Getting traffic is the lifeblood of affiliate marketing and online business. Without visitors, your links won’t get clicks, and your website won’t generate income. To make it easier to understand, let’s break it down using the 5 W’s and the How:
1. Who – Know Your Audience
Traffic starts with people. You need to know who you’re trying to reach. Think about their age, interests, lifestyle, and the problems they want solved. For example, are they busy parents looking for quick recipes? Or beginners searching for ways to make money online? The clearer you are about who your audience is, the easier it becomes to create content that speaks directly to them.
2. What – Decide What You’re Offering
Once you know who your audience is, figure out what you can share that will grab their attention. This could be a product, a helpful resource, or even a piece of advice that makes their life easier. The what is your hook—the thing that makes them want to click, read, and learn more. If your “what” doesn’t line up with what they’re looking for, they’ll move on.
3. Where – Find Out Where They Spend Time Online
Not all traffic comes from the same place. Some audiences love Facebook groups, others search on Google, and some hang out on TikTok or Pinterest. The where tells you the best place to put your message. If you know your audience spends hours on YouTube, then making short, helpful videos could be your golden traffic source.
4. When – Share Consistently and at the Right Times
Getting traffic isn’t about posting once and waiting. It’s about showing up when your audience is most active. Posting consistently builds trust and keeps you visible. For example, sending an email newsletter once a week or posting content at peak times on social media will help you stay in front of your audience so they don’t forget you.
5. Why – Give People a Reason to Click
People don’t just click links for no reason—they need to see why it benefits them. Maybe your link offers a discount, solves a problem, or teaches them something valuable. Always answer the question: What’s in it for them? If you can make the “why” clear, you’ll get more clicks and more traffic.
How – Put It All Into Action
The “how” is about the methods you use to actually bring traffic to your website or links. Some common ways include:
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Content marketing (blog posts, videos, tutorials)
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Social media marketing (sharing posts, reels, or tips)
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Email marketing (building a list and sending regular updates)
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Search engine optimization (SEO) (getting found on Google)
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Paid ads (running ads on Google, Facebook, or other platforms)
You don’t have to do them all at once—pick one or two methods that make sense for your audience and stay consistent
When beginners understand the 5 W’s (and the How), they stop guessing and start building a clear plan. Traffic isn’t luck—it’s about knowing who you’re serving, what they need, and how to get in front of them at the right time with the right message.
