Building a successful website is not just about writing articles; it’s about dedication, consistency, and evolving with time. My journey as a blogger started with a dream in 2015—to help people find ways to make money online. Today, I want to share my short story of how I climbed the ladder of success, made mistakes along the way, and watched my website lose nearly all its traffic. But this isn’t just a story of despair; it’s one of resilience and a plan to rise again.
I am not a big blogger with a huge following, but this story can be a source of insight and encouragement for small bloggers like me.
The Beginning: March 21, 2015
When I launched my site, I had one clear purpose: to share my experiences of making money online and review websites that others could use to earn from home. It was a niche that I was passionate about, and my initial efforts paid off. Spending countless nights researching and writing, I grew my traffic steadily from 100 pageviews a day to 1,000.
However, I faced a challenge: I ran out of content ideas. My niche felt limiting, and I knew I needed to diversify.
The Turning Point: Finding a Unique Topic
In my quest to expand, I stumbled upon an underserved topic—Air Traffic Control (ATC) exam conducted by the Airport Authority of India. ATC aspirants were desperate for reliable information, and I filled that gap. With the help of an ATC friend, I started writing about ATC exam and I answered every question my readers had.
This niche focus was a game-changer. Traffic jumped all-time high from 1,000 to over 3,000 daily pageviews in 2018. My articles became a trusted resource, and readers eagerly awaited new posts. It felt like a golden period, but little did I know, this success came with its own challenges.
The Pandemic Boost: 2020–2021
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, and many turned to the internet, searching for ways to make money from home. My website’s core theme perfectly aligned with this demand. I was getting a consistent 2k pageviews a day, lower than 2018 but I was making way more money with the help of Ezoic, an ad optimization platform.
I allowed myself to rest, thinking my website had achieved self-sufficiency. I was wrong.
The Decline: 2022-2024
My website’s steady decline began here, and it was not a sudden fall but a slow, painful process. There were multiple reasons:
1. Writer’s Block
The worst enemy of any content creator hit me hard. Writer’s block is more than a lack of ideas; it’s a state of mental paralysis where even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. I wanted to write but couldn’t. The fear of failure, the pressure to outperform previous successes, and sheer fatigue made it harder to create.
2. Stiff Competition
Over time, bigger players entered my niche. Even established news sites began covering the same topics and every little thing, and they had the resources to create better, more comprehensive content.
3. Outdated Content
Some of my old, high-ranking articles were no longer relevant. While they fought to stay on the first page of Google for a while, they were eventually replaced by fresher, more useful results.
4. Google Algorithm Updates
Updates like the “Helpful Content Update” and “Product Review Update” reshaped search rankings. Google prioritizes useful, up-to-date content, and my site wasn’t keeping pace.
5. Life’s Demands
Balancing work and family became another challenge. After my kids were born, I took on more responsibilities at home, helping my wife and caring for the children. This left me with less time and energy to focus on the website.
6. Underestimating Social Media
In hindsight, I underestimated the power of social media marketing. While competitors were leveraging platforms like Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube to reach a wider audience, I stuck to traditional methods like email subscriptions. Gen Z readers prefer getting updates through WhatsApp groups or social media channels. My failure to adapt left me out of sync with my audience’s expectations.
7. Lack of Collaboration and Promotion
I also failed to network with other bloggers or invest in promotions. Many competitors were growing by sharing audiences through collaborations, guest posts, and paid social media ads—areas I neglected entirely.
By January 2024, my site was down to less than 1500 pageviews a month.
Lessons Learned
This journey taught me hard but invaluable lessons:
- Consistency is Key: Resting on past success is dangerous in the fast-changing online world.
- Adapt or Perish: Staying relevant means embracing change, whether it’s in content, SEO, or technology.
- Audience First: Readers deserve the most useful, up-to-date information.
The Comeback: My Plan to Revive the Site
Despite the fall, I haven’t given up. Just like Amitabh Bachchan adapted to remain relevant in Bollywood, I am ready to reinvent myself as a blogger. Here’s my detailed plan for revival:
1. Updating Old Content
I will audit every single article on my website. Outdated posts will be rewritten with the latest information, and I’ll add multimedia elements like infographics, videos, and downloadable resources to enhance their value.
2. Exploring New Niches
While continuing with my core topics, I’ll expand into related areas. For example:
- How AI tools can help in earning online.
- New opportunities in the gig economy.
- Emerging side hustles Gen Z is exploring.
By staying ahead of the curve, I’ll regain my readers’ trust.
3. Consistent Publishing Schedule
Consistency will be my mantra. I plan to publish at least 4–5 high-quality articles every month. To maintain this, I’ll allocate specific days for research, writing, and editing.
4. Leveraging Social Media
I’ll create dedicated Telegram and Instagram channels to share new posts and engage with my audience. By being active on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and WhatsApp, I’ll connect with readers where they spend most of their time.
5. Advanced SEO and Analytics
I’ll use modern SEO tools to identify trending keywords, analyze competitors, and optimize my content accordingly. Regular analytics checks will help me track what works and what doesn’t.
6. Networking and Collaborations
Collaborating with fellow bloggers and industry experts will help me reach new audiences. I’ll explore guest blogging, interviews, and co-hosted webinars to establish authority in my niche.
For now, I am not in a position to do paid promotions. I still believe useful content will find its audience. But I might consider it in the future.
7. Expanding Content Sources
I’ll try out new websites and platforms for online earning, review them thoroughly, and publish articles before others jump on the trend. Being early and comprehensive will set me apart.
8. Building a Community
I’ll foster a sense of community by engaging with my readers through polls, Q&A sessions, and live chats. A loyal audience will be my greatest asset.
A Message and Conclusion
To my readers who’ve stuck with me, thank you. Your support means everything. To those who left, I understand—it’s my responsibility to provide you with value, and I failed.
But I am back, and I am more determined than ever. This isn’t just a comeback story; it’s a promise to work tirelessly to make this site a valuable resource again.
The journey of a blogger is filled with highs and lows. Success isn’t permanent, and failures are inevitable. What matters is how we bounce back. I’ve learned from my mistakes and embraced the challenges ahead.
I hope my story inspires others to reflect, adapt, and never stop dreaming. Watch this space, because the best is yet to come.
