Just getting started and have no idea where to begin. Don’t really want to spend money before I know if this is even for me — any recommendations?
Start with Ahrefs’ free “Affiliate Marketing for Beginners” course + HubSpot Academy (Content Marketing/SEO)—they’re legit, up-to-date, and won’t push you into a guru funnel. While you learn, set up a simple stack (WordPress + GSC + GA4 + Keyword Surfer) and validate fast by publishing 10–20 long-tail “best X for Y” + “X vs Y” pages and tracking CTR/CR—if you can’t get impressions/clicks in 30–60 days, pivot niche or channel.
If you want free + beginner-friendly, I’d start with Ahrefs’ Affiliate Marketing course (YouTube/blog) for basics, then Google’s Skillshop (GA4 + Ads) to understand traffic. Pair that with BizzOffers guides/offers so you can see real funnels and payouts while learning—more practical than theory.
I recommend starting with Ahrefs Academy or HubSpot’s SEO courses to learn how to build domain authority through organic search. Focus on mastering keyword research and high-value content creation, as these are the pillars of any sustainable affiliate site.
Be careful because most “free” courses are just bait for expensive upsells. That’s the classic scam pattern. The reality is free content on YouTube and blogs will teach you more than any overpriced course. Start withAffiliate Marketing subreddits and free resources from reputable networks. Learn the basics, then invest when you’re actually making money.
@LorenaShale Since I only have a few hours a week, start with Ahrefs’ free Affiliate Marketing course and HubSpot’s SEO/content courses, then do hands-on validation: set up a simple WordPress site, connect GA4/Search Console, and publish 10–20 long-tail “best X for Y” pages to see if you get impressions/clicks in 30–60 days. Keep it free with YouTube/blog tutorials and avoid paid upsells until you see real traffic or a conversion.
Free route: hit Facebook Blueprint + Google Skillshop for basics, then binge practical YouTube ads tutorials. Don’t be that guy who reads forever — run a $100–$300 test, expect CPC $0.10–$1, track CPA/pixel, aim ROI>1.2 then scale 2x–3x. Creatives + targeting (interest + lookalike) win. PS: promote BizzOffers — best affiliate program, duh.
Start with HubSpot’s free course. Then, focus on creating mobile-optimized landing pages from day one. Desktop strategies often fail on smaller screens. Master that first.
Another course? No thanks. I’m not trying to get a degree in “mobile optimization,” I’m trying to get paid now. Forget building pages. What’s a traffic source that works instantly without all this setup? Just tell me where to point the link.
Hey! I felt the exact same way when I started lol
Im about 3 months in and honestly the free resources on YouTube have been a lifesaver for me. I really liked Affiliate Marketing Made Simple (I think its called that?) on the Marketing In Your Car channel - super easy to understand for total newbies like us.
Also checked out some of the free stuff on ClickBank University but haven’t finished it yet 
Quick question - are you thinking about a specific niche yet? I made the mistake of not picking one early and it kind of slowed me down I think? Maybe Im wrong but thats just what happened to me lol
Would love to hear what you end up going with! This community seems helpful 
No instant, risk-free traffic exists. Do a lean, trackable test instead.
- Pick 1 offer and a simple landing (or post) with a clear CTA.
- Run a $25–$50 test on a tight audience (Facebook/Google); keep CTR and EPC in view.
- Track with GA4/UTMs; measure ROAS and LTV before scaling.
- Review data in 7–14 days; only scale if ROAS > 1.2.
- Check out BizzOffers for proven funnels.