7 Common Affiliate Marketing Mistakes

Do you want to earn money online by writing blogs, perhaps while enjoying your favorite hobbies?

That’s what many people dream about when they think of affiliate marketing. They imagine a life of ease and flexibility, just by finding a niche, creating great content, and directing visitors to affiliate products.

But is it really that simple? The quick answer is no.

Affiliate marketing requires a good understanding of the industry, a solid content strategy and patience to succeed. By steering clear of the common mistakes that most affiliate marketers make, you’ll have what it takes to build a successful business.

In this article,  we review the blunders we see most often. Many of these are lessons we learned the hard way. As a result, we missed early opportunities to maximize our income online. 

What Are the Most Common Mistakes in Affiliate Marketing?

1. Post Low-Quality Content
2. Put Sales Ahead of Helping
3. Ignore The Readability of Content
4. Overlook Site Speed
5. Neglect SEO Basics
6. Know Very Little About What You’re Promoting
7. Exclude Evergreen Content

Let’s dive into each of these points in more detail below.

1. Post Low-Quality Content

Whether you realize it or not, the stuff you put out there is what defines you as an affiliate marketer.

Clicks only happen when people find your content useful and trustworthy. So, as an affiliate marketer, your goal should always be to make top-notch content. Some folks think that churning out ten so-so posts is better than one amazing one. But that’s not true.

To create awesome blog posts, here are a few things to remember if you want to beat your competition in search engine rankings. First, pick a topic that’s easy to rank for, like the “low hanging fruit.”

Once you’ve got your topic, do some keyword research to see what it’ll take to beat the others.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• How many backlinks do your competitors have? Use a tool like MozBar to find out. For example, if your competitors have dozens of backlinks from authoritative sites, you might need to step up your game in getting quality backlinks.
• How long are the top-ranking posts? On average, they’re about 1,890 words long. Keep that in mind when writing your own. For instance, if you’re writing a guide to healthy eating, make sure it’s comprehensive and covers all aspects, from nutrition to meal planning.
• Do your posts have images? Posts with at least one image tend to rank higher. For example, if you’re writing a recipe post, include mouth-watering images of the finished dishes to entice your readers.
• Is your post easy to read? Break up your content into shorter paragraphs and use bullet points or numbered lists for easier readability. For instance, if you’re writing a review of a product, organize it with headings and subheadings for clarity.

Once you’ve figured all that out, you’ll know what you need to do to write a killer piece of content.

After you’ve published it, spend as much time promoting it as you did writing it:

• Share it on social media. For example, post links to your blog post on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and encourage your followers to share it with their networks.
• Send it to your email list. For instance, if you have a newsletter, include a snippet of your blog post with a link to read more.
• Reach out to other bloggers to see if they’ll link back to your post. Offer to write guest posts for their blogs or collaborate on content to increase visibility and backlinks.

2. Put Sales Ahead of Helping

Sometimes, we might think that making sales is the most important thing for online marketers.

But this kind of thinking often leads to average content and not-so-great outcomes.

Instead, what really matters is making content that’s super helpful. Write with your audience in mind, always thinking about what they need. For instance, if you’re selling running shoes, focus on how they can help improve a person’s running performance rather than just listing their features.

Try to make things easy for users. Sure, banner ads can work, but are they worth annoying your visitors so much that they leave for good? And will those pop-ups annoy Google too?

Every time you try to make a sale, like with a banner ad or a pop-up, there are consequences. You have to decide if it’s worth potentially annoying your users.

3. Ignore The Readability of Content

In today’s world, people don’t have long attention spans. They don’t like confusing or hard-to-read stuff. So, when you’re writing, make sure your font size is at least 16pt, especially for folks on their phones.

But it’s not just about the size of the letters. You also need to think about line height, serif (with those little feet on letters) versus sans-serif fonts, and tracking (the space between letters). A little extra space and a clean font can make a big difference. For example, I usually choose a font like “Times New Roman” (serif) for my main text. It’s classic and easy on the eyes.

Studies also suggest that sentences longer than 25 words can be challenging to read. Break them down. Keep it simple.

Just like sentences, don’t let your paragraphs go on forever. Stick to 4 sentences or less whenever possible. This keeps your reader from getting lost in a sea of text. Instead of having a paragraph that covers multiple ideas, break it into smaller chunks. Each chunk can focus on one main thought.

If you’re reaching for the dictionary while writing, maybe reconsider. Most U.S. readers prefer content at a seventh to eighth-grade reading level.

Before you hit that publish button, run your content through tools like Hemingway. It gives your writing a grade based on readability. Aim for a score that matches your target audience.

4. Overlook Site Speed

Did you know that if your web page takes longer than 2 seconds to load, bounce rates increase by 50%? We all know that users are impatient. If your site speed keeps them waiting, they sure as heck won’t stick around, and your bounce rate will take a hit.

You can check what’s causing your site to load slowly by going to GTMetrix.com.

Most of the time, a slow site is due to server response times, large files, or how content is delivered. If you’re using WordPress, there are a few plugins we often recommend:

• Smush: If large images are the problem, Smush can compress the files without sacrificing quality.
• W3 Total Cache: For content delivery, W3 Total Cache can help set up browser caching and optimize your website’s performance. Just a heads up, though, tweaking settings might affect your site’s functionality, so it’s best to consult your development team or an SEO expert.
• Cloudflare CDN: If you’re unsure, try implementing a CDN using the Cloudflare WordPress plugin to speed up content delivery.

For Shopify sites, consider contacting the team at Speedify. They offer similar speed optimizations for Shopify websites.

Not every site will load in under 2 seconds, but there are steps you can take to improve your site speed. Faster load times not only enhance user experience but also boost rankings and conversion rates.

5. Neglect SEO Basics

If you don’t pay attention to SEO basics, it’s like building a house with no roads leading to it. Imagine you’ve built this amazing house, but no one can find their way to it because there are no roads or signs guiding them.

So, first things first: make sure your title tag and meta description are top-notch. Your title tag is like the signpost on the road leading to your house, and your meta description is like the enticing description that makes people want to visit.

For example, if you’re writing a blog post about the best hiking trails in your area, your title tag could be something like “Discover the Most Scenic Hiking Trails Near You,” and your meta description could say, “Explore breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems on these must-see hiking trails. Start your adventure today!”

If you’re using WordPress, you can use the Yoast SEO Plugin to help with this. It’s like having a helpful guide to make sure your signpost and description are just right. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to get advice from an SEO expert who can give you pointers on crafting compelling titles and descriptions.

Now, let’s talk about links. Internal links are like pathways within your house that connect different rooms. They help visitors navigate and understand the layout of your site. For instance, in your hiking trails blog post, you could include internal links to related articles about camping gear or outdoor safety tips.

External links, on the other hand, are like bridges that connect your house to other houses in the neighborhood. They show Google that your house is part of a community and connected to other trustworthy sources. You could include external links to official park websites or reputable outdoor gear retailers within your hiking trails post.

By paying attention to these SEO basics and adding specific examples like these, you’ll make it easier for people to find and enjoy your content.

6. Know Very Little About What You’re Promoting

If you’re an affiliate marketer, it’s important to have a deep understand of what you’re promoting. People can tell if you’re just pretending to be an insider, especially with all the info available online.

So, how can you become an expert? First and foremost, stay updated in your niche. That way, you’re in the loop about what’s happening. Let’s say you’re in the fitness niche. You could follow blogs like Men’s Health or Women’s Health, subscribe to fitness forums, or set up Google alerts for topics like “latest fitness trends” or “new workout routines.”

If you’re promoting cooking products, you might visit cooking-related threads on Reddit to see what questions people have about kitchen gadgets or recipe techniques. Quora can also provide insights into common queries in your niche.

The more you understand, the more your readers will trust you. It’ll pay off in the long run, boosting conversions and ranking higher in Google search results.

7. Exclude Evergreen Content

Not paying attention to evergreen content is like skipping the chance to build a library with books that people will keep borrowing year after year.

Sure, it’s exciting to write about the latest gadgets or “The Top Movies of 2025”. People love that kind of buzz, and it can grab attention in the moment. But it’s important to balance it with evergreen content. This is the kind of content that stays useful no matter the season, like beginner’s guides or timeless tips.

Evergreen content is like a reliable book that never goes out of style. It keeps drawing readers in month after month, year after year. But here’s the thing: lots of other writers know this too, so it’s a competitive space.

Some argue that evergreen content isn’t as flashy for affiliate marketing because it’s not all about the latest trends. But that’s not entirely true. Evergreen content can still bring in lots of links and traffic, especially if you update it with things like “[2024 Edition]” or “(Updated for 2024)” in the title.

So, take a look at your content strategy. Are you focusing too much on trendy topics? If so, it might be time to mix in some evergreen content. Think of it as stocking your library with books that’ll keep readers coming back for more, long after the buzz has faded.

Final Words 

Making mistakes is normal and part of the learning process. In fact, if everything seems perfect, it might mean something is amiss. We need errors to learn and improve. However, just because common affiliate marketing mistakes exist doesn’t mean you have to make them all to get better. Sometimes, the real mistake is not learning from others’ missteps.

Affiliate marketing requires ongoing effort, so don’t overlook important areas like SEO. Seek assistance wherever you can to speed up your progress.

If you need more guidance, sign up for my online business coaching.  

Affiliate Marketing Mistakes FAQs

What percentage of affiliate marketers are successful?

About half of the folks who try affiliate marketing stick around for the long haul. But success isn’t just about making money quickly—it’s more about having the right attitude.

Many beginners quit early because they don’t see big profits right away. But those who stick with it understand that affiliate marketing isn’t a walk in the park—it’s hard work.

Interestingly, over 81% of affiliates make more than $20,000 each year. So, even though it’s competitive, there’s room for newcomers.

Is affiliate marketing worth it in 2024?

Absolutely! With more of our daily lives moving online, marketing and advertising are booming. I strongly recommend you to get started ASAP so that you won’t miss the coming opportunities. 

What are the risks of affiliate marketing?

The main risks include:

• Promoting products or services of poor quality
• Purchasing traffic for your affiliate links without proper research
• Difficulty in keeping up with rapid changes in SEO
• Being penalized by Google for low-quality content
• Affiliate emails ending up in spam folders

Every business has its own risks, but as you gain more experience, you’ll know how to avoid them.

What are the dos and don’ts of affiliate marketing?

Here are some key points:

Do:

• Keep up with trends
• Use available SEO tools such as Semrush for keyword research
• Choose ad formats based on factors like location and niche
• Experiment with different ad styles

Don’t:

• Ignore SEO
• Expect overnight success
• Promote low-quality products
• Forget to update your content