How to do affiliate marketing without a website: Strategies for success

Remember when your mom said money doesn't grow on trees? Well, she was right—it grows on social media feeds instead. (Sorry, Mom!)

Here's a mind-blowing fact: Affiliate marketing spending is expected to touch 12 billion in 2025. And the best part? You don’t necessarily need a website to cash in on this opportunity. The game has changed, and social media platforms are revolutionizing how people make money online—no pocket-draining web hosting fees required.

Whether you're scrolling through Pinterest in your pajamas or posting Instagram stories during lunch breaks (we won't tell your boss), you can turn those everyday activities into cash.

In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to crush it in affiliate marketing using the platforms you're already using. No tech headaches or website hassles—just straight-up affiliate marketing strategies that work.

Ready to join the thousands of people already making this happen?

Keep reading.

What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is when a business partners with content creators (called affiliates) to promote their products or services. The business provides each affiliate with unique promotional links or discount codes.

When someone purchases using an affiliate's link or code, that affiliate earns a commission. Affiliates typically share these links through their blogs, social media accounts, or other online platforms.

This creates a win-win relationship: Businesses gain sales through the affiliate's promotional efforts, while affiliates earn money by recommending products to their audience.

Did you know that you can get paid to refer customers to products on Whop? Every product on Whop has a unique affiliate reward for referring new customers.

You can also receive a reward for referring new creators to start selling on Whop, and trust me, it's worth it. Whop will pay you 30% of its revenue for life. Each time the creator makes a sale, Whop makes money - and so you do.

Can you do affiliate marketing without a website?

Yes, it is totally possible to do affiliate marketing without a full-fledged website. All you need is a way to connect with people. This could be anything from an Instagram account to your local community group.

What’s important is to have genuine expertise in a specific area that people care about—whether that's knitting, competitive skiing, or urban farming. While many affiliate marketers use blogs to showcase their knowledge, your authority can grow through any medium where you meaningfully engage with others who share your interests.

From there, you can naturally introduce relevant products and services that provide real value to your community, earning income while helping others.

Later in this article, we’ll walk you through nine channels you can use to do affiliate marketing without a website. 

How to start affiliate marketing without a website

Tired of paying for web hosting just to earn affiliate commissions? Good news: Your domain-free dreams are about to come true! Discover how to rake in those sweet referral rewards using nothing but social media savvy, email marketing magic, and content creativity.

Choose a niche

The first step to becoming a successful affiliate marketer is to choose an affiliate niche. The right niche is one that you're genuinely interested in and that has a viable market. Your enthusiasm for the topic will shine through and help you maintain momentum long-term.

Let's use personal finance as an example: While it's a broad field, you can carve out your space by targeting specific demographics. Say you're in your twenties—you could focus on helping 18 to 34-year-olds navigate student loans, build credit, explore investment apps, and develop saving habits. This niche works because it combines relatable experience with a clear market need.

While some niches, like personal finance, have obvious audience potential, others require validation. For more specific niches, use tools like Google Trends or Semrush to gauge interest.

The dating niche offers a good illustration: While "expat dating" might be too restrictive, "senior dating" represents a substantial market with real demand. Platforms like Whop enable (and encourage) you to create active, engaged communities in various niches and monetize them through affiliate links.   

Create and optimize content

Quality content drives successful affiliate marketing. It's your gateway to traffic generation, turning casual browsers into engaged visitors. Many premium affiliate programs even use content quality and consistency as key criteria for accepting new partners.

What makes content "high-quality"?

The one key rule to creating high-quality content is this: Go above and beyond what your audience expects. Your content should be:

• Genuinely valuable and original
• Precisely targeted to your audience
• Engaging enough to keep viewers coming back
• Thoroughly researched and fact-checked
• Backed by credible sources that build trust

A platform-specific strategy is key. Each social platform has its own unique content discovery engine. Take TikTok versus Instagram—they're entirely different beasts with distinct algorithms. Here are a few points to keep in mind to be successful:

• Deep research into each platform: Study how the platform's algorithm works, analyze top-performing content, and understand what type of content gets the most engagement.
• Test and optimize: Monitor your analytics, experiment with different content styles, and refine your approach based on performance data.
• Use platform features strategically: For Instagram Stories, you could create a "swipe up" link (if you have 10K+ followers) or use link stickers to direct followers to affiliate products. On TikTok, you could use Duets to react to trending product reviews or use the platform's native text-to-speech for voiceovers. 
• Smart keyword integration: Let's look at an example of how a fitness affiliate marketer promoting workout supplements on TikTok could use keywords to expand their reach. They could research and use specific search terms their audience uses, like "best pre-workout for beginners" or "natural protein powder no artificial sweeteners" instead of just using the words "protein powder" or "supplements."
• Proper hashtag usage: Platform limits vary—YouTube allows 15 hashtags per video, while Instagram permits up to 30 per post. Choose targeted hashtags that align with your niche and content while respecting platform-specific limits.

Remember: What works on one platform may fall flat on another. So, understand each platform's unique ecosystem while maintaining your content's core quality. 

Join affiliate programs

Successful affiliate marketing starts with choosing reputable programs that align with your audience's interests. The major affiliate networks like Whop, Impact, CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction), ShareASale, and Rakuten Advertising offer thousands of opportunities across diverse niches. These networks make it easy to find and join multiple programs in one place.

Beyond the networks, many top brands prefer to run their own in-house affiliate programs using specialized tracking software. Amazon Associates and GetResponse are prime examples of successful direct affiliate programs that don't operate through networks.

When evaluating potential programs, pay close attention to their commission structures. Most programs compensate you for generating sales, though some will pay for leads instead. The payment might be a percentage of each sale or a fixed amount per transaction.

The key is to find programs that offer both competitive compensation and products that genuinely benefit your audience. Your success depends on promoting products you believe in while earning fair rewards for your marketing efforts. 

Here are a few programs to get you started:

Whop

Whop's affiliate marketing channel directly connects creators with potential affiliates, making it easier to find relevant products to promote. The platform's ecosystem is designed to support this type of marketing, often offering high commission rates and better tracking tools. 

As a Whop affiliate, you can claim a custom link from any company with an active affiliate program, share the link with whoever you choose, and get a cash reward for your referral.

Even without a website, you can share affiliate links through social media, email newsletters, or YouTube video descriptions—pretty much anywhere people hang out online.

Curious to know how to become an affiliate for a product?

The Whop 4.0 Discover tab makes it easy to see exactly which whops offer the highest affiliate commissions. Head to the Discover page and sort by 'Hottest affiliate offers'.

Choose the whops you want to promote. Then, add these whops to your 'affiliates dashboard'. Once in your affiliates dash just press the copy button (two overlapping boxes), share with your own audience, and watch the money roll in.

Hot tip: The more positive reviews a product has, the more likely a customer is to convert.

Amazon

Amazon Associates is the world's largest affiliate program. It offers promoters the chance to earn commissions from over 350 million products.

The best part about promoting Amazon products is that people already trust them. When you share an Amazon link, folks aren't skeptical—they probably already have the app on their phone. The commission rates aren't too shabby either, they range from 1% to 10% depending on what you're promoting.

Just remember to be genuine with your recommendations. And, always let your audience know when you're sharing affiliate links. After all, authenticity is what builds a loyal following.  

Udemy Affiliate

Udemy's affiliate program offers a lucrative opportunity to promote over 200,000 online courses without needing your own website. As an affiliate, you can earn up to 50% commission on course sales.

The platform provides promotional tools, including custom URLs and deep linking options. This makes sharing specific courses on social media, email newsletters, or YouTube descriptions easy. Plus, their cookie duration of 7 days gives students time to make purchasing decisions.

Still, Udemy's fee structure is interesting, so it's unclear how much you would really make.

Coursera

Coursera's affiliate program lets you partner with some of the biggest names in education. We're talking Stanford, Yale, and other top-tier universities. You can earn anywhere from 20-45% commission, which isn't too bad. 

What’s neat is that these courses practically sell themselves—who wouldn't want to learn from world-class institutions? Whether it's a single course or a full degree program, you've got plenty of options to promote to your audience.

Skillshare referrals

Skillshare has a straightforward approach—a flat $7 payment for every new premium member you bring in. It's perfect if you're connected with creative folks—artists, designers, and digital creators.

Skillshare makes it super easy to share your referral links on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Plus, if you're building an email list, their promo materials work great there too. No website needed—just share and earn!

Travel and booking platforms 

Major booking platforms have made it incredibly easy to earn from travel affiliate programs, even without having your own website. You can share links directly on social media for platforms like Booking.com and Expedia and earn commissions whenever someone books.

The commissions can be quite impressive too. We're talking up to 40% on hotel bookings in some cases. And, you can earn from pretty much everything travel-related—accommodations, flights, car rentals, and even local experiences.  

Most platforms now offer mobile app integration, so your audience can book directly from their phones.

One thing I find particularly effective is focusing on loyalty programs and special deals. For instance, when you tell people they can get a free hotel night after ten stays, it catches their attention.

The clincher? Understand what your specific audience is looking for—whether they're budget travelers, luxury seekers, or adventure enthusiasts. Then, choose the right platform and properties to promote to them.  

Add affiliate links to make money

Adding affiliate links to your content is straightforward once you've joined some programs. Your unique affiliate links can be seamlessly integrated across your chosen platforms, whether you're writing blog posts, creating social media content, or sending newsletters.

For example, if you’re on the Whop affiliate program, earning an affiliate reward is easy. Simply copy your affiliate link and share it with your audience. You can find your affiliate links via the “Refer Customers” and “Refer Creators” pages. 

The key is to create valuable content first and let your affiliate promotions flow naturally within it. Rather than focusing solely on sales, aim to help your audience solve problems or fulfill their needs. This approach builds trust and makes your recommendations more credible.

Link placement should feel organic and contextual. For example, you could weave them naturally into product reviews, how-to guides, or recommendation lists. Social media posts might use link-in-bio tools. Blogs can incorporate direct links within relevant content. Email newsletters can showcase products through curated recommendations.

Track which links perform best to refine your strategy over time. You might find certain types of content or specific platforms generate more clicks and sales. Remember to test your links regularly to ensure they're working correctly.

Just keep it real and only promote products you actually believe in. When you're genuine about what you share, your audience picks up on that authenticity and trusts your recommendations. Not only does this build stronger connections with your followers, but it also leads to steady income over time. 

Where to promote affiliate links  

Affiliate marketing might be your dream gig if you want to make money while you sleep. Just don't spam your links like that one relative selling essential oils on Facebook. From social media to blogs, let's explore where to find and strategically share affiliate links without becoming "that person."

Whop

Got a decent Instagram following? Perfect! Love making TikTok videos? Even better! Establish your affiliate marketing strategy across all platforms and link them back to your whop to keep everything neat and tracked.

Even without an audience, you can create and build a community on Whop. Once you’ve built an active, engaged audience you can start monetizing through affiliate links. Whop makes this simple with the Affiliates app, keeping everything organized and providing useful analytics.

You can promote any product or affiliate link from outside the platform, or you can partner with Whop creators and promote their whops. It's a double whammy.

Pinterest

Pinterest is seriously underrated when it comes to affiliate marketing. Unlike other social platforms where posts disappear into the void after a few hours, Pinterest is more like a search engine—your pins can bring in clicks for months or even years.

What’s special about Pinterest? People go there looking to buy stuff. They're browsing for ideas, planning purchases, and actively searching for solutions.  

Just remember to play it smart. Create gorgeous vertical pins (think phone screen size), but don't just slap up product photos. Show a beach bag being used on an actual beach or a coffee maker making someone's cozy morning better. And always be upfront about your affiliate links—use #affiliate or #ad in your descriptions.  

Instagram Shopping

Think Instagram Shopping is just for big brands? Think again! It's a goldmine for affiliate marketers who don't want the hassle of running a website. You meet your audience where they are—scrolling through their feeds.

Getting started is pretty straightforward. Pick your niche, whether it's fitness gear, beauty products, or tech gadgets, and start creating content that feels natural and authentic. And those addictive Stories and Reels everyone loves? They're perfect for showing products in action.

Here's a pro tip: Since Instagram only gives you one link in your bio, use something like Whop's Links app or Linktree to share multiple affiliate links. And when you're showing off products, tag them directly in your posts—it makes shopping super easy for your followers.

Just remember to keep it real. Mix in personal stories and helpful tips between your product posts. And always be upfront about those affiliate partnerships—a quick #ad or #affiliate keeps everything transparent and above board. 

TikTok Shop

Looking to make money on TikTok without doing the awkward dance trends? (Though let's be honest, we've all attempted them in private!) Enter TikTok Shop—your new best friend in the affiliate marketing game. Think of it as your digital shopping buddy that lets you turn those "OMG, where did you get that?" comments into actual cash.

What’s great about TikTok is that your viewers can shop without leaving their endless scroll session. Want to know what works? Just be yourself and show products in a natural way—people can spot fake enthusiasm from a mile away. Jump on trends, throw in relevant hashtags, and get involved in shopping challenges. 

TikTok's algorithm loves engaging content, so if people are vibing with your videos, you could reach thousands of potential buyers.

Pro tip: Show the products in action, share real reviews (yes, including the not-so-perfect stuff), and definitely use those before-and-after shots. The younger crowd on TikTok especially loves keeping it real—they'll scroll past anything that feels too salesy in a heartbeat. 

YouTube affiliate links

YouTube is amazing for affiliate marketing, even if you don't have a website. Just think about how much more engaging it is to see someone using a product rather than reading about it.

You get to share your real experiences, show off the good (and maybe not-so-good) features, and help people make smart buying choices.

Let's say you're into tech gadgets. You could create fun unboxing videos, walk people through how to use different features, or compare similar products side by side. All your affiliate links fit neatly in the description box below your video. Just remember to be upfront about earning commissions—viewers appreciate honesty. 

The real magic happens when you focus on helping people solve problems or make smart buying decisions.

Maybe someone's struggling to choose between two smartphones—your detailed comparison video could be exactly what they need. Viewers who see you genuinely trying to help rather than just selling are way more likely to use your affiliate links.  

Another lesser-known way to monetize your YouTube channel is through a membership program. And Whop helps you do that. Even if you don’t qualify for monetization with YouTube, you can start monetizing whatever subscriber base you have with Whop.

Content and publishing platforms

Email newsletters

Email newsletters give you a direct line to people who actually want to hear from you—no algorithm changes to worry about. Set up shop with ConvertKit or MailerLite, and you're good to go. Just remember the golden rule: Lead with helpful content, then naturally sprinkle in those affiliate links where they make sense.

Chris Bibey, who runs a popular freelance writing opportunities newsletter, Freelance Framework, is a good example. While the newsletter is free, he monetizes through affiliate sponsorships for related products like Authory, HubSpot, and more. 

Podcasts

According to Edison Research, 82% of podcast listeners spend more than 7 hours per week tuning into their favorite shows. While you can't click a link while listening to audio, those show notes are prime real estate for your affiliate links. Drop your URLs alongside helpful resources from your episode, and you have a passive income stream.

Restaurateur Gauri Devidayal’s podcast Speak Greasy attracts sponsors like Thrive, the food ordering platform, while leading beauty retailers like Tira sponsor the Gen Z podcast What the Hell Navya.  

LinkedIn Pulse

Looking for where the business decision-makers hang out? LinkedIn is your spot. Share your real-world experiences and insights and weave in tools or services that have helped you.

Take this example from Josh Conboy, a logo and visual identity designer. In this post, he talks about how tedious exporting final files is for logo designers, then plugs Logo Package Express as a solution, offering a sweet 20% off through his affiliate link. Josh earns a commission from anyone who purchases through this link. 

Remember, LinkedIn’s algorithm loves native content, meaning your posts have a better chance of being seen.     

Substack

Substack lets you build a newsletter community and make money from it too. Substack readers are usually pretty serious about their interests—they're often happy to invest in solutions you recommend, as long as they trust you. Keep it real and you'll build that trust in no time.

Nutritionist Nandita Iyer, who talks about slow living in her Substack newsletter, often incorporates her Amazon affiliate links of related products in her posts.

Forums and communities

Forums and communities can be viable channels for affiliate marketing, though success varies by platform. While Reddit, Quora, and Discord generally discourage promotional content and affiliate links, Facebook Groups welcome affiliate marketers, especially in niche-focused communities.

Whop is also a community platform that supports affiliate marketing opportunities. Building your own audience on Whop allows you to promote products in an environment where members actively seek product recommendations and insights.

Whop's built-in affiliate program makes it easy to find products to promote and track your engagement and earnings.

Chat and messaging apps

Chat and messaging apps offer a unique avenue for affiliate marketing without a website. While Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and WeChat support affiliate marketing, their closed nature limits audience growth since content isn't publicly discoverable.  

Whop's Chat App, however, is really shaking things up for how marketers connect with their audience. Imagine being able to chat away but also have the power to reach out like you do on social sites. Now, creating a buzz around the products you love or sharing those can't-miss deals just got easier.

To succeed on these platforms:

• Build genuine relationships through direct messaging
• Share valuable content that naturally incorporates affiliate products
• Use channels to create public content and grow your following
• Maintain transparency about affiliate relationships
• Focus on niche-specific groups and communities
• Monitor platform policies regarding affiliate links

Remember that messaging apps require a more personal, conversational approach compared to traditional website-based affiliate marketing.

Pros and cons of affiliate marketing without a website

Whop: The trusted affiliate marketing choice

Whop opens up exciting opportunities to monetize your audience and increase your commission potential. Whop's marketplace connects you with quality products that resonate with modern audiences. This means you can focus on promoting products you genuinely believe in, leading to better conversion rates and a more sustainable income stream.

You get instant access to real-time performance tracking, so you always know exactly how your promotions are performing. No more waiting around wondering if your links are converting—you can see results as they happen and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Through Whop's free and paid communities, you can also dive into educational content to spearhead your affiliate strategy. You can learn from experts who've already found their success in affiliate marketing and discuss ideas with like-minded learners.

Join Whop to learn how to capitalize on the affiliate marketing boom and become a Whop affiliate today.

FAQs

Your burning questions about affiliate marketing without a website are answered for you right here. 

How to do affiliate marketing on Pinterest without a website?

In order to make money with affiliate marketing on Pinterest, you'll first need a Pinterest business account. Then it's as simple as creating sleek, visually appealing content to promote your affiliate links (and disclosing your affiliate deal). The bonus here is that your audience is likely already looking for new products to improve their home and decor.

How can I start affiliate marketing with no money?

Pick your niche, sign up on Whop, Amazon Associates, or ClickBank, and start creating content on free platforms. Whether blogging, making videos, or using social media, focus on adding value first. Network with experienced affiliates to learn the ropes.

How can I be an affiliate marketer?

To become an affiliate marketer, start by choosing a niche you're passionate about, then find affiliate programs that offer products in that niche. Once accepted to these programs, use your marketing channels—like a blog, social media platforms, or email newsletters—to promote the products using your unique affiliate links.

Should I have my own website for affiliate marketing? 

Having your own website for affiliate marketing is beneficial but not necessary. A website offers control over content and SEO and helps attract targeted traffic. It enhances credibility and provides a platform to engage an audience, potentially increasing consumer trust.

However, you can still succeed in affiliate marketing using social media platforms or email marketing without a website.