Do I Have To Pay To Use Wealthy Affiliate? New Starter Plan

You may have come across an internet marketing platform called Wealthy Affiliate. You can get a lot of resources by having a paid membership. But do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate?

If you prefer to try it, you must NOT pay to use the platform.

The best part is you can explore their free starter plan, which recently changed as of late 2022.

This article will focus solely on the WA free starter account (FSA). I will do an in-depth review of the platform in a future post.

Here. I’ll go over what WA is all about, what’s changed in the updated FSA, and the benefits to you as a platform user.

I’ll finish off by giving my overall recommendation for this update.

UPDATED: OCTOBER 1, 2023

Note: We may include products or services that will be helpful to our readers. This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please review the affiliate disclosure page.
  1. What Is Wealthy Affiliate?
  2. Pros & Cons
  3. Can Beginners Do Affiliate Marketing?
  4. What Has Changed With The Wealthy Affiliate Free Starter Account (FSA)?
  5. Why Were These Changes Made? (2023 Update)
  6. What Are The Benefits Of The Updated FSA For You- As A Starter?
  7. My Thoughts (Plus Another Benefit)
  8. Starter Plan Details
  9. Do I Recommend The Free Starter Plan?
Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This post will review the updated free starter account on the WA platform.

Website URL: https://wealthyaffiliate.com

Price: Free, Pro ($49/month); Enterprise ($99/month)

Founders: Kyle Loudoun & Carson Lim (co-founders of Wealthy Affiliate)

Support: 9/10

User interface & Simplicity: 8/10

Overall Rating For the Free Starter Account: 9/10

What is Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate is an online educational platform that teaches people how to start and grow an online business.

Initially, it began as a keyword list website in 2005- since then, it’s evolved.

The core training mainly focuses on affiliate marketing by creating a niche website.

They offer two types of training: One is for creating a website in any niche, while the other focuses more on the “make money online” and the WA affiliate program.

In the last few years, more training material has come on other topics in internet marketing.

These topics range from eCommerce, local search engine optimization (SEO) marketing, and making your digital product.

Depending on your membership, you have access to at least one new class every week.

If you have the highest membership level, you get up to six new classes every week on the platform.

Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate?

No- Wealthy Affiliate offers a free starter plan designed as a test drive for beginners.

However, if you want to build a business that earns sustainable revenue, you’ll unlikely succeed with a free starter plan. With that, you must upgrade to get the tools, resources, and support to make that happen.

Similar to going to medical school, you cannot be a doctor overnight without the proper education and training.

Building a successful business takes time, effort, and persistence.

If you’re in a hurry..

I’ve included a list of the pros and cons of the updated free starter account to get a quick glimpse at it.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Better user experience
  • Focus on getting right into the training (i.e. Level 1 of OEC & Affiliate Bootcamp)
  • Community support 
  • 1 free domain

Cons

  • Content creation & “making money” components come later in the training- will need to “Upgrade”
  • No access to features or other platforms- such as Jaaxy
  • Limited support for your first seven days
  • No access to private messaging (cannot send a private member to anyone on the platform)

Can beginners do affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is one of the best methods for those new to making money online.

It’s what I recommend for anyone new to doing business online. 

Although it will take time and effort, it’s one of the easiest ways to get started in an online business.

I won’t go over it in full detail, but here’s an infographic of how affiliate marketing works in a nutshell (easy to understand).

Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This graph breaks down the process of affiliate marketing.

If you want to create your free starter account, check out the video below by Kyle, one of the WA co-founders.

Sign up and go through the first level of the WA core pieces of training today (NO credit card required).

Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This is another welcome video to watch from Kyle, one of the WA co-founders.
“Welcome” Video To Wealthy Affiliate

What is the Wealthy Affiliate program?

Wealthy Affiliate is an online educational platform that teaches people how to build an online business from scratch. 

Primarily focused on affiliate marketing and building niche-focused websites, the platform has expanded into other topics on internet marketing. Such topics include eCommerce, website flipping, along with creating your own digital product or services.

What has changed with the Wealthy Affiliate Free Starter Account (FSA)?

As of late 2022, some changes were made to the WA free starter account. The purpose was to simplify the beginner’s experience and not overwhelm new members starting out. 

For some people, it can be a learning curve to understand the process of making money online.

It’s not easy to do it right away; however, it’s possible by taking the right course of action.

Here’s a breakdown of what the old FSA included:

Old version

  • Access to more features, such as additional training and research tools
  • Once upgraded to a premium membership, you’re offered a $19 discount for your first month at WA.

Here was the problem:  By providing more access than needed, that may overwhelm new members while starting out.

What they need to focus on is going through the first level of the core training provided.

By providing limited access to features that are not needed, new members can figure out what’s important to get through when starting out.

New version

  • The home page has some features locked for starter members.
  • As you see in the images provided, you will need to “Upgrade” to one of the paid memberships to have more of these features.
Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This page is an overview of where to go in the WA core trainings.
  • Additional platforms are locked, including access to Jaaxy, the keyword research tool integrated into the platform.
  • Course level 1 of the core training has gone down from 10 lessons to 5 lessons. Therefore, course level 2 of the training consists of 15 lessons, instead of 10.
Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This is another part of the home page while having a WA FSA account.

A relevant article from notimekillers.com

Read next on “Is Jaaxy The Best Keyword Research Tool? Top Jaaxy Review, to learn more about this research tool that’s used on the Wealthy Affiliate platform.

Why were these changes made? (2023 Update)

A lot of thought was put into making changes, especially if it was aimed to improve a starter’s experience on the platform. 

The changes in place create less confusion and more clarity to the training in general. It makes the FSA much simpler, along with creating a better user experience. 

The original idea behind the FSA in general was for it to be a “test drive” before potentially upgrading to a paid membership. It helps starters with an opportunity for long-term success in their online businesses.

Also, the new dashboard comes with the following things to look at, such as:

  • “Get Started” guides- includes a “Welcome” video by Kyle himself
  • Designed to get starters diving right into the core training
Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This page is a full shot of what an FSA account looks like.

What are the benefits of the updated FSA- For you as a starter?

There are some benefits for you getting started on the WA platform. They include the following:

  • Helps to create simplicity once you sign up for an FSA.
  • Locked features and platforms are meant to help you stay focused, not distract you.
  • Gives you a better understanding of how to get started in an online business
  • Focusing on just a few things will help you keep going (without feeling overwhelmed)

How good is Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate provides simple training that’s self-paced for beginners to follow. With state-of-the-art website hosting, tech support, and community assistance, it’s one of the most comprehensive, cost-efficient platforms in the internet marketing space.

My thoughts (plus another benefit)

Let me make a disclosure: I’ve been a member of the WA platform since 2019. Obviously, you may think that I lean in favor of this platform.

But allow me to explain a little further about why I support this platform so much.

I’ve been in the make money online space for some time. I used to be a victim of something called shiny object syndrome.

Over the years, I’ve fallen for a lot of scams and wasted lots of money (and I mean a ton- I’m embarrassed to give the exact amount).

Not only have I wasted money and effort, but I’ve lost out on time as well. That time could have been spent learning the skills needed to make a successful online business.

Wealthy Affiliate does NOT fall under my “bull-s–t” meter

When I found WA and went through the training, I knew this place was the real deal. In my experience, it’s not one of those scams or “get rich” schemes you typically see on Facebook or YouTube.

All of what you see is a bunch of BS. But WA does NOT fall under those categories.

Since 2019, the WA platform has gotten so much better in regard to the training, support, and user experience.

When the updated free starter plan came out, it looks way much easier to navigate through.

Looking at it now, I wish I had it set up that way when I started here a few years ago.

It’s much simpler to go through and has better clarity as you get started with the training.

So- What’s the other benefit?

When you sign up for a free starter plan, Kyle and Carson, the co-founders of WA, will reach out to you through your profile.

Both men are genuine people who care about helping others be successful in online business.

Trust me, they’re some of the most remarkable individuals I’ve interacted with within the past few years. 

It reigns true when they interact with other members on the platform each day.

They are very active, engaged, and helpful when you look at the social activities going on at WA.

Reach out to me

Not only can you reach out to them through your profile, but you can reach out to me as well.

If you sign up through this post, I will be your support coach as you go through the training.

With that, you can message me directly on my profile page if you need help.

Also, I’ll provide you with some helpful tips and resources you can use while getting started.

I believe they can provide lots of value as you go through the first level of the core training. If you choose to upgrade, that can help you make the best decision possible.

A relevant article from notimekillers.com

Read next on “What Are The Principles Of Online Business? 5 Components“, to learn the foundations of an online business. Understanding the basics can help you learn the process of making money online.

Starter plan details

The WA FSA is obviously free to get rolling. The free plan includes the following:

  • One free domain (for the first year)
  • Access to Level 1 of Online Entrepreneur Certification & Affiliate Bootcamp (consists of 5 lessons in each training module)
  • Access to starter-level classes 
  • 7-day limited support (given the option to upgrade during your first seven days)

If you’re interested in setting up your free starter account, let’s get rolling! Get started on the first level of the core training and see if it’s the right fit for you. It’s free to watch!

Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This page is the first lesson of the OEC core training.
Online Entrepreneur Certification: Level 1- Lesson 1: Getting Rolling!

Do I recommend the free starter plan?

Without a doubt- Yes! I absolutely recommend it if you’re just started.

If you have any further questions or are not sure if you should upgrade, you have a list of FAQS to help answer your questions.

You can find this list after you open up your FSA. 

Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? There is an FAQ page you can review as you consider upgrading.

Final Words

The newly updated FSA at WA has changed for the better. Not only does it enhance a better user experience, but it’s much clearer to get started in general.

Although you may not have access to other features or pieces of training, there is a good reason behind it.

That is, it’ll help you stay focused on the first level of the core training. It’s best not to get distracted by the other things that go on around the platform.

So if you’re interested, I highly encourage you to create your FSA today. It’s free to get started, and you can jump right into the first five lessons shortly.

What else to check out: I highly recommend (Must-watch)

While going through the first level of the training, I recommend you check out this starter class called “The 4 Steps To Creating A Successful Business Online”.

It’s an excellent class to watch as you learn the basics of online business. 

Instructed by Kyle himself, you’re going to get a lot of insights and best practices out of this class.

So check out the class below as you get started.

Do I have to pay to use Wealthy Affiliate? This starter class is a great expert class on the basics of online business.
The 4 Steps To Creating A Successful Business Online (by Kyle Loudoun)

Your Turn: Is the Wealthy Affiliate free starter account easier to understand?

I would like to get your thoughts on this subject. Were you familiar with WA prior to reading this review?

What are your initial thoughts on the updated FSA at WA?

Do you think it looks easier compared to the older version?

Do you think it’ll be simpler to go through the first few lessons once signed up?

Would you consider upgrading to a premium membership at some point?

Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below. I look forward to reading your thoughts, and I’ll gladly respond promptly.

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Eric is the owner and chief editor of notimekillers.com. 

He takes great pride in helping people manage their time and grow their businesses. 

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18 thoughts on “Do I Have To Pay To Use Wealthy Affiliate? New Starter Plan”

  1. Thanks for your review of the Wealthy Affiliate Free Starter Account. I have read a ton of reviews on the Wealthy Affiliate Online Training Platform, but none of them took the time to focus on the FSA. 

    They all talked about the program in general and shortly described the differences among the 3 levels of membership.

    Anyway, I first came across this platform in 2017 and tried the 7-day starter account. You’re absolutely right; I was overwhelmed with so much information that I was not able to process it. 

    And so, I did not upgrade.

    I am glad to know that the owners, Kyle and Carson have made some changes regarding the FSA. 

    I’m just wondering since I created a free account several years ago, can I upgrade using the same account? Or would it be better for me to create a new one? 

    After all, the FSA has been simplified to give new members a better learning experience.

    Reply
    • Hi Alice,

      I think it’s important to talk about the changes with the free starter account. That’s what Wealthy Affiliate has done- to make it simpler for new members.

      Before, people like myself found it a little bit overwhelming; however, with the new changes in place, it’s going to make it not as distracting.

      I understand why you didn’t upgrade when you first signed up. So I’m glad that the co-founders decided to make those changes last year.

      Regarding your question- you can upgrade if you currently have a free starter account. If it’s still active you could do it through the same account.

      But if for some reason you forgot your login information, then it’s best to create a new one. 

      That’s what happened to me when I first started out, and I decided to create a fresh one from scratch.

      You make a great point: The free starter account simplifies the training. 

      That way, they can focus on jumping right in and having the potential for success in the long run.

      Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts- they’re greatly appreciated.

      Reply
  2. As a previous network marketer- now getting into affiliate marketing, I find this path a lot easier to do without the constant hounding to get people to sign up.  

    In this way, you’re bringing the consumers to you just like if you were to open a physical store.  

    I agree about the ease of using Wealthy Affiliate – they make sure everyone succeeds especially with their training.  

    It’s easier once upgraded, but the free space is excellent for those just starting up and who are scared to make those financial commitments.  

    Reply
    • Hi Jeremy,

      Offering an alternative is a good way to put it. I think the path to try out Wealthy Affiliate is great to get started in internet marketing.

      Your comparison to bringing the customers like you were to open a physical store is very easy to understand. It’s not like other methods of doing it. 

      You’re just telling people what it’s about, and if they’re interested, just to come by and sign up.

      It’s a great place to get started: The training is designed for newbies and especially for those who are just looking for another option.

      Once people upgrade, then it does get easier. But not everyone will be ready to upgrade, so having an updated free starter plan does benefit them.

      Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts- I greatly appreciate them.

      Reply
  3. Wealthy Affiliate is definitely the best choice I ever made since joining in early 2019. Plus, It feels great to interact with some of the users that use the program, which makes it much more worth using than any other site.

    I learned a lot since joining Wealthy Affiliate. It makes me feel confident in knowing that there is a real way to make money online and succeed.

    Thanks for the review! It really explains a lot about the program and provides great information for any beginner who is interested in making income online.

    Reply
    • Hi Terence,

      It’s good to hear you’ve been part of Wealthy Affiliate for the last few years. It’s incredible how much has improved in the platform, especially with the free starter account.

      I’m glad to hear that you’ve learned a lot since you joined. They sure do offer a great way of earning income online. There are a lot of opportunities to take advantage of- especially with what it has to offer.

      The program has improved with the updated free starter account. So hopefully, it’ll be a lot easier for any beginner to navigate through the platform.

      Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and for taking the time to leave your experience- they’re greatly appreciated.

      Reply
  4. I’ve been on the Wealthy Affiliate platform for a few months, and I still find it difficult to advise friends that want to join it. This article explains everything one needs to know about the Wealthy Affiliate platform.

    I sincerely appreciate you for sharing with us. When I get asked questions concerning Wealthy Affiliate, I’ll just share this article instead. Thank you. 

    Reply
    • Hi Efos,

      Yes, there are some people who doubt or question what Wealthy Affiliate is all about. So it’s not uncommon, especially with your friends.

      This article clears up some of that confusion, especially with the updated free starter account. It’s a lot more streamlined to help starters get the best out of the training.

      I’m glad to know you’ve been on the platform for a couple of months. I hope you’ve been having a great experience so far.

      Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts- I greatly appreciate them.

      Reply
  5. Hi,

    I found your article on the new starter plan for Wealthy Affiliate very informative and helpful. I saw Wealthy Affiliate some years before I joined. It was seeing the starter package that made me take the chance. 

    Very quickly, I saw the value and upgraded. It can be overwhelming to navigate the different platforms and programs available. 

    One thing I like is the emphasis on community and support within Wealthy Affiliate. This platform is designed not only to provide tools and resources for affiliate marketing, but also foster a sense of community and collaboration among members. 

    That is a key feature for me.

    I also appreciated your breakdown of the different features and benefits of the starter plan, from website building tools to training resources and support. It’s helpful to know what has changed.

    Overall, I think that your article provides a clear and informative overview of the new starter plan for Wealthy Affiliate. I believe that this platform has a lot to offer for anyone interested in affiliate marketing, from beginners to more experienced marketers. 

    Thank you for sharing your insights and expertise with us!

    Reply
    • Hi Julia,

      You were one of those people who quickly saw the value in Wealthy Affiliate. I think that’s what I like about the free starter plan in general.

      Not that it was bad before, but it’s more focused now. I believe there’s a better understanding of what to expect. 

      The free starter plan is meant to be a test drive before deciding to upgrade. So hopefully, the updated plan is more helpful to others beginning their online business.

      I’m so glad you find the community very helpful, and that you’re getting a lot of benefits out of it. I know you made the best decision to join the platform.

      Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. I greatly appreciate what you have to say.

      Reply
  6. Hello Eric,

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Wealthy Affiliate platform. As a member of the WA community who has tried the platform, I appreciate your in-depth review of the updated free starter account.

    The free starter plan is a great way for beginners to explore the platform and see if it fits them well. It’s excellent that Wealthy Affiliate offers this option to help users make an informed decision.

    You did an excellent job highlighting the platform’s benefits, including community support, training resources, and a user-friendly interface. 

    The platform’s keyword research tool, Jaaxy, is one of the best and can be incredibly helpful for building a successful online business.

    Wealthy Affiliate is an excellent platform for those looking to learn about affiliate marketing and build a successful online business. 

    I highly recommend it to anyone looking to embark on this field.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights on Wealthy Affiliate. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • Hello Amyas,

      The updated free starter account at Wealthy Affiliate was needed, and by far, it’s much clearer. It helps beginners get a better understanding, and determine whether to move forward with the core training offered.

      I’m glad you’re making the most out of the WA platform. I know you enjoy using the resources they offer, and how they can benefit your online business.

      So keep up with leveraging the platform as much as you can. If you keep going with growing your business, think of WA as the fuel to bring even more growth later on.

      Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. I greatly appreciate what you have to say, and all of the best to you moving forward 🙂

      Reply
  7. This is a great overview of Wealthy Affiliate. 

    I particularly like the comparison with needing to go to medical school to be a doctor.  Training is needed to create an online business.  

    Your emphasis on the free starter program is good.  Anyone can work with that program for as long as they want before moving to the more in depth program.  

    The classes given with that starter program are amazing.  I wish I had seen this article on Wealthy Affiliate when I was trying to make a decision about the program.  

    I joined a few years ago and have never looked back.  I hope lots of folks take advantage of this information and try the starter program.

    Jim

    Reply
    • Hi Anastazja,

      When it comes to certification and training, being a doctor or a lawyer requires all of that. When it comes to Wealthy Affiliate, that same analogy applies.

      The updated free starter account is much clearer and easier for beginners to try out. It gives them a good headstart to success in online world, and also expect the challenges to overcome as well.

      It’s great to know that you like the classes offered at WA. I agree that the classes inside the first five lessons (which are free) are easy to follow and take action.

      That’s great that you’re still with WA and continue to take advantage of what they have to offer.

      Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts- they’re greatly appreciated.

      Reply
  8. What an informative review of the Wealthy Affiliate Starter Account! 

    I initially joined WA with a free starter account in 2010. With that said, I didn’t do anything with it until I found it again 10 years later. After the second time, I quickly learned the value that Wealthy Affiliate was delivering. It wasn’t until I joined WA again, did everything all finally click.tor me! 

    As someone who dabbled in affiliate marketing and building a site, I wasn’t overwhelmed with the way the starter membership used to be… BUT if I had been someone who knew nothing on the subject, it could easily have been overwhelming. 

    I believe Kyle and Carson did the right thing by simplifying the starter membership. Doing this ensures that when someone decides to start an online business, they can focus on what is really important, which is choosing your niche. And that is exactly what the start membership does! 

    Lisa Marie

    Reply
    • Hi Lisa Marie, 

      I’m glad that you joined Wealthy Affiliate back in 2010. Of course, I’m glad that you gave them a second shot.

      With the updated free starter account (FSA), it definitely gives someone a much better chance at succeeding in online business. 

      Streamlining the process, while making it simpler to go through, was taken into consideration for updating it. 

      What we see now makes it a lot simpler for a brand new member to go through. 

      That is the ultimate goal for anyone using the new FSA, which is to try it out. But after that, continue on with the training after the first five lessons.

      You made a great point about choosing a niche- that’s spot on. I believe niche selection is important, and that’s exactly what the WA training is about.

      Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful insights- I greatly appreciate what you have to say.

      Reply
  9. I have been a member of Wealthy Affiliate now for just over three years and always learn something new from reading different Wealthy Affiliate reviews. So today was to learn that there has been a change to the free starter membership with Wealthy Affiliate. 

    I did not realise that the course level 1 of the core training has gone down from 10 lessons to 5 lessons. Therefore, course level 2 of the training now consists of 15 lessons, instead of 10. 

    I personally joined under the free plan to start with and quickly upgraded as I soon realised the value of the platform. Thank you for making me aware of all the changes and upgrades to benefit starter members.

    Reply
    • Hi!

      Absolutely- these changes were made in the fall of 2022. It’s meant to be more streamlined and make the training easier to go through.

      Most recently, the first five lessons were updated with brand new videos from one of the co-founders. They’re well-worth watching, with fresh insights on affiliate marketing and artificial intelligence (AI).

      Definitely check them out if you haven’t done so.

      Thanks again for stopping by- your thoughts are very much appreciated.

      Reply

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