such as blog posts, videos, images, and more. Among them, blogging can be the best way to create content for your affiliate website. So, you should master the ways to start a blog. 

Now, what kind of content should you cover in your blogs? In the following section, we present some ideas. 

What Types of Content Should You Create?

There are many different types of content that you can develop for your affiliate website. 

Product Reviews

‘Product reviews’ are a great way to provide valuable information to your audience while promoting your affiliate products. They can help to inform your audience about the features and benefits of the products you are promoting.

Product Comparisons

‘Product comparisons’ can help to inform your audience about the similarities and differences between different products. This can effectively promote your affiliate products while providing valuable information to your audience. 

As you are comparing different products, it may push your audience to make a purchase. 

Best-of Articles

You can educate your audience about the best products in a specific category through the ‘Best-of’ articles. In this type of article, you must list several products, including their advantages and disadvantages. 

You should always provide honest opinions so that the customers get accurate information. 

Here, I am providing some examples of ‘best-of’ type articles for a better understanding 

‘How-to’ Manuals

‘How-to’ manuals can provide valuable information to your audience by teaching them how to use a product or service. 

Here, I am providing some examples of ‘how-to’ type articles for your convenience: 

Tips for Creating High-Quality Content

Step 8: Find And Join The Best Affiliate Programs

According to a report published by 99firms, there are about 11,400 affiliate programs in the US alone. So, finding the right affiliate program can be a bit of a challenge, but there are several ways to do it. Here are some ways to find the highest-paying affiliate website:

👉 If you find it challenging to find the best affiliate platforms, here we have made a list of 20+ Best Recurring Affiliate Programs for you. You can easily choose any of them depending on your preference. 

What Should You Consider to Choose the Best Affiliate Program

When choosing an affiliate program, there are several factors to consider:

Consider the mentioned factors. Make a wise decision about which affiliate program to join. And then effectively promote the products or services to your audience and earn a good commission.

Step 9: Promote Your Website

You can promote your website in various ways. Here are some of them: 

Work on SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO is a crucial component of website promotion as it can significantly impact the visibility of your website in search engines. A study by Search Engine Journal indicates organic search is responsible for over 64% of website traffic.

To improve your website's SEO, you can start by researching keywords related to your industry and incorporating them into your website content, optimizing your website's meta tags and images, and building backlinks from other high-quality websites

Utilize Social Media

Social media is one of the most indispensable tools for promoting your website and reaching a larger audience. A study by Hootsuite found that 69% of adults in the US use at least one social media platform, and the average person spends approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes on social media daily. 

Using social media platforms to promote your website can effectively reach a large audience and increase your online presence. You can make social media accounts for your brand, share relevant and engaging content, interact with your followers, and promote your website on your social media pages.

Guest Posting and Backlinking

Guest posting and backlinking are essential components of website promotion, as they can help improve your website's search engine ranking and visibility.

According to a study by Moz, backlinks are the most critical ranking factor for Google, making up 50-60% of the ranking algorithm. 

Guest posting is also a great way to reach a new audience, as you can publish articles on other websites in your industry and include a link back to your website.

Paid Advertising

Running paid advertising campaigns, such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads, may effectively promote your website and reach a larger audience.

According to a study by WordStream, "the average CTR across all industries in Google Ads is 1.91% on the search network and 0.35% on the display network."

Paid advertising campaigns allow you to target specific demographics and locations. It will help you to reach your audience. 

Video Marketing

Another significant method to promote your affiliate sites is video marketing. Create engaging content on various topics depending on your niche. Nowadays, people enjoy watching videos. So, drive them to your website utilizing this technique.

Step 10: Maintain Your Website

After building your website, you must update it regularly. Monitor if there are any inconveniences. Check the security updates of your site. Manage the comments effectively. Be alert of spamming. Observe how your content is performing. Always pay attention to the feedback of our audience.

Tips for Successful Affiliate Marketing for Beginners 

Here are some tips for beginners looking to start affiliate marketing. Follow these marketing strategies to be more efficient.

A Case Study of a Successfully Built Affiliate Marketing Website

I have researched a lot to find this successful affiliate marketing website for you.

The website's name is The Wirecutter. The site was started in 2011 by Brian Lam, a former editor at Gizmodo, as a way to recommend technology products to his friends. 

He began by writing product reviews and linking to the products on Amazon through amazon affiliate links. As the site grew in popularity, Lam was able to generate significant revenue from the affiliate commissions he earned. 

In 2016, The Wirecutter was acquired by The New York Times for over $30 million. The site continues to operate as a standalone brand and still earns most of its revenue from affiliate marketing.  

Wirecutter has built a loyal audience that trusts its recommendations and is more likely to purchase through one of its affiliate links. This has helped the site become one of the most successful examples of affiliate marketing.

5 Examples of Affiliate Marketing Websites

If you are eager to know more about how to make a website for affiliate marketing, look at the below examples for inspiration. They will give you some idea of how your affiliate marketing website should look.

1. Everyday Carry- Earns $1000+ Everyday

Everyday Carry is one of the best affiliate marketing websites. It promotes products for everyday use. You can gather ideas from this website.

2. Giftlab.co- Earns $500,000 Per Year

Giftlab is another example of a successful affiliate site. You will find numerous gift items in different categories, such as Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Graduation, Housewarming, and Retirement.

3. AdamEnfroy.com- Earns $100,000+ Per Month

AdamEnfroy is mainly a blogging website. It generates huge traffic by creating useful content. If you want to go with blogging, this website can be a great source of inspiration.

4. Hunting Gear Deals- Earns $7,500+ Per Month

Hunting Gear Deals provides reliable reviews on different products. It has created strong trust among the audience.

5. Vaping Cheap- Earns $7,935 Per Month 

Vaping Cheap promotes different sorts of products. You can also have a look at this website.

If you are more interested to explore more affiliate marketing websites, read our detailed guide:

Related Read: 10 Best Affiliate Marketing Website Examples

How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?

In affiliate marketing, affiliates receive a commission based on performance for promoting the goods or services of other businesses. 

The process works as follows:

How Much Money Can You Make as an Affiliate Marketer?

As an affiliate marketer, your income potential is mainly dependent on several factors, including

It is common for successful affiliate marketers to earn a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars per month. However, some affiliate marketers have been known to make six or seven-figure incomes through their efforts.

Ultimately, your earnings as an affiliate marketer will depend on your dedication, effort, and ability to generate sales.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid as an Affiliate Marketer?

Here are some mistakes to avoid as an affiliate marketer:

If you avoid these mistakes, you can improve your affiliate marketing efforts and achieve greater success in promoting products and earning commissions.

Can I Start Affiliate Marketing Without Money?

Yes, you can start affiliate marketing without money. But for better output, you must invest. There are several ways to do this, such as:

Final Words

You know, creating affiliate websites that make money is a challenging task. You need a solid plan, dedication, effort, and market strategy to be successful. 

We have talked about 10 easy steps on how to create affiliate marketing websites in this blog. Plus, our tips and tricks are strong enough to make you a Pro in affiliate marketing. We hope this guide will smoothen your journey.

So, start building your affiliate website today with Dorik. Plus, you can join its affiliate program and ensure passive income.