# Building a High-Converting Affiliate Website

## Introduction

You will learn how to set up hosting, pick a theme, apply settings and create the 4 core pages you need to launch your website.

## The Tech Stack

### **Domain Name Registration**

* [Bluehost](https://www.bluehost.com/) (tuned for WordPress; offers WordPress-centric dashboards and tools along with 1-click installation, a FREE domain name, email, FTP, and more)
* [Namecheap](https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1470528\&u=3097596\&m=46483\&urllink=\&afftrack=) - this is what I use

### **Web Hosting**

* [Bluehost](https://www.bluehost.com/) (not the best, but great if you are on a shoestring budget)
* [Namecheap](https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1470528\&u=3097596\&m=46483\&urllink=\&afftrack=) - this is what I use

### **Wordpress Theme**

* [Kadence](https://www.kadencewp.com/) (my theme of choice and one of the best free themes available)
* [Astra](https://wpastra.com/) (reputable theme and one of the most lightweight and easy to use themes available)

### **Wordpress Page Builder**

* [Kadence Blocks](https://www.kadencewp.com/) (if using the Kadence theme)
* [Elementor](https://elementor.com/) (if using the Astra theme)

### **Image Optimisation**

* [ShortPixel](https://shortpixel.com/) (not entirely free - just pay a one time fee of $9.99 for 10,000 images)

### **SEO Tools**

* [RankMath](https://rankmath.com/) (my SEO tool of choice; it improves metadata, title tags, permalinks, etc.)
* [YoastSEO](https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo/) (same features as RankMath)

### **Security**

* Wordfence (necessity for your site - just use free version to start with)

### **Caching**

* [WP Rocket](https://wp-rocket.me/) (around $5 per month; my caching tool of choice as it’s the gold standard)
* [LightSpeed Cache](https://wordpress.org/plugins/litespeed-cache/) (free, but you have to play with the settings quite a bit)

### **Post Uploading**

* [Mammoth Docx Converter](https://wordpress.org/plugins/mammoth-docx-converter/) (free tool which allows you to upload your posts to the Wordpress Editor)

### **Affiliate Management**

* [Thirsty Affiliates](https://thirstyaffiliates.com/) (free version is awesome for cloaking your affiliate links)
* [Bitly](https://bitly.com/)

## Website Design Basics

### Web Design for Conversions

The goal of your website is to be a hub for your business. A blog that ranks on Google, generates organic traffic, and rives affiliate sales.

### Design for the User Experience (UX)

When you create a website, you should prioritize making it easy and enjoyable for human visitors to use and navigate, rather than focusing solely on optimizing it for search engines or other computer algorithms.

In other words, while it's important to include relevant keywords and other SEO tactics to help your website rank well in search results, your ultimate goal should be to create a site that provides value to your human audience.&#x20;

This means using clear, concise language, organizing content in a logical way, and providing helpful resources and information that address their needs and interests.

### Fonts 101

* use one font for headings and one font for paragraph text
* use standards fonts like Aria, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Aviner or Roboto
* use proper font heirarchies, so H2's should be bigger than your H3's, and your H3's should be bigger than your H4's

### Colours 101

* use complimentary colours - colors that match are opposites in the colour wheel spectrum
  * use this tool to help find great colour combinations :point\_right: [canva.com/colors/color-wheel](https://www.canva.com/colors/color-wheel/)
* use colours that have proven to work - this is a business so don't try and reinvent the wheel with a bunch of flashy colours
* you can always change your colours later

### Miscellaneous Items

* create a favicon using [favicon.io](https://favicon.io/) with the initials of your domain
* create a logo using [looka.com](https://looka.com/)

### Remember the Goal

* launching a startup is about being scrappy and not about being a perfectionist
* it takes content and links in order to get organic traffic to your blog

## Core Four Pages

If you're starting a blog or looking to improve your existing one, it's important to understand the four core pages that make up the backbone of any successful blog. These pages include the homepage, the about page, the blog archive, and the blog template. Each of these pages serves a unique purpose in building your online presence and connecting with your audience.

### Home

Your homepage is the gateway to your online presence and the first impression that visitors will have of you and your brand. It is a powerful tool for showcasing who you are, what you do, and the value you can offer to potential clients or customers.

While it's important to make a good impression, it's equally important to remember that perfection is not the goal. In fact, striving for perfection can sometimes be counterproductive and can prevent you from making progress. Instead, focus on making your homepage clear, concise, and engaging.

Don't be your own roadblock by getting bogged down in small details or worrying too much about what others might think. Remember that your homepage is about showcasing your strengths and the unique qualities that make you stand out from the crowd.

Once you have created a strong homepage, it will serve as a powerful tool for your outreach efforts. Whether you're reaching out to potential clients or customers, or simply looking to build your online presence, your homepage will help you to make a strong first impression and establish credibility. So, take the time to create a homepage that truly represents who you are and what you have to offer, and watch as it helps you to achieve your goals.

### About

An About page is an essential component of your website or blog, but it's often overlooked or treated as an afterthought. However, this page can be a powerful tool for building your personal brand and connecting with your audience.

One common problem with About pages is that they can be dry and uninteresting. This is a missed opportunity to engage with your readers and share a genuine story about yourself. Instead of simply listing your achievements and credentials, try to be relatable and authentic. Share personal anecdotes, insights, and experiences that illustrate who you are as a person and what motivates you.

It's important to remember that your About page doesn't need to be perfect. Don't get caught up in trying to make yourself sound more interesting than you really are. Instead, focus on being deliberate and intentional with your words. Think about what message you want to convey and how you can best express that in your writing.

Chunking your About page chronologically can be a helpful way to structure your story. Start with a time period that is relevant to your blog or website and move forward in time to the present day. This can help you to organize your thoughts and create a cohesive narrative that is easy for readers to follow.

Sharing your personal story on your About page can also be helpful for networking and building relationships with other content creators. When editors, content managers, or bloggers read your About page, they will be able to get a better sense of who you are and what you stand for. This can help to establish trust and rapport, making it more likely that they will want to work with you in the future.

### Blog Archive

One simple way to get started with your website is to focus on the basics and not worry about creating overly designed pages or fancy posts. Instead, start with a blog archive page, which is a staple of WordPress websites. This page displays your blog posts in chronological order and makes it easy for readers to browse through your content.

Two great themes to consider for your blog archive page are Kadence and Astra. These themes are designed to be user-friendly and easy to customize, even if you don't have a lot of technical expertise. With these themes, you can quickly create a professional-looking blog archive page that showcases your content and makes it easy for readers to navigate your site.

Of course, once you have your blog archive page set up, you can always add more features and design elements as you see fit. However, starting with the basics is a great way to get your website up and running quickly and efficiently. So, don't be afraid to keep things simple and focus on creating a solid foundation for your online presence.

### Blog Post Template

When it comes to blogging, your posts are the heart and soul of your content. Not only do they provide valuable information and insights to your readers, but they also play a crucial role in driving traffic to your site. In fact, up to 90% of your blog's traffic is likely to come from your posts.

To ensure that your posts are effective and engaging, it's important to pay attention to the details. One key factor to consider is the layout and design of your posts. For maximum readability and usability, it's recommended that the text area of your posts should be no wider than 850px. This allows readers to easily scan and digest the content without feeling overwhelmed or lost.

Another important factor is the color scheme of your posts. To ensure maximum clarity and readability, it's best to stick with a simple black text on a white background. This is a classic and timeless combination that is easy on the eyes and allows the content to shine through.

Finally, it's important to model what already works. This means taking inspiration from other successful bloggers and modeling their approach to content creation, design, and promotion. By analyzing what works well in your niche and implementing similar strategies on your own blog, you can increase your chances of success and build a loyal following of engaged readers.

Remember, your blog posts are your most valuable asset when it comes to building your online presence and connecting with your audience. By focusing on the details and following best practices, you can create compelling, engaging content that resonates with your readers and drives traffic to your site.

Examples of websites that follow the above guidelines:

* [nerdfitness.com](https://www.nerdfitness.com/)
* [backlinko.com](https://backlinko.com/)
