Chapter 1: My Blogging Journey

I want to share the story of my website, particularly how it was impacted by a recent update from Google.

Let me begin by stating this: I still advocate for having a website. Creating your own site is essential for personal branding and establishing your authority in your field. However, I advise against relying on it solely as a source of income.

In my view, we are currently witnessing a decline in blogging and website ownership, except for those high-authority sites that dominate the search landscape.

As a graphic designer, I grew weary of managing clients on Fiverr and sought a way to shift away from freelancing. I then opted to sell my designs on print-on-demand platforms, starting with Redbubble and eventually branching out to TeePublic, Spreadshirt, and Etsy. Unfortunately, I faced an unexpected ban from TeePublic for reasons unknown to me. I had uploaded all my Redbubble designs to TeePublic and other platforms, which is a common practice, but it served as a wake-up call.

This incident led me to realize the importance of having a backup plan. Consequently, I added another website to my portfolio, despite already owning a few smaller niche sites that were performing well. Drawing from my experience, I launched a site focused on print-on-demand and selling on Redbubble. I began to establish myself as a credible source within the Redbubble niche. Additionally, I decided to create a YouTube channel centered around the same topic, aiming to enhance my recognition and build authority.

For the first year, everything was progressing smoothly, with my site attracting around 300–500 visitors daily, and I was targeting a goal of reaching 20,000 monthly visitors.

Then, the Google update struck. For reasons I can't fully comprehend, a Core Update negatively affected my website, similar to many other small sites. These updates have repeatedly hit our websites, which Google claims are improvements in search results. However, when high-authority sites like Reddit, Quora, and major news outlets dominate the rankings, one begins to question the validity of these updates.

While Google asserts that recovery is possible after being penalized, my experience tells a different story. Once your site is impacted, full recovery seems nearly impossible. Thus, my website felt as if it had come to an end.

However, while it may be "dead" in Google's eyes, it isn’t for me.

The Aftermath of the Google Update

If my site was solely a money-making venture, I would have abandoned it for more lucrative opportunities. In fact, I found Medium to be more profitable than my website. Last month, I approached 20,000 reads, and I aim to achieve that again this month.

When comparing revenue, the $26 I earn monthly from display ads on my website pales in comparison to the $462 I receive from Medium. However, there is a catch: Medium retains ownership of the content I publish, and I risk being banned if they disagree with my posts. Each year, Medium conducts a purge, deleting numerous accounts, and I want to be ready for that.

This is why I continue to invest time in my website and my YouTube channel, seeking a glimmer of hope. Interestingly, I’ve observed an uptick in traffic from Bing rather than Google lately.

It’s logical since Google’s search results aren’t always dependable. While it may seem counterintuitive, it holds true. If you’re looking for reliable information, consider exploring other search engines.

So, if you’re contemplating whether to create your own website, I still recommend it despite my experiences. Don’t solely depend on Google; investigate various avenues for driving traffic, including Pinterest, Medium, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more.

Additionally, prioritize building a newsletter to engage your audience.

Thanks for reading!

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Chapter 2: Starting Your Blogging Journey

This video provides a comprehensive guide on starting a free blog and monetizing it in 2024. It covers essential steps for beginners, including platform selection and content creation strategies.

In this video, the creator shares their journey of starting a blog in 2024 and reveals strategies for earning over $10,000 a month through blogging. It serves as inspiration for aspiring bloggers.