Making an Affiliate Website with WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

First Steps

Before we jump into making an affiliate website with WordPress, we need to address a few key first steps.

Think of these as the foundation of your online home: keyword research for domain name selection, registering your domain name, and securing a website host.

These may sound a bit technical, but don’t worry! I’ll break them down in simple terms and guide you through each one. Just like building a house, getting these basics right will set your website up for success.

Let’s dive into these foundational steps!

Keyword Research & Domain Name Registration

Remember in my “Affiliate Marketing for Beginners” article when we discussed the importance of niche selection? Well, those same principles come into play when it’s time to choose your domain name.

The domain name is your website’s address on the internet, and it can play a crucial role in your site’s success.

First things first, you want your domain name to reflect your niche and target keywords. This involves a bit of keyword research.

For instance, if your niche is “organic dog food,” you might want a domain name like “BestOrganicDogFood.com.”

Here are some guidelines to help you pick the perfect domain name:

1. Keep it Simple: Choose a domain name that’s easy to remember and type. Avoid complex words or unusual spellings.
2. Use Keywords: Incorporate your main keywords into your domain name. This can help with SEO and make your website more discoverable.
3. Stick with .com: While many domain extensions are available, .com is the most recognized and trusted. (Mine is .net, but the .com domain name was taken. I took the .net version very reluctantly.)
4. Avoid Hyphens and Numbers: These can confuse people and make your domain harder to remember.
5. Be Unique: Make sure your domain name isn’t too similar to an existing site, especially a competitor’s.

Once you’ve chosen your domain name, you’ll need to register it to make it officially yours. I recommend using NameCheap for domain registration. It’s affordable, user-friendly, and comes with excellent customer support.

So, ready to secure your piece of the internet? Let’s get that domain registered!

Getting A Website Host

Now that you have your domain name registered, it’s time to find a home for your website on the internet. That’s where a website host comes in. Like a landlord, a website host rents you space on a server where your website can live, and visitors can access it.

Two hosts I highly recommend for your affiliate website are SiteGround and WPX.net. Let’s take a quick look at each.

SiteGround: Known for its stellar customer service and high-performance features, SiteGround is a favorite among beginners and seasoned site owners alike. It offers a range of plans, so you can easily find one that fits your needs and budget. Plus, SiteGround is recommended by WordPress, which speaks volumes about its quality and reliability.

WPX.net: If you’re looking for top-notch speed, WPX.net is a great choice. It’s a bit pricier than some other options, but its lightning-fast performance and excellent customer service make it well worth the cost. Also, WPX.net offers free website migration, so the transition will be smooth and hassle-free if you’re moving from another host.

Remember, choosing a host is like choosing a home for your website. Make sure it’s a place where your site can grow and thrive.

Making An Affiliate Website

Now that we’ve laid a solid foundation, it’s time to start building your affiliate website.

This part of our journey involves installing WordPress, configuring it to your liking, dressing it up with a theme, adding some useful plugins, and creating key pages.

It might sound like a lot, but don’t worry! I’m here to guide you step by step.

And remember, just like building a house, each step brings you closer to your dream affiliate website.

So, roll up your sleeves and let’s dive into the exciting process of making an affiliate website with WordPress!

Installing WordPress

Installing WordPress is a crucial step in making an affiliate website.

Luckily, many hosting providers, including my recommended ones, SiteGround and WPX.net, offer a simplified way to install WordPress. This usually involves a few clicks in your hosting control panel.

But don’t worry, if your host doesn’t offer this feature, you can still install WordPress manually.

Let’s break down both methods.

Easy WordPress Install

Most hosts provide an option called “One-Click WordPress Install” or something similar. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log into your hosting account.
2. Navigate to your control panel (often called cPanel).
3. Look for the “One-Click Install” or “WordPress Install” button.
4. Follow the prompts to install WordPress.

Manual WordPress Install

If your host doesn’t offer an easy install, here’s how to install WordPress manually:

1. Download the WordPress installation package from WordPress.org.
2. Upload it to your hosting account, usually via the File Manager in your control panel or FTP.
3. Create a MySQL database for WordPress on your web server.
4. Go through the installation process by accessing your website in a web browser.

With WordPress installed, you’re one step closer to your dream of making an affiliate website!

In the next sections, we’ll cover configuring WordPress, selecting a theme, installing plugins, and creating your website’s key pages. Exciting times ahead!

Configuring WordPress

Once WordPress is installed, your next step in making an affiliate website is configuring WordPress to work best for you. These settings might seem minor, but they can make a big difference in how your site functions and is perceived by search engines.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the initial WordPress configuration:

1. Set Your Site Title and Tagline:
Go to Settings > General. The Site Title should be your website’s name, and the Tagline can be a brief description of your site.

2. Set Your WordPress Address and Site Address:
Still under Settings > General, ensure both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) match your domain.

3. Configure Your Reading Settings:
Under Settings > Reading, set what your homepage displays. You could let your latest blog posts show up for an affiliate website first. I prefer creating a dedicated home page and setting that as the home page. I’ll talk more about Pages below.

4. Set Up Permalinks:
Go to Settings > Permalinks. This controls the URL structure of your pages. For SEO purposes, you can select the “Post name” option. Since I use categories for my blog posts, I prefer to set a “custom structure” using category and postname, /%category%/%postname%/

5. Update Your Discussion Settings:
Under Settings > Discussion, you can control how comments are handled on your site. You may disable comments entirely or enable manual approval, depending on your preference.

6. Set Up Your Timezone:
Back in Settings > General, make sure to set your timezone. This ensures that your posts are published at the correct local time.

Remember, these are just the basic settings. As you get more comfortable with WordPress, you’ll find many more settings you can tweak to make your affiliate website work exactly how you want it to. Your WordPress journey is just beginning!

Installing A Theme

One of the joys of making an affiliate website with WordPress is the ability to customize your site’s appearance using themes. Themes dictate how your website looks and feels to your visitors. There are thousands of free and paid themes available, each with its own unique style and functionality.

Free themes are a great starting point, especially if you’re on a budget. They offer basic customization options and can be found right in your WordPress dashboard under Appearance > Themes > Add New.

Paid themes, on the other hand, usually offer more customization options and additional features, making them a worthwhile investment for your affiliate website. For a truly professional look and feel, I recommend GeneratePress or Thrive Themes’ Thrive Theme Builder.

GeneratePress is lightweight and highly customizable, which makes it a favorite among WordPress users. It’s designed with speed and usability in mind, ensuring a smooth experience for your visitors. I use GeneratePress on three of my other websites, and I’m very happy with it.

Thrive Theme Builder is more than just a theme; it’s a visual theme builder that gives you control over every aspect of your website. It’s user-friendly and perfect for building an affiliate website, even if you’re not tech-savvy. I use Thrive Theme Builder on this website because I also use some of Thrive Themes’ plugins on this site. They work very well together.

To install a theme:

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes > Add New.
2. You can choose a free theme from the available options, or click Upload Theme to upload a premium theme you’ve purchased.
3. Click Install, then Activate.

Remember, your theme is the face of your affiliate website, so choose one that resonates with your brand and your audience.

Installing Plugins

Now that your WordPress theme is in place, it’s time to supercharge your site with plugins! When making an affiliate website, plugins are your best friends. They add extra features and functionality to your site, making it more powerful and user-friendly.

In this section, we’ll cover five types of plugins every affiliate website should have:

• a site builder plugin for easy customization,
• a contact form plugin to allow communication with your visitors,
• an SEO plugin to help you rank higher in search results,
• a speed optimization plugin to keep your site running fast, and
• a security plugin to protect your site from threats.

Each of these plugins plays a crucial role in your website’s success. Let’s dive in and discover how they can help you create the best possible affiliate website!

Site Builder

When it comes to making an affiliate website, Thrive Themes stands out as a game-changer.

Particularly, their site builder plugin, Thrive Architect, allows you to create and customize your website effortlessly without needing any coding knowledge.

Thrive Architect gives you the power to build and design pages with a drag-and-drop interface. Want a button here or an image there? Just drag it and drop it! It’s that simple. This plugin is perfect for making an affiliate website that looks professional and aligns perfectly with your vision.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Thrive Themes offers a package called Thrive Suite which includes a host of powerful plugins. These plugins, designed to supercharge your affiliate website, include:

1. Thrive Leads: For creating and integrating opt-in forms to grow your email list.
2. Thrive Quiz Builder: For engaging your audience with quizzes.
3. Thrive Comments: For boosting engagement with an interactive commenting system.
4. Thrive Optimize: For running A/B tests on your pages to see what works best.
5. Thrive Apprentice: For creating and selling online courses right from your website.

With Thrive Suite, you’re not just making an affiliate website… you’re crafting an engaging, interactive platform that can lead to better conversions and more success.

Contact Form

One key aspect of making an affiliate website is ensuring your visitors can easily contact you. That’s where Ninja Forms comes into play.

Ninja Forms allows you to create beautiful, user-friendly contact forms without any coding. Its drag-and-drop interface, lets you create any form, from a simple contact form to more complex survey forms.

Ninja Forms also comes with several premium add-ons. These offer even more functionality, like managing submissions in a more advanced way.

With Ninja Forms, making an affiliate website that fosters communication with your visitors is easier than ever.

Search Engine Optimization

When making an affiliate website, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a term you’ll become very familiar with. And regarding SEO, Rank Math is a plugin that stands out.

Rank Math is a comprehensive SEO plugin for WordPress. It provides SEO analysis based on 30 known factors. This makes it easy to understand how well you’re doing and where you can improve.

Rank Math is an invaluable tool for making an affiliate website more visible and successful. There is a free version, but I highly recommend the Pro version.

Website Speed

When making an affiliate website, one factor that is often overlooked is website speed.

A slow website can frustrate visitors and make them less likely to engage with your content. Google also considers page speed in its ranking algorithm.

This is where FlyingPress, a WordPress speed optimization plugin, comes in. It is a powerful tool designed to make your website fly.

FlyingPress optimizes various aspects of your site to ensure it loads as quickly as possible. From lazy loading images to optimizing CSS and JavaScript, FlyingPress handles it all behind the scenes… so you don’t have to worry about the technical details.

When it comes to making an affiliate website, speed is key. So, if you want to keep your visitors happy and improve your search rankings, let FlyingPress help your website soar.

Website Security

Making an affiliate website also involves securing your website against potential threats.

I recommend the dynamic duo of NinjaFirewall and NinjaScanner for robust WordPress security.

NinjaFirewall is a web application firewall. It filters web traffic and blocks suspicious activity. This ensures your website remains safe and secure. NinjaFirewall is your website’s first line of defense.

NinjaScanner complements NinjaFirewall by regularly scanning your website for malware. If it detects anything, it alerts you immediately so that you can take swift action.

You can’t afford to overlook security when making an affiliate website. A secure website protects your hard work and builds trust with your visitors. After all, no one wants to interact with a site that isn’t safe.

Creating Website Pages

As we journey further into making an affiliate website with WordPress, we’ve arrived at an exciting milestone… creating your website pages. This is where your website takes shape and truly becomes your own.

In this section, we’ll delve into creating various types of pages that every affiliate website needs. We’ll start with crafting a compelling home page, your website’s digital “front door.”

Then, we’ll move on to general pages like About Us and Contact Us, which offer essential information about you and your business.

Next, we’ll explore creating affiliate marketing pages. These pages are where you’ll promote the products or services you’re affiliated with. So we’ll discuss how to make them as persuasive as possible.

Finally, we’ll cover creating engaging blog posts. Blog posts are a fantastic way to provide value to your visitors, establish your authority, and drive traffic to your affiliate products.

Creating these pages is a vital step in making an affiliate website. By the end of this section, you’ll have a vibrant, functional website ready to attract and convert visitors.

Ready to start crafting your website pages? Let’s dive in!

Home Page

Creating an engaging home page is a fundamental part of making an affiliate website. Your home page is the first impression visitors have of your website, so it should be well-structured, visually appealing, and clearly convey what your website is about.

Here are some key elements that should appear on your home page:

1. Header: This is the top part of your page, usually containing your logo and navigation menu. It sets the tone for your brand and helps visitors navigate your site. The header appears at the top of all your pages.

2. Hero Section: This is the first section visitors see when they land on your site. It should be eye-catching and convey your unique value proposition. A compelling headline, a brief description of what you offer, and a strong call-to-action (CTA) work well here.

3. Featured Products or Services: Showcase your top affiliate products or services on your home page. Include an image, a brief description, and a CTA for each.

4. Testimonials or Reviews: Social proof can help build trust with your audience. If you have testimonials or reviews, feature them on your home page.

5. Blog Post Previews: Highlight a few of your recent or top-performing blog posts. This encourages visitors to check out your content.

6. Footer: This is the bottom part of your page, typically containing links to your privacy policy, terms of service, and contact information. The footer appears at the bottom of all your pages.

Remember, the goal of your home page is to captivate your visitors, provide them with valuable information, and guide them toward your affiliate products or services. With these elements in mind, you’re well on your way to making an affiliate website that looks great and drives conversions.

General Pages

Aside from your home page and affiliate marketing pages, you should include several general pages when making an affiliate website. These pages provide important information to your visitors and help build trust and transparency.

1. Contact Page: This page allows your visitors to easily get in touch with you. It typically includes a contact form, your email address, and any other contact information like your business address or phone number. It’s a great way to show your audience that you’re accessible and ready to assist them.

2. Privacy Policy: A privacy policy is a legal requirement for websites that collect any form of user data, even if it’s just an email address for a newsletter. This page tells your visitors what information you collect and how you use it.

3. Terms of Use: This page outlines the rules and guidelines for using your website. It’s designed to protect you legally and inform visitors of their responsibilities when using your site.

4. Affiliate Disclaimer: As an affiliate marketer, it’s crucial to disclose your affiliate relationships to your audience. This page informs your visitors that you earn a commission on any purchases they make through your affiliate links.

These pages are very important. Not only do they help you comply with legal requirements, but they also build credibility with your audience. When making an affiliate website, transparency and trust are key.

Affiliate Marketing Pages

As we continue making an affiliate website, let’s focus on your site’s heartbeat… the affiliate marketing-related pages. These pages are where you’ll promote the products or services you’re affiliated with and convince your visitors to purchase.

Here are some key elements to consider when creating your affiliate marketing pages:

1. Product Reviews: One effective type of content for affiliate pages is product reviews. These should be detailed, honest assessments of the products you’re promoting. Include information about features, benefits, pricing, and your personal experience with the product. Honest reviews can build trust and make your audience more likely to purchase.

2. Product Comparisons: Another helpful content type is product comparisons. If you’re promoting multiple products in the same category, a comparison page can help your visitors make an informed decision. Be sure to highlight the pros and cons of each product.

3. Resource Pages: You could create resource pages listing all the tools and products you recommend. This can be a great way to showcase multiple affiliate products in one place.

4. Tutorials or How-to Guides: A tutorial or how-to guide can be beneficial if the product you’re promoting requires some explanation or has a learning curve. Showing your visitors how to use a product can make them more likely to purchase.

Remember, the goal of these pages is not just to sell, but to provide valuable, informative content that helps your visitors make the best decision for their needs. By focusing on providing value, you’re well on your way to making an affiliate website that resonates with your audience and drives conversions.

Blog Posts

Creating engaging blog posts is another crucial step when making an affiliate website. Your blog is where you provide valuable content to your audience, establish your authority in your niche, and subtly promote your affiliate products.

Here are some types of content you might consider for your blog posts:

1. Educational Content: This type teaches your audience something new or helps solve a problem they’re experiencing. It could be a ‘how-to’ guide, a tutorial, or an informative article on a topic related to your niche.

2. Review Posts: Blog posts can be a great place to dive deeper into product reviews. These posts allow you to give a detailed product analysis, discussing its features, benefits, and any potential drawbacks.

3. List Posts: List posts, or “listicles,” are popular because they’re easy to read and digest. This could be a list of the ‘top 10 products’ in your niche or a list of helpful tips related to your niche.

4. Case Studies: If you have personal experience with a product or service, sharing a case study can provide valuable insights to your audience. It shows them real-life applications and results, which can be very persuasive.

5. News and Trends: Posts covering recent news or trends in your niche can help keep your audience informed and show you’re up-to-date with your industry.

Remember to naturally incorporate relevant affiliate links when creating blog posts for your affiliate website. However, your primary focus should be on providing value to your readers. An audience that trusts and values your content is likelier to click on your affiliate links and purchase.

Wrapping It Up

In this guide, we discussed making an affiliate website using WordPress.

We covered the basics… picking and registering a domain name and selecting a website host.

We also discussed the technical side… setting up WordPress, choosing a theme, and installing important plugins.

Next, we talked about creating different website pages. This included a captivating home page, key general pages, and impactful affiliate marketing pages. We highlighted the role of blog posts in adding value for your audience and promoting affiliate products.

Making an affiliate website aims to offer valuable content, not just to sell products. Focusing on this will build trust with your audience and increase conversions.

I hope this guide helps you in your journey of making an affiliate website!