How to Add Amazon Context Links to Wordpress

Bloggers who use WordPress software on their own server can easily monetize their blogs by adding Google AdSense or working with a partner like Amazon. Amazon offers a variety of widgets that bloggers can easily add into their blog. One widget that Amazon affiliates can use is the Context Links widget. Once you have installed Amazon Context Links on your WordPress-based blog, Amazon will crawl your site and provide links to Amazon products that may be of interest to your blog’s readers. You will then earn a commission based on any sales that are subsequently generated. Adding Amazon Context Links to WordPress is a straightforward process.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Amazon Associates account
• WordPress 2.1+ (not hosted on WordPress.com)
• Blog administrator access
• FTP access to your Web server

1. Download the Amazon Links Pro WordPress Plugin from Tod Sacerdoti. WordPress add-ons are managed through user-created plug-ins.

2. Unzip the plugin. Via FTP, upload the amazon-links-pro.php file to the /wp-content/plugins folder on your Web server.

3. Log in to your WordPress administrator’s panel and click on “Plugins” so that you can activate it. After activation, you will need to customize the Amazon Context Links plug-in.

4. Click on “Settings” and then on “Amazon Links Pro” to configure your new plug-in. You can choose which features Amazon will show with your Context Link, as well as configure custom colors. It is best to choose colors that blend in with your current WordPress theme.

5. Choose how many Context Links you would like to appear on a page, as well as from which categories you would like products chosen. Enter your Amazon Associate Tag in the appropriate box. It is important that you enter this, or you will not be credited for purchases from your site.

6. Verify that the links appear as you want them to by checking the Sample Preview box. After selecting all of your options, click on the “Update Options” button.

7. Check your site in 45-60 minutes to see if Amazon has crawled the site and added Context Links. Context Links will have a small pop-up box appear if you hover over ext that is hyperlinked. If the links do not show up within the first hour, Amazon is likely a bit backlogged and it will take a bit more time.

Tips & Warnings

• If you change your WordPress theme, don’t forget to change the look of the Amazon Context Links.
• Play around with the customization options and keep track of your statistics from the Amazon Affiliates site to see which configuration garners the most clicks and ultimately the most purchases.

Resources

• Amazon Links Pro WordPress Plugin
• Amazon Associates