The Long-Term Verdict: Wealthy Affiliate After Nine Years

It’s quite a long time since I created a review, so here is my long-term verdict: Wealthy Affiliate after nine years. It’s hard to believe that I have been on the Wealthy Affiliate platform for over nine years now! I have been a member of the Wealthy Affiliate platform since 2014; you can see my profile here. You can find You can see my video review here or read the web version below.
I Learned The Hard Way!
I started looking at ways to make money online 20 years ago, as I could see the massive and huge potential of the power of the Internet. My eyes were really opened when I had my first broadband connection; broadband really changed the face of the Internet. The old-fashioned dial-up Internet was just so frustrating and painful to use; I’m very thankful that things have changed massively in that department!
My problem was that I could see the power of the Internet, but I really didn’t know what to do or what direction to go in. I had no real direction of where to start and how I could make money online. However, I was very eager to make this happen. I ended up purchasing many different products, hoping that they would give me the answer to my dreams. Unfortunately, there are so many scam products out there that don’t really tell you the truth. There may be an element of truth in the product, but it doesn’t give you the full picture.

Learn From Others
This is where platforms like Wealthy Affiliate make life so much easier. If Wealthy Affiliate had been available when I first started out online, it would have saved me thousands of pounds and I literally mean that! I spent a terrific amount of money on unnecessary products, just trying to learn how to make money online.
The great news is that Wealthy Affiliate is a genuine training platform which teaches you the correct way to make money online and how to build an online business. The boffins say that one of the best things we can do is invest in our education, I very much agree with that. We are very fortunate in this day and age to be able to have training videos, it’s just not reading from an out-of-date textbook! The training videos can be updated at any time, whereas a textbook can quickly become out of date.

The Wealthy Affiliate Platform Has Moved With The Times
If I set out to explore the realm of online entrepreneurship this year, Wealthy Affiliate would very likely catch my attention. For nearly two decades, this platform has stood as a beacon for individuals looking to turn the Internet into their economic playground. In 2024, as the digital world continues to morph at breakneck speed, understanding the tools and communities that can truly fuel online business success becomes crucial.
Now, you might wonder what sets Wealthy Affiliate apart in an ocean of internet marketing promises or scams. It’s so nice to have a platform that is upfront and gives you genuine real, honest and up-to-date training. I intend to shed light on its unique approach that has kept it relevant and admired over the years. As we go through this review together, you will uncover how Wealthy Affiliate has refined the art of building online businesses on a platform that is supportive, exceptionally friendly, helpful and tuned to the ever-changing dynamics of online marketing.
This exploration will not stop at broad outlines. I aim to drill down into the components that make Wealthy Affiliate a noteworthy contender in the market – from its origins, trust ratings, and membership offerings to exclusive features and the balance between its advantages and limitations. Stay with me as I unfold what you can really expect from Wealthy Affiliate in 2024 and, ultimately, whether it aligns with your digital aspirations and thoughts of having your own online business.
The Story Behind Wealthy Affiliate: From 2005 To Present
When you grasp the context in which the platform was founded, you gain insight into its purpose and ethos. Wealthy Affiliate began as a vision shared by two entrepreneurs, Kyle Loudoun and Carson Lim, back in 2005. Their mission was clear; they wanted to create a space that would democratize the process of succeeding online for every level of internet entrepreneur, from novices to seasoned pros. I guess I arrived at Wealthy Affiliate as someone who was making money online and yet wanted to keep up-to-date and learn more about the online world!
In the years that followed, Wealthy Affiliate has navigated the ever-shifting tides of the Internet, adapting its services and expanding its offerings. It transformed into a full-blown educational platform from a modest membership site, combining instructional material with practical tools designed for taking action. Its scalability has allowed users to grow from simple niche websites to full-fledged online businesses. There are so many wonderful success stories on the platform. It’s always a pleasure to hear about people who have made it happen!
Wealthy Affiliate’s historical roadmap is more than just timelines and feature rollouts; it’s about the really friendly community it has cultivated. I write on many different platforms, but the Wealthy Affiliate community is by far the most friendly! The platform’s commitment to genuine mentorship and peer support has spawned a vibrant online community. This fellowship or community spirit, is the backbone of Wealthy Affiliate, providing not just collaboration but also accountability, which is often the catalyst for success in the online world.
It’s Tough Out There On Your Own
One of the things that I struggled with when I first started working online and researching the subject of Internet marketing, was the fact that I didn’t have anyone to answer any of my questions or anyone to interact with. Even to this day, I don’t talk much about my online business, as I know the majority of people do not understand how it works. Going back 20 years, if you talked about making money online, people just thought you were some sort of scammer!

As we transition to a detailed look at the platform’s inner workings in the next section, keep in mind that Wealthy Affiliate’s history isn’t just about its past. It sets the stage for the future, always being one step ahead of the game. With enhancements and innovations crafted to meet the needs of today’s affiliate marketers and internet entrepreneurs.
Inside Wealthy Affiliate: A Comprehensive Platform Analysis
Imagine a platform that promises to introduce you to the world of affiliate marketing and guide you through each step of building a profitable online business. Wealthy Affiliate does precisely this with a system it has polished over the years. 2024 sees Wealthy Affiliate offering a robust platform for both beginners and seasoned marketers, using innovative strategies to develop their online presence. Even in the nine-plus years that I have been on the Wealthy Affiliate platform, I have seen some amazing changes.
I think what amazes me more is that from the first day I joined the platform, it worked. I was more than happy with the platform’s functionality and everything it offered. However, the owners are continually looking at ways to improve the platform and to stay ahead of the game. It’s fascinating to watch and to see what new enhancements will be coming next!
The core of Wealthy Affiliate’s approach decomposes business development into four manageable segments: selecting a profitable niche, website building, content creation, and monetization. This systematic approach demystifies the process of establishing an online business and empowers users to take actionable steps toward their entrepreneurial goals.
Hosting
Among the standout facilities of Wealthy Affiliate is their hosting service, which boasts a reputation for reliability. Designed to maximize uptime and bolster site performance, the service ensures that your online business is well taken care of. This foundational element resonates with new proprietors who find the backend technicalities of online business daunting.
Wealthy Affiliate has removed all the painful parts of starting an online business. Many new people would struggle to know which hosting to purchase, but Wealthy Affiliate has you covered. I still use their hosting today for some of my websites. However, I also have a dedicated server for some websites as they receive quite a bit of traffic, and I use a data feed on some of my websites, which is another story. However, the great thing is that Wealthy Affiliate has you covered to get you started and beyond regarding the hosting.
Extensive Training
Another noteworthy component is the extensive training available, including videos, tutorials, and real-time classrooms. The content is not just abundant; it’s continually updated to keep pace with the dynamic nature of the Internet. This ongoing education is critical, as it ensures members’ approaches remain relevant and effective.
There is so much training that I cannot keep up with it all! Sometimes I may even be a new training module every day, I can’t actually keep up with all the training. However, don’t let that put you off, as there is core training that takes you through the whole process of building an online business. The extra training takes you deeper and beyond that extra mile.
The platform isn’t just about individual growth; community support is at its heart. It offers an inclusive space where members can share insights, get feedback, and learn from the success and challenges of others. The vibrant and engaged community adds a layer of motivation and support that goes beyond mere business outcomes.
One of the many things I like about the Wealthy Affiliate platform is that it doesn’t feel like I am doing my job alone, even though I am. I can literally ask any question I want to the community, or I can share a success story, or something I’m struggling with, which is really fantastic! There really is a brilliant community spirit where everyone wants to help each other.

Membership Offerings: A Detailed Look At Wealthy Affiliate Tiers
If I had to pinpoint the heart of Wealthy Affiliate, I would zoom in on the membership tiers. Each tier comes with its own array of features tailored to different stages of an online entrepreneur’s journey. I’ll provide a close-up of the Starter, Premium, and Premium Plus+ memberships, comfortably navigating you through the specifics. You can see a previous blog post on the upgraded starter membership here.
The Starter Membership is where everyone kicks off their journey. It’s free and designed to give you a sneak peek into the platform’s potential. You get the fundamental training wheels with access to basic features – you start with one website and a window into the business hub. However, it’s worth noting that your toolkit will be the most basic version.
Why Upgrade?
Probably one of the most asked questions on Wealthy Affiliate is do I have to upgrade to the premium membership? The fact is that anyone who wants to start a business, whether it’s online or offline, has to be willing to invest in their business. The free starter membership of Wealthy Affiliate is basic, but it gives you enough information to show you that the platform is genuine and to see if you really like the platform.
When I first joined Wealthy Affiliate, I obviously started with the starter membership, but within a few minutes I upgraded to the premium membership. This is partly because I was experienced and knew what to look for, so I immediately saw the benefits of premium membership. However, for someone who is new to Internet marketing, the starter membership is brilliant. The reason I say this is that it gives you a great opportunity to test the platform out and see if you like or not. You don’t even have to use a credit card for the starter membership, you can upgrade at any time, there is no rush, you just upgrade when you are ready.
Premium Membership
Step up to the Premium Membership, and the training wheels come off. It’s a sizable leap from the Starter, priced at $49 per month or an annual fee of $497, which introduces a spectrum of advanced features. Here, you land 3 websites, comprehensive training, a weekly expert class, and the Jaaxy Lite research tool. The access to all AI platforms also unlocks, alongside an exclusive support system.
For many years, there were only two levels of membership at Wealthy Affiliate, the starter and the premium membership. I’m guessing that the premium plus membership was introduced around three years ago. The choice is personal for each individual, but if you’re new to Internet marketing, I would go for the cheaper premium membership. The reason for this is because there is enough information for you to become successful and it stops information overload, which has held many people back over the years.
I personally am a Premium Plus member, and it’s absolutely brilliant, but I’m just being honest and realistic. I know many people who have become highly successful just using the premium membership. Maybe there are no thrills, but the fact is, the premium membership really works well.
Premium Plus Membership
The Premium Plus+ Membership is the upper level for those looking to fully leverage the Wealthy Affiliate arsenal. At $99 monthly or $697 annually, this tier avails ten websites, up to five expert classes per week, and the coveted Jaaxy Enterprise tool. It’s not just about quantity; the quality of service and support is unparalleled.
This all-important choice of membership will reflect in the tools at your disposal, the depth of training you receive, and the scope of community interaction. What’s critical here is aligning your chosen tier with your aspirations and where you stand in your entrepreneurial adventure.
As I mentioned earlier, the premium plus membership is excellent, the extra cost is well worth the money. However, don’t feel you have to have premium plus as the premium membership still gives you everything you need, without information overload. If you think you can restrict and follow the training without jumping from class to class, then by all means take advantage of the premium plus training. But just make sure you follow the core training on the platform first.

Evaluating Success: Trust Ratings And Member Feedback
When considering any online business platform, it’s essential to evaluate its reputation through trust ratings and member feedback. These indicators give a snapshot of the platform’s reliability and effectiveness based on collective user experience.
Wealthy Affiliate has earned a great reputation with a 4.9 out of 5.0 rating on TrustPilot, a comprehensive community-driven review site. This scoring reflects the satisfaction of thousands of users who have benefited from Wealthy Affiliate’s offerings. Members consistently praise the platform for its thorough training materials, supportive community, and effective tools.
There are a few members that have given Wealthy Affiliate a very poor review on TrustPilot, but if you look at some of these members profiles, you can see why. For some reason, some people seem to fail to understand that you need to take solid action with a business, it’s the same for any business, whether it’s online or off-line. I don’t know what it is with an online business, but I think there are many people who think you get rich from signing up to a platform and doing absolutely nothing! Wealthy Affiliate is not a get rich quick scheme, it is a genuine platform that teaches you how to build an online business successfully. But we do have to take action.
Excellent Ratings
Further solidifying its credibility, Wealthy Affiliate boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This grade is indicative of the company’s commitment to customer service and its ability to resolve any issues promptly and effectively.
The combination of TrustPilot scores and an A+ BBB rating is a strong validation of Wealthy Affiliate’s success in providing a nurturing environment for affiliate marketers and online entrepreneurs. By maintaining high standards of service and support, they clearly demonstrate their priority on member success and satisfaction.
Another major fact that Wealthy Affiliate works is that I have been a member for over nine years. I would not renew my membership if I did not receive value and help them training from the platform. Not only does Wealthy Affiliate help you build an online business, it also helps you stay up-to-date with the latest technology and developments in the Internet marketing world. It’s also good to surround yourself with like-minded people, where we can help each other. We are not meant to do life alone!

Going Deeper: Wealthy Affiliate’s Standout Features
Wealthy Affiliate isn’t just another platform where you create a website and hope for the best. It provides an entire system for your online business. Understanding the key features of Wealthy Affiliate can help you decide if this is the toolset that could amplify your affiliate marketing efforts. Let’s have a look at the features in more detail.
Business Hubs
The business hubs are very new to Wealthy Affiliate, but also a great asset. The Wealthy Affiliate platform is trying to streamline the way in which we build our online business. The Business Hubs serve as your online business command centre, allowing you to manage websites, stratagems for content, and keyword research all in one spot. It’s like having a dashboard that keeps the complexities of your business neatly organized and accessible.

AI Article Designer
The AI Article Designer is a breakthrough in content creation, designed to help you churn out SEO-optimized content more efficiently. This incentive could be a game-changer for those who dread the content creation stage of site-building.
I have always had reservations about AI. However, I have watched many lessons on the Wealthy Affiliate platform on how to use AI correctly. Unfortunately, I think too many people will create an article with AI and leave it at that; the fact is, that’s the wrong way to use AI. We need to think of AI as an assistant, it can help us and it can speed up many processes and also brainstorm, which is a useful feature. However, we still need to add our human input, we need to let a uniqueness, individuality and experience shine out when we are writing articles etc.
Expert Classes
The Expert Classes offer a wealth of knowledge from industry professionals. Whether you’re just starting or you’re an experienced marketer, continued learning is crucial. These sessions can keep you abreast of the latest market trends and strategies.
As I mentioned earlier, I came to Wealthy Affiliate as someone who was already making money online. However, I want to continually learn new strategies and ideas. This is exactly where the up-to-date training is such an excellent feature. No one wants to be left behind in their industry, so it’s important to keep up-to-date with what’s going on in the online world.
Site Content
A potential pivotal tool within the platform is the SiteContent Writing Platform, designed to enhance your writing quality and content management. With this, you’re not just throwing words onto a page; you’re crafting your content with precision.
Personally, I don’t use site content, but I know many members who absolutely love the site content feature. The niches that I am in, I know fairly well, so don’t particularly feel the need for using site content. But I would definitely recommend trying it out as many people find site content extremely helpful.
Websites And Hosting
The platform boasts state-of-the-art websites and hosting services, emphasizing reliability and advance. Hosting features such as daily backups, and website encryption ensure your business is secure and running smoothly.
The hosting at Wealthy Affiliate is excellent, as I mentioned earlier, I still use it today for some websites. It really is great for starting out and it also comes with full site support, which is excellent. I’m sure that many other platforms would not provide hosting or site support.
Affiliate Programs At Your Fingertips
The Affiliate Opportunity Database opens the doors to over 10,000 affiliate programs. This feature is particularly beneficial for niche marketers searching for the right products to promote.
There are a huge amount of affiliate programs available for affiliate marketers across the world. Traditionally, I would carry out a search on Google to find an appropriate affiliate program for my niche. However, Wealthy Affiliate has many affiliate programs that members can use, which is a really useful feature. Just recently, I was searching for an affiliate program on Wealthy Affiliate and discovered a program that I didn’t know was available. I would personally use Google and Wealthy Affiliate to check for various affiliate programs.
The Wealthy Affiliate Community
The community at Wealthy Affiliate is another standout feature. With over 2 million members members on the platform, there are many members sharing their daily success stories. However, I will be honest that not all the members are active, however there are certainly many active members to learn from and to communicate with. The support and networking opportunities are wonderful, no one ever needs to feel alone. It really is a great community where people want to help each other.
Live Chat
Help is always available by either asking a question to the community, you can see that I have asked 275 questions at the time of writing. There is also live chat, which I do not use a great deal, as I find it a bit too time-consuming. However, I know that a lot of people do use it to ask questions, which can be extremely useful.
If you have a problem with your website, then you can go to “site support” and ask them a question via email on any websites that you may be having issues with. Although I haven’t needed to use site support very often, I have found that their response is fairly prompt and you will receive an answer. From the same area, you can also send private messages to individual members. You can ask a question to the community and you can also get to live chat and chat with other members on the platform.
The Wealthy Affiliate Affiliate Program
A highly rewarding aspect is the Wealthy Affiliate’s lucrative affiliate program. The incentives, including the Las Vegas Super Affiliate Conference, shine as examples of the tangible rewards that come with success on the platform.
Learn From Successful Members
Did you know that it makes a huge difference with who you hang out with. For example, it’s been said that if you hang out with alcoholics, you become one! If you hang out with millionaires, you will become a millionaire! I really believe it’s important the way we use time and who we share our time with.
The great thing is that we can learn from people who are successful. Fortunately, on the Wealthy Affiliate platform there are many members who are successful. I do appreciate that there are also many people who are beginners. However, we can learn from successful people and we can help people who are starting out or have a question. The fact is that we never stop learning and investing in learning, has to be a good investment.
One of the reasons we can learn so much from successful people, is the fact that they have been there and done that. Many members will blog about how they may be having success with YouTube or a particular social media platform or just a particular method that they are using. To me, this is very valuable as I want to learn from other people’s genuine experiences.
Each of these features alone adds value, but together, they form a robust infrastructure designed to bring success. But how do they balance out when compared with the challenges they present, especially to someone new to affiliate marketing?
Weighing The Benefits: Pros And Cons Of Joining Wealthy Affiliate
Before you make a commitment to any platform, it’s critical to weigh the pros and cons. Wealthy Affiliate isn’t different. Let’s start with what’s working in its favour. The platform offers current and comprehensive training tailored to various levels of experience, from beginners to seasoned marketers. You can find a wealth of resources – all the way from fundamental concepts to advanced strategies.
The support from a robust community is a defining aspect of Wealthy Affiliate. Newcomers can draw from the vast well of knowledge and experience held by members who’ve already walked the path they’re embarking upon. Every day, success stories are shared, encouraging and motivating members to persevere in their own journeys.
Wealthy Affiliate has a feature where you can bookmark different blog posts that various members have written. I have a bookmark section, which is entitled “Success Stories”, there are a lot of them. I also have many other bookmarked blog posts that are good to be able to refer to if I am researching something. By coming together as a community, we can share ideas and use other people’s research and ideas, which in turn, saves a terrific amount of time.
Advanced tools and hosting services simplify building and managing your online presence. With state-of-the-art hosting, a secure and robust website we can start building our website with total confidence. When it comes to affiliate incentives, Wealthy Affiliate has an attractive affiliate program, with rewards like an invitation to the Super Affiliate Conference in Las Vegas.
Although Wealthy Affiliate has its own affiliate program, it doesn’t mean that you have to promote the platform. The training can be used to promote any affiliate program in your niche. The good thing is that literally exactly the same principles are required to promote any different niche.
Excellent Ratings
High ratings on TrustPilot and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau speak volumes about reliability and user satisfaction. These ratings assure you that Wealthy Affiliate is recognized positively not just by its users but also by reputable third-party evaluators.
Turning to the cons, the platform’s extensive feature set and the sheer breadth of information available can be quite overwhelming for new users. Without a measured approach, you could find yourself lost in a sea of knowledge without a clear starting point. This emphasizes the need for a structured plan when you first join.
Although having said the above, the new hubs have certainly made Wealthy Affiliate easier to navigate and to get started. A lot of the hard work has been taken out of starting your business, as everything is within the hubs. Although I never had a problem the old system, the hubs is definitely a great improvement and well thought out by the owners of the platform.
Invest To Grow
The investment for the Premium and Premium Plus+ memberships, while justifiable by the features offered, may feel like hurdle for those just starting out or on a tight budget. It’s important to assess your financial comfort zone against the potential return on investment these memberships can bring.
Having said the above, I see some people joining the platform and expecting to start a business with no costs whatsoever. If you’re serious about starting a business, you have to be prepared to spend and invest money. I have an offline business and an online business. I know for a fact that, in normal terms, it is far cheaper to start an online business than it is to start an offline business. We also have the pleasure of being able to work from our own home.
Ultimately, like any educational or business platform, success with Wealthy Affiliate largely depends on your dedication and how effectively you apply what you learn. The platform opens the door, but you have to walk through it.
For some reason, many people seem to expect overnight success with an online business. I’m afraid this is not the case! Wealthy Affiliate is not a get rich quick scheme, it’s a genuine training platform that teaches you how to build an online business. We have to be prepared to do the work, otherwise nothing will happen. The good news is that Wealthy Affiliate gives you everything you need to start an online business and beyond. You do not need to look anywhere else, everything is there for you to get started. The numerous success stories prove exactly this.
Concluding Thoughts: Is Wealthy Affiliate The Right Choice For You?
Wrapping up this 2024 review of Wealthy Affiliate, it’s evident that it’s a platform with a solid history and a strong commitment to supporting its members. From the founders’ original vision to the up-to-date training and tools offered, Wealthy Affiliate has established itself as a noteworthy contender in the realm of affiliate marketing and online business.
Before you decide, consider your individual goals and level of commitment. If you’re starting out, I recognize that there is a learning curve, but also appreciate the extensive resources that are provided to guide you through. For the seasoned marketer, the advanced tools and community engagement might just be the edge you are looking for. As I mentioned earlier, I came to the platform and was already making money online. But I like the idea of being around like-minded people and having regular up-to-date training.
Reflect on the community element, often hailed as one of the platform’s most significant perks. Which continues to inspire both new and veteran members alike with daily success stories. Yet, balance this with the understanding that success in affiliate marketing requires effort, patience, and perseverance; tools and support are pivotal, but they are complements to your dedication.
The community is great on the Wealthy Affiliate platform. I normally set a timer on my computer so that I don’t spend too much time getting over-involved with the community. I mean that in a positive way, it’s great to help others, but it’s important that we also make sure our priorities are right. We need to balance our time on the platform and growing our online business.
Take Action
In conclusion, Wealthy Affiliate in 2024 maintains its relevance by keeping very up-to-date alongside the internet marketing landscape. Which is always adding new features and updating training to reflect the latest online trends. If you’re seeking a comprehensive platform, with great support and innovation. Wealthy Affiliate might very well be aligned with your path to online success. TAKE ACTION with this information by considering your needs, evaluating the potential benefits, and deciding if Wealthy Affiliate fits your entrepreneurial journey. I am here to help if you have any questions on the platform, hopefully my nine years plus experience of the platform, will help you decide.