A Better Way to Present Affiliate Links: Amazon vs Direct Without Losing Trust

byRobbyofstone

465 followers

2 weeks ago

A Better Way to Present Affiliate Links: Amazon vs Direct Without Losing Trust

I wanted to share this "Learn" from today’s work and how working with Mr Chat helped me build something that really clicked. It happened while I was writing another post, and because it was needed in the moment, it actually made it easier to understand and apply.

It fits right in with a lot of what Eric and Jay have taught in WA—just with a slightly different twist. And I am sure something I have seen in one of their videos got me on this idea.

Like many affiliate marketers, I started out linking mostly to Amazon. It was the only place I could find the products for my original niche, and let’s face it—it’s familiar, trusted, and has almost everything. But once I added a direct affiliate partnership with a specialist supplier who carried some of the same products, I hit a challenge: the same product was significantly cheaper on the supplier’s site. So what do you do when your affiliate links lead to two very different experiences—and one clearly offers better value, but isn’t as well known?

You ask Mr Chat.

Instead of trying to hide the difference or over-explaining, he showed me how to build a transparent, side-by-side comparison that builds trust and still leads to conversions. Here’s how it works.

The Problem

Amazon is convenient, no doubt—but not always the best value. Many direct suppliers, especially in niche spaces like crafts or mold-making, offer:

• Better prices
• More material sizes or bulk options
• Regular discounts
• More product knowledge and support

So if you want to be linking to both:

• How do you stay honest?
• How do you avoid making Amazon seem like the "bad" choice?
• And how do you still get those clicks?

With Chat’s help, I created a reusable comparison block—something I can save as a Pattern in WordPress. I’ve now used it in three posts, and it lets me:

• Quickly show both sources
• Add current pricing (if helpful)
• Highlight differences clearly and fairly

At first, I left pricing out. But in this case, the gap was big—nearly $27—and grew even larger if the customer ordered more. So I decided to include it.

Example Comparison Block

Where to Buy [Product Name]

This product is available from both Amazon and the official supplier. Both are trusted, but here’s how they differ:

• Amazon: $90.99 (includes shipping, fulfilled by third-party sellers)
• Direct Supplier: $64.07 after 11% discount (plus free shipping on orders over $200)

Vendor

Link

Best For

Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Prime shipping, fast one-off orders

Direct Supplier

Buy Direct from Supplier

Lower price, bulk orders, shelf-sensitive items

I’m affiliated with both—whichever you choose helps support my work, and I appreciate it.

Author’s Note: I’ve ordered large volumes from the direct supplier before—including full 55-gallon kits via ground shipping. Everything arrived fresh, well-packed, and clearly stored correctly. That’s something I value a lot with shelf-sensitive materials like silicone or resins.

Why This Format Works

• It just feels better—clean, clear, and fair.
• It’s honest: readers see the value difference.
• It doesn’t pressure anyone—they get to choose what fits them.
• And it gives real context, which I think builds trust.

I feel better using this approach compared to just tucking affiliate links inside images or vague buttons.

Another Tip from Mr Chat

This whole thing became much easier once I learned how to save the block as a Pattern in WordPress. That way, I can reuse it in future posts and just swap out the links, prices, or product name.

Want to show three products instead of two? You can. Want to switch the layout for a comparison review? Easy.

Final Thoughts

This was a great little win for me this week. I’ve learned that keeping things honest, clear, and a bit more open-book in affiliate marketing actually feels better—and might even convert better too.

If you want help writing or structuring your own version of this block, let me know. It’s one of the best mini “learns” I’ve had lately, and happy to share more.

Rob