To create an Amazon storefront with affiliate links, you'll need to sign up for an Amazon Associates account. This is a free program that allows you to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products on your website or social media channels.
Amazon offers a vast array of products to choose from, with over 350 million items available for sale. This means you can find the perfect products to feature on your storefront.
To get started, you'll need to create a unique affiliate link for each product you want to promote. This link can be used to track your referrals and earn commissions.
What Is a Store?
A store is an online shop where you sell products to customers, and there are different types of stores to consider when setting up an Amazon storefront with affiliate links.
You can create an affiliate store, which is an online shop that lists other retailers' products and redirects visitors to their websites using affiliate links.
With an affiliate store, you don't have to worry about inventory handling and customer service, as these responsibilities fall on the retailers whose products you're selling.
Creating your own product to sell online requires a significant upfront investment, including time, money, and market testing.
In contrast, joining an affiliate program is free, allowing you to easily increase product offerings and revenue without much initial investment.
How They Work
So you want to know how affiliate programs work? Affiliate programs are relationships between a website and a retailer where the website earns a commission based on sales made through their affiliate link.
A website like Wirecutter.com earns commission based on affiliate relationships with big brand retailers. They promote reliable and good quality products to their audience.
The website only makes money when a reader or shopper purchases a product from their affiliate retailer and does not return the product. This means the website has a vested interest in promoting high-quality products.
To make an Amazon storefront with affiliate links, you'll need to understand how these programs work. You'll need to establish relationships with retailers like Amazon and earn a commission on sales made through your affiliate link.
Wirecutter.com promotes only reliable and good quality products, as it would make very little money if it promoted inferior quality goods. This is a key principle to keep in mind when creating your own Amazon storefront with affiliate links.
Making Money with Affiliate Links
Affiliate programs can have many different structured commission plans, but most involve a company providing their affiliate partners with a unique link to share with their customers or audiences.
You can earn money through affiliate links by getting paid when someone uses your link to purchase on the retailer's website, or by receiving a commission based on the number of people you refer to the organization's website.
The Amazon Associates program, one of the top affiliate programs for beginners, offers a commission rate of 1 to 20% depending on the product categories, and a cookie life of 24 hours, meaning you can earn a commission on the user's entire cart if they buy something other than what your content promoted.
Here are the three common commission structures for affiliate programs:
How They Make Money
Affiliate programs can be structured in many different ways, but most involve a company providing a unique link for their affiliate partners to share with their customers or audiences.
The link is tracked using cookies, which monitor the customer's online activity for a set period of time, known as the cookie life. For example, if a cookie has a 30-day life, the referral needs to be purchased within 30 days of clicking the unique link for the affiliate partner to get paid.
There are three common commission structures for affiliate programs: Purchase-Based, Traffic-Based, and Customer Acquisition-Based.
Here are some examples of commission structures:
Amazon Associates is one of the top affiliate programs for beginners, and its affiliate program, also called Amazon Affiliates, opens the doors to millions of products that can be shared with audiences.
Geniuslink
Geniuslink is a top-notch link management tool that's been around since 2013. It's known for its auto-affiliation and link localization features, making it a premium provider for Amazon affiliate link management.
Geniuslink's patented link translation process is incredibly accurate, especially when it comes to product matching. This means it can direct users to the correct product in an international Amazon storefront more often than OneLink.
One of the biggest complaints about Geniuslink is its monthly fee, but it's worth it considering its benefits. With Geniuslink, you have complete control over how a link functions, allowing for full customization of its performance.
Geniuslink can translate most any Amazon link to most any Amazon store, giving it a significant advantage over OneLink. The only exceptions are for the most recently added storefronts and affiliate programs, but those should be supported soon.
Geniuslink offers a range of tools to make link management a breeze. Its dashboard allows for short link building and customization, and its Wordpress plugin, API, and Chrome Extension make it easy to share links anywhere, including social media.
Geniuslink also offers support for multiple tracking IDs and other customization options that OneLink doesn't provide. This means you can tailor the service to your specific needs and track your affiliate earnings with ease.
Types of Stores
You can build an affiliate online shop in a few different ways. You can use a self-hosted website, but that requires knowledge of coding and installing a CMS, which can be overwhelming.
Currently, there are plenty of no-code website builders that simplify the process. For example, SpreadSimple is a user-friendly option that converts your Google Sheets into an online store in a few minutes.
You can choose between different types of stores, such as a self-hosted website or a no-code website builder like SpreadSimple.
Influencer
Influencer programs can be a great way to earn extra revenue by promoting products to your audience.
You can partner with a company whose products align with your content, like a food blogger promoting kitchen appliances.
As an influencer, you can use an affiliate program to earn a commission for every product sold through your unique link.
This is a win-win situation, as your audience gets to hear about products they might be interested in, and you get to earn some extra money.
If your audience likes the products you're promoting, you can gain additional revenue.
Online Shop
Creating an online shop is a great way to monetize your website, and there are several options to choose from. You can use a self-hosted website, but it requires knowledge of coding.
There are also no-code website builders like SpreadSimple that can simplify the process and require no professional help. You can convert your Google Sheets into an online store in just a few minutes.
Amazon Affiliate Store is a popular option, where you can create a store with WordPress and list relevant products to promote. You'll get a commission when someone purchases a product from Amazon by clicking on your affiliate link.
To start an Amazon Affiliate Store, you need to join Amazon Associates and set up an online store with WordPress. This will allow you to promote products and earn a commission.
You can also use WooCommerce to set up an Amazon affiliate marketing store, which requires you to sign up for an Amazon affiliate account. This will give you access to a better understanding of how to build your own Amazon affiliate WordPress website.
Kit Curation
Kit Curation is a game-changer for Amazon affiliate marketers.
Your job is to curate the best products in a certain niche and share them with your audience.
Kit is a social media platform specifically designed for curating and sharing products with an emphasis on affiliate marketing.
Expanding your product curation efforts onto Kit allows you to bundle products for your audience and get discovered by consumers looking for products in your area of expertise.
The Kit dashboard lets you add your affiliate tracking information for Amazon's affiliate programs worldwide, so your Amazon links include your affiliate tracking IDs.
This is a great opportunity to create new tracking IDs and compare Kit's performance to your existing properties and marketing campaigns.
Kit now lives in the Geniuslink family, ensuring top-notch support for the Amazon affiliate program and a global audience.
Choosing a Platform
To make an Amazon storefront with affiliate links, you'll need to decide on a platform to host your website. Six essential steps to create a website are outlined in the article, and one of those steps is choosing a platform.
Refersion Marketplace is one of the newest affiliate marketing platforms in the market, launched in 2014. It offers affiliate marketing software to help brands manage affiliates and track payouts.
The Refersion Marketplace is a great choice for beginners, with a super simplistic and easy-to-use dashboard. It's also a great choice if you want to connect with niche e-commerce brands like Peppermate, Moon Juice, and Hydragun.
Here are some key features of Refersion Marketplace:
- Best for – E-commerce.
- Commission rate – varies based on the product brand.
- Cookie life – depends on the product brand.
- Payment cycle – the payment threshold is decided by the merchants.
- Payout method – PayPal, gift card, or bank transfer via Trolley.
Review Websites
Consumers often go to review websites during their buyer's journey to conduct extensive research before making a purchase.
Review websites can partner with individual retailers or affiliate networks to review products and services in exchange for an affiliate link to earn extra commission from their posts.
Review websites can be a powerful tool for consumers, providing them with valuable insights and helping them make informed purchasing decisions.
The key is to find a review website that aligns with your target audience and niche, and to create high-quality content that resonates with them.
Review websites can also be a great way to build trust with your audience, as they often feature real-life experiences and opinions from other consumers.
Review websites can partner with individual retailers or affiliate networks to review products and services in exchange for an affiliate link to earn extra commission from their posts.
By doing so, review websites can earn extra income and create a sustainable business model.
Refersion Marketplace
Refersion Marketplace is a great option for e-commerce brands, having launched in 2014 and offering affiliate marketing software to help manage affiliates and track payouts.
Its dashboard is super simplistic and easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners entering the affiliate field. This is a huge plus for those new to affiliate marketing, as it can be overwhelming to navigate complex platforms.
Refersion Marketplace is one of the most successful affiliate programs, with big brand name partners including Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce.
The commission rate varies based on the product brand, so be sure to check with the specific merchant for their rates. This means you'll need to research each brand's commission structure before joining their program.
Cookie life also depends on the product brand, so it's essential to understand the terms of each partnership. This can impact how often you earn commissions from a particular brand.
Payment cycle is flexible, with the payment threshold decided by the merchants. This means you can earn money whenever the merchant decides to pay out.
Refersion Marketplace offers a range of payout methods, including PayPal, gift card, or bank transfer via Trolley.
ShareASale
ShareASale is a popular affiliate network that's perfect for marketers and e-commerce businesses alike. It's free to sign up for and has a user-friendly interface that's great for beginners.
ShareASale has thousands of merchant partners to choose from, offering a variety of commission rates finalized by the publishers. Each seller on the platform sets their own commission rates, so you'll need to check with the merchant for specifics.
The cookie life on ShareASale is typically 30 days, but varies depending on the merchant. This means you'll have a decent amount of time to earn commissions from your referrals.
ShareASale offers real-time commission reporting on its dashboard, making it easy to track your earnings. You can also access nearly 40 consumer categories on the platform.
Here are some key features of ShareASale:
Selecting a Niche
Selecting a niche is a crucial step in choosing a platform for your affiliate website. It's essential to know your interest and choose a niche that you're passionate about, as it will make learning and researching about it much easier.
A good niche should have a high search volume and lower competition. You can use Google Trends to determine what's already selling and doing well in the market. This will help you choose a niche with high-paying offers and the potential to generate revenue.
Having multiple products in your niche is also beneficial, as it increases the chances of a visitor getting interested in your offered product. For example, a travel blog can promote a wide range of products related to travel, such as bags, suitcases, and travel gear.
Here are some key points to consider when selecting a niche:
- Know your interest and choose a niche you're passionate about.
- Follow the trends existing in the market using Google Trends.
- Check the profitability of the niche and ensure it has high-paying offers.
- Evaluate the competition and choose a niche with high search volume and lower competition.
- Find a niche with multiple products to increase the chances of a visitor getting interested.
Understanding your audience's demographic is also crucial in choosing a niche. For example, a book review blog can promote newly-released novels or nonfiction books to its target audience. This will help you create content that resonates with your audience and builds trust with your niche site.
Remember, choosing a niche you're already familiar with can help build your reputation as an expert in the topic, making your niche site more credible and trustworthy.
Which to Sign Up For?
If you're new to affiliate marketing, it's best to start with a network like Shopify or ShareASale. This will give you access to multiple brands and products that match your content and personal brand.
As you gain experience, you can reach out to individual brands directly and become their affiliate partner. It's essential to consider your target audience, website traffic interests, and online following when selecting an affiliate program.
You can find an affiliate program by joining an affiliate network, such as Amazon Associates, AliExpress, or ShareASale, or by working directly with a particular brand. Affiliate networks, like Amazon, offer a wide range of products and can help you connect with various merchants.
If you're considering the Amazon affiliate program, you'll need to decide which program to start with. With 15 independent Amazon affiliate programs, it's essential to choose the one that matches the country where your audience is coming from.
To determine which Amazon affiliate program to sign up for, go to the analytics of your project and see where the majority of your audience is coming from. If most of your visitors are coming from the United States, start with the Amazon.com affiliate program.
Here's a quick reference guide to help you choose the right Amazon affiliate program:
Remember, you can easily jump between region-specific Amazon affiliate programs via the dropdown in the Amazon Associates Central dashboard.
Signing Up
You can sign up for the Amazon affiliate program without filling out your tax and payment information right away, but make sure to come back to it later.
Using the Chrome browser with built-in translation can be really helpful if you're applying for an Amazon affiliate program in a foreign language.
You don't need to fill out your tax and payment information right away, and you won't be paid for approximately 60 to 90 days after you start earning commissions.
For Wordpress-based websites, there are plugins like Amazon Link Engine that can convert your regular Amazon links into globally aware Amazon affiliate links.
You'll need to include the full URL of your channel if you plan to use your affiliate links on social media, not just the main website URL.
Setting Up Your Store
To set up your Amazon affiliate store, you'll need to join Amazon Associates. This is the first step to getting started with affiliate marketing.
You'll then need to install an e-commerce plugin like WooCommerce, which will allow you to create an online store with WordPress.
Once you have WooCommerce installed, you can start selecting the products you want to promote in your store.
Creating a Store
You can create an Amazon affiliate storefront by joining Amazon Associates and setting up an online store with WordPress.
Amazon Associates is an affiliate program that pays you for referring their products, so you'll need to sign up for it first.
To create an Amazon associates store, you'll need to find relevant products that you want to promote and list them in your store.
If you've ever dreamed of building an online store but lack the resources to create products and deliver them to your customer's doorsteps, then creating an Amazon affiliate storefront is the best bet.
You'll get a commission when someone purchases a product from Amazon by clicking on your affiliate link, so promoting products through that link on your site is a crucial step.
All you have to do is join Amazon Associates, set up an online store with WordPress, find relevant products that you want to promote, and list them in your store.
Install a Plugin
Once you have a good foundation for your store, it's time to install a plugin to help you manage your affiliate links. Pretty Links is a great option, as it lets you manage all your affiliate links in a single place within your WordPress dashboard.
Using a plugin like Pretty Links can save you time and effort in the long run. For example, if you want to change an affiliate link, you don't need to dig deeper into your site and manually alter all those URLs. Instead, you simply do that in your PrettyLinks panel, which will automatically change all the published URLs.
Pretty Links also helps you cloak the affiliate links that you promote on your website. This means you can make them shorter and neater, like this: http://www.yoursite.com/refer/productname. This is a big improvement over the typical long, ugly-looking URLs like this: http://example.com/products/?product_id=123&affiliate_id.
Promoting Your Store
Having a visually appealing storefront is crucial, as it sets the tone for your customers' shopping experience. Use high-quality product images that showcase your products from different angles.
To maximize visibility, optimize your storefront with relevant keywords, including your target audience's search terms and product names. This will improve your storefront's search ranking and attract more potential customers.
By following these steps, you can create a storefront that not only looks great but also drives sales.
Promoting Your Content
Promoting your content is a crucial step in driving traffic and sales to your store. You can share your content on social media platforms to reach a wider audience.
Email outreach programs are another effective way to promote your content, but they can be time-consuming. Paid advertising can also work, but it may not be the most cost-effective option.
The best return on investment (ROI) is achieved with search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. By mastering SEO, you can increase your web page ranking on the first page of search engines like Google, ensuring recurring traffic without constantly marketing your content or spending money on advertising.
SEO pairs perfectly with affiliate marketing because people searching for answers on search engines are closer to being ready to buy than those browsing social media platforms. They're actively looking for a solution to a problem.
Creating a variety of content is essential to keep your audience interested, including product reviews, listicles, tutorials, and comparisons. This type of content caters to your target audience's preferences and helps you stand out from the competition.
To promote your content on Pinterest, you can share your blog posts with gorgeous Pins that link back to your posts. This is a great way to drive traffic to your website and increase sales.
Here are some Pinterest marketing tips for Amazon affiliates:
- Find your niche
- Optimize your Pinterest profile
- Organize your boards
- Pin high-quality images
- Use keywords naturally in Pin titles and descriptions
Marketing on Pinterest
Marketing on Pinterest is a great way to promote your store and reach a wider audience. To get started, you'll need to create a business account on Pinterest and optimize your profile with a clear description of your store.
You can share Amazon affiliate links on Pinterest, but it takes 4 simple steps. First, you need to create a blog post with your affiliate links, then create a Pin that links back to your post.
Use keywords naturally in Pin titles and descriptions to improve your visibility on Pinterest. Organizing your boards is also essential to make it easy for customers to find what they're looking for.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Find your niche
- Optimize your Pinterest profile
- Organize your boards
- Pin high-quality images
- Use keywords naturally in Pin titles and descriptions
Tracking your Amazon affiliate links on Pinterest is optional, but it can help you see how your Pins are performing and whether you're earning money from promoting affiliate Amazon products. You can see impressions, clicks, saves, engagement rates, and more in your Business Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Associates the same as Storefront?
No, Amazon Associates and Amazon Influencers (with storefronts) are two separate programs with distinct features, but they share the same commission rates. Amazon Influencers can create a personalized storefront on Amazon, while Associates promote affiliate links through various mediums.
Sources
- https://spreadsimple.com/blog/how-to-create-an-affiliate-store/
- https://www.wptasty.com/amazon-affiliate-links-on-pinterest
- https://geniuslink.com/amazon-affiliate-guide
- https://www.isitwp.com/create-amazon-affiliate-store-wordpress-make-money/
- https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/how-to-build-an-amazon-affiliate-website
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