The primary question of how to make money online at home as an affiliate has one very easy answer that everyone who has done it will tell you straight up. That being, it is done with a lot of hard work. If anyone tells you it is easy and you will make millions over night, they are trying to sell you something that most likely will not work. When you ask why it did not work, they will say you did not do it right. What I am giving you here is a proven tact for how to make money at home as an affiliate marketer.

You will need some tools to get started, without them you will just be spinning your wheels. I would love to tell you that it is as simple as a hammer, a saw, a pile of wood and a box of nails, it is just not that simple. Your tools are complex parts and pieces of an integrated system known as the world wide web.

You will need three basic things to get started, that is assuming you do have access to a personal computer, which would make a total of four things. First you need a website with a domain name related to the products you want to market. What this means is to select a line of products related to something you really enjoy doing. This will become your first niche, your small area of expertise, that you know and love. Please understand that it does not matter what the niche is. Pick a product related to it and go to godaddy or namecheap and purchase a domain name that includes the product in the domain name.

Next you need to have your domain name installed on a server in your hosting account at one of the many web hosting providers like hostgator or hostmonster. Your hosting company will provide you with the details for setting up the account and installing your domain. When this is done you are ready to install your website. You could set up a standard page website, however, it is much easier to install a WordPress blog, which can be used as a page site and a blog. The point is, it is just easy to setup with WordPress Install, Fantastico or Simple Scripts depending on your hosting service.

Now you have a live website shell, that is in dire need of content, a control system, a feedback system and traffic. Content is why people will come to your site, so it must be good. While they are there you want them to buy something or give you contact information so they can buy something later. The control system includes the many WordPress plugins that are available to alter the way WordPress looks and works. Your website needs a feedback system that will keep you informed about the way your site is working, who is stopping by and who is buying. The most important part of it all is the traffic, it is really not so much about how much traffic you get, as it is about how ready they are to buy your products.

The niche you selected and the product you wish to market can be found at many outlets. It is just a matter of what it is. The best way to find a source is to start at good old google for the product until you find the manufacturer, then search around their website for an affiliate program . Just that simple.

This short article covers the heart of setting up a website and how to make money online at home as an affiliate. If you have questions, require help or need more information go to my Mad Marketing Method Site for my free internet marketing introductory course. If you are serious about affiliate marketing and want to make a new life come join me at The Wealthy Affiliate University for the most complete education in affiliate marketing available anywhere.