Follow this simple path to start earning online โ one step at a time.
New to affiliate marketing? Youโre not alone โ and youโre not too late. This roadmap breaks down the key steps to help you start strong, stay focused, and grow with confidence.
๐ฆ START: Youโre at the Beginning
Youโve heard affiliate marketing can create income online โ and itโs true. But where do you start? This roadmap breaks it down into easy-to-follow steps, no tech stress required.
Whether youโre building a blog, sharing recommendations, or testing a niche, this page gives you the how โ not just the hype.
Letโs roll. ๐ฃ๏ธ (Note: I live in California and road trips are our thing as a family-so that inspired this guide ๐โบ๏ธ)
๐ Step 1: Pick Your Lane โ Find Your Focus
Affiliate marketing works best when you choose a niche you understand, care about, or are willing to explore.
Ask yourself:
- What do I already know a lot about?
- What tools or products do I already use and trust?
- Can I picture myself creating content around this?
๐ ๏ธ Tip: If you’re not sure yet, pick something broad (like โblogging toolsโ or โhome office hacksโ) and narrow down as you go.
Note๐๏ธ: I run a cozy niche site, Comfy Colorful Spaces, where Iโve tested affiliate roundups, seasonal content, and even Etsy-style links. Your niche doesnโt have to be business-focused to earn.
Bonus Tip:
Use the keywords you research here to guide your blog post ideas and content planning โ that way, the tools you write about get discovered by people looking for them.
๐๏ธ Step 2: Build Your Platform
To earn affiliate income, you need a place to share your recommendations. That usually means setting up a website or blog.
Start with:
- A domain name you like
- A reliable hosting platform
๐ก Recommended:
DreamHost makes it fast and simple to launch a WordPress site. Itโs what I use โ and yes, you can grow with it.
You donโt need anything fancy โ just a clean space you control.
๐งฐ Step 3: Set Up the Tools Youโll Use (and Reuse)
Make your life easier from the start. Here are the tools I recommend (because I personally use them):
- ๐จ KoalaWriter โ Write SEO-friendly blog posts faster with AI
- ๐ Lasso โ Manage, organize, and display your affiliate links beautifully
- ๐ฅ InVideo โ Turn posts into scroll-stopping videos for social
- ๐๏ธ Shopify โ Want to add physical or digital products later? Shopify has your back
Set up what makes sense now โ you can grow into the rest later.
โก๏ธAs you write, link back to these tools naturally โ thatโs how affiliate linking helps your income grow over time.
๐ Step 4: Start Creating Content
Your content is how you build trust โ and traffic. Think of it like leaving helpful signs along the road that lead readers to the right tools.
Hereโs what to create:
- Blog posts (How-To, List Posts, Reviews)
- Product comparisons
- Tutorials using the tools you promote
Donโt overthink it. Write like youโre helping a friend โ because you are.
๐ ๏ธ Extra help: Use KoalaWriter to draft blog posts faster if youโre short on time or words.
๐ Step 5: Join Affiliate Programs That Match
Once you know what you want to recommend, apply to affiliate programs that fit.
Start with tools youโre already using, then explore platforms like:
Keep a spreadsheet or use Lasso to track your links.
๐งญ Step 6: Track, Tweak, Grow
Affiliate marketing isnโt one-and-done โ itโs more like gardening. ๐ฑ
Keep an eye on:
- What posts get traffic
- Which links get clicks
- Where people drop off
Then keep refining. Try comparison tables, fresh headlines, or even short-form videos. Keep experimenting โ it compounds.
๐ Ready to Start?
Youโve got the map. Now itโs time to move.
๐ Set up your blog
๐ Explore the affiliate tools I use
๐ Or jump straight into creating content
- Website Hosting + Domains for New Bloggers
- Reliable Hosting, No Tech Headaches
- Great Customer Service
- Click Belowโ๏ธ
And if you want extra help as you go โ
๐งพ Join the WAM Newsletter โ (Coming Soon!)
Iโll send you helpful tips, tool updates, and strategies that are actually working โ no fluff, no spam.
๐ Your Next Turn
Use this page as a checklist, revisit it anytime, and most of all โ just start. You donโt need it all figured out. Just take the next step.
