When starting out as an affiliate marketer, one of the most common questions is whether you really need a website.
It seems like more and more people are launching their affiliate businesses exclusively through social media, which is undoubtedly cheaper, easier, and faster to set up.
However, after spending years in the affiliate marketing world, I’ve seen first-hand the risks associated with relying on social media alone.
The Appeal of Social Media
There’s no denying that social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others—have made it easier than ever to build a following and promote affiliate products.
You can post a video, share a story, or engage with your audience in real-time, and you don’t need to worry about setting up a domain, designing a site, or paying for hosting.
For many, especially those just starting, the idea of skipping the website is tempting. I get it—it’s cheaper, faster, and doesn’t come with the same learning curve as setting up a website. Social media also comes with built-in audiences, making it easier to get eyes on your content quickly.
The Big Risk: You Don’t Own Your Social Media Profile
But here’s the catch: you don’t own your social media profiles. The platform does. And at any moment, a change in their policies, algorithms, or terms of service could lead to the loss of your entire account—your following, your content, and ultimately, your income.
Unfortunately, this isn’t hypothetical.
Over the years, I’ve seen countless stories of affiliate marketers who’ve built thriving businesses on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, only to have their accounts banned or hacked. They lost everything overnight—their audience, income, and years of work.
Those of us who have been in the affiliate world for a while have seen this happen time and time again.
I started affiliate marketing in 2009. By 2010, I had left my corporate job and was a full time affiliate marketer working for myself from home.
I had spend a lot of time writing for a 3rd party site. The 3rd party owned the website but you could join, publish articles on their site, and include your own Amazon Associates affiliate links.
I was making a minimum $1000/month at that time. I did have my own websites, too, but I had spent the bulk of my time adding content to the 3rd party site because you could get traffic so much more easily.
One day – with no warning – that site deleted tons of pages. Nearly every member of the site was impacted. I lost all of my affiliate income from that site overnight.
I hadn’t done anything to violate their terms. Instead, the 3rd party was making changes they thought were necessary to align with Google algorithm changes and they did a horrible job communicating those changes (as in not communicating them at all!).
When you rely solely on a third-party platform for your income, you’re at their mercy. And no matter how solid your strategy is or how compliant you are with the rules, the risk is always there.
You might wake up one day to find your account has been deactivated, and you’re left starting from scratch. I don’t want that to happen to you.
The Solution: Owning Your Online Presence
This is why I always tell my audience that while you can start with just a social media profile, it’s important to think long-term.
Building your own website means owning your online presence. You control your domain, content, and audience without worrying about platform changes or unexpected account deletions. Your website becomes your central hub.
Not only that, but having a website also allows you to start building an email list. Your email list is something you own, and it gives you a direct connection with your audience.
Even if a social media platform shuts down your account, your email list remains intact. You can still communicate with your followers, continue your business, and recover from any unexpected setbacks.
Of course, even email lists may have their drawbacks. Is that a dying form of communication? I just read an article about how Bill Gates has to text his daughter that he’s sent her an email because it’s not a communication tool she uses regularly. Generational changes are something to keep in mind.
Is a Website Still Necessary in the Age of Multiple Platforms?
These days, many affiliate marketers have multiple social media accounts, so if one platform goes down, their audience can still reach them on another.
This diversification reduces the risks associated with social media dependency. But even with multiple social platforms, having a website remains valuable for several reasons:
- Control Over Your Content: On your website, you can post long-form content, embed videos, and create pages that aren’t limited by platform restrictions.
- Branding: Your website allows you to present your brand exactly the way you want. You’re not limited to the layout and design of a social platform.
- SEO Benefits: Your website can rank in search engines, bringing in organic traffic that isn’t reliant on social media algorithms.
- Credibility: A well-designed website adds to your professional image, especially when working with brands and affiliate networks.
Final Thoughts: Start Where You’re Comfortable, but Think Long-Term
The bottom line is that it’s entirely possible to start your affiliate marketing journey without a website, leveraging social media to get started. However, if you’re serious about building a sustainable business, you should plan on creating your own website and building an email list.
Think of it as investing in your future as an affiliate marketer. Even if you start on social media, having a website gives you a backup plan and a stronger foundation for long-term success.
What do you think? Have you experienced or heard of anyone losing their social media account? What steps are you taking to protect your affiliate business?