Starting a coupon blog can be a fun adventure. You’ve learned to register a domain, set up WordPress, and write great content. But what’s next? It’s time to monetize your coupon blog!
Trust me, this part is going to be exciting! Whether you're just starting or already have a following, there are plenty of ways to turn your blog into a money-making machine.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the top methods to make money with your coupon blog. Get ready to explore your options and find what works best for you!
Why You Can Trust Our Coupon Blog Monetization Guide
Lasso is installed on over 8,000 websites, including many coupon blogs.
Our team has built multiple 7-figure blogs in a wide range of niches.
We have hands-on experience working with founders to grow and monetize their coupon blogs.
1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for coupon bloggers because it hits the sweet spot between time investment and earning potential.
Affiliate marketing is a form of advertising where a publisher (the site owner) links to a product in their content and earns a commission from the advertiser (the affiliate program) if readers click on that link and make a purchase.
TIP: With all monetization methods, the rule of thumb is the easier it is to accomplish, the less money you can make, and vice versa.
Also, since you can add links to your existing content, it’s the perfect method for beginners. You’ve already written content, so you’ve already done the hard part.
How to Start Affiliate Marketing for Coupon Bloggers
If you're diving into the coupon blogging niche, you've got plenty of affiliate products to recommend that can really resonate with your audience. Here’s a quick rundown of some great options you might want to consider:
1. Digital Coupon Services: These platforms offer digital coupons and cashback opportunities. Examples include Rakuten and Ibotta.
2. Meal Kit Services: Companies like HelloFresh or Blue Apron often provide coupons and discounts. They're a hit for people wanting to save on meal planning.
3. Subscription Boxes: Many subscription services, like FabFitFun and BarkBox, have great deals. They constantly change their offers, attracting coupon users.
4. E-commerce Platforms: Sites like Amazon or eBay regularly feature coupon codes. A deep dive into seasonal promotions is essential for finding these deals.
5. Discount Travel Sites: Platforms such as Expedia and Kayak offer valuable deals and discounts that travel enthusiasts love.
Here are some reasons why recommending these products can be beneficial:
- Wide Audience Appeal: Coupon recommendations can attract a broad range of readers who love saving money.
- Recurring Commissions: Many subscription services offer recurring commissions for ongoing sign-ups, boosting your income over time.
- High Trust Factor: Established brands increase your credibility as a coupon blogger, attracting more visitors to your site.
- Simplified Promotion: Many products provide ready-made marketing materials, making it easy to promote them on your blog.
Once you’ve identified which products will solve problems for your readers, you need to sign up for their affiliate programs.
You should start by joining the Amazon Associates affiliate program.
Most physical products in the coupon niche will be available on Amazon, and the conversion rate on Amazon is insane.
Yes, Amazon’s commission rates are rough, and they only offer a 24-hour cookie duration, but the conversion rate makes up for it. Plus, you’re nearly guaranteed to get accepted into their program.
For products that aren’t available on Amazon, just Google “[Product] affiliate program,” and you’ll find their program’s signup page.
To save you some time, here are a few of the best affiliate networks for coupon bloggers:
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Commission Rate: 4% Per Sale
Cookie Duration: 45 Days
Find academic edition software discounts for students, teachers, and schools. Educational pricing available.
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Commission Rate: 1.25% - 10% Per Sale
Cookie Duration: 15 Days
Points.com allows you to manage all your different loyalty programs from one interface. Even exchange and redeem points for other things.
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Commission Rate: $2 Per Referral
Cookie Duration: Unknown
Ibotta is a free app that rewards you for purchases you already make. Get cash when shopping in-store. Online shoppers earn via their web portal.
TIP: We maintain a database of the best affiliate programs. Click here to see the best coupon affiliate programs.
Once you’ve been approved for the product’s affiliate program, the program will give you your affiliate link, and you can start inserting it into your content.
How To Monetize A Coupon Blog With Affiliate Marketing
To add your link to your content, go to your post editor, highlight the relevant text, and insert the link.
Here are a few best practices for adding affiliate links to your WordPress blog:
- Add links where it’s helpful. Adding too many links to your blog posts is just like adding too many ads; it’s annoying. Add links to product titles, images, CTA buttons, and the first time you mention a product. That’s plenty.
- Disclose your links. Every blog post with affiliate links should have a disclaimer at the beginning, and every CTA or product image should also.
- Use direct sales language. When you are writing your call to action, be direct. It’s not rude to say, “Check the price” or “Buy this product today.” Being too passive makes you look unconfident.
Or, take it a step further by creating product displays.
You Can Double Your Affiliate Sales With Lasso Displays
You can create displays manually using the post editor to add links to images and buttons.
However, it can be time-consuming to create these displays and keep them updated if you’re doing it all by hand.
Luckily, monetizing your blog with affiliate links is simplified when you’re using a tool like Lasso.
Lasso makes it super easy to add links and product displays to your posts. You can add product displays to posts right from the post editor; no coding is required. It’s as simple as clicking your mouse three times.
You can also automatically import product info from retailers like Amazon. Just paste the link into the Lasso dashboard, and Lasso will populate the display with the product title, image, and price.
With all of this, remember to follow the guidelines in the affiliate program’s terms and conditions. Amazon, in particular, is pretty stringent.
But everything Lasso does is compliant with Amazon Associates’ TOS, so you never have to worry about being booted from the program.
That’s just scratching the surface of what Lasso can do to help you monetize your coupon blog. If you’re ready to start making a serious affiliate income from your coupon site, sign up for Lasso today.
A WordPress plugin that lets you add, manage, and display your affiliate links from any program, including Amazon. Increase conversions. Find new affiliate link opportunities. Earn more revenue! Less than 5 minutes to set up.
Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Coupon Bloggers
Affiliate marketing can be a game changer for bloggers. It allows creators to earn commission by promoting products related to their niche. The best part? You don’t have to handle inventory or shipping, making it a low-maintenance way to earn money.
However, there are downsides. Not every affiliate program is created equal. Some pay out tiny commissions, which can be frustrating if you put in a lot of effort. Also, promoting products that don’t fit your audience can hurt your credibility. Trust is everything, and losing it can cost you long-term.
On the bright side, successful affiliates often enjoy passive income. Once your content is out there, it continues to earn money with little upkeep. Plus, it can diversify your income streams, reducing reliance on ad revenue alone.
2. Display Ads
The second best way to monetize your coupon blog is with display ads. Ads are the internet's favorite monetization method, but they have severe drawbacks.
How to Monetize a Coupon Blog With Display Ads
Monetizing a coupon blog with display ads couldn’t be easier.
First, choose an ad network to join. Networks have traffic requirements, so here are the best ad networks to join based on your site’s page views:
- 100,000+ Visitors per month - Raptive
- 50,000+ Sessions per month - Mediavine
- < 50,000+ Visitors per month - Ezoic
NOTE: WordPress is an open-source software found on WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a premium blogging platform, but you never need to pay to install WordPress on your website, even if it’s self-hosted.
Once you’re accepted to an ad network, follow their instructions to integrate their ads into your site. They will have documentation for every type of content management service (WordPress, Joomla, Ghost, etc.).
If your chosen ad network has a dedicated accounts manager, they will guide you through getting their ads on your site.
And… that’s it. Let the ads run and wait for your deposits to hit your account.
TIP: Optimize your display ads for user experience by using your chosen network’s software settings or talking to your account manager. Keep the ads in the sidebar and footer whenever possible.
You’ll make a lot of money in the long run if you put your readers ahead of quick profit.
Display Ad Pros And Cons For Coupon Bloggers
Display ads can be a mixed bag for coupon bloggers. On one hand, they offer a chance to generate passive income. Once set up, you can earn money just by having them on your site. This is especially appealing if you get decent traffic.
On the flip side, display ads can clutter your blog. Too many ads might frustrate your readers, leading to a drop in engagement. You'll want to strike a balance between monetization and user experience.
Also, the income from display ads can be unpredictable. Your earnings can fluctuate based on ad performance, traffic trends, or changes in ad networks. This uncertainty means it’s wise to diversify your income streams.
Lastly, some bloggers find the setup process tricky. It might take time to figure out what works best for your audience. So, if you go this route, be prepared for a bit of trial and error.
3. Digital Products
Selling your own digital products is a great way to increase your earnings per visitor in the coupon niche.
A digital product is anything you can sell on your coupon blog that the customer will receive via download.
Here’s a quick list of digital products perfect for your coupon blog:
- Printable Coupons: Offer users high-quality, easy-to-print coupons for various brands and stores.
- Discount Codes E-books: Create a compilation of exclusive online discount codes and tips.
- Budgeting Templates: Sell downloadable templates to help users manage their finances effectively.
- Couponing Guides: Write and sell detailed guides on how to maximize savings while couponing.
- Mobile Apps: Develop simple coupon-tracking apps for users to keep all their deals organized.
A lot of people search for simple checklists and guides related to different topics. They’d happily pay you for them.
Pros and Cons of Selling Digital Products for Coupon Bloggers
When it comes to selling digital products, coupon bloggers have a unique edge. One major pro is the low overhead costs. Unlike physical goods, digital products don’t require shipping or storage. This means higher profit margins and a simpler setup. Plus, once you create a product, like an eBook or a course, it can be sold over and over again without additional effort.
However, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. A significant con is the initial effort needed to create quality products. This requires a steep investment of time and possibly money. If the product doesn't resonate with your audience, it might not sell. Marketing these products effectively can also present challenges, especially in a crowded online space.
Another pro is the ability to build trust with your audience. Offering valuable digital products can enhance your credibility. Your readers will see you as an authority in your niche. On the flip side, not all bloggers can transition seamlessly from informing to selling. Some may find it difficult to strike that balance without coming off as too salesy.
Ultimately, the decision to sell digital products involves weighing these pros and cons. Finding that sweet spot can lead to a thriving revenue stream, but it requires both commitment and understanding of your audience's needs.
How To Monetize a Coupon Blog By Selling Digital Products
The first thing to do is create your digital product.
Look at which content your audience interacts with the most, and brainstorm digital products to help serve their search intent.
That’s what I did when I created our Ultimate Blogging Guide:
Get Your FREE 20-Page Guide To Making $1000/Day From Your Niche Blog
Then, create the product using whatever tools are at your disposal. For example, use Microsoft Word to create an ebook PDF, or Google Sheets to create interactive spreadsheets and checklists.
Next, you have to figure out how to distribute your product. The easiest way to distribute PDFs is by uploading them to your WordPress media library. Then you can give customers the link, and they can download the PDF from there.
Lastly, you’ll have to set up payment processing and order fulfillment. A plugin like Woocommerce can automate most of this, but you’ll have to tie it to a processor like Stripe or PayPal.
Woocommerce can even connect to an email tool like ConvertKit, so as soon as your customer finishes their checkout, they’ll get an email with a link to their download.
TIP: You can still use Lasso to get more clicks to your digital products. Just create a Lasso display with the link pointing to your product’s sales page.
Barring any issues, you won’t have to do anything but watch your bank account grow.
4. Email Newsletter
One effective way to monetize a coupon blog is by creating an email newsletter. This method allows you to build a loyal audience and engage with your readers on a more personal level. Let's explore how to monetize a coupon blog with an email newsletter and the pros and cons of email marketing for coupon bloggers.
How to Monetize a Coupon Blog with an Email Newsletter
Email newsletters are a powerful tool for Coupon bloggers looking to monetize their platforms. They allow you to directly engage with your audience, offering them exclusive deals and promotions right in their inboxes. Since Coupon blogs thrive on delivering value through discounts and savings, a well-crafted email newsletter can drive significant traffic and conversions.
To get started with monetizing through an email newsletter, first, you’ll need to build a subscriber list. Offer visitors an incentive for signing up, such as a free eBook on saving tips or exclusive coupons. Make sure your sign-up form is prominently displayed on your blog, and consider pop-ups or embedded forms to capture interest. Grow your list organically by sharing your newsletter sign-up on social media and during guest posts on other blogs.
Next, create engaging content that keeps your subscribers coming back for more. Share weekly roundups of the best deals, exclusive offers from affiliate partners, and tailored content that meets your audience's preferences. By establishing yourself as a trusted source for discounts, your subscribers will look forward to your emails, increasing the likelihood they'll click on your offers and help generate revenue.
Lastly, leverage affiliate marketing within your newsletters. When you share coupon codes or promotional links, ensure they are affiliate links. Anytime a subscriber uses your link to make a purchase, you'll earn a commission. This not only monetizes your efforts but also adds value for your readers when you present deals that genuinely benefit them.
Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Coupon Bloggers
- Pros:
- Direct Communication: Emails reach your subscribers directly, ensuring they see your deals without competition from social media noise.
- Increased Engagement: Subscribers are often more engaged, leading to better conversion rates when it comes to coupons and affiliate offers.
- Customized Content: You can personalize emails based on subscriber behavior, making offers more relevant and increasing the chances of conversions.
- Cons:
- List Maintenance: You need to keep your email list fresh and clean, removing inactive subscribers to maintain engagement rates.
- Compliance Issues: Navigating GDPR and CAN-SPAM regulations can be complex, and improper handling can lead to fines.
- Time Commitment: Crafting quality newsletters requires effort and consistency to achieve the desired impact.
5. Consulting and Coaching Services
Consulting or coaching is exchanging your expertise and time for a fee. Your customers need an expert, and you’ve proven yourself to be that expert.
As you become an authority in the industry, people will reach out to you with questions about topics they consider you an expert in.
Now, you don’t have to charge for being helpful, but you should place a dollar value on your time.
As a coupon blogger, you extensive knowledge of the industry. If a reader reaches out to you asking for help, you should get paid for that effort.
How To Monetize A Coupon Blog With Consulting Services
Monetizing a coupon blog with consulting services is similar to selling sponsored posts.
Put a “Coaching” option in your nav bar that goes to a landing page outlining your consulting services and your hourly rate. This will help head off some of the people looking for free advice.
TIP: Again, you can use Lasso to drive more clicks to your coaching pages. Just create a Display with a link to your sales page, and insert it into blog posts.
Then, wait for requests to come in, evaluate them, and propose your offer. If the customer accepts, send them an invoice using PayPal or another payment processor, and schedule the call.
Pros and Cons of Selling Consulting Services for Coupon Bloggers
One major pro of selling consulting services for coupon bloggers is the ability to leverage expertise. If you know the ins and outs of couponing, you can offer valuable insights to others. This can position you as an authority in the niche, attracting clients who value your knowledge.
On the flip side, a con is the time commitment. Consulting often requires a significant investment of your time to meet with clients, customize strategies, and offer ongoing support. This can become overwhelming, especially if you're also managing your blog and other commitments.
Another pro is potential income. Consulting can be lucrative, especially if you establish a solid reputation. Clients are often willing to pay a premium for tailored advice, which can translate into a steady revenue stream.
However, selling consulting services also comes with competition. As more coupon bloggers enter the space, differentiating yourself becomes crucial. You'll need a solid marketing strategy to stand out and attract clients amidst a growing field.
Supercharge your earnings with Lasso. Create no-code product Displays and Tables that convert, find and fix broken links, and gain valuable business insights with revenue analytics.
Learn MoreCoupon Blog Monetization FAQs
What Is The Best Way To Make Money From Coupon Blogging?
If you want to build a successful coupon blog, then affiliate marketing is the best way to monetize it. It’s the least intrusive way to make a lot of money from your site without much extra effort.
Can I Make A Full-Time Income From Coupon Blogging?
Absolutely! Some coupon blogs, like Hip 2 Save and Money Saving Mom get hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors. That’s enough for a full-time income for a small team of people.
How Do I Start a Coupon Blog?
Learning how to start a coupon blog is the first best way to use your expertise to start an online business.
You need to register a domain, install WordPress, and publish great content. It's a lot of work, but totally worth it!
How Do Coupon Bloggers Get Paid?
Most coupon bloggers make money through affiliate commissions and advertising fees. Both of these monetization methods pay out one or two months after the fees have been generated.
Some coupon bloggers also sell sponsored posts, consulting services, or their own products. In these cases, a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe is necessary.
Is Coupon Blogging Easy?
Nothing worth doing is truly easy, but that doesn’t mean coupon blogging isn’t fun.
As a coupon blogger, you’ll get to go places, try new things, and meet new people. And it will be part of your business! What could be cooler than that?
Is It Worth Starting A Coupon Blog?
It’s absolutely worth it to start a coupon blog. Not only can you make a living from it, but you can also build a community and control the conversation.
Once you’re an established authority, people in coupon-related industries will take you seriously.
Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Coupon Blog
Congratulations! You've learned some great ways to monetize your coupon blog.
But here’s a bonus tip for you: Use multiple income streams!
Diversifying is key to keeping your blog strong and secure.
If you mix affiliate offers, display ads, and even sell your own products, you can weather any storm. For instance, if Amazon cuts its commission rates, you won't be left in the lurch.
With this balanced strategy, a little hard work, and smart planning, you’ll be well on your way to earning what you deserve from your online business.
Why You Should Trust Our Coupon Blogging Content
You may be thinking, "that's all great, but what does Lasso know about coupon blogging?"
Quite a lot, actually.
Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful coupon blog:
We've Built Wildly Successful Blogs
Lasso is built for affiliate marketers, by affiliate marketers. We're not gurus; we've walked the walk.
Our team members have built multiple blogs from the ground up, some of them earning over seven figures in revenue.
We put that experience into every guide we write, so you can trust we're giving you a process that works.
We Talk To Coupon Bloggers Every Day
Lasso's WordPress plugin is installed on over 8,000 websites, including a lot of coupon blogs.
Our team supports those bloggers every day as they create awesome content and earn lots of money.
These communications give us a bird's-eye view of what's new in the coupon industry. We take that information and use it to keep these guides as up-to-date and accurate as possible.
We're Super Nerds
We've put a lot of company focus into learning everything we can about blogging, affiliate marketing, SEO, and anything to do with online entrepreneurship.
We attend conferences, collect high-level contacts, read tons of books, and distill all of that information into our content. We pass information onto you that was previously only available to industry insiders.
