How to Get Started: Affiliate Sales and Marketing

Posted 11 March, 2008 in How to...

Selling online is a profession and an art.

When you know how, you have the potential to generate a good income from online sales.

There is much to learn. This is true of any profession!

The best way to get started is to educate yourself. The best resource you can possibly invest in to get the education you need is Canada’s own Rosalind Gardner’s eBook: The Super Affiliate Handbook. Be sure to listen to Rosalind’s inspiring podacast while checking out this offer!

It is best to sell affiliate products online via your own website. In order to do this, you need four things:

• 1. A domain name.
• 2. A web host.
• 3. A website.
• 4. Products to promote.

1. How to Register a Domain Name
Best way to register a domain name is to open an account with GoDaddy.com

I have used goDaddy for 10 years now without a problem. The reason I use goDaddy is that I have instant and complete control over the management of my domain names via the online control panel.

NOTE: Create your account with goDaddy BEFORE you search for a domain name. Login to your account then search for a domain name.

That way, if the name is available you can register it immediately. If you don’t register the name immediately, it may be quickly registered by a ‘domain tasting’ site that monitors domain name inquiries. Read more about ‘Domain Tasting.’

Here is a link to World’s Largest Registrar - GoDaddy.com

To register a .ca domain name, I both use and recommend the services of Bare Metal.com.

I have used their services for over four years now without one single problem. Bare Metal is located in Victoria BC. They offer excellent customer, email and phone support!

2. How to Open a Hosting Account

The next thing you need is a hosting company. It’s best to have a hosting account that is different from the domain registration account. This gives you added control over both your domain name and your website.

The best hosting company to use is Canadian Web Hosting. Their prices, service and support are excellent. They use cPanel with Fantastico to enable you to manage your hosting account. With Fantastico you can install with one click, the latest version of Word Press, Shopping Carts, Image Galleries, Classified Ads, Forums and so much more.

Here is a link to Canadian Web Hosting.

Another excellent hosting company is Host Gator.

Once you have your domain name registered and hosted, you are ready to create your affiliate marketing website.

3. How to Create A Website

For an instant website, the easiest thing to do is install Wordpress from your hosting account c/Panel. Wordpress is easy to customize and use and there are lots of free templates available to enhance your website design. A big bonus with Wordpress sites is that Google loves them. Wordpress also has many free, site-enhancing plugins plus a built in RSS feed, so a lot of the difficult back-end work is already in place and ready to use.

If you prefer a traditional website rather than Wordpress, both Canadian Web Hosting and Host Gator. offer a free, online site builder. You select the template you want, then the ‘Site Builder’ wizard steps you through the process of creating and publishing your very own website.

For a custom designed, professional website I recommend the Website Design Services of Blue North Studios.

4. How to find Affiliate Products to Promote.

To get products to promote you need to join either affiliate networks where merchants offer their affiliate sales programs, or find private affiliate programs offered by the product owners.

A good affiliate network to begin with is Commission Junction.

Here is the link to the Commission Junction website. Commission Junction.

Once you register an account with them you can start searching for merchant affiliate programs to join, find products to promote and get the links to copy and paste into your website.

For digital products, Clickbank has lots to offer.

Here is the link to Clickbank!

If you want to sell your own, downloadable private label manuals, courses, eBooks or any other digital product, the very best top-rated product is DL Guard. (Download Guard)

Here’s the link to DL Guard.

You can also find both Network and Private Affiliate Programs by doing a Google search like this:    productkeyword+affilate

Example: health+affiliate

I found the MarketHealth.com affiliate program this way, and it is one of my favorite programs to date.

To Sum Up…

For more information on Affiliate Marketing, take a minute to read some of the other posts and pages on this website. I only recommend products and services on this website that are bona fide, excellent resources. There are many other affiliate networks out there - you need to research each one carefully before deciding to join.

Having said that, it is always YOUR responsibility to check things out for yourself before joining any program or network.

The potential to earn a good income online with Affiliate Sales and Marketing is tremendous. If you want to work from home or generate a residual income - take the time, invest in some quality products and training, then get started - just do it. The best way to learn is by doing, after all is said and done.

If you need coaching or assistance in registering a domain name, setting up a hosting account, or getting started with Wordpress, please give me a call: Val 613.628.9489

My services are available to residents of Renfrew County and the Ottawa Valley at very reasonable rates.

I you want a custom designed website that you can manage yourself, I recommend the services of Blue North Studios located in Renfrew Ontario.

Now - off you go! Get started. Soak up information like a sponge. Put an icepack on your head from the ‘Information Overload’ headache you are bound to develop.

And after all is said and done - Have Fun! Make Money! Then Share the Wealth!

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