Want to make money online by promoting products you love? If you're wondering how to build an affiliate website using WordPress, the process is easier than you might think. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through everything—from choosing a hosting provider and installing WordPress, to setting up affiliate plugins and adding trackable links. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional affiliate site ready to generate commissions every time a visitor clicks and buys through your links.
When visitors click on the links for products featured on your site—whether it's clothing, electronics, or any other item—they may be redirected to an online store where they can purchase the products. You'll earn a commission from the product manufacturer or seller for each successful purchase made via your affiliate link.
Step 1: Choose a Host, Install WordPress, and Update Plugins
Choose a Host
If you haven't already selected a hosting provider, it's important to choose one that meets your needs. Any hosting service can work, but it should be optimized for WordPress to ensure speed, automatic backups, and tracking tools. Make sure your host supports PHP 5.3 or higher to enable all necessary functions during installation.
Consider checking out our WordPress Hosting Plans that are specifically optimized for speed and reliability.
Install WordPress
Once you have selected your host, proceed to install WordPress. Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation option, which makes the process simple and quick. Follow the prompts provided by your host to complete the installation.
Step 2: Create an Online Store
After installing WordPress, it's time to set up your online store.
- Install and activate Easy Affiliate: Visit Easy Affiliate to get started.
- Configure your affiliate program settings: Follow the setup guide at Easy Affiliate Setup Instructions to configure the program to your needs.
Step 3: Install and Activate Easy Affiliate
Next, install and activate the Easy Affiliate plugin. To do this:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard
- Click on Plugins in the left-hand menu and then select Add New.
- Upload the Easy Affiliate plugin (zip file) and click Install Now.
- Once installed, click Activate Plugin to get started.
Step 4: Set Up Your Affiliate Program
Now that Easy Affiliate is installed, it’s time to configure your affiliate program settings:
- Choose your affiliate program URL: This is where people can sign up for your affiliate program and gain access to exclusive offers from you or other partners.
- Choose your affiliate ID: This will be your unique identifier, used for tracking purposes. Navigate to Settings > General > Affiliates & Recipients in the WordPress dashboard to create a new affiliate program.
Make sure your affiliate ID has no spaces to avoid issues later on.
Step 5: Create Banners and Links for Your Affiliates
To help your affiliates promote your products, you’ll need banners and links:
- Include a link in your footer that says something like, "Learn how you can make money online with our affiliate program!".
- Create banner images with clear calls to action, such as "Click here now to learn more!" to make it easy for potential affiliates to find information and join your program.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to build an affiliate website using WordPress from start to finish. With your site set up, you can begin promoting affiliate products and earning commissions for each sale made through your links. Focus on creating helpful content, growing your audience, and choosing products that align with your niche to start generating consistent affiliate income.
