Once upon a time,
I had no clue how to build a website. I had a few ideas for sites that were mainly in the “personal blog” category, and I had started a few on the major blogging sites (like WordPress.com, tumblr, etc)…but they weren’t really *mine.* I had an underlying need to build something, but I didn’t know exactly what, and I didn’t know where to begin. What I did know is that I didn’t want to have to rely on someone else to build it for me—especially since I didn’t have one specific vision—so I needed to figure it out for myself…and years of school was not really feasible with the (more than) full-time job that ran my life at the time.
I had looked into online degree programs to learn web development, but I wasn’t able to fit it into my schedule when I wanted to—AND I didn’t want to take out any more student loans 😳 (especially since I mostly just wanted to learn for myself).
I needed something that would allow me to work at my own pace when I had time outside of my job and obligations. I didn’t need to become a career web designer, I just needed to know how to build an online presence on my own real estate (domain).
Yes, social media is great and should be utilized, but without my own website I knew I would completely be at the mercy of the social platform and could be shut down at any moment if I inadvertently broke any rule. (That’s the danger of playing in someone else’s playground, and there’s not a thing you can do about it.)
No, I needed my own place, and I needed to build it myself. It’s not just that I wanted control—though, that is part of it—but it’s also that I didn’t want to pay someone else to do something I knew I could learn for myself. I just needed the right tools.
Enter: Wealthy Affiliate.
I don’t even remember how I found it almost 10 years ago (what search terms I used, etc). I was not searching for affiliate marketing solutions; I didn’t even know what affiliate marketing was. I did probably search for some kind of “work from home” opportunity to supplement my job.
I saw several ads, articles, or posts for Wealthy Affiliate before I even took action. Most of them were along the lines of “Is it a scam?” and I didn’t really pay much attention. Then something happened one day, and someone’s post struck the right chord in me and I decided “You know what? I need to give this a shot.” I thought maybe I’d try my hand at affiliate marketing and see where it leads me, and I signed up for the free 7-day trial (that’s what it was back then), and dove into the tutorials. At the end of the 7 days, I knew there was something good here, and I became a paying member.
The funny thing is
(and this is where I may differ from many of the other members):
As I moved through the classes, I realized that what I was learning was not JUST how to do affiliate marketing, but how to build a website in general. A WordPress website, at that! Not just a drag-and-drop, cookie-cutter, done-for-you website. That was a really big deal to me, and I gave up on the “affiliate marketing” part of it. I took the skills I had learned so far and just ran with building my own little sites. I didn’t even finish the general courses…so yes, I did run into a lot of trials, but I still knew enough to get something basic built, and I was getting good practice.
Since I kept my subscription going the whole time, I was always able to go back and watch another tutorial if I needed a refresher. (I would *not* recommend piecing it together like this, because I wasted a lot of time doing it this way instead of just going through the entire course list from start to finish…but I have a bit of a tendency to do things the hard way.)
I will admit…
There are more than a few times when I considered letting my paid membership go, because I’ve gained enough skill and experience over the years to cover my own needs in the website world…but something always kept me hanging on. Even though I was inactive in the community for long stretches of time, I knew that the value in Wealthy Affiliate was just too great to let go. The in-depth training, the community and direct help, the managed hosting—this combination is simply not matched, anywhere.
Still, it is not for everyone….
I cannot make this point loudly enough. This platform and the training really is not for everyone.
For one: if you already know how to build websites and have a place where you like to host them, then this may not be worth it for you. There is still something to be learned on the affiliate marketing side if you have an interest in that, but depending on how much leeway you like to have with the back end of your site, you may get a little frustrated hosting it here. The platform caters to beginners who don’t already have all the technical know-how, and they have some controls in place for that reason.
And, two: if you are looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, look elsewhere. Not to be overly blunt, but I want to make sure it is explicitly clear: you can’t show up here and expect money to fall in your lap without putting in the work, and the time. The purpose of this platform is to give you the tools and teach you the skills to build an online business with your own website, and if you don’t want to learn how to do that, then this is not for you. I have seen several people sign up and ask, “How do I make money?” and it is pretty clear that they haven’t even started the Core Training. I guarantee you, if you sign up and ask that question, the answer you will receive will be to follow the Core Training, whether it’s from me or anyone else who has been legitimately utilizing the platform for its intended purpose.
That said—the community is very helpful, and we all want to see each other succeed. There are members from all over the globe, active at all different times of the day, every day. This platform has brought so many people together with a view toward success. We’d love for you to join us.
I asked ChatGPT to compare Wealthy Affiliate to another popular managed hosting platform, and I even let ChatGPT pick the platform. Here is the generated response (including the “Which One Should You Choose” section), with very few edits from myself, which I put in italics:
Here’s a comparison between Wealthy Affiliate and Bluehost, another popular managed hosting platform:
| Feature | Wealthy Affiliate | Bluehost |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Type | Managed WordPress Hosting | Managed WordPress Hosting |
| Training and Resources | Comprehensive affiliate marketing website training | Basic WordPress tutorials |
| Free Plan | Yes (Limited tools and 1 subdomain website) | No (Free trial only) |
| Keyword Research Tool | Jaaxy (built-in) | No (Requires third-party tools) |
| Website Builder | WordPress | WordPress (pre-installed) |
| Community Support | Active global community (forums, live chat), and SiteSupport tickets | 24/7 support (primarily through tickets) |
| Premium Plan Cost | $99/month for Premium Plus* ($49 for the first month) | Starts at $2.95/month (promotional) |
| Email Hosting | Included in premium plan | Included in premium plans |
| Refund Policy | No refunds for Premium plan | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Best For | Beginners to affiliate marketing | WordPress users looking for low-cost hosting |
*I will add that upgrading to Premium Plus at Wealthy Affiliate includes credits to cover the cost of your domain for the first year.
✅ Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose Wealthy Affiliate if:
- You’re new to affiliate marketing and want an all-in-one platform
- You prefer structured training and mentorship
- You’re looking for a community-driven environment
- Choose Bluehost if:
- You already have experience in website development and marketing
- You need a reliable hosting provider with flexible plans
- You’re focused on hosting multiple websites or require advanced hosting features
FAQ
What is Wealthy Affiliate, and who is it for?
Wealthy Affiliate is a robust platform for individuals looking to start or grow an online business. Its combination of comprehensive training, powerful tools, and supportive community makes it a valuable resource for not only those who are interested in beginning affiliate marketing, but for anybody who wants to learn how to build a WordPress website of their own.
What are some features and highlights of Wealthy Affiliate?
🔑 Key Features
1. Integrated Website Hosting & Builder
- Provides managed WordPress hosting with fast performance and security.
- Allows members to create and manage multiple websites, depending on membership tier.
2. AI-Powered Tools
- Offers AI-driven tools like the AI Article Designer for content creation and planning.
- Provides AI credits to assist in content generation and optimization, as well as logo generation.
3. Comprehensive Training Modules
- Delivers step-by-step training covering topics from niche selection to advanced SEO strategies.
- Includes video tutorials, live webinars, and interactive lessons.
4. Keyword Research Tools
- Features Jaaxy, a keyword research tool to help identify profitable keywords with low competition.
5. Supportive Community
- Offers access to a global community of 2.8+ million members.
- Provides 24/7 support through live chat, forums, and private messaging.
6. Affiliate Program
- Allows members to earn recurring commissions by referring others to the platform.
- Provides professional promotional tools and detailed analytics.
📚 Training Highlights
Beginner-Friendly Curriculum
- Designed for newcomers, the training starts with foundational concepts and progresses to advanced strategies.
- Emphasizes practical, actionable steps without overwhelming jargon.
Live Webinars and Q&A Sessions
- Hosts weekly live training events and Q&A sessions with experienced marketers.
- Offers real-time learning and interaction opportunities.
Task-Oriented Learning
- Organizes training into modules that focus on specific tasks, allowing members to learn at their own pace.
- Encourages goal setting and practical application of learned concepts.
How much does a Wealthy Affiliate membership cost?
💡 Membership Options
Free Starter Plan
- Access to basic training modules and one free hosted website (as a subdomain).
- Limited use of tools like the keyword research tool.
Premium Plus Plan ($99/month)
- Includes advanced tools, more hosting slots + the ability to use personal domains, and exclusive training.
- Access to daily expert classes and unlimited 24/7 live help.
- Subscription can be monthly or yearly. (Yearly offers a discount.)
What are some pros and cons of Wealthy Affiliate?
✅ Pros of Wealthy Affiliate
1. Beginner-Friendly Training
Wealthy Affiliate offers structured training that guides beginners step-by-step through the process of creating an affiliate marketing business. The training includes modules on niche selection, website creation, content development, and traffic generation. This approach helps newcomers understand the fundamentals of building an online business.
2. Comprehensive Tools and Hosting
The platform provides all-in-one tools necessary for building and managing websites, including:
- A website builder with managed WordPress hosting.
- Keyword research tools like Jaaxy.
- Content creation and management tools. This integration simplifies the process of starting and maintaining an online business.
3. Active and Supportive Community
Wealthy Affiliate boasts a vibrant community of 2.8+ million members. Members can connect through forums, live chat, and direct messaging, allowing for collaboration, advice sharing, and mutual support. This network can be invaluable for both beginners and experienced marketers.
4. Free Starter Plan Available
For those hesitant to commit financially, Wealthy Affiliate offers a free Starter plan. This plan provides access to basic training, one free subdomain website, and limited use of tools, allowing users to explore the platform before deciding to upgrade.
❌ Cons of Wealthy Affiliate
1. Premium Plus Plan Cost
While the Starter plan is free, the Premium Plus plan costs $99 per month* (discounted to $49 for the first month). Some users feel that this price point is high compared to other platforms offering similar services. There is an option to request downgrade to a lower tier after subscribing to Premium Plus.
*Yearly subscription offers a significant discount over monthly payments.
2. Emphasis on Promoting Wealthy Affiliate
A significant portion of the training focuses on promoting Wealthy Affiliate itself. This can make the platform feel more like a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme, where success is often tied to recruiting new members rather than building external affiliate businesses.
It's not MLM.
Granted, one can become successful through recruiting new members...but affiliate marketing (whether it's promoting Wealthy Affiliate or any other product) is not required. The base skills taught in the Core Training focus on building an online business.
3. Limited Refund Policy
Wealthy Affiliate does not offer refunds for its Premium plans. If users decide the platform isn't right for them after upgrading, they are unable to recover their subscription fees. However, a monthly subscription is an option and can be canceled upon request...and the free Starter Member tier offers access to the first phase of training, which should be enough to determine if upgrading is worth it to a user.
Who is Wealthy Affiliate NOT for?
⛔️ Who Might Not Benefit from Wealthy Affiliate?
1. Experienced Marketers Seeking Advanced Strategies:
Wealthy Affiliate's training is tailored more toward beginners. Experienced marketers might find the content basic and may need to seek additional advanced resources to enhance their strategies.
2. Experienced Web Designers:
Because it is geared more toward beginners, Wealthy Affiliate has some safety precautions in place that reduce the risk of beginner actions inadvertently harming their website. Users do not have direct access to cPanel or DNS records, though changes can be requested through SiteSupport tickets. Users *can* change their own Name Servers if they purchased their domain through Wealthy affiliate but would like to have their site hosted elsewhere.
3. Individuals Looking for Quick Financial Gains:
Building a successful online business takes time and effort. Those expecting rapid financial returns may find the platform's pace slower than anticipated, as it is a step-by-step guide for how to build a legitimate online business.
4. Those Seeking a One-Time Payment Course:
Wealthy Affiliate operates on a subscription model, which may not appeal to users looking for a one-time payment course.
5. Anyone who wants the work done for them:
Wealthy Affiliate, at its core, is a training and educational platform. It teaches beginners how to build their own website from the ground up. It requires focus, dedication, time, and a desire to learn.
Amber ♣️
Click here to start your journey (for free, and with bonus AI credits):
but if you upgrade to Paid Membership, I will receive a commission.
