How to Start with the Bluehost Affiliate Program for Beginners (Step-by-Step Guide)

Even if you're just starting out, making money online in today's digital age is easier than ever. One of the easiest and most beginner-friendly ways to start earning passive income is through affiliate marketing, and Bluehost’s affiliate program is a fantastic place to begin.

This guide will walk you through exactly how to start with the Bluehost affiliate program—even if you have no previous experience. By the end, you’ll know how to sign up, create content, drive traffic, and start earning commissions.

Why Bluehost Is Perfect for Beginners in Affiliate Marketing

Bluehost is a trusted name in web hosting. It's officially recommended by WordPress.org, used by millions, and offers affordable pricing, making it a top choice for anyone starting a website or blog.

Why it's great for new affiliates is as follows: High demand – Everyone who wants to build a website needs hosting

Affordable plans – Plans start as low as $2.95/month

Generous payouts – You earn $65+ per referral

Simple sign-up – No complex requirements or approvals

Recognized brand – Easier to build trust with your audience

Step 1: Understand What Bluehost Offers

It is essential to have a solid understanding of the product you are promoting before participating in affiliate marketing. Bluehost offers: Shared, virtual private server, and dedicated web hosting Hosting for WordPress Domain registration

Free SSL certificates

Email accounts

Website builders

Most new bloggers, small business owners, and online entrepreneurs choose shared hosting or WordPress hosting when starting out—which are also the most common plans affiliates promote.

Step 2: Sign Up for the Bluehost Affiliate Program

Joining the program is quick and free. Here’s how to get started:

Go to the Bluehost Affiliate page

Click on “Sign Up”

Fill in your details (name, email, website or promotional method)

Submit your application

Once approved, you’ll get access to your unique affiliate links and dashboard

You don’t need a huge audience or even a website to get approved, but having a blog, YouTube channel, or active social presence definitely helps.

Step 3: Set Up a Platform to Promote Bluehost

To start earning, you’ll need a platform where you can share your affiliate links and provide value. Here are the most beginner-friendly options:

1. Start a Blog

Blogs are powerful long-term assets for affiliate marketing. You can:

Write tutorials (e.g., how to start a blog)

Create reviews

Share personal experiences

2. Use YouTube

Both on YouTube and Google, video content ranks well. You can:

Make tutorials on setting up websites

Reviews of share hosting Compare Bluehost with other providers

3. Use Social Media

If you have an engaged audience, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or TikTok can drive traffic to your affiliate links.

4. Email Marketing

Even a small email list can be profitable. Share tips on starting a blog or business and recommend Bluehost in your emails.

Step 4: Create Content That Converts

Once your platform is ready, start creating valuable, targeted content that naturally includes your affiliate links.

✅ Best Content Ideas for Promoting Bluehost:

1. How-to Guides

Example: “How to Start a Blog in 2025 (Step-by-Step for Beginners)”

Explain the process of buying hosting and setting up WordPress. Include your affiliate link during the hosting signup step.

2. Bluehost Reviews

Example: “Bluehost Hosting Review: Is It Worth It in 2025?”

Share the pros and cons, pricing, features, and your personal experience.

3. Tutorials and Walk throughs

Example: “How to Install WordPress on Bluehost (2025 Guide)”

These are especially popular on YouTube.

4. Comparison Articles

Example: “Bluehost vs Site Ground: Which Hosting Is Better for Beginners?”

Help users decide by comparing features, price, performance, and support.

5. Listicles

"Top 5 Best Web Hosting Services for Bloggers in 2025," for instance. Include Bluehost with a detailed mention and your link.

Add your affiliate links in

Step 5 Your Bluehost dashboard will provide you with your affiliate links (or Impact.com if they route through that platform). Make sure to:

Embed links naturally in your content

Use clear call-to-actions (e.g., “Click here to get Bluehost for just $2.95/month”)

Avoid link spamming—focus on helpful content

Add affiliate disclosures (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”)

You can also use tools like Pretty Links (WordPress plugin) to cloak and manage your links.

Step 6: Drive Traffic to Your Content

To make money, you need people to see and click your affiliate links. Here's how to drive traffic:

📈 1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Target long-tail keywords like:

"best hosting for beginners in blogging" “how to start a blog with Bluehost” Use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to find search terms.

📣 2. Social Media Marketing

Share helpful content on:

Pinterest (great for blog-related content)

Instagram Reels and Stories

Facebook Groups for bloggers or online business owners

Twitter threads

📧 3. Email Lists

Build a list by offering freebies (e.g., a “Start a Blog” checklist). Recommend Bluehost inside your welcome series or content emails.

🎥 4. YouTube

Create tutorials and link to Bluehost in the description. These can generate passive traffic for months or even years.

Step 7: Track Your Performance

Use your Bluehost affiliate dashboard to track:

Clicks on your affiliate links

Sign-ups

Commissions earned

Analyze your top-performing content and focus more effort on those types of posts or videos. Consider split testing different headlines, CTAs, or thumbnails (for video) to improve conversions.

Step 8: Optimize and Scale

Once you start making your first commissions, here’s how to scale your income:

Create more SEO content targeting different angles

Update old posts with better CTAs or links

Grow your email list with lead magnets and promote Bluehost throughout your funnel. Re purpose content (e.g., turn a blog post into a YouTube video or carousel)

Try paid ads (only once you’re confident with conversions)

Over time, your content will compound and generate passive affiliate income month after month.

Realistic Earnings Expectation

With Bluehost, each signup can earn you $65 to $130+, depending on volume and bonuses. If you refer 10 people a month, that’s $650+—not bad for beginner-friendly efforts.

Bluehost alone is the source of income for many prominent bloggers, which ranges from $5,000 to $20,000 per month. However, keep in mind that earning money starts with the first click and commission. Tips for Starting an Affiliate Business Be honest in your reviews and content—authenticity builds trust

Don't try to sell; instead, help people find solutions. Stick with it—affiliate income builds up over time

Keep learning about SEO, marketing, and content strategies

Final Thoughts

The Bluehost affiliate program is one of the best entry points for beginners to make money online. It’s easy to join, offers high payouts, and fits naturally with content about blogging, websites, and online business.

By following the steps in this guide—signing up, creating value-packed content, and driving traffic—you can start earning affiliate commissions and build a passive income stream from scratch.