Affiliate marketing for bloggers is popular, but what if you don’t have a site? You can still make real income by promoting offers creatively through social platforms, messaging apps, online forums, and other alternative digital channels. This guide breaks down practical, proven ways to do affiliate marketing without a website, even if you’re starting from zero.
Top Strategies for Affiliate Marketing Without a Website
You don’t need a website to get started with affiliate marketing—you just need a strategy and a bit of consistency. In fact, many affiliates today earn solid commissions by tapping into high-traffic platforms, apps, or communities they don’t even own. Below are 8 top methods to do affiliate marketing without a website, perfect for beginners and even those doing affiliate marketing with no money.
Use Social Media Platforms
Now, using Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, you can promote your affiliate links and gain many more audiences. You can create short videos, memes, and other content explaining the product, sharing reviews, or presenting your results.
With Reels on Instagram or TikTok, you can get thousands of views if you use trending audios. You can put the affiliate links in bio and use tools like Link tree to consolidate multiple offers.
These platforms reward engagement; with creative content, you can go viral even without ads. It’s one of the quickest methods to do affiliate marketing without a website.
Start a YouTube Channel
YouTube is a search engine on its own. You don’t need to fancy gear—just your phone and a clear explanation of how a product or service works. Product reviews, tutorials, and unboxing perform especially well.
In your video description, add your affiliate marketing links with clear CTAs (like “check the price here”). Make sure your content is helpful, not just salesy.
Pro tip: Consistency beats perfection. Many affiliate marketing for bloggers strategies now include video because of its massive ROI.
Leverage Email Marketing
You can create an email even without a website using free lead capture tools like Mailchimp and ConvertKit. Offer a freebie or discount for an email and thereafter provide newsletters filled with value-packed content featuring affiliate links.
Using these tools allows you to have direct access to your viewers while using the email list you have created, giving you full control by eliminating dependency on other platforms.
When sending emails, make sure to keep them personal. Keeping them short increases the chances of them being read, allowing for recommendations to feel like you’re sharing a tip from a friend.
Post in Online Forums and Niche Communities
Reddit, Quora, and even specialized forums serve as great platforms where you can engage users and provide value. For instance, if you come across a question regarding the most effective free video editor, you can recommend one while including your affiliate link if the forum policy allows it.
As always, play by the rules of each community, as posting links recklessly can lead to account termination. Aim to assist others with relevant solutions.
The reason this works: You gain polarization traffic while rendering you as a credible expert, which is excellent if you affiliate market without spending money or owning a site.
Share on Messaging Apps and Groups
WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord are underrated tools in the affiliate world. By creating value-driven groups or joining existing ones, you can recommend products and services to people who trust your input.
Many affiliate programs now provide ready-to-share banners, short links, or bonus codes for easy integration into chats.
Strategy tip: Build your own group around a topic you’re passionate about—fitness, crypto, finance—and recommend products related to it.
Use Content Publishing Platforms
Medium, Substack, or Vocal Media allow you to publish full-length articles even without your own domain. These platforms have built-in audiences, so good content can gain traction organically.
You can publish tutorials, comparisons, or case studies with embedded affiliate links. These platforms are excellent for those who enjoy writing but don’t want to manage a blog.
Why it works: It’s like running a blog—without the hosting or design headaches. Great for scaling your affiliate marketing business on a budget.
Run Ads on Free Classified Sites
Sites like Craigslist, Gumtree, or OLX allow you to post offers in relevant categories. If your affiliate product solves a common need—like tools, courses, or gigs—these platforms can help you reach ready-to-buy audiences.
Use simple copy with your affiliate marketing link or redirect users to a bridge page or landing tool (like Carrd or Taplink).
Note: Always comply with the platform’s rules to avoid takedowns.
Host Free Webinars or Live Streams
Going live on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, or even Zoom can build trust fast. You can review a product, do a walkthrough, or just talk about a topic and include your affiliate offer as a solution.
Live video increases engagement and allows real-time interaction—which improves conversion rates.
Start small: Even a 10-minute stream can generate leads and clicks if done right.
Partner with Influencers or Micro-Creators
If you’re not ready to be in front of the camera or build your own following, collaborate with someone who already has an audience. Micro-influencers often have engaged followers and are open to collaborations where you provide a product suggestion or write content, and they promote your affiliate links.
Some affiliate programs even support this strategy by giving you custom discount codes or landing pages to track results.
Why it works: You tap into an existing audience without building one from scratch—ideal for scaling fast or testing a niche.
Create and Share PDF Guides or e-books
A powerful evergreen strategy in affiliate marketing without a website is to create simple e-books, guides, or cheat sheets and distribute them through free channels like Google Drive, Dropbox, or PDF-sharing sites. Inside the document, you include your affiliate links naturally—within tutorials, product mentions, or resource sections.
Example: “10 Tools Every Remote Worker Needs”—with your affiliate links embedded in tool descriptions.
Smart move: Share these on LinkedIn, Reddit, or even in Telegram groups. People love downloadable content that provides real value. Bonus tips for scaling each method:
- YouTube. Add affiliate links to pinned comments and offer exclusive bonuses to viewers who buy through your link.
- Social media. Use carousel posts on Instagram or “Top 5” TikToks to increase engagement. Include affiliate hashtags for discoverability.
- Email marketing. Create a free challenge or mini-course via email, and add relevant affiliate products inside your lessons. This works well for tools and software.
- Classified ads. Repost every few days with updated copy to maintain visibility. Track CTR (click-through rate) using bit.ly or other link trackers.
- Medium or Substack. Share your posts on social media and in niche Facebook groups to drive external traffic and boost your exposure.
How Beginners Can Start Without Any Investment
If you want to start affiliate marketing but don’t have a budget, begin with the free tools mentioned above:
- Canva. Design thumbnails or social posts
- Carrd. Build a one-page site to host your affiliate offers
- Bit.ly. Shorten and track your links
- Telegram/WhatsApp. Build a community and deliver affiliate content directly
This approach is perfect for anyone diving into affiliate marketing with no money.
Curate Product Roundups on Pinterest or Flipboard
Visual discovery platforms like Pinterest and Flipboard allow you to create themed boards and collections around topics like “best budget travel gear” or “top productivity tools.” You can add images linked to your affiliate marketing offers or blog-style notes explaining why each product is useful.
Pinterest in particular supports link tracking and lets you drive traffic over time through evergreen pins.
Why it works: It’s passive, scalable, and searchable. A single well-optimized pin can bring clicks for months—great for affiliate marketing for bloggers or non-bloggers alike.
Pro Tip: Mix and Match Multiple Methods
You don’t have to pick just one of these strategies. In fact, the most successful affiliate marketing business setups combine several approaches: maybe a Telegram group plus a Medium blog and a TikTok channel.
Start small—choose two channels that match your strengths—and build from there. As you grow more confident in promoting offers and analyzing what works, you can expand your reach.
Affiliate marketing without a website doesn’t mean without a plan. With creativity, consistency, and value-first content, you can build trust and earn income on your terms.
Is Offline Affiliate Marketing Possible?
Yes, affiliate marketing can work offline, although it’s less common. While most people focus on digital channels, offline strategies can still help drive conversions—especially if you’re doing affiliate marketing without a website.
You can print QR codes that lead to your affiliate links and place them on flyers, posters, or business cards in high-traffic local areas. Sharing promo codes in person is another option—especially if your affiliate program allows custom codes. Local events, meetups, and networking sessions are great places to recommend products naturally, especially when you connect with people who trust your advice and are interested in useful recommendations.
Some affiliates use bulletin boards in cafes, universities, or libraries to display short ads with QR links, short descriptions, and a clear call to action. Though this method won’t scale like online strategies, it can bring in warm, local traffic and diversify your overall affiliate marketing business.
Offline promotion takes creativity, patience, and consistency, but it’s a valid, often overlooked addition to your strategy—especially when paired with engaging digital content.
