An affiliate link is a web link you put on your website or blog that when clicked on, takes the user to another site. If or when the user makes a purchase, then you receive a commission.
For example, you enjoy a great book that helps you with your business. You become an affiliate with Amazon and put a special link on your website. If one of your followers clicks the link to Amazon, and makes a purchase, you receive a commission for the sale.
Benefits of Affiliate links
- It creates an additional revenue stream.
- Affiliate links can be used in websites, blogs, social media, and anywhere you can put a link on the Internet.
Downside of Affiliates
- Recommending a sub par product or service can reduce credibility with your followers
- Overuse of Affiliate links can be a nuisance
What’s the best use of Affiliates?
What it really comes down to is your intent. If your intent is to provide information and help your readers then Affiliate linking is entirely acceptable.
It’s common that even celebrities recommend products by posting twitter links. You can’t help but wonder how much they are cashing from their millions of followers who click and make purchases?
Creating Affiliate links for your website
In choosing the best affiliates for your business, you should use a complimentary product or service. For example, I often recommend web hosting and domain registration services. Last year I was an affiliate with GoDaddy, it’s a complimentary service to what I already provide in my business. When someone was looking for web hosting or to register a domain name, I would then receive a commission (by the way it was peanuts with that one!).
Creating Websites exclusively for affiliates
Internet sites are everywhere that review and recommend products and services, and include affiliate links. Who wouldn’t want to put a link to a Kindle and generate $35 in commission? If you have a website with high Google rankings and lots of Internet traffic, you can have a pretty nice little side business, not bad for some simple links.
How to get started with affiliates
- First and foremost, always use reputable companies (Amazon, eBay, Google Affiliate Network, etc.)
- Register to become an affiliate. You may need to tell them a little about the site you are putting links on.
- Once accepted into an affiliate program, begin sharing your links!
For more information join me for “How to Monetize Your Website or Blog with Affiliates” Monday June 13th, 6:00pm-7:30pm for a live seminar of exactly how to set it up! (no registration fee). You’ll get to see exactly how I do it, and how my friend Steve does it with over 200 websites on Google!
Michelle