If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be making a consistent six-figure income online, I probably would’ve laughed it off as wishful thinking. Like many of you, I started my journey with side hustles—dabbling in everything from survey sites to drop shipping—hoping to crack the code to true financial freedom. It wasn’t until I went all-in and built my own full-time internet business that things really took off.
That’s why I’m always on the lookout for new affiliate marketing systems that promise to make the process easier for beginners. When I heard about Affiliate One by James Fawcett—a 7-figure “super affiliate” who claims his Done-For-You system can help anyone earn passive commissions with minimal effort—I was both skeptical and intrigued. After all, I know firsthand that there are no shortcuts in this industry, but I also believe in leveraging proven systems to accelerate results.
In this review, I’ll break down my honest experience with Affiliate One, share what works, what doesn’t, and whether it truly lives up to the hype for aspiring affiliates and seasoned marketers alike. If you’re considering investing in this program, read on—I’ll give you the inside scoop, no sugarcoating.
Table of Contents
What is Affiliate One?
Affiliate One is a beginner-friendly affiliate marketing course and done-for-you system created by James Fawcett, a recognized 7-figure super affiliate. The core promise of Affiliate One is to simplify the process of starting an affiliate marketing business, even for those with zero experience. The training walks you through a step-by-step process of building an affiliate business using automated systems and ready-made resources.
Inside the course, you’ll learn how to set up “money pages” (opt-in pages), connect your autoresponder, and use pre-written email swipes to follow up with leads. The main traffic strategy taught is Solo Ads, which involves buying targeted email traffic to send to your opt-in pages. Once leads are captured, the system sends out automated email sequences promoting affiliate offers, with the goal of earning commissions on autopilot. The idea is to eliminate the steep learning curve and technical overwhelm that often holds beginners back, so you can get up and running quickly—even if you’ve never made a dollar online before.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who Created Affiliate One?
Affiliate One was created by James Fawcett, an Australian entrepreneur who has built a reputation as a top-tier affiliate marketer and product creator. James is known for his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to affiliate marketing, and he’s earned over seven figures in commissions. He started out as a government employee before turning to affiliate marketing full-time in 2015, eventually developing a system that allowed him to automate much of his business and scale to multi-million dollar revenues.
James is ranked in the top 5% of vendors and affiliates on the Warrior Plus platform and has launched several successful digital products, including Phoenix, Endgame, CheckMate, Profit Mayhem, and Rebillz. His reputation in the industry is solid, with many students praising his step-by-step training style and responsive support. However, like any high-profile marketer, he’s faced some criticism—particularly around the sales tactics and the ease of use promised in some of his courses.
Who is Affiliate One For?
Affiliate One is designed primarily for beginners who want a straightforward, step-by-step system to start making money with affiliate marketing. If you’re someone who feels overwhelmed by the technical aspects of building funnels, writing emails, or generating traffic, this course aims to remove those barriers by providing done-for-you assets and clear instructions.
That said, it’s important to go in with realistic expectations. While the system is marketed as “set-and-forget,” it still requires effort, especially when it comes to driving traffic and following up with leads. The heavy reliance on Solo Ads means you’ll need a budget for paid traffic, and some marketing savvy to optimize your results over time. If you’re looking for a quick, passive income stream with no learning curve, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re willing to follow instructions, invest in traffic, and treat it like a real business, Affiliate One can be a solid entry point into affiliate marketing.
In summary, Affiliate One is best suited for:
- Complete beginners who want a guided, DFY approach to affiliate marketing.
- Busy people who want to shortcut the setup process and leverage automation.
- Anyone willing to invest in paid traffic to jumpstart their results.
- Marketers looking for a simple, low-cost way to test the affiliate marketing waters before committing to more advanced strategies.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
How is Affiliate One Structured?
As someone who’s been through my fair share of online courses, I appreciate when a program lays out its content in a clear, step-by-step way. Affiliate One is structured to guide you from the basics all the way to launching your first affiliate campaigns, with a strong emphasis on automation and done-for-you resources. Here’s a breakdown of the typical modules and content you can expect:
- Introduction & Mindset: Lays out the affiliate marketing fundamentals and sets expectations for success.
- System Setup: Walks you through connecting your autoresponder, integrating your DFY “money pages,” and importing pre-written email swipes.
- Traffic Generation: Focuses heavily on Solo Ads—how to find reputable sellers, purchase traffic, and track your results.
- Email Marketing Mastery: Covers how to nurture leads, optimize your follow-up sequences, and boost conversions using James’s proven email templates.
- Scaling & Optimization: Teaches you how to analyze your campaigns, tweak your funnels, and scale up once you start seeing results.
- Bonus & Upsell Modules: If you opt for upgrades, you’ll get access to advanced coaching, extra DFY assets, and exclusive support groups.
The course is delivered through video tutorials, downloadable resources, and checklists, making it easy for beginners to follow along at their own pace.
Are Affiliate One Students Getting Results?
One of the first things I look for in any program is real, verifiable student results. Affiliate One does showcase several testimonials, both on its sales page and in independent reviews. For example, Carlton Zhu, a complete newbie when he started, highly recommends the course and believes in its potential—though he admits he faced challenges and found the support group and coaching calls (available as an upsell) crucial for his progress.
There are also success stories like Fitzroy Rampersad, who reportedly made over $1,800 in less than 48 hours using James’s process, and George Ball, who credits James with helping him stay accountable and take action. John Newman praised the program’s transparency and comprehensive approach, while James Hussey found the real-life email marketing examples especially helpful.
That said, not every review is glowing. Some students, like Chris Hardy, have criticized the program for being more difficult than advertised and not as beginner-friendly as the sales page suggests. He even questioned the authenticity of some testimonials and pointed out that real, substantial proof of student earnings is still limited. In my experience, while there are students seeing results, success with Affiliate One (like any DFY system) still requires effort, investment, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
How Much Does Affiliate One Cost?
The pricing for Affiliate One is a classic example of “low entry, high upsell.” The front-end price is just $17, which gets you access to the core training and DFY system. However, there are several optional upsells designed to enhance your results:
- Fast Cash Accelerator ($37): Helps speed up your earning potential.
- 10x Auto-Commissions Multiplier ($67): Provides 100 pre-written email swipes for higher conversions.
- DFY Package ($197): Gives you more ready-to-use assets for faster setup.
- VIP Inner Sanctum ($197): Includes weekly coaching calls and access to an exclusive support group (which many students find essential).
- Super Reseller Lite ($97): Offers additional resources and advanced training.
On top of these, you’ll need a budget for Solo Ads, which can run from $0.40 to $1.00 per click. Realistically, you should set aside at least a few hundred dollars for traffic to get meaningful results—many reviewers suggest a starting budget of $500 or more for Solo Ads alone.
Affiliate One does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the program risk-free and request a refund if it’s not a good fit for you. Just be sure to review the refund terms before purchasing to avoid any surprises.
Praises For Affiliate One
Reflecting on my experience and the feedback from other users, there are several aspects of Affiliate One that genuinely stand out in a positive way:
Automated Affiliate System
Affiliate One’s Done-For-You (DFY) system automates much of the affiliate marketing process. This means, even if you’re juggling a busy schedule or new to the game, you can get started without building everything from scratch. The system provides pre-built “money pages” and email swipes, which can save a lot of time and lower the barrier to entry for beginners.Step-by-Step Training
The course is structured with clear, comprehensive video modules that walk you through each phase—from setup to scaling. As someone who’s taken dozens of online courses, I appreciate when a program leaves no stone unturned, and Affiliate One does a solid job of guiding you through the essentials.Beginner-Friendly Approach
Affiliate One is designed with newbies in mind. You don’t need prior experience or technical skills to get started, which is a big plus if you’re just dipping your toes into affiliate marketing. The instructions are straightforward, and the DFY resources help eliminate the overwhelm that often comes with starting out.Positive Testimonials and Support
There are several positive testimonials from students who’ve seen results, including stories of people making their first commissions or earning significant amounts in a short period. The after-sales support is also responsive, which helps if you get stuck or need clarification along the way.Low Front-End Price
At just $17 for the core product, Affiliate One is accessible to most people looking to test the waters in affiliate marketing. This low initial investment makes it less risky to try, especially compared to other high-ticket programs.30-Day Refund Policy
The program offers a no-questions-asked, 30-day money-back guarantee. This gives you peace of mind to try the system and see if it’s a good fit without risking your hard-earned cash.Legitimate Creator
James Fawcett, the creator, is a recognized name in the affiliate marketing space with a track record of successful products. His reputation adds credibility to the program, and his teaching style is generally well-received by students.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Criticisms For Affiliate One
Of course, no system is perfect—and Affiliate One has its share of drawbacks that I can’t ignore, especially after digging deeper and seeing the experiences of others:
Misleading and Overhyped Sales Page
The marketing for Affiliate One can be quite aggressive, often promising “fastest results ever” and “set-and-forget” income with minimal effort. In reality, affiliate marketing—DFY or not—always requires work, learning, and ongoing investment. The sales page can set unrealistic expectations for beginners.Expensive and Risky Solo Ads Traffic Strategy
The main traffic method taught is Solo Ads, which can get expensive fast (often $1 per click or more). Not only does this require a significant upfront budget, but Solo Ads are notorious for delivering low-quality, unresponsive leads. This means you could spend hundreds (or thousands) without seeing a return, making it a risky strategy for newcomers.Hidden and Aggressive Upsells
While the front-end price is low, you’ll quickly encounter a series of upsells that are pitched as “essential” for success. These can add up to $600 or more, making the true cost of the system much higher than advertised. This kind of pricing strategy can feel deceptive, especially if you’re not prepared for the additional investment.Lack of Control and Flexibility
Because you’re relying on a DFY system, you don’t have full control over your business. You’re tied to James’s framework and resources, which limits your ability to adapt or innovate as you grow. For anyone serious about building a long-term, sustainable business, this lack of flexibility is a major drawback.Questionable Testimonials and Limited Proof of Success
There have been credible reports of fake or recycled testimonials appearing on multiple sales pages by the same creator. While there are some positive stories, there’s a noticeable lack of concrete, verifiable proof (like earnings screenshots or video testimonials) from everyday students. This raises questions about how many people are actually succeeding with the system.Not as Easy as Advertised
Despite the “beginner-friendly” label, several reviewers and students have pointed out that Affiliate One is not as simple as it sounds. It requires ongoing effort, learning, and a willingness to spend money on traffic and upsells. Some beginners have found it overwhelming or have quit affiliate marketing altogether after trying the course.Outdated and Ineffective Traffic Methods
The heavy reliance on email marketing and Solo Ads feels outdated in today’s digital landscape, where more targeted and sustainable traffic methods are available. The conversion rates from these methods are often low, making it hard to scale or achieve consistent results.
In short, while Affiliate One has some strengths—especially for those just starting out—the drawbacks are significant enough that I’d urge anyone considering it to weigh the pros and cons carefully before diving in.
Should You Join Affiliate One?
After going through Affiliate One myself and weighing the pros and cons, I have to be honest—this program isn’t something I’d recommend to most people looking to start or scale their affiliate marketing business. While the low entry price and done-for-you setup might seem tempting, the reality is that the system relies heavily on expensive and often ineffective Solo Ads, and the real cost (with upsells and traffic) can easily climb to $600 or more.
If you’re a complete beginner with a decent budget, you might pick up some basics and see a few small wins. But the lack of control, aggressive upsells, and outdated traffic strategies make it hard to build a truly sustainable business. Most importantly, there just aren’t enough real, verifiable student success stories to give me confidence that this system delivers on its promises.
In my experience, affiliate marketing is a long-term game. You need to learn real skills, build your own assets (like a website and an email list), and develop strategies that work for you—not just plug into a cookie-cutter system and hope for the best. If you’re serious about building a lasting online income, I’d look elsewhere.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Affiliate One Alternative
If you’re looking for a genuine, step-by-step path to making money online, I strongly recommend checking out Wealthy Affiliate instead. Unlike Affiliate One, Wealthy Affiliate is a comprehensive training platform that’s been around since 2005 and has helped thousands of people (myself included) build real, profitable affiliate businesses from scratch.
Here’s why I believe Wealthy Affiliate is the best alternative:
- Beginner-Friendly, No Hype: Wealthy Affiliate offers structured, up-to-date training that walks you through everything—from choosing a niche to building your website, creating content, and getting traffic through proven methods like SEO and content marketing. There’s no hype or unrealistic promises—just solid education.
- All-in-One Platform: You get access to website hosting, a site builder, keyword research tools, and a massive, supportive community all in one place. This makes it much easier to stay focused and get help when you need it.
- Active Community & Support: The Wealthy Affiliate community is one of the most active and helpful I’ve seen. Whether you’re stuck on a technical issue or need feedback on your site, there’s always someone willing to help.
- Free Starter Plan: You can get started with Wealthy Affiliate for free—no credit card required. This gives you a chance to test-drive the platform and see if it’s a good fit before investing in the premium plan.
- Transparent Pricing: The Premium plan is $49/month, and there are no hidden upsells or aggressive pitches. Everything you need to build a real business is included.
Wealthy Affiliate isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme—you’ll need to put in the work and be patient. But if you’re committed to learning real skills and building a business you control, it’s hands down the best place to start. I wish I’d found it earlier in my journey, and I can honestly say it’s made a huge difference in my success online.
If you’re ready to build something real, skip the hype and give Wealthy Affiliate a try.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.