8 Pros + Cons of the Lasso Affiliate WordPress Plugin
Every website revenue model comes with dumb headaches. Subscription comes with credit card errors. Display ads come with technical hiccups (and revenue headaches). And affiliate programs comes with…managing links.
I used to run a site with 80 revenue driving partners with no link management in place. It was awful. Before I sold the site, I probably spent more time dealing with ridiculous link management issues and affiliate partners than I did editing blog posts. Lasso is supposed to solve that problem. I use it now for several sites, including this one. Here are a few things that I like and don’t like about it.
The Lasso Affiliate WordPress Plugin is designed to simplify affiliate link management. I really appreciate its user-friendly interface and the way it helps me organize links seamlessly across multiple networks. However, I found the constant upgrade prompts annoying, and the pricing can be a bit steep for smaller sites. Overall, Lasso is great for serious affiliate marketers but might be a stretch for beginners.
- Incredibly intuitive and scalable affiliate management system
- Centralized dashboard for organizing thousands of affiliate links
- Seamless integration with WP All Import for bulk management
- Easy to navigate and use dashboard with clear metrics
- Robust free version limited to Amazon with essential features
- Very aggressive upgrade ads can distract workflow
- More expensive than other link management solutions
- Adds complexity to WordPress installation
Pros
Well-designed Scalable Affiliate Management
I’ve found Lasso’s affiliate management system to be incredibly intuitive and scalable for growing websites. The plugin lets me organize thousands of affiliate links across multiple networks in one central dashboard. I can group links by categories, merchant, or program which has saved me countless hours of manual organization. Just on this site, I use is less for affiliate links per se and more just to organize all my books.
Pairs Well with WP All Import for Bulk Management
One standout feature is Lasso’s seamless integration with WP All Import. I recently imported over 500 products with links and the process was surprisingly smooth. The plugin recognized all my Amazon Associates links automatically and preserved the proper formatting. This compatibility has been a soooo much smoother for scaling my affiliate partnerships especially when migrating posts from other platforms.
Dashboard Is Easy To Navigate & Use
The clean interface makes daily link management so much simpler than digging around a Google Sheet. I particularly appreciate the search functionality that lets me quickly find specific links across hundreds of posts. The dashboard provides clear metrics on link performance clicks and revenue without overwhelming me with unnecessary data. Even team members with limited technical experience can figure out what is going on, which has streamlined our content workflow.
Free Version Is Very Robust (though limited to Amazon)
While the free version only supports Amazon Associates I’ve found it offers substantial value. It includes essential features like:
- Automatic price updates
- Basic display templates
- Link health monitoring
The Amazon-only limitation hasn’t been an issue for websites that focuses primarily on Amazon products. For beginners testing the waters of affiliate marketing, the free version provides more than enough tools to get started.
Cons
Everybody has tradeoffs, including Lasso.
Very Aggressive Upgrade Ads
I find the frequent upgrade prompts in Lasso’s free version particularly frustrating. The plugin displays persistent notifications encouraging users to upgrade to the premium version.
These ads appear in the WordPress dashboard and when accessing certain features which can distract my workflow. Even after clicking “dismiss” the prompts often return within a few days. While I understand the business model (I mean, I use it), I’d like for the plugin to, you know, just chill a bit.
More Expensive Than Other Ways of Managing Links
The pricing structure of Lasso has been a significant pain point. At $24/month for the basic plan it’s considerably more expensive than competing solutions like ThirstyAffiliates or Pretty Links. For smaller blogs or those just starting with affiliate marketing this cost can be hard to justify. While the features are robust – the high monthly fee puts it out of reach for many content creators.
Adds Complexity To WordPress Install
I’ve noticed that Lasso adds another layer of complexity to my WordPress setup. The plugin creates its own database tables and adds multiple script files to my pages. I’m a fan of minimalist pages, and Lasso makes that a bit more complex. Additionally, integrating Lasso with caching plugins requires extra configuration steps. When troubleshooting site issues I now have another potential point of failure to consider.
Next Steps
If you’re just starting with affiliate marketing I’d recommend trying Lasso’s free version first to get a feel for its core features (namely dealing with Amazon links). For established website owners managing multiple affiliate programs, the premium version’s advanced capabilities make it worth considering – especially if you’re looking to scale your affiliate business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lasso and what does it do?
Lasso is a WordPress plugin designed for affiliate marketers to manage, track, and optimize their affiliate links. It provides a centralized dashboard for organizing thousands of links, monitors performance metrics, and offers attractive product displays to enhance conversion rates.
How much does Lasso cost?
Lasso offers a free version limited to Amazon Associates. The premium version starts at $24/month, which is relatively expensive compared to similar plugins. The free version includes basic features like link cloaking, click tracking, and automatic price updates.
Does Lasso slow down my WordPress website?
Lasso may slightly impact page load times as it creates additional database tables and script files. However, the impact is minimal for most websites, though it might require some optimization when using caching plugins.
Can I import existing affiliate links into Lasso?
Yes, Lasso integrates with WP All Import, making it easy to bulk import and manage affiliate links from other platforms. This feature is particularly useful when migrating content or managing large numbers of affiliate links.
How does Lasso track affiliate link performance?
Lasso provides comprehensive tracking features including click-through rates, revenue data, and link health monitoring. The dashboard displays clear metrics and performance data that are easily accessible to team members of all technical levels.
What are the main benefits of using Lasso?
Key benefits include centralized link management, automatic broken link updates, performance tracking, attractive product displays, and integration with WP All Import. The plugin also offers custom collections for organized link management and automated price monitoring.
Is Lasso suitable for beginners in affiliate marketing?
Yes, Lasso is suitable for beginners, especially with its free version for Amazon Associates. The intuitive dashboard and user-friendly interface make it easy to start managing affiliate links, though the premium version’s cost might be prohibitive for newcomers.
Can I customize how my affiliate links display?
Yes, Lasso offers custom CSS options for branding and various display formats for product showcases and text links. Users can optimize link placement and presentation to enhance engagement and conversion rates.
