Affiliate review sites are a simple way to earn online. You recommend products, send traffic to partner sites, and get paid for clicks or sales. It works well if your site looks clean, loads fast, and gives people what they came for.
One way to build a site like this without spending much is by starting with a free HTML5 template. It gives you a working layout, saves time, and lets you focus on adding content and links. You don’t need a fancy design, just something clear, responsive, and easy to update.
Pick a Template That’s Easy to Use and Easy to Change
Start with a free HTML5 template that fits your content and is simple to customise. You want a layout that works well on all screen sizes and includes space for elements such as review summaries, product images, and call-to-action buttons.
Blog or portfolio templates are usually a good fit; they’re clean and designed to display multiple content blocks.
Before committing, open the template in a code editor like Visual Studio Code. Check that the file size is small and that it doesn’t rely on too many external scripts. The simpler it is, the faster it will load. Replace all demo content with your own, and match the colours and images to the type of products or services you’re reviewing.
Make the Layout Easy to Use
Once the template’s in place, structure it in a way that’s easy for visitors to use. Focus on the content, not on flashy graphics. Give most of the screen to your reviews, and keep menus or filters in side sections or headers where they’re easy to find but don’t distract.
Use colours that match the tone of what you’re reviewing. Stick to two or three main colours to keep the design from getting messy. Add soft shadows and clean corners to buttons to make them stand out without overdoing it.
Make sure the site works well for everyone. Text should be readable on any screen, and buttons need to be large enough to tap on phones. Add alt text to every image. This helps with SEO and lets people using screen readers understand what’s on the page.
Add a Simple Leaderboard to Show Top Options
If you’re running a review site, you need a clear way to show your best picks. A small leaderboard or ranking list helps visitors see what’s worth checking out right away. It saves time, builds trust, and encourages more people to click through to your affiliate links.
A good example to consider is Kasinoranking, which is a popular site for online casino rankings and reviews. They use a well-organized animated leaderboard that shows updated rankings. Each card shows useful info like bonus size, payout speed, and game selection, making it easy for users to decide what suits them.
You can use the same setup for any niche. Whether you’re ranking phones or VPNs, a clear leaderboard makes decisions easier. Add a hover effect for a clean look, and make sure it updates regularly. It helps people stay on your site longer and makes it easier for them to pick something and click.
Add Links the Right Way and Track What Works
If you want the site to earn, your affiliate links need to be placed naturally. Don’t rely on pop-ups or flashy banners. Instead, drop the links into the text, like adding a line that says See full features here within a review. Keep the anchor text clear and related to the product.
You can also add small promo boxes in your layout using basic HTML5 tags. These work well in sidebars or between sections, especially if they tie into the content. The goal is to keep everything relevant so it doesn’t feel forced.
If you want to take it a step further, you can use JavaScript to change affiliate links based on a visitor’s location. This helps you send people to the right regional offer and can boost earnings without cluttering the layout.
Final Checks and Smart Launch Tips
Before putting the site live, test everything. Use tools like BrowserStack to make sure it loads right on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and mobile browsers. Then run your HTML through a validator to catch broken code.
It also helps to get fresh eyes on the site. Ask a few people to use it and point out anything confusing. You can even try tools like Hotjar to see where users click and scroll; this shows if your buttons or leaderboards are in the right spots.
When you’re ready, upload your files to a host like Netlify. It’s fast, free, and works great for HTML5. Share the site with a few teaser reviews to start drawing traffic.
Once it’s live, check your stats every week. Update your reviews periodically to keep them relevant. Try changing one thing at a time, like a button color or call-to-action, to see what works better. This kind of regular tweaking helps you stay competitive and grow faster.