If you want to work from anywhere at your convenience and not worry about following a fixed routine, a career as an affiliate marketer might be a good fit. If you are new to affiliate marketing or just want to brush up on the latest affiliate marketing resources, you are in the right place.
Affiliate marketing tools and resources help affiliate marketers succeed. Thousands of affiliate marketing tools are available, and equally as many affiliate success stories are across the internet. The truth is affiliate marketing is difficult and not a get-rich-quick scheme, as many portray it to be.
You must work hard, be dedicated and driven, and rely on the best affiliate marketing tools and resources to stay at the top of your game. We've compiled 16 great resources to get you started, so let's dive in.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate Marketing refers to a marketing arrangement in which a person, known as an affiliate, markets the products or services of a third-party business for a certain percentage of commission in return.
Simply put, you will be awarded a payout when someone purchases a product or service on your discount code or the link provided.
Some businesses reward you for lead generation or the number of downloads they receive. Affiliate marketing can also be done through external websites for the sales generated through referrals.
Is Affiliate Marketing Profitable?
In 2023, affiliate marketing will be very profitable. There are estimated to be over 11,000 affiliate programs in the United States alone. By investing in yourself and honing your affiliate skills, you can likely build an affiliate marketing business that provides steady, passive income.
According to Glassdoor, the average affiliate marketer makes around $60k annually. That is a decent salary. Super affiliates make millions, and influencers make more than anyone, so affiliate marketing is profitable when done correctly.
3 Affiliate Marketing Educational Resources
Education is the foundation for success, and success as an affiliate means learning and understanding everything involved in affiliate marketing and how to run a business.
Here are three affiliate marketing educational resources to help you learn and master the affiliate marketing arts.
Web Tools Advisor
Yes, we are passionate about affiliate marketing here at Web Tools Advisor. We produce content daily to help educate affiliates on navigating the affiliate marketing landscape and using affiliate marketing tools effectively.
You could define WTA as a platform that helps you grow an online business presence by expanding your knowledge, resourcefulness, and opportunities online.
Our goal is always to provide credible information to business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, affiliates, freelancers, and start-ups so they can make well-informed decisions about their businesses, keeping the current market scenario in mind.
Web Tools Advisors provides guidance for affiliate marketers to leverage to empower themselves on their journey through affiliate marketing. We sincerely hope you find the information useful and helpful in your path forward.
Our door is always open to new ideas, partnerships, and creative concepts for improving life online, so drop us a line if you want to chat.
Affiliate Lab
Created by SEO expert Matt Diggity, Affiliate Lab is a course to help people pursue affiliate marketing. It covers all the basics for individuals who want to learn how to make money and train as experienced affiliate marketers.
Affiliate Lab has a good reputation; many students have benefited from its courses and shared their success stories. Matt's educational course offers lectures in a video format and access to an exclusive community, a private group on Facebook with over 2,100 active members.
Matt's success should be a guidepost for you to learn and absorb as much information as possible. His approach to SEO is data-driven, and his success has been tried and tested.
Amazon
If you're going to be an affiliate marketer and promote products, there is no better place to send your audience than Amazon. The Amazon Associates program is designed around promoting products from any vendor within Amazon's massive online marketplace.
Essentially, you can promote a product via a website, social media ads, video, or other content creation tools and send people to Amazon. Once they purchase, you'll get your commission.
The commissions are not huge, but they add up over time. Amazon Associates is also filled with educational resources to help affiliates learn how to leverage product promotion and become successful affiliates through product promotion.
Sign up to access Amazon's affiliate marketing tools and resources. Please note that Amazon's program has strict policies and procedures that you should review. They are extensive, so grab a beverage and access them here.
8 Essential Affiliate Marketing Tools
You won't ever reach the top of Everest if you don't have the proper tools. Affiliate marketing is much the same. You must understand which affiliate marketing tools you need and which are dead-weight.
The eight tools listed here are tools we rely on to build affiliate momentum and handle the significant aspects of growing an affiliate marketing business.
Affiliate Marketing Tools
Hunter
A cloud-based solution, Hunter is an affiliate marketing tool that lets you find email addresses in large quantities that can be used to help in your backlink-building efforts. When building backlinks, you want your outreach efforts to land on the person most aligned with what you need. In most cases, this means guest posts.
If you want to pitch ideas for a guest post to one of your affiliate partnerships or a high-ranking niche blog, it makes sense to try and find the most applicable contact who has the power to say yes.
Hunter helps supply the emails for these people and will get you closer to the person in charge with approval power. This can help you gain better-quality backlinks and grow your rankings in search engines.
Google Workspace
Not only is Google Workspace easy to use, but it can help you stay organized across all affiliate marketing activities. For example, you would use Google Sheets to keep track of your blog post schedule, all writing orders, and backlink outreach campaigns.
You could use Google Docs to draft your campaign messages, provide templates and SOPs, and build blog post outlines to send to writers.
And, of course, Gmail. Gmail is a fantastic email product that reduces clutter and spam and keeps you and your team organized. Once you start an affiliate marketing business, you will be inundated with emails daily.
The use of Google Workspace doesn't stop there but suffice it to say it is a huge set of free tools that can profoundly impact your affiliate marketing success.
You could pay for Trello, Asana, Monday, or another set of project or task management tools, but you can start and run an affiliate marketing program successfully with Google initially.
Google Search Console
A web service by Google, Google Search Console is a platform that you can use to measure the performance of your website. GSC, as it is often referred to, is a beneficial set of tools to assess site health, site speed, keyword research, and overall page performance.
If you start an affiliate marketing business and use a blog or website, you will want to ensure you've connected it with GSC to monitor the performance of your property.
Setup and verification take minutes and allow you access to a complete set of helpful apps that will make all the difference in search engine optimization and achieving better organic rankings.
Ahrefs
Known as an all-in-one SEO tool, Ahrefs is one of the best and most recognized SEO and keyword research resources. But Ahrefs doesn't stop there. It will also give you as much information as you can handle on page performance, backlinks, competitor performance, and more.
The tool is by far the best application for affiliate marketers to examine opportunities to build more backlinks to their websites based on what competitors have done or are doing. It will also provide you with every keyword your site currently ranks for so you can decide on new content, updating content, or pruning content.
Ahrefs is not cheap, but as an investment in affiliate marketing tools, there is not something more worthy.
Grammarly
We love Grammarly as it makes us smarter than we are. We can and do run all our posts and articles through the platform to ensure our content's punctuation, spelling, and overall readability meets our obligation to our readers.
Is it perfect? No, it will sometimes provide odd suggestions or try to change the tone in a way that would make a sentence nonsensical, but overall there is nothing better to control content effectiveness.
Grammarly also offers a plagiarism checker like Copyscape, which is incredibly valuable when other writers produce content. It is an essential tool in an affiliate marketer's toolbox.
Surfer SEO
Surfer, as it is commonly referred to, is one of the assisted writing and optimization tools that have been around only a short while but are taking the blogging community by storm. Surfer effectively scores your content against the top-ranking results in Google and allows you to apply various options to improve the “Content Score.”
Improving your content to compete with the top-ranking results is the goal of SurferSEO, and it does a great job at helping to improve on multiple levels, including word count, headings, paragraph use, image use, keyword use, and natural language processing.
Investing in Surfer is definitely all affiliate marketers who run a blog should do. There are definitely alternatives, but Surfer is one of the better options to help your affiliate marketing efforts.
Google Analytics
As an affiliate marketer, you must be able to track the performance of your affiliate website successfully. Google Analytics is a free tool that allows you to track everything about your website, campaigns, interactions, conversions, and much more.
Most affiliate marketers use Google Analytics, even if they add another affiliate tracking tool. As Google switches from Universal to GA4, many are concerned that the tracking and reporting they can get from the tool will be partially or greatly diminished.
GA4 is proving problematic from an integration standpoint and a full-on measurement and reporting application.
There are alternatives to consider, albeit most are paid. If you are looking for affordable affiliate tracking software and plan to ditch GA4, read the guide to GA4 alternatives, and decide if now is the time to make the switch.
ClickMeter
ClickMeter is a tracking platform that doesn't replace Google Analytics but enhances affiliate marketers tracking capabilities for their campaigns and link tracking. An affiliate marketing site can get crowded regarding tracking parameters, affiliate links, campaign tracking, and event and goal tracking.
Creating a strong foundation for tracking these elements is critical for a successful affiliate site. Without it, you will likely miss some conversions and affiliate commission opportunities.
As any affiliate will contest, losing out on affiliate commissions due to poor link tracking is not something you want to deal with. And it happens more often than you might think.
Instituting tracking through ClickMeter or a similar tracking application will significantly improve your affiliate marketing game and afford beginner affiliate marketers to seasoned veterans a comfort level that other affiliate marketing tools might not offer.
5 Affiliate Marketing Podcasts to Subscribe to Today
The Affiliate Guy
The Affiliate Guy podcast, hosted by Matt McWilliams, is a resource for affiliate marketers focused on helping them create and implement high-impact campaigns. The podcast features interviews with leading experts in the field and practical tips and strategies to help you succeed.
The Affiliate Guy podcast is an excellent resource for affiliate marketers because it provides valuable insight into the world of online marketing from leading experts in the field.
In addition to learning about new strategies and tactics for building successful affiliate campaigns, listeners will get a snapshot of what it's like to work in this industry from the perspective of different professionals. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, listening to The Affiliate Guy podcast will help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in online marketing.
Affiliate Underground
If you've been keeping up with the latest news in the world of online marketing, you might have heard about the Affiliate Underground podcast. This is a show hosted by two experts in the field of affiliate marketing who share their knowledge and insights with listeners through interviews, case studies, and other engaging content.
The Affiliate Underground podcast is an excellent resource for affiliate marketers because it provides actionable advice on how to grow your business and adapt to changing market conditions. It's also a good place to network with other like-minded professionals, as hosts Derek and Galel provide a platform for members to connect and build relationships.
In short, the Affiliate Underground podcast is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn about marketing from experts.
AffiliateINSIDER
Lee-Ann Johnstone, a leading affiliate marketing expert, hosts the AffiliateINSIDER podcast. Johnstone provides valuable information and insights for affiliate marketers on a wide range of topics, including how to build an effective marketing strategy, promote your business effectively, and manage your finances effectively.
In addition, the podcast features interviews with successful affiliate marketers from all industries and professions, providing a wealth of practical knowledge and valuable tips for those looking to make their way in the world of online marketing.
Smart Passive Income
The Smart Passive Income podcast with Patt Flynn is a great resource for affiliate marketers because it focuses on helping them to build their online business and generate passive income.
The podcast offers practical tips and strategies to help you grow your online income and become more successful. Hosted by an experienced marketer, the show features interviews with top industry experts and entrepreneurs who share their success stories and insights on various topics related to online business.
If you want new strategies and techniques for building your online income, check out Smart Passive Income. It's a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the affiliate marketing world and improve your own results.
The Affiliate Marketing Millionaire
The Affiliate Marketing Millionaire podcast is hosted by ODi Productions and Kit Fach, a seven-figure affiliate marketer, and #1 affiliate marketer on YouTube. The show is presented in a friendly and approachable manner, making it easy for beginners to find valuable tips and strategies.
The podcast is a great resource for affiliate marketers because it covers everything from beginner's tips to advanced strategies. It offers a diverse range of interviews with top experts in the industry, including authors, bloggers, and other thought leaders.
The interviews cover a wide range of topics and are designed to help you build your skills and knowledge as an affiliate marketer.
Overall, The Affiliate Marketing Millionaire podcast is an excellent resource for any affiliate marketer looking to improve their skills or increase their income.
Affiliate Marketing Terminology
The following terms are most used and recognized in affiliate marketing. Learn these to take your affiliate marketing program to the next level.
Affiliate Network – An affiliate network is a platform that allows businesses to connect with affiliates who can promote and sell their products or services. When an affiliate promotes a product or service and generates sales, they receive commissions from the business.
Affiliate networks provide a range of features and services, such as tracking sales and payments, offering customizable marketing materials, providing customer support, and more.
Affiliate Marketing Tool – An affiliate marketing tool is a software or online service that enables businesses to set up, manage and track their affiliate programs. Through the use of an affiliate marketing tool, businesses can create customized campaigns, generate links for affiliates to share, monitor traffic from those links, and track conversions.
The tool also provides detailed reporting on performance, so business owners can identify which campaigns and affiliates drive the most sales.
Affiliate Marketers – Affiliate marketers are individuals or businesses that promote a product, service, or brand online in exchange for a commission on sales or leads generated. As an affiliate marketer, you will create content to promote the products of other companies and earn a commission when people click on your links and purchase those products.
Affiliate Marketing Platform – An affiliate marketing platform is a software solution that helps businesses manage their affiliate marketing programs. Affiliate marketing platforms provide features such as tracking and reporting tools, customizable campaigns, payment processing, and access to an extensive network of affiliates.
Affiliate Marketing Campaign – An affiliate marketing campaign is an online marketing strategy where a business rewards affiliates for sending customers to their website. This is typically done through tracking links used to track the source of a customer's visit and then attributing any purchases they make to the affiliate who sent them.
Affiliate marketing campaigns can be used by businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations, as an effective way to reach new customers and increase sales.
Affiliate Offers – Affiliate offers are promotional programs that generate business sales and leads. They allow companies to partner with other websites, blogs, or influencers to promote their products or services. Affiliates are compensated for every lead or sale generated through their efforts, usually in the form of a commission.
In some cases, affiliates may also receive additional perks, such as discounts on purchases. Affiliate offers can benefit both parties by providing affiliates with an income stream and companies with more exposure and higher conversion rates.
Affiliate Income – Affiliate income, also known as performance-based income, is an income earned by individuals who promote and sell products or services on behalf of another company. Affiliates are typically paid a commission for each successful sale they refer, though the commission rate can vary depending on the company's affiliate program.
Affiliate Banners – Affiliate banners are images or pieces of code used in online marketing to link to a product or service offered by an affiliate. They are typically placed on websites, blogs, and other web pages and can be used to direct visitors to the affiliate’s product page or landing page.
Affiliate banners usually contain a unique tracking code that allows the affiliate to track how many clicks their link has received and how much money they have earned from each click. Affiliate banners can be used in conjunction with other forms of marketing, such as email campaigns, social media posts, and search engine optimization strategies, to drive more traffic and generate more sales for the affiliate.
Affiliate Earnings – Affiliate earnings refer to the money individuals or companies earn for referring customers to a business or website. Affiliate earnings are usually generated when someone clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase. These earnings can take the form of a commission or be paid on a cost-per-click basis.
Affiliate Business – An affiliate business is a type of online business in which one company (the “affiliate”) promotes another company’s (the “advertiser”) products or services and receives a commission for any resulting sales.
This performance-based model makes it attractive to both companies, as the affiliate only gets paid when it actually delivers results, and the other company does not have to pay anything until the product or service is sold.
Additional Resources
- How to Register a Domain Name – Your Official Guide for Success – need to register? find out how.
- Private Registration For Domain Names – Is It Right For You? – privacy? is it important?
- Best Domain Registrars in 2022 (Ranked & Reviewed) – need to find a good registrar, we've got you.
Affiliate Marketing Wrap-up
An affiliate marketer's success largely depends on skill, understanding affiliate marketing, building affiliate marketing relationships, and leveraging top affiliate marketing tools. Whether your affiliate marketing campaigns rely on free affiliate marketing tools or paid versions, a successful affiliate program needs tools to succeed.
Whether you run multiple affiliate sites or plan to join multiple affiliate networks at once, ensuring a successful online business or affiliate marketing strategy relies on the ability to track and organize your program successfully. Get started with these resources, and let us know what some of your favorite affiliate marketing tools are in the comments.
