10,000 Views – A Small Milestone, A Big Thank You

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I’ve just crossed 10,000 views on this blog. For some people that’s just a number, but for me it’s a milestone worth celebrating. When I started writing here a few months ago (May 2025), I had no idea if anyone would actually read my posts. Now, seeing that five-digit total feels like proof that showing up consistently really does work. I wanted to touch on some of my early struggles on this blog so I've listed a few posts that may be of interest. I've also grown a bit as a writer and with that experience, my blogs have become a little better and easier to read. (I hope lol) 
Celebratory graphic with colourful balloons and bold text reading “10,000 Views – A Small Milestone, A Big Thank You.

The Early Days

When I first launched the blog, it was more of an experiment. I wanted a space to share ideas, reviews, frustrations, and useful finds. I wasn’t aiming for perfection, I just wanted to start writing. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t overthink it, because the best way to learn blogging is by doing. My blog may have been helped initially by 301 redirecting some posts from my main website to this blog but I'm still getting healthy daily views. 

Below is one of my earliest original blog posts written exclusively for Blogger. I felt great writing it and I was very happy with the results, even if it was a basic how-to post.

👉 Have a read of this post here about Irish Phone Numbers entries when filling out order information on websites and how many of my customers get their digits wrong when placing orders and how they should do it correctly. I had been toying with the idea of a post on my website for a long while but added it here instead.

Learning to Navigate Google

One of the biggest surprises has been just how complicated Google Search Console is and how you are always fighting Google's algorithm, especially in the early days of your blog or website. I’ve had posts vanish, reappear, sit in limbo, or show up under strange queries. It’s a constant reminder that blogging isn’t just about writing, it’s also about understanding how search engines see you and how you can improve your visibility whenever you can.

👉 Have a read about how Google De-Indexed My Entire Blog Overnight and what I tried to do to fix it and get my pages visible once more.

Experimenting With Platforms

At one point, I even thought about moving everything from Blogger to WordPress as I felt Google wasn't taking my Blogger site seriously.  It felt like the “proper” thing to do until I realised that for now, keeping things simple is better. I’d rather spend my limited time writing than fighting with plugins, themes, and updates.

👉 Maybe you would be interested about my attempted switch to Wordpress, what happened and why it didn't work for me.

Like what you're reading? You can buy me a coffee — sure it’s cheaper than a pint!

Buy Me A Coffee

The AI Overview Frustration

Of course, no blogging journey is ever complete without a rant or two. One of mine has been about AI Overviews, Google’s new feature that often pulls content into a box at the top of search results, leaving fewer clicks for actual blogs and websites like mine. Watching traffic dip every day because of it is frustrating, but I believe that good, genuine writing will still find its readers.

👉 Read my opinion on Google's AI Overview and how it is having a negative effect on small business websites like mine.

Freedom to Write about...anything

One of the best things about running this blog is the freedom to write about whatever’s on my mind. I’ve used it to share opinions on topics that have bothered me for a while, from how TV shows and movies get ruined by too many negative online comments, to my experiences living with Peripheral Neuropathy, and even a post about why the Irish language is being taught the wrong way in schools.

It feels good to have a space where I can explore these ideas without worrying about diluting the woodturning focus of my main website, or risking Google’s trust in the content there.

Looking Ahead

Passing 10,000 views is just the beginning. The next goal is 20,000, and along the way I’ll keep experimenting, learning, and (hopefully) sharing things you find useful or at least interesting.

If you’ve read even one post, you’ve been part of this milestone. So thank you.

Here’s to the next chapter.

David

More Titles for You to Read:

Game-Changing Amazon Tech and Accessories for Everyday Use

Learning Irish the Wrong Way Leaves All Irish People Embarrassed

What Blogging Taught Me About My Own Business (And My Teaching Too)

Is Recycling Still a Good Idea?

About the Author

I’m David Condon, a blog writer and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. After years of working for myself in woodcraft and teaching woodturning, I started this blog to share ideas, experiences, and finds that go beyond the workshop. From tech gadgets to life in Ireland, you’ll find a mix of personal stories, reviews, and opinions — all grounded in real day-to-day life.

If you'd like to know more, you can follow the link in the Note from the Author section below.

💬 Got thoughts or feedback? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how you got on!

💬 Note from the Author

This is a brand new post, written specially for Blogger. If you’ve enjoyed it, feel free to explore some of the other posts here — or check out my main site Blog, David Condon Woodcraft where I focus more on woodturning and handmade pieces.

If you’d like to support the blog, you can do so via the Buy Me a Coffee button below. It helps keep this little side project going — thank you!


Buy Me A Coffee


Location: Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 W2H4, Ireland

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