Getting traffic to your affiliate funnel is where things really start to move. Without traffic, even the best funnel won’t convert because, well, no one’s seeing it.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through 6 proven traffic strategies, 3 of which are free and the other 3 paid, that you can use to get people into your funnel. Whether you’re on a budget or ready to invest in ads, there will be something here for you.

If you’re just starting out, I always recommend beginning with one of the free strategies. They take a bit more time and effort upfront, but they’re a great way to learn the ropes and build momentum without spending money you might not have yet. I know I didn’t have much when I started!

And just so you know, this post is part of my full beginner-friendly guide: 👉 How to Build a Profitable Affiliate Marketing Funnel. So be sure to take a look at that.

Alright, let’s get into it.

Blogging, combined with smart SEO strategies, is one of the most powerful ways to drive long-term, free traffic to your affiliate funnel.

It’s also my personal favorite because once your content is out there, it can keep working for you 24/7 without needing to be constantly pushed.

Here’s why it works: According to Intergrowth, 61% of B2B marketers say that SEO and organic traffic generate more leads than any other marketing strategy.

That tells you everything you need to know about how powerful this can be when done right.

How to Do It:

Here’s an Example:

If you’re in the fitness space, you could write a post titled “5 Simple Workouts for Beginners at Home.” Inside, you could link to a free workout checklist (your lead magnet) or recommend affiliate products like resistance bands or a fitness app.

YouTube is a seriously underrated traffic source and one of the best ways to drive free traffic to your funnel. It’s the second-largest search engine in the world, and people are on there every day searching for how-to videos, tutorials, product reviews, and solutions to their problems.

If you’re comfortable talking on camera (or even just using screen recordings and a voiceover), YouTube can be a goldmine for affiliate marketers.

Why it works: YouTube videos can rank in both YouTube and Google search results, which means double the visibility for your content. And once your video is out there, it keeps working for you passively, just like blog posts do.

How to Do It:

For Example:

If you’re in the finance niche, you could create a video like “3 Budgeting Tools I Wish I Knew About Sooner.” At the end, direct viewers to a free checklist (your lead magnet) with a link in the description.

If you’re active on social media, you’re already sitting on a traffic opportunity.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even Twitter can be used to promote your funnel organically without spending a penny on ads. The key is to show up consistently, provide value, and guide people to your lead magnet or opt-in page in a natural way.

Why it works: Social platforms are built for connection. When people follow you, they’re already interested in your content, so directing them to something helpful, like a free resource or guide, feels like a natural next step.

Here’s a stat that proves it: According to Synup, 93% of marketers say their social media marketing efforts have increased business traffic.

How to Do It:

Example:

If you’re in the personal development space, you could post daily motivation tips on Instagram or quick mindset wins in a Facebook group. Then, in your bio or posts, say something like: “Want to get my free 7-day mindset reset guide? Grab it here 👉 [your funnel link].”

The paid strategies we go over now will scale your results quickly, but be mindful of your budget. Once you have some leads coming in and have tested your funnel, you can start investing in these strategies to boost traffic faster.

But if you simply can’t afford to go ahead with a paid strategy, don’t! Pick one free strategy and go all in.

Don’t think you have to run paid ads right away. Start where you are, get momentum, and when you’re ready, you can explore the following paid options without pressure.

Facebook Ads are one of the most beginner-friendly paid traffic methods out there, and they’re especially useful if you want to get quicker results without needing a massive budget.

With Facebook’s powerful targeting options, you can get your funnel in front of the exact type of person who’s likely to be interested in what you’re offering.

Why it works: Facebook has over 3 billion active users. It lets you target by interests, behaviors, age, location, and more, so you’re not wasting money showing your ad to the wrong crowd.

How to Do It:

Example:

If you offer a free productivity checklist, your ad could say: “Feeling overwhelmed? Download my free daily planner and take back control of your schedule.”

If you want to show up when someone’s searching for what you offer, Google Ads is a perfect way to drive high-intent traffic straight to your funnel.

Why it works: Google processes well over 8.5 billion searches per day. With Google Search Ads, you can appear at the top of search results instantly, even if you’re not ranking organically yet.

How to Do It:

Example:

If you’re in the health niche, run an ad for “free family meal planner” and send users to a page offering a downloadable 7-day plan in exchange for their email.

If your audience is under 40 or your niche is visual (fitness, productivity, design, lifestyle, etc.), Instagram Ads are a great for generating leads quickly.

And you don’t need to learn a new platform because you can just run them through Facebook Ads Manager.

Why it works: Instagram is designed for fast, eye-catching content. With the right creative, you can stop the scroll and get clicks fast.

How to Do It:

Example:

If you’re in the productivity niche, you could run a story ad that says: “Feeling overwhelmed? Grab my free daily planner to simplify your schedule and take back your time.” Link it directly to your opt-in page.

Now that you’ve got a solid list of beginner-friendly traffic strategies, here’s something worth remembering…

The most powerful traffic source of all isn’t Facebook, Google, or Instagram - it’s your email list.

Every time someone signs up through one of these strategies, they’re raising their hand and saying, “I want more of what you’re sharing.” That’s huge.

These people are warm leads. They’ve shown interest. If you look after that list properly and deliver value, build trust, and help them solve problems, you’ll never have to worry about starting from scratch again.

So, whether you’re going all-in on SEO, launching your first Instagram ad, or just dipping your toes into YouTube, remember the end goal: get them on your list and keep showing up with value.

👉 If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the full guide: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Building a Profitable Affiliate Marketing Funnel

That’s where I walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from picking a funnel builder to launching your first affiliate offer.