Starting an affiliate marketing website doesn't require thousands of dollars in startup capital. With the right approach, you can launch a fully functional affiliate marketing website for under $100: and start generating passive income within weeks.
This guide breaks down exactly what you need, what it costs, and how to maximize every dollar of your budget.
What You Actually Need to Get Started
Before diving into the setup process, here's what an affiliate marketing website requires:
- Domain name – Your website address (e.g., yourbrand.com)
- Web hosting – Server space where your website lives
- WordPress – Free content management system
- Theme – Controls how your site looks
- Content – Blog posts, reviews, and guides that attract visitors
- Affiliate links – How you earn commissions
That's it. No fancy software subscriptions. No expensive developers. No hidden fees.
The Complete Budget Breakdown
| Item | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Name | $10–15/year | .com domains recommended |
| Web Hosting | $24–50/year | Budget hosts like Hostinger start at $2/month |
| WordPress | $0 | Free and open-source |
| Theme | $0–50 | Many quality free options available |
| Learning Resources | $6.97+ | eBooks and courses from Ezy Learning |
| Total | $40.97–$121.97 | Easily achievable under $100 |
Most beginners can launch for $50–75 if they choose free themes and budget hosting.
Step 1: Register Your Domain Name
Your domain name is your brand's online identity. Choose something:
- Short and memorable – Easier for visitors to remember
- Relevant to your niche – Helps with SEO and trust
- Available as a .com – Most recognized extension
Where to register:
- Namecheap – $10–12/year
- Google Domains – $12/year
- GoDaddy – $12–15/year (watch for renewal price increases)
Cost: $10–15
Step 2: Choose Budget-Friendly Hosting
Web hosting is where your website files live. For affiliate marketing websites, you need reliable hosting with decent speed: but you don't need enterprise-level solutions.
Recommended budget hosts:
| Provider | Starting Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | $2/month | One-click WordPress, free SSL |
| Bluehost | $2.95/month | WordPress recommended, free domain first year |
| SiteGround | $3.99/month | Superior support, faster speeds |
All three offer one-click WordPress installation, which eliminates technical headaches.
Cost: $24–50/year
Step 3: Install WordPress
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites. It's free, flexible, and perfect for affiliate marketing.
Installation process:
- Log into your hosting control panel
- Locate the WordPress installer (usually labeled "WordPress" or "Softaculous")
- Click "Install"
- Enter your site name and admin credentials
- Complete installation
Total time: 5–10 minutes.
Cost: $0
Step 4: Select a WordPress Theme
Your theme controls your website's appearance. For affiliate marketing, prioritize:
- Fast loading speeds – Improves SEO rankings
- Mobile responsiveness – Over 60% of traffic comes from mobile
- Clean design – Keeps focus on your content and affiliate links
Free theme recommendations:
- Astra – Lightweight and customizable
- GeneratePress – Speed-optimized
- Kadence – Modern design options
Premium themes ($40–100) offer more customization but aren't necessary when starting out.
Cost: $0–50
Step 5: Create Essential Pages
Every affiliate marketing website needs these core pages:
Required pages:
- Homepage – Overview of your site and what visitors can expect
- About page – Builds trust and credibility
- Privacy Policy – Legal requirement for affiliate sites
- Disclosure page – FTC requires disclosure of affiliate relationships
- Contact page – Allows visitors and potential partners to reach you
Content pages to create:
- Product reviews
- Comparison posts (Product A vs. Product B)
- "Best of" listicles
- How-to guides related to your niche
These content pages are where your affiliate links live and where organic traffic lands.
Step 6: Join Affiliate Programs
With your website ready, join affiliate programs relevant to your niche.
Popular affiliate networks:
- Amazon Associates – Millions of products, lower commissions (1–10%)
- ShareASale – Thousands of merchants across categories
- CJ Affiliate – Major brands and higher payouts
- ClickBank – Digital products with commissions up to 75%
Direct affiliate programs:
- Many companies run their own programs with higher commissions
- Check the footer of websites you want to promote for "Affiliates" links
Cost: $0 – Affiliate programs are free to join.
How to Learn Affiliate Marketing Without Breaking the Budget
Here's where most beginners overspend: courses and training.
Premium affiliate marketing courses often cost $500–2,000+. That's your entire first-year budget gone before you even start.
The smarter approach: Invest in affordable learning resources that cover the fundamentals without the premium price tag.
Ezy Learning offers digital products: eBooks, video courses, and templates: starting at just $6.97. These resources cover:
- Affiliate marketing fundamentals
- SEO strategies for organic traffic
- Email marketing for affiliate promotions
- Social media marketing techniques
Browse the Marketing and Promotion courses to find targeted training on:
Cost: $6.97–20 for comprehensive training that would cost hundreds elsewhere.
Sample $100 Budget Allocation
Here's how to allocate your $100 for maximum impact:
| Expense | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Domain (1 year) | $12 |
| Hosting (1 year) | $35 |
| Premium Theme | $0 (use free) |
| Affiliate Marketing Course | $6.97 |
| SEO Training | $6.97 |
| Email Marketing Guide | $6.97 |
| Content Templates | $6.97 |
| Remaining Buffer | $25.12 |
This leaves you with funds for future investments: additional courses, a premium theme upgrade, or paid tools as your site grows.
Timeline: From Zero to Live Website
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Register domain, purchase hosting, install WordPress |
| Day 2 | Install theme, customize design, create essential pages |
| Day 3–4 | Study affiliate marketing fundamentals (use Ezy Learning resources) |
| Day 5–7 | Write first 3–5 content pieces with affiliate links |
| Week 2+ | Consistent content creation, SEO optimization, traffic building |
Your affiliate marketing website can be live and functional within one week.
Key Takeaways
Setting up an affiliate marketing website for under $100 requires:
- Domain name – $10–15/year
- Budget hosting – $24–50/year
- WordPress + free theme – $0
- Affordable training – $6.97+ from Ezy Learning
- Time and consistency – The real investment
The barrier to entry has never been lower. The tools are affordable. The training is accessible.
The only question: Are you ready to start?
Ready to learn affiliate marketing the right way? Browse Ezy Learning's marketing courses for budget-friendly training that gets results.
