The $0 Setup for Affiliate Beginners
If you’re just starting out and want to test the Amazon affiliate waters without investing in hosting, plugins, or design tools, Blogger is still a powerful (and free) option. Paired with Amazon SiteStripe, you can launch your store-like blog in less than a day. No technical skills required, no costs involved.
Why Use Blogger + SiteStripe
While Blogger may seem old-fashioned compared to WordPress or other platforms, it’s still backed by Google, offers free hosting, and is fast-loading. With some creative structuring and strategic product placement using SiteStripe, you can turn a simple blog into a functioning Amazon affiliate hub.
Advantages of This Setup
- No hosting or domain cost — use a free blogspot.com domain.
- Easy to customize templates with HTML and CSS.
- Works seamlessly with SiteStripe-generated links and banners.
- Good for testing niches before investing in a full site.
Step-by-Step: Build Your Free Affiliate Store
1. Create a Blogger Account
Go to blogger.com and sign in using your Google account. Click “New Blog” and pick a name and URL. Choose a clean layout like “Contempo” or “Emporio” for product display purposes.
2. Enable Amazon Associates and SiteStripe
If you haven’t already, apply for the Amazon Associates program. Once approved, log in and enable SiteStripe — a toolbar that appears on Amazon product pages and lets you instantly generate affiliate links, images, and banners.
3. Plan Your Blog Structure
- Homepage: Create a sticky post with featured products or categories.
- Product categories: Use blog labels (tags) like “Headphones,” “Kitchen Tools,” or “Camping Gear.”
- Product reviews: Each blog post can serve as a product review or listicle.
4. Add Products with SiteStripe
Browse Amazon, click on a product, and use SiteStripe to generate:
- Text Links: Direct links to product pages.
- Image Links: Product images with embedded affiliate links.
- Text + Image: Combined layout for product showcases.
Copy the HTML code and paste it directly into your Blogger post editor (switch to HTML view).
Example Layout for a Product Roundup
Let’s say your blog focuses on budget home gadgets. Create a post titled “Top 5 Kitchen Tools Under $30.” Inside the post, use SiteStripe to embed product sections:
Product Entry Format:
- Subheading: Product name.
- Image: Embedded with SiteStripe.
- Short Description: Highlight benefits and use cases.
- CTA Button: Text link saying “Check Price on Amazon.”
Free Customization Tips
Use a Custom Favicon and Header
Upload a free logo using Canva or Looka, and replace Blogger’s default favicon with yours. This helps brand your store even if it’s free.
Add Navigation Menu
Use Blogger’s layout settings to build a horizontal navigation bar linking to popular posts or categories. This improves user experience and makes it feel more like a site than a blog.
Optimize with Labels
Use consistent labels for every post to allow Blogger to auto-generate category pages. For example, label all posts under “home-office” or “travel-gear” and link to those label pages from your menu.
Case Study: GadgetFreeFinds.Blogspot.com
Launch Strategy
Focused on affordable tech accessories. Created a series of 10 product listicle posts using SiteStripe embeds. Each post featured 3–5 items with descriptions, images, and links.
Traffic Tactics
- Shared posts in Facebook groups focused on remote work setups.
- Posted on Pinterest using vertical pins made with Canva.
- Answered Quora questions and linked back to roundup posts.
Results
First affiliate sale came in week two. By month one, the blog had 1800+ organic visits and 12 confirmed orders. The “Top 5 Wireless Mice Under $25” post performed best.
How to Grow Without Spending
- Use Google Trends to find seasonal product ideas.
- Create simple infographics using Canva and post them on Pinterest or Reddit.
- Join free blogger forums and exchange guest posts with other affiliate marketers.
Limitations of This Approach
- Design is limited compared to paid platforms.
- No access to advanced SEO tools or plugins.
- Not ideal for scaling into a full brand long-term.
When to Upgrade
Once you see consistent traffic or conversions, consider migrating to WordPress or a page builder like SwipePages. You can still keep the Blogger version running as a feeder site for backlinks or niche experiments.
Conclusion
You don’t need money or coding skills to start earning from Amazon’s affiliate program. Blogger + SiteStripe is a fully free, beginner-friendly setup that can get you up and running in hours. Focus on valuable content, niche angles, and smart use of affiliate links — and you’ll be on your way to building your first passive income source.
Comments
Post a Comment