I just want to clarify a few things about yesterday’s video.

It seems that when times are tough, people tend to turn on each other.

After seeing this comment from Jamie IF on Twitter..

..I’d thought I’d give my opinion on Ricky.

To be clear, I respect Ricky, and I’ve always admired the Income School channel. When I was starting out, their channel was an inspiration to me..

A lot has changed recently.

Google is no longer an easy way to generate a constant flow of traffic.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t loads of opportunities to make money a living online.

Is making money with niche websites still possible in 2024?

Yes, I think it is. But it’s different and is going to require a lot more work and dedication probably.

It’s not all doom and gloom though.

Here’s what I’m focusing on:

• Local SEO: I’m building a website specifically for Estepona, and I’m already seeing some traction on social media for local searches. Basically, going hyper-local seems to be a winning strategy.
• Directory websites: Imagine a one-stop shop for everything in Estepona, from cafes to car rentals. That’s the idea behind my new project – a comprehensive directory website with real reviews, experiences and insights.

Now, I’ll be honest, the recent Google changes have really hurt most people in the niche website space. But there’s a silver lining: Google’s grip on search seems to be loosening a bit (albeit very small)

So, what do you think? Are niche websites still a viable way to make money online? Let me know in the comments!

But don’t worry – there is still hope.

I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind lately: the importance of organic search traffic.

Even though it feels like everyone’s saying it’s harder and harder to rank on Google these days, I still believe organic search is the golden goose of website traffic.

Here’s the thing: traffic from organic search converts better. We’re talking about people who are actively searching for the information or product you offer, right there in buying mode.

It’s like the difference between stopping someone on the street to pitch them your latest gadget and having them walk into your store because they saw your window display.

Now, social media can be a great way to connect with people, but let’s be honest, it’s a lot of work. You gotta constantly be pumping out content, and even then, there’s no guarantee those scrolling through their feeds are actually interested in what you have to offer.

Studies show that organic search traffic converts at a much higher rate. Someone searching for “best air fryer for chips” is way further down the purchase funnel than someone mindlessly clicking through Facebook.

They’re ready to buy, and that’s gold for any website owner.

Sure, ranking organically might take some effort on your part – keyword research, optimizing your content, the whole SEO shebang. But trust me, the payoff is worth it.

Don’t get discouraged if it feels like Google’s playing hard to get. Keep at it, focus on that organic search traffic, and watch those conversions climb.

So, that’s my take. What are your thoughts?

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve got any questions about SEO or ranking higher on Google.

Building a Website whilst Google rolls out horrible algorithm updates

I’m a big advocate for using smart tools to streamline content creation. So, naturally, I dove headfirst into using AI to help me with the website’s structure and content ideas for my new website around Estepona.

However, I then started to worry about concerns regarding the recent Google core update, which seemed to punish websites with AI-generated content; well, it actually punished websites with high-quality human content.

Stories of legit travel bloggers and even Matt Giovanisci Swim University website getting dinged by Google, despite their fantastic content, filled me with a touch of paranoia.

Here’s the thing: I don’t doubt AI’s potential to be a content creation assistant. But for in-depth website content that truly connects with readers? Maybe not. My Estepona website could turn into a Google graveyard if I relied solely on AI-generated content!

All the content is going to be written by me, by hand along with lots of video content.

So, I’m taking a different route. Instead of chasing search engine algorithms, I’m focusing on building an audience through social media using Buffer to post to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Twitter. Building a community around Estepona feels like a more sustainable and, frankly, way more fun strategy.

In this vlog I share my plans for the future as I don’t think my niche website projects are going to recover from the Google Core Update.

What’s your plan?

About this tutorial

In this tutorial, we’re going to be making a website using the new ‘product review’ layout that comes with Popcorn Theme.

It’s perfect for reviewing or comparing products, but of course it’s flexible enough to that you can use it with any type of content.

Here’s what it looks like …

Things You’ll Need

You’re going to need a few things to get up and running.

They do cost money, but I’ve got some discount coupons for you!

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The decline of two of my project sites continues.

Here’s the latest graphs:

Seeing the decline it got me thinking about what sites have replaced me in the SERPs.

Watch the video to find out what I found.

Spoiler: There was a lot of Reddit.