How To Embed Product Comparison Tables On A WordPress Blog
Has the Amazon affiliate update left your product comparison tables broken and you’re looking for a quick solution to fix it? Or maybe you’ve heard how great product comparison tables can be for affiliate conversions and you want to try them out and build them for your own WordPress website.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to do just that. So follow along, or watch the video tutorial instead:
This post has been sponsored by the AAWP Amazon affiliate plugin used in this tutorial.
Quick note: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you choose to make a purchase using my link.
Why You Need Comparison Tables
First of all, you might be wondering what exactly are comparison tables and if you need them on your blogging platform.
Simply put, comparison tables are structured charts that display a variety of products, highlighting their differences and similarities by arranging their features in columns side by side.
These product features can vary for each product type and can include anything from price, reviews, size, functionality, colour, style, model number, storage, capacity, to memory, battery requirements, calories included and so on.
Your blog can benefit from comparison tables if you post:
- Product comparison posts: x vs y, “shark vs dyson vacuum cleaners”
- “Best of” or “top x” listicle posts: “best digital cameras for capturing vacation shots”
- Product review posts: “iPhone 15 review, and what’s different from iPhone 14”
- Round up posts: “7 skincare products you need for your morning routine”
Benefits of having comparison tables:
If you create any of the blog posts and articles showcased above, product comparison tables are proven to convert a lot better than regular in-post links. And that is because:
- It summarizes your research and opinion for your readers
- It allows for an “at a glance” overview of all the key differences and similarities
- It targets people on the verge of making a purchasing decision
- It simplifies that purchasing decision, so there is less hesitation once they get online
- It includes direct calls to action that encourage a purchase
And most of all, it simplifies the purchasing decision.
Instead of sending people to a platform like Amazon, where they can find thousands of variations for the same product, it gives them your research-backed opinion of the top products they should consider and highlights the features and facts that might impact that decision based on their unique situation or preferences.
Hence why the direct purchasing links attached to comparison tables convert in sales a lot more often than any other type of links – because you’ve helped your readers make a purchasing decision prior to sending them to a website where they could get easily overwhelmed by choice.
How I Used AAWP To Rebuild My Product Tables
Due to the Amazon Site Stripe affiliate update, all images previously created with the Site Stripe code stopped working at the end of 2023. And that left a bunch of my comparison tables looking broken and empty. (See below.)
And because this Amazon update meant you could no longer add product images from Amazon without API, there was only one way to embed new images moving forward – by using a plugin such as AAWP.
And that’s what I’ve done to transform my broken tables into brand new shinny ones!
Why You Can’t Build Amazon Product Tables Manually
If you wanted to compare two products sold on Amazon on your blog, even if you knew how to build comparison tables and make them look pretty (which is possible, but it’s a longer process that can be tedious), here’s why you couldn’t do it effectively as an Amazon affiliate:
- You won’t be able to display product images. The old Site Stripe code is now retired, and you can’t screenshot or download images directly from Amazon. You can only take your own photos or use plugins that integrate with Amazon (such as AAWP or Lasso).
- You won’t be able to display product prices. This is against Amazon’s rules, unless you update them automatically every 24 hours, to guarantee that all prices are correct at all times.
- You will have to upload all other information manually. Once again, possible, but tedious.
Therefore, if you’re an Amazon affiliate looking to compare products, it’s very hard to do so and offer that vital information to your readers without using a third party plugin like AAWP.
What’s Possible With The AAWP Comparison Tables:
- The product image is shown automatically, I don’t have to manually embed it.
- The product information is also pulled and displayed automatically (from the title, to the ratings, reviews etc).
- I can now show the product price (also displayed automatically and updated periodically). Before, I had to resort to saying “check price on Amazon” as Amazon only allows you to display product prices if you can update them every 24 hours.
- Better “buy” buttons with a clear call to action!
In conclusion, using the AAWP comparison table builder helped me navigate Amazon’s DOs and DONTs for their affiliates which are otherwise tricky to follow.
And if you break the rules as an affiliate, you might get better-looking tables, but you risk getting kicked out and banned from the program, so it’s not worth it!
I share a few of these rules in the blog post above, but I have also written an entire guide to the Amazon Associate Program, and you can grab the first chapter for free below:
Or if you want to get familiar with the rulebook, and get a guided tour on how to become a successful Amazon affiliate, you can grab a copy of the entire eBook or audiobook here ^.
So far, this guide helped over 200 affiliates get approved into the Amazon Associates program and strat earning commissions with their content and product recommendations.
Getting Started With AAWP Amazon Plugin
Convinced and want to build your own comparison tables? Get started with AAWP here!
First, you need to select your plan. You can get started for only $49/year (that’s just $4 per month) per site, or if you have multiple blogs, you can choose the Plus plan which is $43/year per site.
Then head over to your dashboard, and download the plugin.
To set it up on your WordPress blog, simply install the plugin by going to Plugins > Add New > Choose the file you just downloaded and upload it.
Once it’s activated, go to the plugin settings and connect it to your AAWP account and Amazon.
First, you’ll need your API and secret key provided by Amazon. Follow this Amazon tutorial to learn how to grab those or log in to your Amazon Associates account > Tools > Product Advertising API to generate a new set of keys if you haven’t done so before.
Important Amazon API note: this feature is only available to approved affiliate accounts that have made their first 3 qualifying sales, and have received email confirmation from Amazon that their affiliate application has been approved.
Using AAWP Without Access To Amazon API
If you are a brand new Amazon affiliate and haven’t yet made your first 3 qualifying sales, worry not. You can still use the AAWP to its full capability by ticking the box that says: “Check to retrieve products from the AAWP API instead of the Amazon API.“
This feature is available exclusively to owners of an active AAWP license and is free in the first 3 months as a user. More information about the AAWP API can be found here.
Activate this only if you can’t retrieve products from the official Amazon API yet, and once you get access, revert to using the plugin as normal by embedding the API and secret key as shown in the previous step.
Get help with your first 3 sales:
- Grab my guide to Making Your First Three Amazon Affiliate Sales
- Join my free Facebook Group For Bloggers & get help from other bloggers
- Read my post on 10 Best Places To Share Amazon Affiliate Links To Earn Commission
Build Your First Comparison Table With AAWP
Once that’s all squared away, and your AAWP plugin is connected to your Amazon affiliate account, you are ready to start showcasing products and product comparison tables on your blog.
Look at your existing product recommendations, and pick a niche you want to create a table for.
Then go to Tables > Add New and start building your table. First, select the rows you want your comparison table to include.
You have multiple options available that will be automatically filled with the product information gathered from Amazon (such as the photo thumbnail, title, price, star rating, reviews, buy button ext), but you can also add a “Custom Text” box where you can input additional information manually for each product.
Once you are happy with the rows included, it’s time to add your products.
You can add products in two ways:
- By ASIN, which you can find in the product details of each Amazon listing
- By search, typing up a search term, and selecting the product you want
To make sure you are adding the correct product variation, the ASIN is the way to go. Simply find the product on Amazon, and scroll down to the “Product Information” box.
You will find the ASIN here, alongside more useful information for your comparison tables that you can add manually after in the “Custom Text” boxes.
Repeat this process to add all your products to your table (although I find that it looks the best with 3-4 products in each table), then name your table and save it.
Embed Product Tables In WordPress Blog Posts
Once created, it’s incredibly simple to embed and display your product comparison tables anywhere on your website.
Simply go to the post or page in question, add a new block and search for “AAWP”, and select the Comparison Tables display.
Pick the display you’ve just created and voila! You can create and embed multiple comparison tables per post, where needed, and even add the same table to multiple posts & pages without needing to recreate it.
I also create new tables by duplicating existing ones, as it cuts my work in half, and I only need to replace the products selected.
>> Try AAWP and start creating product displays today!
Final Words On Creating Comparison Tables
In the competitive world of affiliate marketing, presenting information in a clear, concise, and visually appealing manner is crucial. The AAWP plugin has proven to be an invaluable tool for Amazon affiliates, offering a seamless integration of product displays that comply with Amazon’s stringent rules.
By automating the display of product images, prices, and vital information, AAWP not only saves time but also enhances the user experience, resulting in higher conversion rates and more affiliate income for you!
If you’re serious about optimizing your affiliate links and boosting your income, incorporating tools like AAWP is a smart and strategic move. Ready to elevate your Amazon affiliate game? Try AAWP and transform your product comparison tables today. Happy blogging and successful selling!
More Tips For Amazon Affiliates:
- How To Make Money From Your Blog As An Amazon Affiliate
- 5 High-Paying Affiliate Programs For Bloggers
- How to Add Amazon Affiliate Links and Images to WordPress Blog Posts
- Amazon Affiliate vs Amazon Influencer: Key Differences & Benefits
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