Want to make money online but have no budget to start? I have some good news for you. You can start affiliate marketing! I know you know what it is, but I want to know how it works. In this blog, I am gonna share everything I know about Amazon Affiliate. You can begin right away with affiliate marketing, especially with the trusted Amazon Affiliate Program. This guide will walk you through how to start affiliate marketing with no money, step-by-step, using the Amazon platform.
What Is the Amazon Affiliate Program?
The Amazon Affiliate Program, officially called Amazon Associates, is an easy way to earn money by promoting products available on Amazon. When someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. The best part? It’s free and doesn’t require you to own the product.
So basically, you are selling someone else’s product and getting a commission on it. You know, when you start a small business and go to that friend who has a strong network, everyone knows him. You ask him to put a story about your business so that everyone knows you have started something sweet. One story and boom, a lot of impressions and followers on your IG page!
Whether you’re a blogger, YouTuber, or social media influencer, you can join the Amazon Affiliate (also known as Associates) network and earn passive income. Amazon handles everything: product listing, shipping, returns, while you simply focus on bringing in traffic. But, is it really that simple? We’ll see that later, but first, let’s understand why Amazon Associates is the first preference for most beginners.
Why the Amazon Affiliate Program Is Perfect for Beginners
If you’re wondering how to start affiliate marketing with no money, Amazon is your best bet.
Here’s why:
No investment required: Sign-up is free. No need to buy inventory or run paid ads.
Trusted brand: People already trust Amazon, so your links convert better.
Millions of products: You can find items to promote in every niche, from books and electronics to kitchen tools and fashion.
Global reach: Amazon operates worldwide, which expands your audience.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Affiliate Marketing with No Money
Step 1: Join the Amazon Affiliate Program
Go to affiliate-program.amazon.in and click “Sign Up.” If you’re from India, this is your starting point.
Fill in your name, address, website, or social media link, and explain how you plan to promote products. Amazon gives you 180 days to make your first sale, so don’t worry if you’re just starting out.
Once approved, you’ll get access to a dashboard and your unique Amazon affiliate ID to track your performance.
Tip: Even if you don’t have a blog yet, you can use YouTube, Instagram, or free platforms like Medium or Pinterest.
Step 2: Pick a Niche You Know or Love
Before jumping into promotions, decide what kind of products you’ll talk about. Your niche should be something you’re familiar with or passionate about.
Examples:
- Tech gadgets
- Home décor
- Fitness and wellness
- Beauty and skincare
- Parenting and baby products
Picking a focused niche makes your content more relatable and improves trust. That’s the foundation of affiliate marketing with no money: building trust through valuable content.
Step 3: Create a Free Platform to Share Content
Here are 100% free ways to get started:
Start a free blog: Use platforms like Blogger or WordPress.com to publish reviews and buying guides. We at Go To Clan can help you build a single-page customized website if you want to stand out from other Amazon affiliate marketers.
Use social media: Post on Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook groups, or Pinterest. Product photos, carousels, and reels work well. We can help you with that as well. A systematic calendar, aesthetically pleasing posts, and taking care of the technicalities of social media platforms.
Launch a YouTube channel: Unbox, compare, or demo products.
Use Medium or LinkedIn Articles: These platforms rank well on Google and are free to publish on.
You don’t need money, just creativity and consistency. That’s the power of starting affiliate marketing with no money.
Step 4: Write or Record Useful Content
This is where you shine.
You can write:
“Top 5 Fitness Bands Under ₹3000”
“Best Budget Laptops for Students in 2025”
“Amazon Finds for a Small Kitchen”
Or record:
Unboxing videos
Tutorials
Product comparisons
Always include your Amazon affiliate links. Make sure your content is original and helpful. People should trust your opinion.
Step 5: Use Your Amazon Affiliate Links the Right Way
When you log into your Amazon Affiliate dashboard, you’ll find a tool called SiteStripe. This lets you generate direct product links to any item on Amazon.
Add these links:
Inside your blog posts
In YouTube descriptions
On Instagram stories (if you have 10K+ followers or use Linktree)
In Pinterest pins or Medium articles
Important: Disclose that your post contains affiliate links. Write something like: “This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”
That’s not just best practice, it’s required by Amazon and most global laws.
How to Start Affiliate Marketing with No Money and Still Succeed
Here’s how to grow organically:
| Strategy | Description |
| SEO | Learn basic search engine optimization to rank your blog or YouTube content. |
| Socials | Post your links in relevant Facebook groups, forums, or Quora answers. |
| Tools | Use Canva for graphics, Ubersuggest for keywords, and Google Trends for content ideas. |
| Content Repetition | Convert blog posts into Instagram carousels, or videos into blog scripts. |
| Audience Engagement | Answer questions in your niche; be helpful, not salesy. |
Remember, affiliate marketing with no money is slow but steady. Consistency beats quick hacks.
Understanding Amazon Associates Commissions
Not all products earn the same. Here’s a snapshot:
| Category | Commission Rate |
| Beauty & Personal Care | Up to 10% |
| Home & Kitchen | 9% |
| Electronics | 2-4% |
| Amazon Devices | 0-2% |
(Source: Amazon Affiliate Program Fee Schedule)
Focus on promoting high-converting products or bundles that offer value to your audience. Don’t chase just high-ticket items; look for what your readers need.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Amazon Affiliate Marketing
When you’re starting affiliate marketing with no money, you want every effort to count. But many beginners unknowingly make mistakes that either reduce earnings or, worse, get them banned from the Amazon Affiliate Program. Here’s what to avoid:
Posting Random Product Links Without Context
Don’t just throw affiliate links in your posts or bios without explaining why someone should click them. People don’t like feeling “sold to.” Instead:
Add value: “Here’s why this ₹299 tote bag is perfect for college students.”
Create a reason to click: “I tested 3 budget skincare products: only 1 passed the vibe check 👇”
Amazon wants genuine recommendations, not spammy link drops.
Not Building a Focused Audience
A niche matters. If one day you post tech gadgets, the next day it’s kitchen tools and then skincare, your audience won’t know what to expect.
Solution: Pick 1–2 related niches (e.g., college fashion + budget lifestyle)
This builds trust, and people come back for more.
Amazon also checks if your page looks professional and consistent during review.
Copy-Pasting from Other Blogs or Pages
Never lift content from other creators. Amazon and search engines can flag duplicate content, and your affiliate credibility goes down.
Always create:
Your own product summaries
Honest mini-reviews or “first impressions”
Creative reels or infographics (even if they’re faceless!)
Affiliate marketing is about building your voice, not cloning someone else’s.
Violating Amazon’s Guidelines
Amazon is strict. These are common violations that get newbies banned:
Using link shorteners like Bit.ly (Amazon wants links untouched)
Hiding affiliate links in buttons or pop-ups without transparency
Emailing affiliate links directly (not allowed!)
Running paid ads with affiliate links (unless allowed)
Always read the latest Amazon Associates Policies to stay safe.
Not Disclosing Affiliate Relationships
It’s legally required to disclose that you may earn commissions.
Examples:
“This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Being honest builds trust. Hiding this = losing followers + risking a ban.
What Happens If You Break the Rules?
If Amazon bans your account:
You lose pending earnings
You can’t just make a new account with the same details
Appeals are tough and usually denied
So play it clean. Be real. Add value. And grow slowly, but steadily.
How Amazon Business Affiliate Differs
If you’re targeting corporate buyers, you can also explore the Amazon Business Affiliate Program. It lets you earn commissions on high-volume B2B purchases like office supplies, electronics, and bulk deals.
Final Thoughts: Is Affiliate Marketing with No Money Really Possible?
Yes! You can absolutely learn how to start affiliate marketing with no money by:
Joining the Amazon Affiliate Program
Creating content using free platforms
Sharing your unique voice and product knowledge
It takes time, but with consistency, you can build a sustainable income stream. Every creator starts somewhere. Why not start today?