How to Monetize Your Business Website with Affiliate Marketing (and Add an Easy Online Income Stream)

You’ve got a business website. Maybe it’s just a simple landing page with your hours and contact info. Maybe you’ve added a few service descriptions or even a blog (gold star if you have!).

But here’s the thing—your website could be doing more than just sitting there, waiting for customers to check your store hours.

It could be making you money.

Enter affiliate marketing—one of the simplest ways to add an online income stream to your brick-and-mortar business. And no, this isn’t just for full-time bloggers, influencers, or people who spend their days churning out content.

✅ You don’t need a huge following.
✅ You don’t need to create your own digital products.
✅ You don’t need to add more work to your already full plate.

What you do need? A smart, intentional strategy to weave highly relevant affiliate links into your existing website—the one you already have, the one your customers are already visiting.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to do that—step by step.

Let’s start with the big question: Can your brick-and-mortar business actually do affiliate marketing? (Spoiler: Yes, and it’s easier than you think.)

Wait… My Business Can Do Affiliate Marketing?

Yes, yes, and YES.

One of the biggest myths about affiliate marketing is that it’s only for bloggers, influencers, and YouTubers. But as a brick-and-mortar business owner, you’re actually in a prime position to earn from affiliate marketing. 

Here’s why:

1. People Already Trust You

Your customers come to you because they trust your expertise. Whether you’re a boutique owner, coffee shop, hair salon, florist, fitness studio, or whatever your business might be, people rely on you for recommendations. Affiliate marketing just lets you monetize that trust—without changing a thing about how you operate.

Think about it: You already tell customers about your favorite products. Why not get paid when they buy them?

2. You’re Already Using Products in Your Business

From the POS system you use daily to the inventory software that keeps your shelves stocked, you’re already investing in tools to run your business. Why not turn those into an extra income stream by recommending them to other business owners?

Same goes for customer-facing products.

Do you:
✔️ Use a specific skincare brand in your spa?
✔️ Sell handmade goods and rely on a go-to packaging supplier?
✔️ Serve coffee and swear by a certain brand of beans or brewing tools?

All of these can be affiliate opportunities.

3. You Don’t Have to Create a New Income Stream from Scratch

Starting a new revenue stream can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re already juggling inventory, payroll, and day-to-day operations. But affiliate marketing doesn’t require you to create a whole new product or service.

Instead, it works with what you’re already doing.

You can:
📌 Add affiliate links to a “Recommended Tools” page on your website.
📌 Write a blog post featuring products you love (and get paid when people buy them).
📌 Mention your favorite business tools in an email to your subscribers.

It’s low effort, low maintenance, and can turn your website into an ongoing revenue generator.

💡 Related: If you don’t have a blog yet because you think blog’s just aren’t meant for your kind of business, check out Why Every Small Brick-and-Mortar Business Needs a Blog (Even If You Think It Won’t Work for You).

Now that you know your business can do affiliate marketing, let’s make sure you’re choosing the right affiliate products. (Hint: Not all affiliate programs are worth your time!)

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Products for Your Business

Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Slapping random Amazon links on your website won’t cut it—your audience can spot a cash grab from a mile away. If you want to actually make money (without looking desperate), you need a strategic approach that enhances your brand and serves your customers.

Here’s how to choose the right products:

1. Pick Products & Services That Align With What You Already Sell

Affiliate marketing works best when the products you recommend naturally fit into your business. Ask yourself:

✔ What do my customers already buy from me?
✔ What problems do they have that I can solve with an affiliate product?
✔ What tools do I already use to run my business?

Examples:

☕ Coffee Shop: Home brewing equipment, coffee subscription services, reusable cups.
👗 Boutique: Styling tools, sustainable fashion brands, business tools for fellow boutique owners.
💪 Fitness Studio: Activewear, supplements, workout gear, fitness apps.
💇 Hair Salon: Professional styling tools, high-quality haircare products, online styling courses.
🌿 Florist: DIY floral arrangement kits, gardening tools, online floral design courses.

If your audience already trusts you as a go-to source for advice, they’re way more likely to buy what you recommend.

2. Recommend Things You Actually Use and Believe In

If you wouldn’t use it yourself, don’t promote it.

Customers can smell a fake recommendation, and your credibility is worth more than a quick commission.

Start with:
✔ Tools and products you already use in your business. Your POS system, inventory software, scheduling tools, or online store platform could all have affiliate programs.
✔ Things you regularly recommend to customers. If people already ask for your opinion on something, why not get paid for sharing it?
✔ Products that match your brand values. If you’re a sustainable business, don’t promote fast fashion. If you run a high-end boutique, don’t push budget knockoffs.

3. Look for Programs with Solid Commissions

Not all affiliate programs pay well. Some (cough Amazon cough) offer tiny commissions—as low as 1-3% per sale—which means you’d need thousands of clicks just to make a decent profit.

Instead, look for:
✅ Higher commission rates (10–50% per sale). Digital products, software, and subscription-based services tend to pay the best.
✅ Recurring commissions. Some programs pay you every month for as long as someone keeps their subscription (think email marketing platforms, scheduling software, or membership sites).
✅ Longer cookie durations. Some affiliate programs track referrals for 30-90 days, while others (like Amazon) only give you credit if someone buys within 24 hours.

Where to Find Affiliate Programs

🔗 Check the brands you already love. Many companies have an “Affiliate” or “Partner” page hidden in their website footer. If you already use a tool or product, see if they offer a referral program.
🔗 Join affiliate networks. Platforms like ShareASale, Impact, CJ Affiliate, and PartnerStack connect businesses with thousands of affiliate programs in every industry.
🔗 Look at your competitors. What affiliate products are other businesses in your niche promoting? A quick scan of their website or blog can give you ideas.

Now that you’ve chosen the right affiliate products, let’s talk about where to place those links on your website—without looking spammy or desperate. 👇

Where to Add Affiliate Links to Your Website (Without Feeling Spammy)

Now that you know what to promote, let’s talk about where to put those links—because let’s be real, no one wants to visit a business website and feel like they just walked into a never-ending sales pitch. The key is strategic placement—adding affiliate links where they feel natural and helpful, rather than pushy or out of place.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. A “Recommended Tools & Resources” Page

This is one of the easiest and least intrusive ways to incorporate affiliate links into your site. It’s also highly valuable because it provides customers with a curated list of helpful resources.

How to Set It Up:

✔ Create a simple page titled “Our Favorite Tools,” “Business Resources,” or “What We Use”
✔ List the products, software, and services you genuinely recommend, with short descriptions and affiliate links
✔ Organize the list by category to make it easy to navigate

Example:

👗 A boutique owner could create a “Business Resources” page listing:

• Wholesale vendors
• Inventory management software
• A business coaching program or marketing course they’ve used

📌 Pro Tip: Add this page to your website menu so visitors can find it easily!

2. Blog Posts (If You Have a Blog—And You Should!)

If you write blog posts related to your business, you have endless opportunities to add affiliate links naturally—and without feeling salesy.

Examples:

💐 A florist writing about “How to Make Fresh Flowers Last Longer” could link to:

• The best floral shears for clean cuts (affiliate link)
• A high-quality flower food brand (affiliate link)
• A recommended vase collection (affiliate link)

💇 A salon owner writing “The Best At-Home Haircare Routine for Color-Treated Hair” could link to:

• A salon-quality shampoo and conditioner (affiliate link)
• The heat protectant spray they swear by (affiliate link)

📌 Pro Tip: Not sure what to write about? Think about the questions customers already ask you! Those are perfect topics to turn into valuable blog posts (with affiliate links woven in).

💡 Related: If you don’t have a blog yet, here’s How to Set Up a Profitable Blog in One Weekend.

3. Your Service & Product Pages

Your existing pages are prime real estate for relevant affiliate links—especially if you offer workshops, classes, or physical products.

How to Do It:

✔ If you offer workshops or classes, recommend related products.
✔ If you sell physical products, link to complementary affiliate products.

Examples:

🎂 A bakery hosting a cake-decorating class could:

• Link to cake decorating kits with piping bags, tips, and food coloring (affiliate link)
• Recommend the baking tools they personally use in their shop (affiliate link)

📚 A bookstore could:

• Link to reading accessories like book lights, bookmarks, or cozy reading blankets (affiliate links)
• Promote audiobook or book subscription services like Audible or Book of the Month (affiliate links)

4. Your Email List (If You Don’t Have One—You Need One!)

Your email subscribers are your warmest audience—they already know, like, and trust you. That’s why email marketing is one of the best ways to drive affiliate income.

How to Do It Without Feeling Salesy:

✔ Mention a product you genuinely love and explain why it’s great
✔ Offer exclusive discounts (if the affiliate program allows it)
✔ Use a “P.S.” at the end of your emails with a simple call-to-action

Example Email Snippet:

📧 “Hey [Name],
I get a lot of questions about [common problem]. So I wanted to share [affiliate product]—it’s what I personally use, and it’s been a game-changer for me.
You can check it out here: [affiliate link]

P.S. They’re offering [discount or bonus] for a limited time if you use this link: [affiliate link]. Just a heads-up if you’ve been thinking about trying it!”

📌 Pro Tip: Your email list is pure gold for affiliate marketing because you’re talking directly to people who already trust your recommendations.

Where NOT to Put Affiliate Links (So You Don’t Kill Your Credibility)

🚫 Don’t randomly sprinkle affiliate links all over your homepage—it looks spammy and desperate.
🚫 Don’t overload a single page with too many affiliate links—Google and your readers will see it as low-value content.
🚫 Don’t promote irrelevant products—if it doesn’t fit your brand, don’t push it.

Now that you know where to add affiliate links, let’s talk about how to make your affiliate content feel authentic—not like a desperate sales pitch. 👇

How to Make Affiliate Content Feel Authentic (Not Salesy)

The fastest way to kill your credibility? Promote random junk just because it pays a commission. Your audience can spot a cash grab a mile away, and once you lose their trust, it’s tough to get it back.

But when done the right way, affiliate marketing doesn’t feel like marketing at all—it feels like you’re simply sharing valuable recommendations, just like you would with a friend.

Here’s how to make your affiliate content feel genuine and natural (instead of pushy and salesy):

✅ Share WHY You Recommend Something

The difference between a sales pitch and a genuine recommendation? Context.

Instead of just slapping a link on your site with, “Here’s a great POS system,” tell the story:
✔ What problem did it solve for you?
✔ Why did you choose it over the alternatives?
✔ How has it made your business easier or more profitable?

Example:

👗 A boutique owner could say:
“When I first opened my store, I wasted so much time managing inventory manually. Then I found [affiliate POS system], and it was a game-changer! It tracks my stock automatically and even integrates with my online shop, so I never run out of bestsellers again. Highly recommend if you’re struggling with inventory headaches!”

📌 Pro Tip: People don’t just want a product—they want a solution to their problem. Show them how your affiliate product provides that solution.

✅ Weave It Into Natural Conversations

Affiliate links should enhance your content—not hijack it. If you’re forcing links where they don’t belong, it will feel awkward and spammy.

How to Do It Right:

✔ In blog posts – Mention affiliate products only when relevant to the topic you’re discussing.
✔ In email newsletters – Share personal experiences instead of just saying, “Buy this!”
✔ On your resource page – Keep it simple: “Here are the tools I personally use and recommend.”

Example:

💐 A florist writing a blog post on “The Best Flowers for DIY Wedding Bouquets” could naturally mention:
“For bouquets that hold up all day, I always recommend [affiliate flower food]—it keeps petals fresh and prevents wilting. I use it in my shop, and it’s saved so many last-minute wedding disasters!”

📌 Pro Tip: Think about how you’d recommend a product in real life. If you wouldn’t say it that way to a customer in your store, don’t say it that way online.

✅ Be Transparent (Because Trust = More Sales)

Always disclose that you use affiliate links—not just because it’s legally required, but because it builds trust.

How to Do It Naturally:

✔ Add a short disclaimer at the top of blog posts:
“This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love!”
✔ Mention it casually in your content:
“Full disclosure—I use this tool in my business, and I’m an affiliate for them. But honestly, I’d recommend it even if I wasn’t!”
✔ Include a disclaimer on your Resources page:
“Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you choose to buy. I only recommend what I truly believe in.”

📌 Pro Tip: People appreciate honesty. If you’re upfront about being an affiliate, they’ll feel more comfortable clicking your links because they know you’re not just in it for the money.

Bottom Line:

Affiliate marketing works best when it’s authentic, helpful, and woven seamlessly into your content.
🚫 No random product dumps.
🚫 No pushy, over-the-top sales tactics.
🚫 No “BUY THIS NOW!” desperation.

Just real recommendations that make sense for your business and provide value to your audience.

Now, let’s talk about how to get started. 👇

How to Get Started Today (Without Overthinking It)

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be. Getting started with affiliate marketing is way easier than you think—no need for a massive website overhaul or a complicated strategy. Just a few small tweaks can start generating extra income from your existing website.

Here’s exactly what to do right now to set up your first affiliate income stream:

✔ Step 1: List 3–5 Products or Services You Already Use & Love

Think about the tools, software, or supplies you already use in your business. If you’d recommend it to a fellow business owner or customer, it’s a great candidate for affiliate marketing.

Need ideas?
📍 A coffee shop? → Your espresso machine, online ordering system, or favorite coffee bean supplier.
📍 A salon? → Your go-to hair styling tools, shampoos, or appointment booking software.
📍 A boutique? → The wholesale vendors, POS system, or social media scheduling tool you swear by.
📍 A fitness studio? → The activewear brand you love or the workout gear your clients always ask about.

💡 Pro Tip: If you have a product or service you already recommend all the time, that’s affiliate marketing waiting to happen—you just aren’t getting paid for it yet.

✔ Step 2: Sign Up for Their Affiliate Programs

Once you’ve got your list, head to each brand’s website and look for an “Affiliate” or “Partner” page (usually in the footer).

✅ If they have an affiliate program: Apply! Some approve instantly, while others take a few days.
✅ If they don’t have an affiliate program: Reach out and ask! Some small brands offer referral commissions on a case-by-case basis.

🔗 Bonus: If you need more options, check out affiliate networks like ShareASale, Impact, or CJ Affiliate, which connect you with thousands of brands in one place.

✔ Step 3: Create a Simple “Recommended Resources” Page

Now, put those affiliate links somewhere easy to find—a “Recommended Resources” or “Tools We Love” page on your website is perfect.

✔ Keep it clean and simple—just a short blurb about why you recommend each product, plus your affiliate link.
✔ Link to this page from your website menu so visitors can find it easily.
✔ Update it as you find new affiliate products you love.

📌 Example: A boutique owner could have a “Business Resources” page that includes:

• The POS system they use (with an affiliate link)
• Their favorite wholesale clothing supplier
• A social media scheduling tool they love

✔ Step 4: Brainstorm Blog Post Ideas That Naturally Include Affiliate Links

If you have a blog (if not, start one!), this is where affiliate links can really shine.

Think about questions your customers already ask you—then write a blog post answering them with affiliate links included naturally.

Example Blog Post Ideas:
💇‍♀️ A salon owner: “The 5 Best Heat Protectants for Healthier Hair” → Links to favorite styling products.
📚 A bookstore owner: “Must-Have Reading Accessories for Every Book Lover” → Links to booklights, bookmarks, etc.
☕ A coffee shop owner: “How to Brew the Perfect Espresso at Home” → Links to espresso machines, grinders, and beans.

📌 Pro Tip: Don’t overcomplicate it! You don’t need a ton of content—even one well-written blog post can bring in passive affiliate income for years.

✔ Step 5: Start Sharing in Emails, Social Posts & Website Pages

You don’t have to wait for blog posts—start sharing your affiliate recommendations wherever you’re already talking to your audience.

✅ In your email list: Mention a product you love in a newsletter and link to it.
✅ On your social media: Post about a favorite tool or product and share your affiliate link.
✅ On your existing website pages: If a product fits naturally into your service or product pages, add a link.

📌 Example: A bakery offering online cake decorating classes could send an email saying:
“P.S. Want to level up your cake skills? These are my go-to decorating tools—I’ve linked my favorites here!”

That’s It! 🎉

No massive website redesign. No complicated strategy. Just a few simple tweaks that can start earning you extra income from the traffic you already have.

Now, let’s wrap it all up and talk about the long-term potential of affiliate marketing for your business. 👇

Final Thoughts

Affiliate marketing isn’t just a quick way to make extra cash—it’s a long-term income stream that can grow alongside your business.

Right now, it might start with a few simple affiliate links on your website. But over time? Those small steps can turn into a steady flow of passive income that helps cover expenses, increase profits, and even give you more financial flexibility.

The best part? It scales. As your website traffic, email list, and customer base grow, so does your affiliate revenue—without requiring extra work from you.

And the longer you do it, the more you refine what works, which means you can earn more while doing less.

🚀 Want to turn affiliate marketing into a serious income stream?

If you’re ready to go deeper and learn how to build a profitable digital marketing business on social media (without cold messaging or awkward sales tactics), check out Digital Wealth Academy—the step-by-step roadmap to making money online in a way that actually feels good.