How to Start Affiliate Marketing in Canada (Even If You Have No Experience!)
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
I still remember the first time I heard about affiliate marketing. It sounded too good to be true—the idea that you could make money online, without selling your own products, sounded almost like a scam.
I had zero experience, no website, and no clue where to start. I kept asking myself:
- Is this legit?
- Can I really make money doing this?
- What if I waste my time and nothing comes of it?
If you’re feeling this way right now, trust me—I get it.
But here’s the truth: Affiliate marketing is real. And the sooner you start, the sooner you can build something that earns you passive income.
So, let’s break it down—step by step—so you can start your own affiliate marketing business in Canada, even if you’re starting from absolute zero.
Step 1: What is Affiliate Marketing? (And Why It’s a Game-Changer for Canadians)
Affiliate marketing is simple:
- You recommend products or services online.
- Someone clicks your unique affiliate link.
- If they buy, you earn a commission.
Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing—but you get paid for it.
Why It’s Perfect for Canadians in 2025
✅ No inventory, no shipping, no customer service. (Unlike dropshipping or e-commerce.)
✅ Low startup cost. (A website costs less than $100 a year.)
✅ Earn in USD while living in Canada. (The exchange rate works in your favor!)
Hypothetical Success Story Example: Meet Sarah from Toronto
Sarah, a stay-at-home mom, started a blog about baby products. She wrote helpful reviews and linked to Amazon Canada. Three months later, she got her first commission—$5.48. It wasn’t much, but it proved this worked. Fast forward two years, and she now makes $4,000/month recommending baby essentials.
Similar real-life stories like this do exist. What is important for you to remember is that individual results will vary based on individual factors. Such as the effort you put into building your niche, the reseach you do on the niche you select and also the marketing strategies you may use to get your results.
The key takeaway? Start small, be patient, and watch it grow.
Step 2: Choose a Niche That Pays (Without Getting Stuck Overthinking)
This is where most beginners freeze. I know I did. I spent weeks researching, second-guessing, and not taking action.
Here’s what I wish I knew earlier:
- Pick a niche you enjoy. (You’ll be creating content about it for months.)
- Make sure there’s demand. (People need to be searching for it online.)
- Go for long-term potential. (Avoid trendy fads that die out fast.)
Best Affiliate Niches for Canadians
🔹 Personal finance & investing (Wealthsimple, EQ Bank, credit cards)
🔹 Sustainable living & eco-friendly products
🔹 Health & fitness (home workouts, supplements)
🔹 Tech & gadgets (laptops, software, online courses)
🔹 Pet care (dog anxiety, training guides, raw food diets)
🚀 Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it. Pick one niche, commit for 6 months, and adjust as you learn.
Step 3: Find the Best Affiliate Programs in Canada
Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Some pay higher commissions, some have better tracking, and some work better for Canadian audiences.
Top Affiliate Programs for Beginners
- Amazon Associates Canada (Easy to join, thousands of products)
- Wealthy Affiliate (Great for digital marketing & passive income)
- Rakuten (Ebates Canada) (Earn from cash-back referrals)
- Bluehost (High commissions for web hosting referrals)
- Wealthsimple (Great for finance bloggers)
🚀 Pro Tip: Join 2-3 affiliate programs to test what works best for you.
Step 4: Set Up Your Affiliate Website (It’s Easier Than You Think!)
If you’ve never built a website before, don’t worry—I was clueless when I started. But setting up a basic site takes less than an hour.
How to Set Up Your Website in 5 Simple Steps
1️⃣ Choose a domain name. (Use Namecheap or GoDaddy)
2️⃣ Get web hosting. (Bluehost or SiteGround for beginners)
3️⃣ Install WordPress. (One-click install)
4️⃣ Pick a simple theme. (Astra or GeneratePress)
5️⃣ Create 3 key pages: About, Contact, Privacy Policy
🚀 Pro Tip: Don’t stress about making it “perfect.” Just get it online and start creating content.
Step 5: Create Content That Gets Clicks & Sales
Affiliate marketing isn’t about spamming links. It’s about helping people make informed decisions.
What Type of Content Works Best?
✅ Product Reviews: (“Best VPNs for Canadians in 2025”)
✅ Comparison Articles: (“Shopify vs. WooCommerce – Which is Better?”)
✅ How-To Guides: (“How to Start Investing in Canada”)
✅ Listicles: (“10 Best Side Hustles for Canadians”)
🚀 Pro Tip: Answer real questions Canadians are searching on Google. Use Google’s ‘People Also Ask’ to find popular topics.
Step 6: Get Traffic to Your Website (So You Can Make Money!)
No traffic = No sales. So how do you get people to find your site?
Free Traffic Methods
🔹 SEO: (Write content that ranks on Google)
🔹 Pinterest: (Great for blogging niches like finance, food, DIY)
🔹 YouTube: (Product reviews & tutorials)
Paid Traffic (Optional, But Faster)
💰 Facebook Ads (Promote blog posts to warm traffic
)💰 Google Ads (Great for high-ticket affiliate programs)
🚀 Pro Tip: Focus on free traffic first. Once you have steady visitors, then consider paid ads.
Step 7: Monetize with Email Marketing (Your Secret Weapon for Long-Term Success)
Most people won’t buy the first time they visit your site. That’s why email marketing is key.
- Offer a free guide (e.g., “10 Easy Ways to Save Money in Canada”).
- Collect emails & build a relationship with readers.
- Send helpful content + affiliate recommendations.
🚀 Pro Tip: Use ConvertKit or MailerLite to start email marketing for free.
Final Words: Why You Should Start Today (Not Someday)
I know affiliate marketing can feel overwhelming. But trust me, you CAN do this.
Here’s your step-by-step action plan:
✅ Pick a niche (TODAY!)
✅ Join 2-3 affiliate programs (TONIGHT!)
✅ Set up your website (THIS WEEK!)
✅ Publish your first article (BY NEXT WEEK!)
“Success is not for the chosen few. It’s for the few who choose.”
If Sarah, a busy mom from Toronto, can go from $0 to $4,000/month, imagine what’s possible for you.
The only difference between those who succeed and those who don’t? Taking action.
🚀 Ready to start? Let’s do this. 👇
Have fun learning,
DAWN