Having an online affiliate business is a dream of many, and if you ended up here, I bet it’s a dream of yours too. The only issue is that it’s very hard to get an online affiliate business started, and this is due to the fact that there are so many different platforms out there.
So today, I want to focus on making your life easier. So if you’re someone who is looking to start an online affiliate business, you’ll definitely want to pay close attention to some of the things I have to say.
Now I’m sure that some of you know more than others, so I’ll make sure that this is helpful to all of you. Everything is broken down into easy-to-read sections, which means that you can skip around if you need to.
Now, with that being said, here is a look at what I’ll be showing you today:
- Choose a solid niche
- Consider the affiliate programs out there
- Build your website
- Create your audience
- Advertise your online affiliate business
- A brief summary
Now that you know what’s coming up, let’s take a look at the simplest way to start an online affiliate business
Are you ready?
Try an affiliate marketing course
The first thing I want to talk about is affiliate courses. I know that some of you may be opposed to them, but if you are serious about this, I would definitely recommend giving one a shot. Let me tell you why.
They can provide you with knowledge
If you want to start an online affiliate business, and do so with ease, you’ll want knowledge. People have already created million dollar businesses, which means that they definitely know a thing or two about how it works. So when push comes to shove, it might help to learn a thing or two before you get started.
They can provide you with software
Another reason why I suggest trying an affiliate marketing course is due to the fact that they tend to come with software -the good ones at least. This means you’ll have actual tools at your disposal to create sales funnels, email templates, and even website builders.
Affiliate marketing courses are optional, but to be blunt, they can make this whole online affiliate business thing very simple.
Choose a solid niche
The first thing you need to do is choose a niche if you’re not familiar with the concept, a niche is essentially an industry that you tend to favor. This is up to you, but I’ll show you some pointers I’ve learned along the way.
Look into a niche that isn’t packed
There are a lot of niches out there, and when I say a lot, I mean a lot. You can be an affiliate for any product that you can think of, but that doesn’t mean you should. This is due to the fact that some niches already have plenty of affiliates, so my advice to you is to start in a less saturated niche.
Look into a niche that has longevity
Also, one thing would consider is searching for a niche that will be around for a while. If you want to run an online affiliate business, you want that business to last, right? This means that you should shy away from fad products, and focus on products that will be around for a while.
Choose a niche you’re comfortable in
Finally, you should always choose a niche that you know fairly well. People can feel passion, so if you’re writing about cars, and you hate them, people will notice the lack of energy. Now, if people don’t sense emotion within your words, I doubt they’ll buy anything. Sales is more emotion based than you think, trust me.
Choosing a niche that you know and love is the best way to start an online affiliate business. Also, not only will it make your life easier, but it’s the easiest way to get started.
Consider the affiliate programs out there
Once you’ve found your niche, and I mean really found it, it’s time to get into the actual process of creating an online affiliate business. To do so, you’ll want to check out a couple of platforms that peak your interest. I’ll go over a few options, and how to pick the right one.
Amazon
A platform like Amazon will offer you a fair commission, and obviously the widest range of products. Also, Amazon is by far the most common affiliate program out there. So if you want to start an online affiliate business, I would definitely suggest giving Amazon a look.
ClickBank
ClickBank is a bit different than Amazon, but they do offer a wide range of products. The main difference is that you’ll earn a higher commission percentage, and have the ability to enroll in ClickBank University, which will show you the ropes. So if you want more guidance, I think that ClickBank is the better choice.
Look at the commission rate
This really depends on the product and the platform, but something I would look at is the rate of commission. So before you jump right into any given program, be sure to take a look at what rate works for you.
I know I only showed you two options for an online affiliate business, but is so much more out there. Whatever your niche may be, with a little bit of research, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect fit.
Build your website
Now that you have affiliate link and product, you’ll need to build the foundation of your online affiliate business. How is this done? Through the use of a website. Let’s have a look at the simplest way to get this done.
WordPress
WordPress is a great place to build your online affiliate business. This is due to the fact that you’ll be able to get your hands on plenty of great themes, structures, and options in general. Plus, the price is great, and they have plenty of tutorials to get you started.
I would recommend using wordpress as a blog-based website, because it will really help you engage with your prospects.
Host your website
If you create a website, you’ll also need to host it. This is actually why I brought up wordpress, because they’re actually partnered with Bluehost. This means that you can have your online affiliate business up and running as soon as possible.
It used to be hard to start a website, but in 2020, it really couldn’t be any easier.
Create your audience
Once you have the foundation of your online affiliate business, it’s time to rev things up a bit. You’ll need to find an audience to promote your product to, so I’ll show you the best way to build one.
Create a blog
Blogging has recently become one of the best ways to make passive income. This is due to the fact that you can generate an engaged fanbase, and speak directly to them. So once you find your niche, I would definitely recommend creating a blog to support your brand.
Social media pages
The next way to build an audience is through social media pages. You can do this on whichever platform you like, or even all of them, but this is definitely something I would highly recommend. Once you amass enough followers, you’ll be able to get in front of a crazy amount of people.
Building an audience is definitely one of the hardest aspects of creating an online affiliate business. Now, while this may be the case, it’s definitely not impossible.
Advertise your online affiliate business
Once you have an audience, your online affiliate business is almost at the finish line. This is due to the fact that advertising is the last step, so I want to set some time aside to show you how to do this.
Facebook ads
I would always recommend using Facebook ads, because they can be very influential without breaking the bank. Plus, and this is the best part, Facebook will walk you through the entire process. I would definitely suggest starting an advertising campaign through Facebook once you have an online business.
Email marketing
The last thing I want to talk about today is email marketing. Now, you might think it’s obsolete, but this is far from the case. Email marketing -with the usage of clever sales writing- can really grab people’s attention. I would definitely recommend looking into a course for more software and guidance, though.
In summary
I know that these steps may seem like a lot, but I hope I did a good job making them appear simple. Trust me on this one, if you follow these steps -you’ll have no problem setting up an online affiliate business.
Keep in mind that everyone’s journey is different, so don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Go at your own pace, and don’t expect to make a sale within a day. I promise you one thing: if you work hard at it, it will definitely become profitable.
Also, when it comes to running an online affiliate business, the major thing you need to focus on is advertising. So my advice to you is simple; make sure you keep building and advertising to your audience. The second you slow down, your online affiliate business becomes at risk of floundering.
Now that you know the facts, are you ready to run an online affiliate business?
