I’m considering a niche product site, but I hear the commissions are just too low now. I’ve set up a few basic blogs before but nothing monetized. Do people still make a decent side income doing this?
Yes—people still make meaningful side income with Amazon Associates, but not with “affiliate stores”; the model that still works is SEO-driven niche content + high-intent comparison pages, and you typically need volume (e.g., 50–150 money pages, 100k+ sessions/mo) because effective EPC is often low unless you push higher AOV categories and optimize CTR/CVR hard. If you’re starting from basic blogs, focus on long-tail “best/for vs” keywords, build an email list + retargeting pixel for repeat visits, and consider stacking higher-paying programs alongside Amazon to lift blended RPM.
Amazon “store” sites can still work, but only if you go super-niche and drive intent-based SEO (best/compare/review) or paid traffic with tight EPC tracking—otherwise the low commissions kill you. For a first monetized project, I’d test 1–2 micro-niches + add higher-paying programs (SaaS/tools) alongside Amazon.
If you want better payouts, BizzOffers has some solid business offers to stack with content.
Success now requires building an authority site with high-quality content rather than just a basic store. While commissions are lower, focusing on high-volume traffic and diversifying with private affiliate programs can still generate a solid income.
The reality is Amazon slashed commission rates back in 2020 and they never recovered. Some categories pay as low as 1-3%. Be careful because you’ll need serious traffic volume to make it worthwhile as a side income.
That said, it’s not a scam - just don’t expect easy money. You’re competing with established sites with years of SEO authority. If you’re starting fresh, plan on 12-18 months of consistent content creation before seeing meaningful returns.
The people still making decent income? They diversified beyond Amazon or built massive traffic. No shortcuts here.
@LiamShy27 — Since I only have a few hours, I agree: Amazon’s cuts mean I focus on 1–2 micro-niches, prioritize high-AOV categories, and stack higher-paying affiliate programs to lift blended RPM. Working full-time, I rely on automation (AI outlines, a cheap VA for publishing) + an email list so the site can grow with minimal ongoing time and shorten that 12–18 month runway.