My Yearly Review: Random Thoughts on 2025 and Tips for 2026
Reading Time: 14 minutes 
Intelligent business owners review the past year, their successes, and what they can do better at the end of each year. You learn from your mistakes and keep on trucking.
I started my little internet studio in a small town storefront on the IL/WI border in 1995. Back then, folks thought I was nuts. And here I am, decades later, still doing what I love and helping others succeed.
Each year, I share my experiences and insights, what I’ve learned, the changes I am making, and why in my WordPress consulting and coaching business, along with some tips for your consideration.
Hopefully, this annual review of my modus operandi can help you consider your program from a different angle—food for thought.
2025 — Another Year of Challenges
My annual assessment examines how I spend my time to produce the desired results. This helps me discover what I excel at and what I can improve. I also look at the business arena overall to see what’s new, over, and around the corner.
Where did I fall short? What needs to be revised? What do I not want to repeat in the year ahead? What do I want to try?
I also note what I enjoyed most, which is generally where I succeed most. Over the years, I’ve learned to lean into that clue.
First, Some Personal Challenges
2025 was a challenge for me, not only from a business perspective but also due to personal matters that, as we all know, affect our businesses. I started the year after having a head-on car crash, which then led to being hit by an F3 tornado in April.
The tornado spared our lives but decimated our neighborhood. We got the alert, and before we could get out of bed, it was over. Went outside to find the four homes across the street were just gone—all our beautiful trees; gone. Roof, air conditioner, and power gone (because there were no poles anymore). It is very humbling to see what nature can do.
Without power, you can’t run a business. Power came back after 10 days, but we still live with the reality of what happened every day. Lots with debris, downed trees that cost 10s of thousands to remove. It will be a long process.
What helped me was that, after 30 years, I have a process and system that work for me, so there were no surprises. I did my best just to keep moving forward.
Back to the online business world…
As happens every year, having a successful website is not getting any easier. It was never easy, but each year, it becomes more difficult for the average businessperson to keep up.
Everyone experienced ongoing challenges, including increased expenses across the board. With that in mind, I continued to write about the topics and issues I see website owners struggle with.
Words of Wisdom:
When you want success, be prepared to work harder than ever.
New Look or a New Site?
I’m happy with my current layout and design. It works for my goals. So much so that when I set up my new service site reflecting my new business direction (more on that later), I kept pretty much the same look, with just a palette change.
When I recommend that clients get a new look, it is primarily because they are on a theme that does not take advantage of the latest features and functionality—mainly full site editing. Still have clients on outdated themes.
Probably because I use Kadence*, this site has the latest and most significant features and the ability to create what I need. Even visual layout changes are easy to make without swapping to a whole new “theme.”
If you’ve not redesigned your website in the last couple of years to take advantage of full site editing, you’re limiting yourself and living in the past, which is never good for business. That is when it is time for a redesign.
Now that the WordPress editor has grown into a full-fledged site builder, Kadence takes full advantage of blocks and offers a range of new display features. And I highly recommend it to anyone who comes my way, without the downsides of other “builder” themes or plugins that are not user-friendly, add heavy code, and weigh down performance. You can read about all that here.
Search Engine Chaos & AI
Google pushed out updates constantly and, as per usual, didn’t let the holiday season slow them down. Just accept that changes can happen at any time and don’t rely on organic rankings to save your business.
I do track my website, but I don’t overly fret about SEO. I do the same thing I’ve been doing for years—keeping SEO basics in place. What I found was that the volatility this year was ridiculous—the same site, dramatically different weekly rankings.
I remember thinking how demoralizing it must be for small-business websites to experience this kind of volatility before the busiest time of the year, when getting found is so important. But that’s Google for you. A company that started with “do no evil” isn’t doing anyone any favors.
That’s why, aside from tracking for curiosity, I’ve never relied on Google’s rankings for my sites. I know how unpredictable and unmanageable they are.
However, people still want to rank, despite the complex, consistent work required—work that the majority are unwilling to embrace to make things happen. This hasn’t changed in the decades I’ve been doing this, either.
When ranking websites, Google is clear about what they supposedly consider when ranking well: E-E-A-T. Expertise, Authority, and Trust- and then added “Experience.” Read that article and know this is what is expected of any website hoping to claim a spot in the rankings.
This site covers all that and has had fluctuating rankings for the last half of the year. Terms I ranked in the top 5 for years fell to double digits. Then, they would recover, only to fall again.
Lastly, your website must be kept up to date to improve your rankings over the long haul. This means accommodating AI bots. AI is here, it isn’t going anywhere, and your best bet is to embrace this fact.
Here are a couple of articles to get you started:
Small Business AI Starter Checklist
WordPress Website AI Bot SEO Checklist
Again, I harp on this all the time, stale brochureware that is not updated will never rank. That’s why, for my sites, I post at least once a week on topics I know that site visitors want to know about. Make a point of doing the same.
Using AI
I get asked about AI often and have been using it for a couple of years. I wrote about this: How WordPress Websites Can Use AI.
One thing to remember about AI is that it isn’t the be-all and end-all, nor a replacement for what only you can accomplish. For example, I use Grammarly for my writing. I don’t have AI write all my stuff; it helps me improve it. I love it and have learned a lot.
AI chatbots are a big thing, but I’ve used ones that just weren’t user-friendly. Either they didn’t understand my requests, or they provided insufficient results. AI for its own sake can be detrimental to your service efforts.
Know that AI’s recommendations aren’t always correct. Sometimes, meanings and tenses are lost. So, AI is a tool you can use to improve what you want to accomplish, not to replace you.
Honest Communication
I continued to nail down and communicate exactly what I do, how I do it, and the precise type of person I can help. I’ve been at this for quite a while and know who I can help while still enjoying the process.
Not everyone appreciates this approach. However, I’m not going to water down what I know needs to be done or minimize the reality of what is involved just to get another client.
I’ve nailed down my processes and do not deviate from them. So, I know what works and how I want to run my business, which makes it easy for me to stick to that methodology.
Come up with your plan of action, processes, and procedures to follow, and then stick to them. Know your strengths and weaknesses and proceed accordingly. Do what you can do well, and be smart enough to get help with the rest.
Also, when communicating through website forms and email, never underestimate how you choose to communicate (words used, tone, personality) can speak volumes. What kind of person would you like to work with? What type of business partner will you be?
Target YOUR Market
It is always hard to say no to additional income. But the income is not worth compromising what I know is necessary just to pitch another potential client. And the frustration that goes with it. After all these years, I know better.
Know who your target market is and cater to them. You can’t and don’t want to be everything to everyone.
I do not do as well as I know I can if I’m not into a project or the person behind it.
Words of Wisdom:
You cannot be everything to everyone.
And that’s okay.
Serving Service
Offering white-glove support is my primary focus. Tracking sites, updating, and accessing tons of performance and analytics data to absorb gives me a view into “what’s going on.” That breadth of data benefits anyone who works with me.
Every website owner must excel at service, regardless of what you offer. Service is a primary differentiator. Never underestimate that one important point.
For me, building new sites is a complicated and time-consuming process that I no longer enjoy. Even redesigns are not as easy as they used to be. Therefore, in 2026, I won’t get involved in these types of projects and will just offer my knowledge and expertise to those who do.
Words of Wisdom:
You are at your best when you enjoy what you are doing.
Not all providers are partners.
I’ve tried pretty much every plugin and service out there. I go for it when I get an idea for adding something to one of my sites. I will also pay for the premium version to get timely updates and support if needed.
As always, some products are better than others. During this process, I can also discover companies with similar value propositions. However, I have also found that a product may not be the best fit for me or for my clients’ websites.
Not that the product is bad or not good enough. It may just not be what my clients need or can successfully use, given the cost, support, features, and learning curve.
If you don’t impress me with a user-friendly product and your above-and-beyond service levels, I won’t recommend your product to those I work with. And I can’t be bought by freebies or payments to do so.
It’s not that I’m such a big deal—I’m not. But I won’t recommend anything unless I have complete confidence in a product or service. Period.
Words of Wisdom:
Your integrity in everything you do in your business matters.
WordPress Theme and Plugins Review
At the end of each year, I thoroughly review all my site’s plugins to ensure they keep up with WordPress. While some plugins do not require updating with each WordPress update and will still function without issue, I prefer to have plugins that are actively maintained.
This approach minimizes conflicts and problems down the road. The same goes for themes. Even with all the great WordPress themes available, I am sticking with Kadence for my six websites.* This approach in practice gives me one less thing to worry about and keep up with.
Words of Wisdom:
Even with the best efforts, conflicts can happen. Regardless of the difficulty, they must be nailed down and resolved.
Site Content Review
Not all content is evergreen. In 2025, I set aside time each week to review content—update or delete—quality over quantity. I am still working on that, as it is a never-ending effort.
Posts that were no longer applicable or that I have since written better versions of have been removed. Content that may not be as valuable over time as it once was. Content that is duplicative or no longer accurate. Bub-bye.
Each week, when I work on my various sites, I schedule a little extra time to review a few other posts. I rewrite or purge, rinse, and repeat.
I also run regular broken link checks and investigate, delete, or redirect them. Broken links are not user-friendly, and you should monitor them as well.
Managing numerous websites is a real challenge. I manage five of my own websites (sixth on its way). To meet this challenge, I have a strict calendar for my activities and stick to it to get stuff done—good ole’ discipline.
Most folks can barely manage one website and dedicate the time and effort to make sure they are doing everything they can to meet their goals. Sometimes, I fall short and have to push through, so just be prepared for that, as well.
You can install a theme, configure the plugins, and put a lot on autopilot. But great content doesn’t write itself, and quality and performance checks don’t happen by osmosis.
Words of Wisdom:
Scheduling time to review published content and site functionality is imperative.
Adding New Content is Always a Priority
So, I committed to writing a new post every week and updating old posts as much as time permitted. I did much better this year by going all-in with my calendar and setting up “To Do” reminders to ensure I met my content goals.
It’s called planning, and what a difference planning can make in blocking out the necessary time. Set up reminders and alerts to get a nudge on your desktop, devices, and in your inbox.
Then, you must have the discipline to follow through. I’m proud to say I’m happy with my progress except during tornado time, and oh, yeah, I had to have an operation for skin cancer, which slowed me down for a while, too. Life is about rolling with the punches, right?
With this approach, I have improved my posting consistency. I also make a point of stopping when I have an epiphany about a post topic; I open WordPress, create a quick draft with my thoughts and ideas, and then move on.
Yes, plugins can help with your editorial calendar goals, but why add another plugin to use server resources when I can make a note in my off-WordPress calendar or create a quick draft? Works for me.
Words of Wisdom:
Give new things a try and stick with them for a while.
Social Media
For me, “social media” for business seems like an echo chamber, a cacophony of everyone trying to virtue signal or get their sales pitch out. I’m also not big on promoting myself. It’s not fun for me.
Since I’ve always collected inspirational quotes, I post “Words that inspire …” on my socials each Monday (FB & X) #MondayMotivation, Wednesday (Insta) #HumpDayVibes, and Friday (Pinterest) to help others (and myself) add insight and positivity to their week.
Feedback has been positive, and I enjoy finding the right quotes and digging through the images to use for them. That is fun.
I also use the same type of graphics to represent the sentiment of my posts on all my blogs. After all, this is a visual medium, and images make websites more visually appealing. Hat tip to Canva.com* for making this task enjoyable and easy.
Social media is still a chore I must make time for, and I, coincidentally, rarely have time. Once again, I add reminders to my calendar to maintain consistency.
Priorities? I know that for one of my new personal projects, I’m going to have to dive in. But for my consulting business, I’m unsure that will ever change, so I won’t say it will.
Words of Wisdom:
Do what you enjoy. Do your best when you’re not.
New Business & Personal Projects
From a business POV, my focus has changed. I no longer take on clients with projects, contracts, deposits, and milestones. I no longer enjoy all that—it’s like pulling teeth.
This site, TheIStudio.com, will remain my repository for information, guidance, articles, and how-tos that I will post weekly. My over 30 years of experience are available here for you 24/7.
Now, I’ll review inquiries and help those that I think can benefit from my experience and work ethic. No new website builds; just helping folks who need a little insight or nudge here or there.
I also have a new personal project that I’ve been working on for the past 6 months, as time permits. One of my hobbies is making jewelry and collecting costume and vintage items. So I’m going to open my own online jewelry shop. I’m having fun again!
There’s a lesson here for me and those without the decades of experience I have. Online, from concept to reality, is rarely easy. Prepare accordingly.
If you don’t try…
Both of these new projects have been years in the making (or thinking). I’m delighted to finally bring them to fruition. Took a couple of years, but better late than never.
The thing is, you’ll never know if you can make something happen unless you try. Likewise, you often won’t know if you like it or have what it takes until you dive in and find out what is involved.
Sometimes it isn’t the right time. Doesn’t mean that your ideas aren’t valid, just that not all the pieces are ready to fall into place. So don’t give up.
Even if things don’t happen as I hoped, I learn something new that can be added to my “been there, done that” file. For 2026, my basic #1 rule is if I’m not having fun, I don’t do it.
2026 is the year I finally moved 2 projects off my drawing board. Yay!
Words of Wisdom:
When you start a new website, pad time and expense
projections and do your best to stick with it for the long haul.
Embrace, Learn, Apply, and Push Through
That’s my mantra year after year. I use technology as it is now and whatever it evolves into in the year ahead to its full potential for my business’s success. Whether I like it or not. 99% of the time, I’m good with that.
From Blogging to Social Media to creative marketing tactics and everything in between, not investigating how best to use all the available tools for my business is what separates success from lackluster results.
Nothing online happens by osmosis. This attitude is why I believe that I’ve survived for decades.
So, you now know my frame of mind and what I will focus on for 2026. I’ll end with one of my favorite entrepreneurial quotes:
As we leave 2025 behind, do not doubt there will be new opportunities in the year ahead—for those looking for them and willing to make things happen.
At your service,
*Some of the links on this page are to companies with which I have a professional affiliation.
Read my complete affiliate statement here.
