7 Best Affiliate Marketing Courses for Beginners
Affiliate marketing has become an increasingly popular way to earn income online. The basic premise is simple – you promote other companies’ products or services and earn a commission for each sale you generate via your unique affiliate link. While it sounds straightforward, building a successful affiliate marketing business requires knowledge of strategies, tactics, and best practices.
With so many affiliate marketing courses available online, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are truly worth the investment.
To help you cut through the noise, we’ve curated a list of the 7 best affiliate marketing courses. These top-rated courses cover everything from beginner basics to advanced strategies used by six-figure affiliate marketers.
1. Affiliate Marketing Masterclass by Jack Davis
The Affiliate Marketing Masterclass by Jack Davis is a comprehensive online course designed to teach individuals how to start and grow a successful affiliate marketing business. Created by Jack Davis, an experienced internet entrepreneur with over a decade of experience, the course covers a wide range of topics, including SEO tactics, niche selection, and effective affiliate marketing strategies. The masterclass is structured into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of affiliate marketing, from building a website to advanced SEO techniques and email marketing.
Pros
- Experienced Instructor: Jack Davis brings over ten years of experience in affiliate marketing, providing valuable insights and proven strategies.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The course covers both basic and advanced topics, making it suitable for beginners as well as experienced marketers looking to enhance their skills.
- Focus on SEO: Special emphasis on SEO tactics helps participants optimize their affiliate marketing efforts for better search engine visibility.
- Free Access: The masterclass is offered for free, providing high-quality training without any cost.
Cons
- Heavy Focus on SEO: The course seems to focus heavily on SEO, which might not cater to those looking for a broader range of marketing strategies.
- Potential Overwhelm for Beginners: The breadth of topics covered might overwhelm those completely new to affiliate marketing.
Price
The Affiliate Marketing Masterclass by Jack Davis is completely free. However, for those seeking more personalized guidance, there is an option to join Jack Davis’s 1-on-1 coaching program, which ranges from $500 to $2,500.
2. Wealthy Affiliate
Wealthy Affiliate, founded in 2005 by Kyle Loudoun and Carson Lim, is an all-in-one affiliate marketing training platform. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and resources designed to help both beginners and experienced marketers build and grow their online businesses. The platform includes structured courses, live classes, website-building software, keyword research tools, and a supportive community. Wealthy Affiliate’s training is divided into two core programs: the Online Entrepreneur Certification (OEC) and the Affiliate Bootcamp, which focus on different aspects of affiliate marketing.
Pros
- Comprehensive Training: Wealthy Affiliate provides extensive training materials, including over 700 hours of video lessons and live webinars, covering a wide range of topics from niche selection to SEO optimization.
- Supportive Community: The platform boasts a large, active community where members can interact, ask questions, and receive support from both peers and experts.
- All-in-One Platform: Wealthy Affiliate offers everything needed to start and grow an affiliate marketing business, including web hosting, keyword research tools, and a website builder.
- Free Starter Membership: New users can join for free and access basic training and community features, allowing them to evaluate the platform before committing to a paid plan.
Cons
- Outdated Content: Some of the training materials are outdated, which can be problematic given the fast-evolving nature of affiliate marketing and SEO.
- Focus on Promoting Wealthy Affiliate: The platform places a significant emphasis on promoting Wealthy Affiliate itself, which may limit the diversity of marketing strategies explored by members.
- Mixed Quality of Training: While much of the training is high-quality, some modules lack depth and may require supplementation with external resources.
- Subscription Cost: The premium membership can be expensive, especially for those on a tight budget, and the free plan offers limited access to features.
Price
- Starter Membership: Free, with limited access to training and community features.
- Premium Membership: $49 per month or $495 per year, offering full access to all training, tools, and support.
- Premium Plus+ Membership: $99 per month or $995 per year, providing additional features such as hosting for up to 50 websites and access to 250+ expert classes annually.
3. The Affiliate Lab
The Affiliate Lab, created by Matt Diggity in 2017, is a comprehensive online course focused on affiliate marketing and SEO strategies. The course is designed to help individuals build, rank, and monetize affiliate niche sites. It includes over 210 video lessons, covering topics such as niche selection, on-site and off-site SEO, technical audits, and conversion rate optimization. The Affiliate Lab also offers several bonus modules and access to a private Facebook group for community support.
Pros
- In-Depth Training: The course provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on various aspects of affiliate marketing and SEO, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced marketers.
- Proven Strategies: Matt Diggity’s methods are based on extensive testing and real-world experience, ensuring that the strategies taught are effective and up-to-date.
- Supportive Community: Students gain access to a private Facebook group with over 3,800 members, including both new and experienced affiliates, as well as direct interaction with Matt Diggity and his team.
- No Upsells: The course offers a comprehensive learning experience without additional costs, making it a cost-effective investment.
Cons
- No Refund Policy: The Affiliate Lab has a strict no-refund policy, which may be a concern for some potential buyers.
- Overwhelming Amount of Information: The course covers a vast array of topics, which can be overwhelming for some students and may require careful time management to navigate effectively.
- Average Production Value: While the content is highly valuable, the production quality of the videos is considered average compared to some competitors.
Price
- One-Time Payment: $997 for lifetime access to the course and all future updates.
- Two Installments: $597 each, totaling $1,194.
- Discount: A $200 discount is often available, reducing the price to $797
4. Blog Growth Engine
Blog Growth Engine, created by Adam Enfroy, is a comprehensive online course designed to teach individuals how to build and monetize a blog effectively. Launched in 2021, the course emphasizes treating a blog as a business rather than a hobby. It covers a wide range of topics, including niche selection, keyword research, content creation, SEO, and monetization strategies. The course is structured into 11 modules, each focusing on different aspects of blogging and affiliate marketing. Enfroy’s approach is practical and step-by-step, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced bloggers.
Pros
- Comprehensive Content: The course covers all essential aspects of blogging, from niche selection to advanced SEO techniques and monetization strategies.
- Practical and Step-by-Step: The lessons are designed to be actionable, with clear instructions and templates to help students implement what they learn.
- Community Support: Students gain access to a private Facebook group and a Slack community for networking, support, and link exchanges.
- 1-on-1 Coaching: The course offers unlimited 1-on-1 coaching calls with experienced coaches, which is a unique feature compared to other courses.
- Regular Updates: The course content is regularly updated to reflect the latest trends and changes in digital marketing and SEO.
Cons
- Expensive: The course is priced at $3,900, which may be prohibitive for some potential students.
- Mixed Reviews: While many reviews are positive, some critics question the transparency of Enfroy’s earnings claims and the overall cost of running a successful blog.
- Affiliate Bias: Many positive reviews come from affiliates, which may affect the perceived objectivity of the feedback.
Price
- $3,900 for lifetime access, including all updates and community support.
- 14-day money-back guarantee is available for those who are not satisfied with the course.
5. Income School’s Project 24
Income School’s Project 24, created by Ricky Kesler and Jim Harmer, is an online course designed to help individuals build a successful online business through blogging and YouTube. Launched in 2018, the course aims to help students achieve a full-time income within 24 months. Project 24 includes 27 courses covering various topics such as SEO, content creation, monetization, and marketing. The course is known for its practical, step-by-step approach and supportive community.
Pros
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The course offers a wide range of topics, including blogging, YouTube, SEO, and monetization strategies.
- Supportive Community: Project 24 has a private forum-style community where members can engage, ask questions, and share experiences.
- Regular Updates: The course content is regularly updated to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
- No Upsells: The course does not include upsells, providing all necessary information and tools within the initial purchase.
- Proven Track Record: The creators have a good reputation in online marketing, and many students have reported success stories.
Cons
- Subscription Model: The course requires an annual subscription, which may be a drawback for some students.
- No Refund Policy: Project 24 does not offer refunds, which may be a concern for potential buyers.
- Limited Advanced Techniques: Some critics argue that the course lacks advanced SEO and link-building techniques, which are crucial for higher-level success.
Price
- $449 for the first year and $249 for each subsequent year.
- No refunds are available, so potential students should be certain before purchasing.
6. Niche Site Profits
Niche Site Profits (NSP) is an online course developed by Jon Dykstra under the Fat Stacks brand. The course is designed to teach individuals how to create and profit from niche websites. It covers a range of topics including niche selection, keyword research, SEO, website setup, content creation, and monetization through display ads and affiliate marketing. The primary focus of NSP is on generating income through display advertising, although it also includes methods for affiliate marketing and passive income techniques.
Pros
- Comprehensive Training: NSP offers detailed instruction on various aspects of building and monetizing niche websites, making it suitable for beginners and experienced users alike.
- Proven Methods: Jon Dykstra shares his own successful strategies, which have helped him generate significant income from his niche sites.
- Community Access: The course includes access to a private community where students can interact, share experiences, and get support.
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: NSP offers a 30-day refund policy, allowing users to try the course risk-free.
- Focus on Display Ads: The course excels in teaching how to optimize ad placements and increase site traffic to boost ad revenue.
Cons
- Limited Content Creation Guidance: Some reviews mention that the course lacks in-depth instruction on content creation, which is crucial for driving traffic.
- Disjointed Training: The training can sometimes feel disjointed and hard to navigate, which might be challenging for some users.
- Additional Costs: While the course itself is reasonably priced, there are additional recommended tools (e.g., Ahrefs, premium themes) that can add to the overall cost.
Price
The Niche Site Profits course is priced at $497 for the first year, with a renewal rate of $47 per year for continued access. This fee includes all course materials and access to the Fat Stacks community.
7. Solo Build It
Solo Build It! (SBI!), created by Ken Evoy, is a comprehensive platform designed to help individuals build and grow profitable online businesses. It combines educational resources, integrated tools, and a supportive community to guide users through every stage of building a successful web presence. SBI! is particularly tailored for solo entrepreneurs and offers two versions: the original SBI! package and SBI! for WordPress (SBI! for WP), which allows users to build their sites using WordPress.
Pros
- All-in-One Solution: SBI! provides a complete package that includes everything needed to build and monetize a website, from niche selection to site monetization.
- Supportive Community: The platform offers access to a helpful and exclusive community, which can be invaluable for beginners.
- Regular Updates: The training content is consistently refreshed to keep up with the latest trends and best practices in online business.
- 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee: SBI! offers a generous 90-day refund policy, allowing users to try the platform risk-free.
Cons
- Geared Towards Beginners: While this makes it accessible, more experienced users might find the training too basic and the platform somewhat restrictive.
- Outdated Interface: Some users have reported that the interface feels outdated and can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited Flexibility: The platform may not be suitable for those who prefer more control over their website’s technical aspects or for very large websites.
Price
Solo Build It! is priced at $299 per year or $29.99 per month. This includes access to all the tools, training, and community support provided by the platform.