Week 1 Update: Laying the Foundations

Last Updated on October 5, 2025 by Jeremy

Completed: Sept 22–29, 2025

What I Accomplished

This first week was all about foundations — the unglamorous but absolutely critical stuff. Here’s what got done:

Checklist Highlights

  • Finalized my brand/domain setup
  • Connected Google Site Kit and installed Meta Pixel
  • Created a Facebook Business Page in prep for future ads
  • Installed key plugins: Contact Form 7, Flamingo, Kraken Optimizer, LearnPress, Meta Pixel, SEO Framework
  • Launched core pages: About Me, Start Here, Roadmap, Contact, Terms, Privacy, Affiliate Disclosure

Engagement So Far

No referrals yet, but I did receive some random emails through the contact form (proving the setup works!). Most were spammy SEO offers — which, ironically, means I’m visible enough to attract spammers already. A small win.

Design & Tools

I locked in the Online Learning theme from ThimPress. It’s lightweight, block-friendly, and works seamlessly with LearnPress. After bouncing between themes in the past, I think this one’s sticking.

Affiliate Links

My WA affiliate links are live across the site. No commissions yet — but the foundation is laid.

Challenges & Wins

  • Hardest: Getting the SEO setup right and building everything in HTML by hand. Thankful for GPT to keep things consistent and branded.
  • Best Win: Having every core system in place before our park season ends. The timing couldn’t be better.

Personal Note

This week was a grind, but also a relief. Our campground season wraps up tomorrow, so pushing through this first week meant I now have a foundation set for the next 14. No excuses — the path is clear.

Looking Ahead

For Week 2, my goal is to keep the flow as smooth as this week:

  • Finish metadata setup
  • Test forms properly
  • Land my first referral (stretch goal!)

Your Turn: If you’re just starting out, don’t underestimate this foundation phase. Get the basics right and the next steps become easier. Join Wealthy Affiliate free here and compare your Week 1 with mine.

This update will stay live as a record of my journey. Years from now, you’ll be able to look back and see exactly where I started — and maybe compare it with where you are right now.

Comments

4 responses to “Week 1 Update: Laying the Foundations”

  1. Cian Avatar
    Cian

    This is such a refreshing and honest look at the real work of starting an online business! I think it’s so easy to skip over these foundational steps in the rush to see results, but your methodical approach to planning, branding, and platform setup is what actually builds something sustainable. I really appreciate you sharing the “why” behind each decision—it turns a simple update into a valuable case study. The most exciting part is that you’ve built a runway for momentum to truly build in the coming weeks. Keep up the fantastic, transparent work!

    1. Jeremy

      Thanks, Cian — I really appreciate that. You’re right — it’s tempting to gloss over the unglamorous setup stage, but that’s where all the real groundwork happens. I’ve learned the hard way that the best growth later comes from slowing down early.

      Sharing the “why” behind each move keeps me accountable and hopefully helps others see that it’s not magic — just steady momentum. I’m excited to see where that runway leads next week!

  2. Lanicheduclip Avatar
    Lanicheduclip

    ???????? Commentaire bilingue :
    Merci pour ce journal de bord précis et motivant. Tu montres que la première semaine, souvent invisible et technique, est en réalité le socle de toute croissance durable. Chaque plugin installé, chaque page lancée, chaque pixel connecté devient une brique vers l’autonomie digitale. Et ton ton — humble, lucide, engagé — donne envie de suivre ton parcours et d’en bâtir un à son tour.

    This is a brilliant Week 1 recap. You highlight how foundational work — from domain setup to plugin integration — sets the stage for long-term success. The honesty about challenges, the clarity of goals, and the grounded optimism make this update both relatable and empowering. Bravo for documenting the grind with grace, and for turning technical steps into a story of ownership.

    LANICHEDUCLIP

    1. Jeremy

      Wow, Lanicheduclip — that was poetry! You captured exactly what Week 1 felt like: quiet, technical, but powerful. Thanks for taking the time (and even switching languages!) to share that energy — it keeps me motivated for the next stage.

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