Wordpress Blog Design and Affiliate Link Integration

I am looking for a skilled freelancer to design and set up a new blog on the WordPress platform. The project involves creating a visually appealing and user-friendly blog layout, configuring WordPress settings, and integrating affiliate links throughout the content or in specific sections.

The ideal candidate should have experience with custom WordPress themes or theme customization, ensuring the design aligns with my brand vision (details to be provided). Key requirements include:

- Designing a responsive blog layout that works well on desktop and mobile devices.
- Setting up the WordPress installation and necessary plugins.
- Integrating affiliate links seamlessly into blog posts and potentially sidebar widgets or dedicated pages.
- Ensuring the blog is optimized for performance and basic SEO principles.

Please describe your experience with WordPress design and affiliate marketing integrations in your proposal. I am open to discussing design ideas and the best approach for integrating the affiliate links effectively.