How to Start Affiliate Marketing in South Africa (and Worldwide) as a Complete Beginner

If you’ve been curious about affiliate marketing but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. When I first started exploring this world, I had no clue which platform to join, how to find products to promote, or even how people actually made money with affiliate links.

After testing a few things, I came across a platform that completely changed the game for me, and yes, I’ve already been paid from it! That’s why I want to share it with you today.

Whether you’re in South Africa or anywhere else in the world, this platform works the same and is perfect for complete beginners.

What Is Affiliate Marketing, Really?

Affiliate marketing is one of the simplest ways to make money online. Instead of creating your own product, you promote someone else’s. When a person clicks your unique link and makes a purchase (or takes another action like signing up), you earn a commission.

It’s kind of like being a digital middleman, you connect people to the right products, and the company rewards you for bringing in customers.

The Platform That Got Me Started: Impact.com

The platform I’m talking about is Impact.com. If you’ve never heard of it before, let me break it down.

Impact.com is an affiliate network, which basically means it hosts affiliate programs for thousands of brands in one place. Instead of signing up for each company individually, you just create one account and then apply to different brands directly through their dashboard.

Here’s what makes it beginner-friendly:

• Free to join: no hidden costs.

• Global access: works in South Africa and worldwide.

• Trusted brands: you’ll find names like Adidas, Airbnb, Canva, SEMrush, and more.

• Done-for-you materials: banners, links, and creatives are already set up for you.

How Do You Actually Promote Affiliate Links?

Signing up is easy. The real challenge is driving traffic, getting the right people to actually click your links.

From my experience, the key is to niche down. Pick a topic you enjoy (like travel, fashion, fitness, or online tools) and create content around it. That way, you attract people who are already interested in what you’re promoting.

Some of the best free ways to get started include:

• YouTube videos: tutorials, reviews, or “best tools” type of content.

• Social media: Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest work really well for visuals.

• Blogging: SEO-friendly articles that rank on Google (like this one).

• Email lists: sending helpful resources directly to your subscribers.

If you have the budget, you can also explore paid traffic through Google Ads, Facebook, or Instagram but I recommend starting with free methods until you understand what works.

The golden rule: offer value first. People need a reason to trust you before they buy through your links.

My Own Results With Impact.com

When I started out, my first commission was only R155, to date, i've earn over $12000. It might not sound like much, but it was proof that this works. That little win motivated me to keep going, and with consistency, the numbers started to add up.

Some of the programs I personally promote through Impact.com are:

• AppSumo: Great for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

• Canva: One of the most-used design tools in the world.

• Envato Placeit: Perfect for creators needing quick design templates.

• SEMrush: A powerful SEO tool.

All of these are solid programs that beginners can apply to right away.

Why You Should Give Affiliate Marketing a Try

Affiliate marketing isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, it takes patience and consistency. But here’s why I believe it’s worth starting:

• 🌍 You can do it from anywhere in the world.

• ⏰ It creates passive income, your content works for you even while you sleep.

• 💡 You don’t need to build your own product.

• 💰 It has unlimited earning potential once your traffic grows.

Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about starting affiliate marketing in South Africa, or anywhere in the world, Impact.com is one of the best places to begin. It’s beginner-friendly, works with trusted global brands, and makes it simple to start promoting right away.

My advice? Start small, stay consistent, and focus on creating valuable content. Over time, your commissions will grow.

👉