Affiliate marketing is one of the most accessible ways to make money online — but to succeed, you need the right tools for research, tracking and content creation. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get started.
Here are 10 free tools for affiliate marketers that will help you research profitable niches, optimize content, grow traffic and maximize commissions.
1. Google Keyword Planner
What it is: Free keyword research tool from Google Ads.
Best for: Finding profitable keywords to target in blog posts, YouTube videos, or landing pages.
Pros: Accurate search volumes, free to use, local keyword insights (great for SA).
Cons: Limited competitor analysis compared to paid tools.
🔗 ads.google.com/keywordplanner
2. Ubersuggest (Free Version)
What it is: A freemium SEO tool for keyword research, content ideas and competitor insights.
Best for: Affiliate marketers who want extra insights beyond Google’s data.
Pros: Easy to use, shows keyword difficulty and backlinks.
Cons: Free plan limited to a few daily searches.
🔗 ubersuggest.com
3. Canva (Free Plan)
What it is: A drag-and-drop design tool to create affiliate banners, infographics and social posts.
Best for: Creating eye-catching visuals for blogs, Instagram and Pinterest.
Pros: Thousands of free templates, no design skills needed.
Cons: Some stock images and premium templates cost extra.
🔗 canva.com
4. Grammarly
What it is: A free grammar and spell checker that ensures polished content.
Best for: Affiliate marketers writing blog posts, emails, or product reviews.
Pros: Corrects grammar, style and tone in real time.
Cons: Premium version needed for advanced features.
🔗 grammarly.com
5. Bitly
What it is: A free URL shortener to make affiliate links cleaner and trackable.
Best for: Sharing affiliate links on social media, blogs and email.
Pros: Tracks clicks, makes links look professional.
Cons: Custom branding requires a paid plan.
🔗 bitly.com
6. Google Analytics
What it is: Google’s free website analytics platform.
Best for: Tracking traffic, user behavior and conversions from affiliate links.
Pros: Free, powerful, integrates with most websites.
Cons: Steep learning curve for beginners.
🔗 analytics.google.com
7. Mailchimp (Free Plan)
What it is: An email marketing tool to grow your subscriber list.
Best for: Building trust and promoting affiliate offers directly to readers.
Pros: Free up to 500 subscribers, easy-to-use templates.
Cons: Limited automation in the free plan.
🔗 mailchimp.com
8. Hemingway Editor
What it is: A free online writing tool that improves readability.
Best for: Writing clear, persuasive product reviews and sales pages.
Pros: Highlights long/complex sentences, improves clarity.
Cons: Doesn’t fix grammar like Grammarly.
🔗 hemingwayapp.com
9. AnswerThePublic
What it is: A keyword tool that shows real search questions people ask online.
Best for: Finding blog post ideas and review angles that attract affiliate clicks.
Pros: Great for long-tail keyword ideas, visual search maps.
Cons: Limited free searches per day.
🔗 answerthepublic.com
10. Trello
What it is: A project management tool to organize content and affiliate campaigns.
Best for: Planning blog posts, tracking affiliate program sign-ups, managing promotions.
Pros: Visual boards, easy drag-and-drop tasks.
Cons: Can get cluttered without a system.
🔗 trello.com
Final Thoughts
You don’t need expensive tools to start affiliate marketing in South Africa or anywhere else. With Google Keyword Planner, Canva, Grammarly, Mailchimp and Bitly, you already have a powerful free toolkit to launch your affiliate business.
As you grow and earn commissions, you can invest in premium tools for advanced SEO, analytics and automation. But to start? These 10 free tools are more than enough to take you from beginner to your first affiliate sales.