2025 Progress Review or my Bootcamp site - What worked, what didn’t, and what I learned

byGail-UK

3.8K followers

2 weeks ago

2025 Progress Review Of My Bootcamp Site

Following on from my review of my niche site yesterday, I wanted to do a similar end-of-year reflection for my bootcamp site. This is another site that I have had for a couple of years, but which was floundering since many of the posts are now outdated with the introduction of AI and other changes to the MMO niche.

So this year has been less about scale and more about resetting the foundations, learning and re-learning, and slowly building more momentum in the right direction.

Site rebuild and refocus

One of the biggest pieces of work this year was a complete redesign and restructuring of this website which took me a while to get right, but I really am pleased with what I came up with. All the tools at WA helped a lot, as did ChatGPT (Sparky,), who could really help steer me in the right direction, especially with adding code to the site to get the look I wanted.

In short, I:

• Revamped the layout and branding
• Clarified the focus of the site, which had got a little lost over the years
• Added lead magnets
• Improved navigation and overall user experience

Unlike my other site, I have not built an email list here yet, and I haven’t sent newsletters, although I have set up the lead magnet capture forms at Kit, although I have no subscribers yet. I think I needed to focus first on traffic sources and getting the structure and fundamentals in place. As and when I get some subscribers on the list, I will start an email newsletter.

Search and website traffic

Search traffic remains modest, which isn’t surprising given:

• The site redesign
• Limited content age
• Competitive niche
• Ongoing indexing challenges, although most of my main posts are indexed on Google and Bing for this site.

Analytics show:

• Traffic coming mainly from direct and social sources
• Small but growing organic social referrals
• Early signs of international interest, including the US and UK

At this stage, the site feels like it’s still in its “laying tracks” phase rather than full acceleration.

This traffic is still very small and won't even buy me a cup of coffee but there are signs that it is growing towards the end of the year. However, I'm also realistic in that I think most of the end spike are bots from China as per the country analysis, so I'm not getting over excited. However, let's see how things go in the New Year.

However, Bing is showing some signs of picking up too although the numbers are very small.

Pinterest performance

Pinterest has been the most encouraging social platform for MOI so far.

I only started the Pinterest account for this site on 12th November so we've had about 6 weeks only. I did link my Facebook and Instagram posts so that they populated the site very quickly, which seems to have paid off.

Here are the IMPRESSIONS...

And here are the PIN CLICKS.

In 6 weeks, I’ve seen:

• Nearly 40,000 impressions
• Over 1,000 pin clicks
• Growing saves and engagement
• A clear upward trend over the last few months

Outbound clicks are still low, but I'm told that’s typical in these very early stages. Pinterest tends to reward consistency first, and clicks often follow later once content ages and compounds.

Overall, this feels like a platform worth continuing to invest in and I want to make more specific pins instead of just pulling things through from Facebook which don't have the same links.

Facebook and Instagram

Facebook has shown stronger signs of life than I expected, especially given that I haven’t run any ads and again only started the site at the end of February this year.

This year’s results include:

• Around 4.8k views
• Over 470 content interactions
• More than 55 minutes of watch time
• Steady increases in visits and follows

All of this has been organic, which I find encouraging and it is showing an upturn in the last few months.

Instagram has been quieter, but I haven’t been consistent there. I see this less as a failure and more as an untapped opportunity for next year, especially if I want to use more short reels and follow some of Eric and Jay's great advice here. I haven't really used Instagram myself a lot, so I feel like I need to do some more research and tailor my posts for this specific audience more.

YouTube

I have set up a YouTube channel for this niche, although I have yet to add any content to it. That's something for next year.

I managed to start a video series here at WA about Business Mindset Matters which I was pleased with and I think will make some good pieces for YouTube. However, real life got in the way during November and the start of December so that had to go on the back burner. However, I still have all the notes and I will complete that series in the New Year. This will then give me lots of content to add to YouTube.

Wealthy Affiliate progress

Alongside site-building, I’ve been following Kyle’s bootcamp series at Wealthy Affiliate.

I’m slightly behind on some of the classes and need to catch up, but I’ve stayed engaged with the process and applied what I can as I go.

One really positive moment came towards the end of the year when I received my first starter referral (thank you, Karnan), which felt like a small but meaningful confirmation that the system works when you stick with it.

What I’ve learned this year

Looking back, this year has taught me that:

• Rebuilding properly takes time, but it’s worth it
• Social platforms can carry a site while search engines catch up
• Consistency matters
• Specific posts for specific platforms take a bit of time
• Progress often looks quiet before it looks obvious

I may not have huge numbers to show yet, but I do feel that I have movement in the right direction, and that feels important.

As I said, I'm also very pleased with the new look and feel of this website so I'm looking forward to building out the content more in the months to come.

Where this leaves me

As I head into the new year, MOI feels like a site that finally has:

• Clearer positioning
• Stronger foundations
• Better design and user experience
• Early traction on the right platforms
• A realistic path forward

My focus next year will be on:

• Catching up fully with the bootcamp
• Strengthening Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram
• Introducing more short-form video content
• Gradually improving monetisation and conversions

This year wasn’t about fast wins for this site, although that would be nice! However, I did the work to revamp and build something that is much more sustainable and relevant.

Going forward - Goals for 2026

So, here are some goals for next year for this site.

1. Rebuild consistency on the MOI website

The priority for 2026 is to keep strengthening the foundations of the site.

• Aim for 1–2 quality posts per week
• Focus on clear, practical content for beginners and my mindset series
• Update and improve existing posts where needed
• Strengthen internal linking between related topics

The aim is usefulness and clarity rather than volume for the sake of it.

2. Catch up fully with Kyle’s Bootcamp and apply it steadily

Rather than rushing, the goal is to move through the bootcamp properly and apply each stage.

• Catch up on missed bootcamp classes
• Apply lessons directly to my site as I go
• Avoid skipping steps or overcomplicating the process
• Use the bootcamp as a structure, not a pressure point

Consistency beats speed here, which is just as well since I'm behind! I'm going to try to invest in some ads for this site to see if I can gain some referrals and help those through the process as I feel this is realistic and within my reach.

3. Develop Pinterest as a primary traffic source

Pinterest is already showing signs of traction and feels well-suited to this niche.

• Continue posting consistently
• Create more original, MOI-specific pins
• Improve pin titles and descriptions over time
• Focus on impressions and saves first, clicks second but hoping to drive traffic to the site with better descriptions and links

This is a long-term traffic strategy rather than a quick win.

4. Increase activity on Facebook using simple, helpful content

Facebook has shown encouraging engagement and will remain part of the MOI ecosystem.

• Share posts and short reels regularly
• Focus on helpful tips, encouragement and real experiences
• Repurpose content from blog posts where possible
• Use Facebook to build familiarity and trust through things like the Business Mindset Matters series

5. Introduce more short-form video gradually

Video feels like an area with untapped potential for this site, especially if I use my mindset series

• Aim for 1–2 short reels per week
• Complete the Business Mindset Matters series for WA and a generic version for YouTube
• Focus on mindset, beginner tips and reassurance
• Build confidence through repetition

6. Begin monetisation gently and realistically

Rather than forcing income, the goal is to let monetisation grow naturally alongside trust.

• Strengthen existing affiliate links and revamp key content
• Focus on beginner-friendly recommendations
• Learn what converts through observation rather than guesswork
• Accept that income growth often lags behind content growth

7. Grow referrals through consistency, not pressure

The first WA referral was an encouraging sign.

• Continue sharing information honestly about the journey
• Focus on helping rather than selling - meeting a need and adding value
• Trust that referrals come as a by-product of value and transparency
• Aim for steady growth rather than quick spikes but I'd love to make Vegas in 2027

8. Keep the process sustainable and aligned

As with my other sites, how this feels matters.

• Avoid overload across multiple platforms
• Keep MOI supportive and encouraging in tone
• Allow progress to be gradual and cumulative
• Measure success by consistency and learning, not just income

So that's my second site reviewed with goals set. Tomorrow it will be my Drama Teacher site.

Wishing you all a great evening.

All the best,

Gail