Can You Make Money with a Starter Site? Yes. Here’s How.
(I may catch hell for sharing this with you, but honesty is always the best policy.)
People ask me this all the time. Can a free Starter site make money?
Short answer. Yes, you can monetize a starter site.
But there’s one catch. The Starter site is set to “No Index.” Google will not show it in search results, which means that you will not get search traffic from search engines.
That scares some folks. They think it kills their chances of making money.
It does not. Although it makes your job challenging, it is technically possible to accomplish.
You can still send traffic to your site from places where you already have attention.
Here are simple ways to do it.
- • Share posts on social media.
- • Link to your site from Medium.
- • Add the link to your email list.
- • Use your bio link on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram.
- • Share helpful posts in niche groups.
- • Build small audiences on platforms you enjoy.
- You can also show ads on your site
If someone clicks your link and buys a product you recommend, you earn.
That’s monetizing.
You do not need Google to earn a commission. You just need people.
Also, the “No Index” setting has a purpose. It gives you a safe place to learn and test ideas. You can write. You can try affiliate links. You can build confidence. You can see what content feels right.
Then, when you upgrade, your site can be indexed. At that point, search traffic can grow and bring passive income. This makes your site being found like shooting fish in a basket. And this is the main goal of our program: to help you succeed with the tools and the training you will need to do so.
So.
Can a Starter site make money?
Yes.
- If you drive traffic to it.
- If you share your links.
- If you keep moving.
You’re learning the exact skills you will use when your site is ready for the search world. Your best option is to upgrade, but you can make money with your starter site; just be prepared to work your butt off.
Learn more about Wealthy Affiliate- How to Start an Affiliate Business Using Wealthy Affiliate
So take action today, monetize that starter site!
- Write one post.
- Share one link.
- Tell one person about your new site.
FAQ Monetizing a Starter Site
Short answers you can act on right now.
➤ Can a Starter site earn real money?
➤ Why is my Starter site set to “No Index”?
➤ How do I get traffic without Google?
➤ Can I add affiliate links on a Starter site?
➤ What happens when I upgrade?
➤ Should I wait to monetize?
Need help picking offers? Ask inside WA and I’ll share what’s working for me.
So, are you ready to build a real business? Upgrade Today for a brighter tomorrow. Let’s earn while you learn.
Start Your Free Trial Today
Build your first site. Use your free $10 in AI credits. See results this week.
Join Wealthy Affiliate Free Trial
This is great information for someone who does not have a Premium membership. It is great that Starter members can still monetize their website, even though it takes more work and can’t utilize the search engines.
Thanks for writing this, I learned some ways to get traffic to a website.
Hello Bryce,
It is the ultimate goal to eventually upgrade and learn how to improve your chances of success with the top-notch training Wealthy Affiliate provides. I just wanted to share how it is still possible to earn as a starter member so I can be totally transparent. I hope it helps. If you need anything, I am here for you.
Michael
Hi Bryce, I never went the No Index route but when I started blogging in 2020 – after a previous attempt years earlier I actually managed to make my first affiliate commissions from my 1st product review on a blogger.com free website/blog.
I don’t know what I did here – I mean I think I am a quite talented writer at times but I’m sure it was like you said I published the post and I think it was where-ever I shared it to on Facebook. It was I think good timing I published the blog on January 1st and it was a review for a weight loss supplement but yes no way did the traffic come from google.
The ideas you suggested are all pretty good. I know some people say that you should do 30% creating content and 70% marketing, social sharing etc.
I really could do with doing this more I think – just seem to be churning out content but not sharing that is what I need to try and do again
People do not stop and think about the power and reach that social media can give a blog beyond the google search. That is a great reason to join WA, it is one of the many things you will learn and master to provide maximum traffic to your content.
Michael