Share your passion using affiliate marketing
Looking for a way to make money online without having to create your own products or spend months growing a social media following? Affiliate marketing could be your fastest path forward. This page is packed with beginner-friendly resources to help you understand how affiliate marketing works, discover useful tools, explore recommended courses, and watch helpful YouTube videos. The best part? Many of these resources are low cost or even free, so you can get started without spending a dime—just your time! Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start taking action, even if you’re starting from scratch.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links. I will make a commission from them at no extra cost to you if you decide to make a purchase.
📖 What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is one of the simplest—and most flexible—ways to build an online business. At its core, it’s about recommending someone else’s product or service and earning a commission when someone buys through your unique link. You don’t need to handle inventory, shipping, or customer service. Instead, you focus on sharing helpful recommendations with your audience.
When I first discovered affiliate marketing, I loved the idea that I could earn income just by sharing honest recommendations for things I already liked or found helpful. It’s truly accessible to anyone—regardless of experience or background—because your job is simply to connect people with things they need.
You can build an affiliate business in almost any niche—fitness, tech, home décor, finance, hobbies, or even teaching affiliate marketing itself. Most companies (big and small) offer affiliate programs, so there’s almost always something you can promote that matches your interests.
How Does It Work?
You sign up for an affiliate program (like Amazon, Hostinger, or thousands of others), get a special tracking link, and share that link on your website, blog, YouTube channel, social media, email newsletter, or even a resource page like this one. If someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission—simple as that. The company takes care of everything else, from payment processing to customer support.
Affiliate marketing is a flexible, low-barrier way to start earning online—and you can scale it up as you grow. Whether you want a side income or a full-time business, all you need is a way to share what you find useful and connect people with products or services they’ll love.
🔧 Tools to Start Fast (Even with No Experience)
Finding the right tools early on can make building your affiliate business a whole lot smoother. I’ve gathered some beginner-friendly options that are easy to set up, won’t break the bank, and actually help you get things done. You don’t need a complicated toolbox to get started; just a few reliable tools to help you build momentum and stay organized as you grow.
My Lead Gen Secret
My Lead Gen Secret is a service that sends you 100 new email leads every day, so you can promote affiliate offers directly—no website, social media, or content creation necessary. You just log in, select your leads, and send your emails from within the platform. I’ve been getting 3,000 leads per month, and that has added up to 75,300 leads as of now. MLGS is a simple, fast way to build a leads list if you’re just starting out, though results will depend on your approach, the offers you promote, whether or not you get 100 bonus leads per day for signing up someone else, and if you get another account (or more) to grow your leads even faster. Quick note: The quality of leads can vary, and some users prefer to treat this as one part of their overall strategy rather than their main traffic source. But if you want to start emailing offers right away, it’s about as plug-and-play as it gets.
Systeme.io
Systeme.io is a free, all-in-one platform for building affiliate funnels, landing pages, email sequences, and simple websites. It’s great if you want to set up a basic affiliate business without messing with WordPress or expensive software. You can design your funnel, capture leads, send automated emails, and even sell digital products—all in one place, with no technical skills needed. You can start with their generous free plan, and only upgrade later if you need more features or higher limits. It’s a handy choice for beginners who want to get online fast and focus on growing, not on tech headaches.
Hostinger + WordPress or AI Website Builder
Hostinger makes launching a WordPress site easy and affordable, with a beginner-friendly dashboard and 1-click installs. Their plans often include a free domain name, and you get reliable hosting, free email, and support for WordPress themes and plugins. If you want to skip WordPress, Hostinger’s AI website builder can help you get a site online fast—no coding or tech skills needed.
This is a great alternative to Systeme.io if you prefer building a traditional, flexible website or blog with full control over design and plugins. But, unlike Systeme.io, Hostinger’s plans don’t include built-in funnel builders or email autoresponders; you’d need to add those separately if you want that functionality. You can always start with Systeme.io for free and consider Hostinger later on for more customization.
Domain Registrar
Dynadot is my go-to for buying domains. Not only are they affordable and reliable, but they also offer bulk pricing discounts for spending a certain amount each year. I’ve picked up a lot of dropped domain names through the JustDropped Newsletter, all registered with Dynadot, and they also have a marketplace where I’ve listed select domains for sale (domain resource page coming soon). I’ve never had trouble with them, aside from three domains I lost during a rough patch, two of which I was able to get back—set those renewal reminders!
For my main blog, Reinbeast.com, I use Name.com, which has always been straightforward and hassle-free. Namecheap is another great option, well-known for their low prices and friendly support, though I haven’t used them myself. GoDaddy used to be my go-to, especially for domain auctions, but they’ve become more expensive over time, so I transferred my domains from them to Dynadot.
Whatever registrar you choose, getting your own domain gives you full control over your brand and looks much more professional when you later connect it to your Hostinger or Systeme.io account. If you’re interested in learning more about domain names or want to see domains for sale, a dedicated resources page is coming soon.
⚡ Find the Right Affiliate Marketing Course for Your Level
Starting your affiliate marketing journey can feel overwhelming, especially with so many courses out there promising instant results. That’s why I’ve picked an option for every stage, so you can choose the path that fits your goals and experience. Don’t stress about picking the “perfect” one. You can always level up as you grow! I haven’t personally gone through all these programs; instead, I’ve gathered details from reputable reviews, course pages, and user feedback. I encourage you to do your own research and decide what fits your learning style, budget, and goals.
Wealthy Affiliate
Wealthy Affiliate is perfect if you’re brand new and want to try affiliate marketing without spending a dime. The free tier lets you build a website, connect with a supportive community, and start learning step-by-step—even if you’ve never done this before. It’s a very beginner-friendly platform, and the built-in website builder plus weekly live training make getting started much less intimidating. Some of the training feels a bit dated, and you’ll see encouragement to upgrade or promote Wealthy Affiliate itself, but there’s no real pressure—if you enjoy it, you can always upgrade later, or stick with the basics for as long as you like.
Legendary Marketer
If you’re ready to get a bit more serious, Legendary Marketer’s 15-Day Business Builder Challenge is a great next step. For just a few bucks, you’ll get access to real-world lessons on building funnels, creating content, and moving beyond the basics. The challenge is approachable and includes options for higher-level coaching and advanced training if you want to keep going, though some users feel the upsells can get expensive and a little pushy. Still, you can start with just the challenge to see if it’s a fit—no need to commit to anything else right away.
Super Affiliate System
When you’re ready for advanced tactics—like paid advertising, high-ticket offers, and scaling your business—the Super Affiliate System delivers a comprehensive course. It’s a bigger investment, and you’ll want to have some budget set aside for ads, but it’s packed with detailed training for those who already have some experience and want to take things to the next level. The lessons go deep into real campaign setup and include lots of templates and live coaching, though the learning curve can be steep if you’re completely new to digital marketing.
📖 Recommended Books to Learn the Basics
If you want to learn the principles of affiliate marketing at your own pace, these books are a great place to begin:
Evergreen Affiliate Marketing by Nate McCallister
Offers strategies for building lasting wealth with affiliate marketing. Drawing on years of experience, McCallister focuses on “evergreen” methods—techniques and systems that remain effective over time, instead of fleeting tactics. The book covers how to select profitable affiliate offers, attract an audience, and create a consistent income stream.
Affiliate Marketing for Beginners by Shane Finley
A straightforward guide to go from side hustle to financial freedom in 10 simple steps. This book walks you through each step of launching your own affiliate marketing business—no technical skills or experience required. Inside, you’ll learn how to pick the best offers, build your platform, attract your first visitors, and turn affiliate marketing into a steady source of income. Ideal for anyone who wants a realistic, step-by-step plan for making money online.
From Nothing by Ian Pribyl
A highly-rated, practical guide for beginners who want to break into affiliate marketing and online business without a big budget. Ian Pribyl walks you through choosing a niche, building your first website, getting traffic, and turning your efforts into real profit—even if you’re starting with less than $100. What sets this book apart is Ian’s focus on honesty and actionable advice—no hype, no empty promises, just clear steps you can follow.
🎥 Free YouTube Videos That Break It Down
If you learn best by watching, these videos offer excellent overviews and walkthroughs of how affiliate marketing works:
Free FULL Affiliate Marketing Course ($5,000/Month in 2025) by Buildapreneur
This step-by-step tutorial from Spencer Mecham breaks down affiliate marketing into manageable, beginner-friendly steps. Spencer covers the essentials—how affiliate marketing works, finding the right niche, picking products, signing up for programs, and building content that attracts the right audience. He’s clear about what’s actually required to get started (no hype), sharing honest tips for choosing platforms and driving traffic. Real examples and straightforward advice make this video easy to follow, even if you’re completely new. If you want to see how someone actually builds up affiliate income from scratch, this is a solid place to start. I’ve watched a number of Buildapreneur’s videos, and his teaching style is straightforward—he really focuses on what works, not just theory.
AI and Affiliate Marketing: A Match Made in Heaven ft. Marcus Campbell
In this video, Marcus Campbell, known as the “Affiliate Marketing Dude,” shares how he leverages AI tools to streamline and scale his affiliate marketing efforts. He outlines a strategy that includes identifying expired or auctioned domains, analyzing their existing rankings, and generating AI-driven content to capitalize on those keywords. By using AI for content creation, Marcus has significantly reduced production time and costs, enabling him to publish optimized articles quickly and efficiently.
I watch a lot from Marcus Campbell of affiliatemarketingmc and AiProfitScoop on YouTube. While his thumbnails may be clickbait-style, the content is good and actionable, and there’s always something new to learn. You’ll look forward to every new video he puts out. Marcus doesn’t just talk about affiliate marketing; he genuinely does this stuff himself. If you’re willing to put in the effort and follow his approach, he can help you build a real online income.
Complete Affiliate Marketing Course for Beginners by Ahrefs
In this guide from Ahrefs, you’ll get a clear, practical introduction to affiliate marketing from an SEO perspective. The video explains what affiliate marketing is, how commissions work, and what you actually need to do to start earning. Ahrefs covers picking a niche, creating valuable content, and using SEO techniques to get your site found by the right audience. Their step-by-step approach is focused on sustainable, long-term strategies (not shortcuts), so you can build a real foundation for online income. It’s a great resource if you want to learn affiliate marketing with an eye toward ranking your content in search results. Ahrefs has a strong reputation in the SEO world for being trustworthy and fact-based. Their videos are a great way to get reliable, professional guidance.
Affiliate Marketing for Beginners by Ferdy Korpershoek
Ready for an in-depth, step-by-step masterclass? Here’s a full-length, 7-hour+ course for those who want to take a deep dive into affiliate marketing. It walks you through the entire process, from picking the right niche and signing up for affiliate programs to creating content and driving traffic that actually converts. The instructor shares practical strategies for building your first affiliate site or campaign, explains how to choose products that pay well, and covers both free and paid traffic options. You’ll also find tips on scaling up your results, along with real-world examples and useful resources to help you get started faster. Whether you’re hoping to earn your first commission or take your side hustle to the next level, this video lays out a step-by-step path with actionable advice at every stage.
📆 Use Affiliate Marketing to Fund What You Love
You don’t have to turn affiliate marketing into your day job to see real benefits. In fact, it’s perfect for anyone who wants a little extra cash flow—without having to overhaul their entire life.
You can use affiliate earnings in all sorts of practical (and fun) ways:
- Pay down monthly bills—think credit cards, utilities, or even your morning coffee run
- Stash away savings for your next creative project or side hustle
- Reinvest in your Shopify store, WordPress blog, or coaching business—covering costs like website hosting, supplies, or advertising
What makes affiliate marketing stand out? Flexibility. You decide how much (or how little) time you put in. Scale up your efforts when you want, or keep it as a background booster. And with minimal upfront costs, almost anyone can get started. You don’t need a huge audience or technical skills—just a willingness to learn and share products or services you genuinely like.
In short: affiliate marketing is a simple, accessible way to support your goals, fuel your passions, or just make life a little more comfortable. Why not give it a try?
using WordPress and