Where Are You Actually At in Your Wealthy Affiliate Journey?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially watching how different people move through Wealthy Affiliate at completely different speeds, for completely different reasons. Some arrive full of energy and big goals. Others arrive quietly, already carrying years of experience. And some of us have been here long enough that the journey itself has changed shape more than once.
So today, instead of teaching something or breaking down a tactic, I wanted to ask a few honest questions. Not to test anyone. Not to rank anyone. Just to get people thinking and sharing.
If you’ve been around Wealthy Affiliate for a while, you’ll probably see yourself in one of these stages.
If you’re newer, this might help you realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
If you’ve been here a long time, this might be a good moment to pause and reflect.
If you’re newer to Wealthy Affiliate (roughly your first few years):
What originally brought you here?
Was it the idea of building real income online, learning a new skill, or just curiosity about how this whole online business world actually works?
Have you found yourself bouncing between ideas, or are you starting to feel clarity forming?
What has surprised you the most so far, in a good or challenging way?
And if you’re being honest, what’s the one thing you didn’t expect this journey to require from you?
If you’ve been around for a while (five to ten years in):
At this stage, things usually look very different than you imagined in the beginning.
Did your original goal change over time, or did you simply learn a better way to get there?
Do you feel more confident now, or more aware of how much there still is to learn?
Have you built something that feels sustainable, or are you still refining the direction?
And here’s a big one. If you were starting today with what you know now, what would you do differently?
If you’ve been in this space for a decade or more:
You’ve seen trends rise and disappear. You’ve watched tools evolve. You’ve probably seen people come and go.
What do you think newer members misunderstand most about building an online business?
What has actually stood the test of time for you?
If someone asked you what truly matters in this space, beyond tactics and tools, what would you tell them?
Now the bigger question for everyone:
Where do you think this all goes next?
Is the future in AI, automation, personal brands, niche authority, or something else entirely?
Do you think the next few years will reward speed, patience, creativity, or consistency?
There’s no right answer here. I’m genuinely curious how others see the road ahead.
If you feel like sharing, drop a comment with where you’re at right now and what you’re building toward. One sentence or a full story, both are welcome.
Sometimes the most valuable part of this journey is realizing you’re not the only one figuring it out as you go.
Join FREE & Launch Your Business!
Exclusive Bonus - Offer Ends at Midnight Today
00
Hours
:
00
Minutes
:
00
Seconds
2,000 AI Credits Worth $10 USD
Build a Logo + Website That Attracts Customers
400 Credits
Discover Hot Niches with AI Market Research
100 Credits
Create SEO Content That Ranks & Converts
800 Credits
Find Affiliate Offers Up to $500/Sale
10 Credits
Access a Community of 2.9M+ Members
Recent Comments
36
Hey, Jeremy.
This is a very interesting thought experiment.
What originally brought you here?
1- Was it the idea of building real income online, learning a new skill, or just curiosity about how this whole online business world actually works? - I came to WA after reading J-K West's Review of the platform. I was looking for a way that I could make money and be at home to take care of my folks.
Have you found yourself bouncing between ideas, or are you starting to feel clarity forming? I did bounce some, now I am focused, and my bouncing is between my websites and stories.
What has surprised you the most so far, in a good or challenging way? I honestly don't know the answer to this yet.
And if you’re being honest, what’s the one thing you didn’t expect this journey to require from you? More patience than I thought I had.
JD
Patience... One thing i've been trying to understand since 2022/2023 when i first joined! :)
Did your original goal change over time, or did you simply learn a better way to get there?
I originally joined WA simply for the hosting as I saved $25 a month immediately.
Do you feel more confident now, or more aware of how much there still is to learn?
I am more confident each day as I build on what came before. Learning is a Lifetime experience till the day we die.
Have you built something that feels sustainable, or are you still refining the direction?
With 1650+ book/ebook titles, its sustainable and continues to grow.
And here’s a big one. If you were starting today with what you know now, what would you do differently?
Just about everything.
Mel
That’s a great way to put it, Mel. And honestly, that kind of clarity only comes from time in the seat. A lot of people chase the next tactic or shortcut, but you’ve clearly built something steady by sticking with it and letting it compound.
I like what you said about learning never really stopping — that part never seems to change, no matter how long you’ve been at it. Appreciate you sharing that perspective.
Perfect reflective post to wind up the year Jeremy.
My original desire was a side hustle to create another stream of income. My plan was to earn enough to pay my truck note, then scale from there. After the first year, it started to sink in on exactly how hard it is to make ANY money. Even though there are billions online, getting them to my site has been quite the challenge.
The first year was a learning year. Started with publishing content and getting it indexed. Continual SEO education, including going deep into Google Search Central to read all of their guidelines, optimizing images for better speed, testing themes, etc. I’ll admit, I was expecting to make my first affiliate commission after year one. It definitely was more challenging than I thought it was going to be.
2025 has been an extension of learning and polishing up my SEO. This year, I finally focused on one project, thanks to a fellow member here who redesigned my site. That’s the beauty of having this awesome WA community, you meet so many helpful people. I’m happy to report that I’ve made my first organic sale this month!
Outside of WA, I’ve also met fellow bloggers on the same journey. They have been very helpful and inspirational too. It’s always good to build up your network, as it keeps you motivated to continue.
Lately, Gemini has been very helpful with monetization strategies to put my site in a better position for the future. I did my first guest post with the advice I was given. It’s also helping me with psychological tactics to better grab people’s attention.
So here’s to 2026!! Onward and upward!
Cheers!
Steve
aka String Shock Steve
It’s more of a low voltage shock at the moment, but hope to ramp up the amperage and shock the world!
That’s a solid reflection, Steve. That early stretch can feel slow, but it’s where the foundation gets built. Sounds like things are finally clicking now, and that focus is paying off.
I am still new, less than a week here at Wealthy Affiliate. I've been working as a freelancer since 2012 but this new business, Uncle Robert Consulting, is one that fell into my lap instead of one that was planned out. As a result I came here with a discombobulated website in the middle of migration from WordPress to HubSpot, two clients, one on fire and the other on pause to "discover himself," a niche that is coming into focus but is a tough one to serve (startups with an idea only), and some traffic coming and going with no engagement at all. So for me this is a chance to restart with clarity and purpose. It turns out that the niche the AI chose for is is closely related to the one I have so I am tempted to weave the two, that is run the two in tandem with each supporting the other. Maybe I can do this one right?
That actually sounds like a very real place to be, and honestly a pretty honest starting point. A lot of people arrive here thinking they need everything perfectly mapped out before they can move forward, when in reality clarity usually shows up after you start doing the work.
What you described... juggling something half-formed, something on pause, and something still taking shape, is more common than people admit. The good news is you already have experience, which puts you ahead of where you think you are. If you can get those pieces aligned instead of competing with each other, it usually starts to feel a lot less chaotic.
Curious to see how it evolves for you. Sounds like you’re asking the right questions now.
See more comments
Join FREE & Launch Your Business!
Exclusive Bonus - Offer Ends at Midnight Today
00
Hours
:
00
Minutes
:
00
Seconds
2,000 AI Credits Worth $10 USD
Build a Logo + Website That Attracts Customers
400 Credits
Discover Hot Niches with AI Market Research
100 Credits
Create SEO Content That Ranks & Converts
800 Credits
Find Affiliate Offers Up to $500/Sale
10 Credits
Access a Community of 2.9M+ Members
Hi! I have been here going on 10 years! I still have not made a penny! I joined in 2016 with high hopes of creating a website and making money. I worked very, very hard in the beginning. I was, and still am, technically challenged. I made the HUGE mistake of thinking," Well, if I build 3 websites at the same time, I won't have to go back and relearn everything everytime I want to build a website!" Smart, huh?? Oh, AND I decided to promote WA AT THE SAME TIME!! I also thought this strategy would keep me from getting bored. At some point, I even got my husband to work on one of the sites. But life got in the way, and we were working so hard, we got burned out. I also felt, in the early days, that I just was not smart enough to do this. Almost everything was manual, and I really struggled to understand all the things I needed to do?? About 4 years ago, my husband said it was time to quit. I was devastated because of all the time we had invested! Well, I never told him, but I continued to pay for WA out of my account. I just could not let all of our hard work go!! I had no idea what I would do, but every year at renewal, I just could not cut the cord!! I wish I had gotten back on here during COVID??? But I didn't. This year, I logged in, and was going to decide whether to go or not??
OMG!! When I saw all the new tools and AI, image creator, accelerated JAAXY I was STUNNED! I logged into my old sites, and once again, I was SHOCKED! All 3 of my sites are STILL at the far right gold, almost green! I have not touched these sites in 4 or 5 years?? How is this possible?. I also realized ALL of the work I had done, even though I had no idea what I was doing back then! My heart started pounding, and I just felt "It is NOW or NEVER!" I got more excited than I have been in a l-o-n-g time!!
I immediately renewed my subscription! I had purchased a domain last year that I had an interest in, an by golly, I knew what I needed to do!! I have jumped in feet first. I have got my website set up, I designed my logo ( although that was frustrating and challenging??), I have 19 articles that I am proof-reading and getting ready to post. I am also doing the core training over and over. And I am doing Jays 10k in 90 days! Again, I am going over it again and again!! I was so impressed with what Payton had done. So I am up for the challenge!! I have committed the next 3 months to Jay, and 6 months to earn my first dollar! So a total of 9 months!
I have wasted Soooo much time! I am really ashamed! I am running out of time. I am 72, and my husband is 84!! I want to ease his life just for a few years. Retirement has been really hard on us, and it is so stressful financially. And this time, HELL nor HIGH WATER will keep me from doing this! I had lost my purpose, and had given up! NOW, I am back on track and excited again!! Everything, well, almost everything, is soooo easy and automated, and I KNOW I can do it this time! Oh,something else I discovered ---- I can do much of my work from my cellphone laying in bed! ( I am nursing a back injury!) HA! So there you have it! Nothing, and I mean Nothing, is going to stop me THIS Time!!! 2026 IS THE YEAR!! Who is going to join me??
That was incredibly powerful to read. Thank you for sharing that so honestly. What you described takes a lot of courage, and I think many people reading your words see parts of their own story in it ... even if they haven’t said it out loud yet.
What really stands out is your persistence. Despite the stops, starts, doubts, and long gaps, you never truly walked away. That says a lot. The fact that you came back, saw what you had built, and chose to step forward again takes real strength.
And you’re right that the tools, the clarity, and even the timing are very different now. You’re not starting from zero. You’re starting from experience. That matters more than people realize.
I’m genuinely rooting for you. The energy in what you wrote feels different this time, it seems, grounded, focused, and determined. Keep going. You’re not late. You’re right on time.