Best Affiliate Marketing Tools For Bloggers [2021]

Today you’re going to find new, untapped affiliate marketing tools and resources you can use to propel your online business.

And let me be straight with you.

This ain’t your grandma’s list of marketing tools.

This is a curated list of digital marketing tools that I’ve personally researched, paid for, and tested to grow my online marketing and SEO business since 2010.

In other words, these are the best marketing tools I currently use and recommend to clients who want to start a blog or profit from affiliate marketing. (And why I’m recommending them to you.)

I’ve got three main criteria when it comes to selecting internet marketing tools.

Speed being most important because it creates a competitive advantage. Especially running an online business.

And from one affiliate marketer to another…

I’m sure you can appreciate the wise words of “King James” himself.

(This quote is definitely taken out of context, but it kinda works for affiliate marketing.)

My hope is this comprehensive tool guide becomes your “go-to” resource for the best affiliate marketing tools online.

And by using the tools listed…

You save time, have less frustration, and ultimately make more money.

On that note…

Let’s get into it!

WAIT… Before we get into it here’s my affiliate disclosure. (By this point I hope you realize this site is about affiliate marketing. So what kind of affiliate marketer would I be if I didn’t drop my affiliate links? ☺︎)

Best Of The Best: 25 Affiliate Marketing Tools To Start And Scale An Online Business

I’m constantly giving out tool recommendations to friends and colleagues, but if I had to start an affiliate marketing business from scratch…

…the following marketing tools are the first I would invest in to quickly grow my online business.

*Note: I don’t believe in wasteful spending. I run my digital marketing business as lean as possible in regards to operating costs and expenses.

That being said, some tools are beginner and budget friendly. And others are pro tools for affiliate marketers who don’t mind paying extra for increased performance.

The following, in my opinion, are the best 25 marketing tools to start and scale a six-figure affiliate marketing business (or any online business for that matter).

Let’s dive in.

(Listed in alphabetical order)

Audio & Podcast Editing Software

• Audacity: Free open-source, audio software for recording and editing.
• Auphonic: Automatic audio post production web service.
• BounceCast: Record, enhance, and master podcasts and video audio automatically.
• Descript: Record, edit, mix, collaborate, and master your audio and video.
• Garage Band: A music creation studio inside your Mac.

Accounting Software For Freelancers

• FreshBooks: Cloud-based all-in-one accounting software for freelancers.
• QuickBooks: Accounting software for small business.

Best Chrome Extensions for Digital Marketers

• Colorzilla: Advanced eyedropper, color picker and more.
• Evernote Web Clipper: Clip web pages and store in Evernote.
• Fast Bookmark Scanner: Clean up duplicate bookmarks fast.
• Firebug Lite: Inspect and edit CSS, HTML, JavaScript in any web page.
• Grammarly: Free writing app and grammar checker.✓
• Keywords Everywhere:  Free Google keyword research tool.✓
• LastPass
• Momentum: Gives you a moment of calm for focused productivity.✓
• Page Ruler: Get pixel dimensions and positioning on any web page.
• Rapportive: Shows you everything about your contacts inside Gmail.
• SEO Quake: A powerful SEO toolbox for your browser.✓
• Similar Web: Site traffic sources and ranking.
• Sticky Notes:  Capture ideas that pop up in your browser.✓
• Video Speed Controller: Speed up and slow down any  HTML video.✓
• Word Counter Plus:  View word and character count on selected text.
• vidIQ

Broken Link Checkers

• Broken Link Check: Free broken link checker that finds dead hyperlinks.
• Check My Links: Broken link checker for Google Chrome.
• IM Ninjas Broken Link Checker: Find broken links and export.
• Lasso: Integrates seamlessly with Amazon and monitors for broken links.

Cloud Storage

• Amazon S3: Highly scalable object storage.
• Dropbox: Secure file sharing and storage.
• Google Drive: Access files anywhere through secure cloud storage.
• pCloud: File security made simple.✓

Color Scheme Generators

• Adobe Color: Browse thousands of color combinations.✓
• Paletton: Create color combinations that work well together.

Competitor Analysis / Backlink Tools

• Ahrefs: SEO Backlink checker and competitor research tool.
• Majestic: Link intelligence tools for SEO and online marketing.
• Moz: Link analysis and SEO software tools for better marketing.
• Open Link Profiler: Free SEO link research tool.
• SEMrush: Versatile competitive intelligence suite for digital marketing.✓
• SEO Quake: A powerful SEO toolbox for your browser.
• SEO Review Tools: Check the 100 most valuable backlinks sorted via Moz.
• WebMeUp: The most accurate link checker.

Conference Calling Services

• UberConfernce: Simple, visual, and free to use.

Content Marketing Idea Tools for Bloggers

• BuzzSumo: Find the most shared content and key influencers.✓
• Twitter Search: Find popular people, hashtags, and photos for any topic.
• Google Trends: See the latest trends, data, and visualizations.
• Popurls: The webs most popular content on a single page.
• Portent: Content idea generator.

Conversion Tracking Software

• ConversionFly: The Most Complete Marketing Tracking Software.✓
• Google Analytics: Measure your advertising ROI.

Copywriting Swipe Files

• Swipe File: Swipe files curated by the top copywriters in the world.✓
• Swiped: Marketing and copywriting examples.

Deadline Countdown Timers

• Deadline Funnel: Add urgency to marketing funnels and sell more.

Documentation Software

• Clarify: A brand new approach to screenshot software.✓
• Screensteps: User support documentation.

Domain Name Registrars

1. NameCheap: Cheap domain names with free WhoIs Guard.✓
2. GoDaddy: World’s largest domain name registrar.

Domain Check Tools

• Whois Domain Tools: Get ownership info, IP address, and more.
• Wayback Machine: Explore 286+ billion webpages saved over time.✓

Ebook Cover Creators

• Adazing: Free ebook cover creator.
• Canva: Amazingly simple graphic design software.
• Designrr: Create beautiful lead magnets without writing a single word.
• MyEcoverMaker: 3D ebooks covers in minutes.
• PixelStudioFx: Instantly create professional high converting eCovers.✓

Ebook Maker Software (for Lead Magnets)

• Beacon: Create professional lead magnets in minutes.✓
• Designrr: Create beautiful lead magnets without writing a single word.

Email Marketing Automation Software

• ActiveCampagn: Email marketing automation and small business CRM.
• ConvertKit: Email marketing for professional bloggers.
• Drip: Quick and easy email marketing automation.✓
• GetResponse: Send emails, surveys, and follow-up autoresponders.

Facebook Live Software

• BeLive: Engage your audience on Facebook Live.
• Ecamm Live: Powerful Facebook Live platform for Mac.✓

Flowchart Software

• Draw.io: Free online diagram and flowchart software.
• Gliffy: Online diagram and flowchart software.
• Google Draw: Create diagrams and flowcharts for free.✓

Free Fonts

• DaFont: Archive of free downloadable fonts.✓
• 1001 Free Fonts: Download 33872 fonts in 18093 font families.

Free Graphics

• Freepik: Free vectors, photos and PSD downloads.✓
• Vecteezy: Huge collection of free vector art, graphics, and wallpapers.

Free Icons

• Flaticon: Free vector icons in SVG, PSD, PNG, and EPS format.
• IconFinder: Hosts a collection of premium and free icons.
• IconMonstr: Free simple icons for your next project.
• TheNounProject: Icons for everything (and now with color).✓

Free Stock Music

• Free Music Archive: Archive of public domain and CC-licensed songs.
• Incompetech: Royalty-free music organized by genre.
• YouTube Audio Library: Browse and download free music.✓

Free Stock Photos

• AllTheFreeStock: Free stock images and videos.✓
• Gratisography: Free high-resolution stock photos.
• LibreStock: Search the best 47 free stock photo sites in one place.
• Monisphoto: Free stock photos and images.
• Paul Jarvis: Download a set of free high-resolution photos.
• Pexels: Free stock photos you can use everywhere.
• Pixabay: Free photos, illustrations, and vector graphics.
• Splashbase: Search and discover free hi-res public domain photos.
• Stock Unlimited: Free vector graphics, icons, photos, and infographics.✓
• Unsplash: Amazing free high-resolution images.
• VisualHunt: High-quality free stock photos in one place.

Free Stock Videos

• Coverr: Beautiful free videos for your homepage.
• Mazwai: Download free creative commons HD video clips and footage.
• Pixabay: High-quality footage and stock videos you can use anywhere.✓
• Splashbase: Search and discover free hi-res videos.
• Pexels:  Free stock videos for your website, promo videos, and more.
• Vimeo: Free HD stock footage for your blog or website.

FTP Software

• Cyberduck: A FTP, Google Drive and Dropbox browser for Mac and PC.
• FileZilla: The free FTP solution for both client and server.

GIF Sites

• Gifbin: Best funny GIFs and animated GIFs.
• Giphy: Your top source for the best and newest GIFs online.✓
• Reaction GIFs: The best GIF reactions for making your point.

Graphic Design Software

• Adobe Spark: Make images and videos for free.
• Canva: Amazingly simple graphic design software.✓
• Meme Generator: Create your own meme.
• Snappa: Quick and easy graphic design software.
• Stencil: The world’s fastest image creator.✓

Heatmap and Visitor Tracking

• Crazy Egg: Visualize where your visitors click.
• LuckyOrange: Dynamic heatmaps, visitor recordings, and chat.✓
• Sumo: Suite of free tools used to grow your website’s traffic.

All Pages

Image Editors

• GIMP: Cross platform image editor for Linux, OS X and Windows.
• Photoshop: Transform your photos into anything you can imagine.✓
• Pixlr: Online photo editor including layers and effects.
• Social Image Resizer Tool: Resize and crop your images for web use.

Image Optimizers

• Compressor: Optimize and compress your images and photos.
• Compress JPG & PNG: Automatically optimizes WordPress images.✓
• ImageOptim: Makes images load faster by removing bloated metadata.
• Smush.it: Image compression and optimization for WordPress.
• Tinyjpg: Optimize JPG images with perfect balance in quality and size.
• Tinypng: Optimize PNG images with perfect balance in quality and size.

Infographic Tools

• Easel.ly:  Create and share visual ideas online.
• Piktochart: Create easy infographics, reports, and presentations.✓

Keyword Density Checkers

• SEO Book: Free keyword density analyzer.✓
• WordCounter: Online word counter and keyword density checker.

Keyword Research Tools

• Google Keyword Planner: Keyword research and strategy.
• Google Trends: See the latest trends, data, and visualizations.
• Keyword.io: Research keywords from many different sources.
• KeywordResearcher:Find thousands of long tail keyword phrases.✓
• KeywordsEverywhere: Browser tool that shows Google search volume.
• KeywordTool.io: Long tail keyword research tool.
• KWFinder: Find thousands of longtail keywords with low SEO difficulty.✓
• Market Samurai: Discover keywords and your competitor’s weaknesses.
• SeCockpit: Keyword research tool and SEO management.
• SEMrush:  Competitive intelligence suite for internet marketing.✓
• Soovle: Search suggestions from top providers on the internet.
• Ubersuggest: Free keyword tool to generate more suggestions.
• Yoast Suggest:  Google Suggest keyword expander.

Keyword Trackers

• KWFinder: Track and find longtail keywords.✓
• KeywordTracker: Free Google rank checker.
• SEMrush: Track website rankings for target keywords in Google.✓
• SERP Watcher:  Rank tracker with focus on effectivity.

Landing Page Software / Funnel Builders

• ClickFunnels: Create marketing funnels in minutes.
• LeadPages: Landing page builder and lead generation software.
• ThriveThemes Landing Pages: Publish ready-made landing pages on WP.✓

Large File Transfers

• Dropbox: Secure file sharing and storage.✓
• Google Drive: Access files anywhere through secure cloud storage.
• WeTransfer: The simplest way to send your files around the world.

Lead Capture Modal Popup Software

• Hello Bar: Convert visitors into customers.
• OptinMonster: Converts abandoning visitors into subscribers.
• Sumo: Suite of tools used to grow your website traffic.
• ThriveLeads: The ultimate list building plugin for WorPress.✓

Link Shortners

• Bitly: URL shortner and link management platform.
• GeniusLink: Smarter links for e-commerce.
• Google Url Shortner: Create short URLs that can be easily shared.
• PrettyLink: Shrink, track, and organize all your links.✓

Logo Design Online

• 99 Designs: Logos, web, graphic design and more.✓
• Design Crowd: Crowdsourced logo, freelance graphic, and web design.
• Fiverr: Logo design services from online freelance designers.
• LogoLogo: Home of free logo downloads (AI, EPS, PSD, CDR).
• Upwork: Hire design freelancers.

Mind Mapping Software

• Freemind: Open-sourced mind mapping software.
• Xmind: The most professional and popular mind mapping tool.✓

Mobile Phone Emulators

• MobileTest: Test your mobile sites and responsive web design.
• mobiReady: Is your website mobile ready?✓

Mockup Generators

• MagicMockups: Free real-life mockup generator.
• Placeit: Insert screenshots into iPhone and iPad mockup templates.
• SmartMockups: Create stunning mockups.✓

Online Course Platforms / Membership Software

• NewKajabi: Easily, market, sell and deliver your online content.
• ProductDyno: Easiest way to sell & securely deliver digital products.✓
• Teachable: Create and sell your online courses.
• Thinkific: Create, market and sell your online courses.

Outsourcing / Freelance Services

• Fiverr: Freelance services marketplace for the lean entrepreneur.
• OnlineJobs: Qualified and skilled Filipino virtual assistants.
• Upwork: Hire freelancers and get freelance jobs online.✓

Page Speed Tools

• Google Page Speed: Analyzes and gives suggestions so pages load faster.
• GT Metrix: Website speed and performance optimization.✓
• Pingdom: Website and performance monitoring.

Payment Processors

• PayPal: Send money,  pay online, or set up a merchant account.
• Stripe: A suite of APIs that powers commerce for businesses.✓

Phone Number Tracking

• Evoice:  Small business phone numbers and virtual phone system.✓
• Hosted Numbers: Virtual phone number provider.

Presentation Software

• Google Slides: Create and edit presentations online for free.
• Keynote: Easy to create stunning and memorable presentations.✓
• PowerPoint: Slide presentation software.

Press Release Tools

• PRWeb: Online press release distribution service.✓
• PressCable: Instant publicity to your site.

Productivity Tools

• Alfred: Productivity app for Mac OS X.✓
• Brain.fm: Music to improve focus, meditation, and sleep.✓
• Defonic: A fabulous ambient noise generator.
• Desktop Tidy: Hide and manage desktop files for Mac OS X.
• Feedly: Organize, read, and share what matters to you.✓
• Google Alerts: Monitor the web for interesting content.✓
• LastPass: Password manager, form filler, and password generator.✓
• Momentum: Personal dashboard designed to eliminate distraction.✓
• Noisli: Improve focus and boost productivity with background noise.
• Spectacle: A simple way to become more productive on your Mac.✓
• VideoSpeedController: Speed up, slow down, advance and rewind video.✓

Project Management Tools

• Asana:  Track your teams work and manage projects.
• Basecamp: Project management software and online collaboration.
• MeisterTask:  Task management for teams.✓
• Trello: Infinitely flexible, Trello keeps track of everything.✓

Screen Annotation Apps (Real-Time)

• Ink2Go: Write on any other application that is currently active.

Screen Capture Software (Image)

• CloudApp: The video and image sharing platform for pros.✓
• Jing: Add basic visual elements to all of your online conversations.
• LightShot: Screenshot tool for Mac and Windows.
• Skitch: Snap, mark up, and share for Mac.
• Snagit:Amazing screen capture and recording software.✓

Screen Recording Software (Video)

• Call Recorder for Skype: Record Mac Skype calls.✓
• Camtasia: Video editor for Windows and Mac.
• CloudApp: The video and image sharing platform for pros.✓
• iMovie: Turn your movie into movie magic.
• Screencastify: A lightweight screen recorder for Chrome.
• Screencast-O-Matic: Trusted by millions to create screen recordings.
• ScreenFlow:Record your screen, iOS device, then edit with ease.✓

SERPs Rank Checker

• BrightLocal: Check localized search ranking for any city or location.✓
• SERPs Rank Checker: Check keyword rankings in Google or Yahoo.

Shopping Cart Software

• Gumroad: Sell, music, software, books, and films directly to your audience.
• SamCart:The easiest way to sell digital products and services online.✓
• ThriveCart: A cart platform for marketers.

Social Media Name Checkers

• NameChk: Username, domain, and trademark search.

Social Media Scheduling

• Buffer: A smarter way to share on social media.
• MeetEdgar: Social media scheduling tools that manage itself.✓

Speed-Reading Apps

• Readsy: Easy way to read large amounts of text using Spritz.
• Spreeder: Free speed reading app.
• Spritz: Improves focus, completion, and fluency.✓

Survey Tools

• Google Forms: Create and analyze surveys for free.
• SurveyMonkey: Free online survey software and questionnaire tool.
• SurveyPlanet: Build and share free online surveys quickly.✓

Time Mangement Tools

• RescueTime: Time management software for staying productive.
• FocusBooster: Track your productivity.✓
• E.ggtimer:  A simple countdown timer.
• MyMinutes: The personal time tracking app for your iPhone.

Transcription Services

• Rev: Audio transcriptions, video captions, and translation services.✓
• Scribie:  Audio and video transcription service.

Transcription Software

• Descript: Edit recordings by editing text (transcripts in minutes).✓
• Trint: Get searchable, editable transcripts in minutes.

Video Animation Software

• Explaindio: Make amazing professional animations and doodle sketches.
• VideoMakerFX: All in one video creator and animation software.
• VideoScribe: Create your own whiteboard video animations.✓

Video Conference Tools

• Appear.in: One click video conversations.✓
• Skype: Video calls to friends and family.

Video Downloaders

• GetfVid: Facebook video downloader.✓
• Y2Mate: Online download videos from YouTube.✓

Video Editing Software

• Camtasia: Video editor for Windows and Mac.
• iMovie: Turn your movie into movie magic.
• ScreenFlow:Record your screen, iOS device, then edit with ease.✓

Video Hosting

• JW Player: Powerful and flexible video platform.
• Vimeo: Upload, manage, and share your videos.
• Wistia: Video hosting for business.
• YouTube: Upload original content and share it with the world.✓

Video Recording Gear

• Blue Yeti: Professional USB microphone.
• iPhone 7: Best performance and battery life ever and stereo speakers.
• Joby Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom: Flexible tripod with ball-head and level.
• Logitech C920 Webcam: Widescreen pro webcam with tripod mount.
• Rhode SC7 3.5mm cable: Allows microphone connection to smartphone.
• Rhode Video Mic Go: Lightweight on-camera microphone.
• Shoulderpod S1 Pro Rig: Modular video rig for smartphones.

Video Resizing Software

Kapwing: Resize any video to fit Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Virtual Phone Number Service

• Grasshopper: Lets you run your business using your cell phone.✓ 
• Hosted Numbers: Virtual phone number provider.

Webinar Software

• Easy Webinar: Both a live and automated webinar platform.
• Go To Webinar: Webinar and online conference software.
• Webinar Jam: Powerful webinar hosting software.
• Webinar Ninja: The best webinar software on the planet.✓ 

Website Analytics Tools

• Clicky: Web analytics in real time.
• Google Analytics: Measure your advertising ROI.✓
• Google Search Console: Monitor Google Search results for your sites.✓
• LukyOrange: Dynamic heat maps, visitor recordings, live chat software.✓

Website Builders (CMS)

• WordPress.org: Scalable blog tool, publishing platform, and CMS.

Website SEO Analyzer Tools

• Hubspot: Grades key metrics like performance, mobile, and SEO.
• Nibbler: Check accessibility, SEO, social media, compliance, and more.
• Neil Patel’s SEO Analyzer: Check your website’s SEO.
• Screaming Frog: Crawl websites’ URLs and analyze onsite SEO.
• SEO Site Checkup: Instantly check your on-page SEO.
• SEO Workers: Free search engine optimization analysis tool.
• Seoptimer: Free and online website review and SEO audit tool.✓

Whiteboard Software

• AWW App: Online whiteboard for real-time visual collaboration.
• Stormboard: Online brainstorming and planning.
• Realtimeboard: Virtual whiteboard and virtual collaboration tool.✓
• Web Whiteboard: The simplest way to draw and write together online.

WordPress Backup Plugins and Services

• BackupBuddy: Allows you to restore or move WordPress to a new host.
• VaultPress: Protection, security, and backup services for WP blogs.✓

WordPress Hosting

• Bluehost: Professional web hosting with 24/7 live customer support.✓
• LiquidWeb: Managed dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud servers.

WordPress Support Help

• Upwork: Hire WordPress freelance developers.✓
• WPCurve: Unlimited small fixes for WordPress 24/7.

WordPress Themes

• StudioPress:Highlyoptimized WordPress themes built on Genesis.✓
• ThemeForest: Website templates and themes.
• ThemeFuse: PremiumWP themes and responsive WP templates.
• ThriveThemes: Conversion focused WordPress themes.

WordPress Plugins (Top 10)

• Akismet: Checks comments and contact form submissions for spam.
• Compress JPEG & PNG: Make your website faster by optimizing images.
• Contact Form 7: Manages multiple contact forms.
• Pretty Link: Shrink, cloak, track, and organize your links on your domain. 
• Social Warfare: Your ultimate social sharing arsenal.
• ThriveLeads: The ultimate list building plugin for WordPress.
• VaultPress: WordPress backup and security.
• W3 Total Cache: Improve SEO by improving website performance.
• WP Optimize: Database clean up and optimization for increased speed.
• Yoast SEO: The most complete WordPress SEO plugin.

Writing Tools for Bloggers

• AMA Headline Analyzer: Emotional marketing value headline analyzer.
• Byword: Efficient and simple text editor for Markdown.
• CoSchedule Headline Analyzer: Scores your overall headline quality.✓
• Copyscape: Plagiarism and duplicate content checker.
• Evernote: Capture what’s on your mind and sync across all devices.
• Google Docs:  Create and edit online documents for free.✓
• Grammarly: World’s most accurate grammar checker.✓
• Hemingway App: Makes your writing bold and clear.✓
• OmmWriter: Simple text editor that makes writing pleasurable.
• Scrivener: A powerful content-generation tool for writers.✓
• WordCounter: Online word counter and keyword density checker.