How I Built a Thriving Online Business at 80 and Why Wealthy Affiliate Is the Only Platform I Recommend After 10 Years
I’m Peter Hanley — and at 80 years old, I’ve seen more business trends come and go than most people have had hot dinners. I’ve built businesses that lasted, and some that didn’t. But when I discovered Wealthy Affiliate in 2015, everything changed.
Today: I run 5 active blogs, write 90+ posts per month, and rank in the top 100 out of 2.8 million members. And I do it all from home, with a system that actually works.
My Story: From Zero Web Experience to Top 100 Member
In 2015, I needed to drive traffic to a service business I was running. Problem was, I had little to no experience with websites or blogging. Therefore I was starting from scratch at an age when most people are winding down.
I tried the usual routes — expensive courses, confusing software, platforms that promised everything and delivered nothing. I wasted time and money chasing systems that didn’t work.
Then I found Wealthy Affiliate.
What Changed For Me:
2015: Joined as a complete beginner, barely understood WordPress
2016-2018: Built my first successful blog using their training, started generating consistent traffic
2019-2023: Expanded to 5 blogs, learned SEO, affiliate marketing, and content systems that scale
Today: Top 100 member for activity, helping others do the same, writing 90+ posts monthly with their AI tools
Is Wealthy Affiliate a Scam? Let’s Talk Numbers
This is the question everyone asks. After 10 years, here’s my honest answer: No — but it’s not magic either.
It’s a platform that gives you everything you need to build a real online business. But YOU still have to do the work. What it does is remove all the guesswork, the scattered tools, and the expensive trial-and-error.
“Look, I’ve made every mistake you can imagine in this business. Wasted money on tools that didn’t work, chased shiny objects, started over more times than I care to admit. But Wealthy Affiliate is where it all finally clicked for me. 10 years later, it’s still the foundation of everything I do.”
What You Actually Get (And What It Costs)
Here’s where most reviews hide the ball. I’m going to be completely transparent about pricing because that’s what I wish someone had done for me:
My recommendation? Start free. Get a feel for it. If it clicks (like it did for me), Premium is where the real tools are. I’ve been Premium for 10 years and it’s paid for itself thousands of times over.
The “Killer Features” That Actually Matter
These are the tools I use every single week that make everything else obsolete:
🎨 Logo Builder
Create professional logos in minutes — sell them or use them for your own brand
📸 AI Image Generator
Royalty-free images on demand. No more paying for stock photos
🔍 Jaaxy Keyword Tool
Find the exact keywords that will rank. This alone is worth the membership
What Makes Wealthy Affiliate Different?
All-in-One Platform
Hosting, training, tools, community — everything in one dashboard. No juggling 10 different subscriptions.
Step-by-Step Training
Whether you’re 18 or 80, the lessons are clear and actionable. No prior experience needed.
AI-Powered Tools
Stay ahead with integrated AI for writing, marketing, and research. Just added in 2024.
Real Community
2.8 million members. Ask questions anytime, get real answers from people who’ve been there.
Daily Training Updates
Senior members post free training almost every day. Recent example: comprehensive Pinterest guide by Vitali.
New: AI Bootcamp
Just launched — learn how to integrate AI into your business from the ground up.Start Your Free Trial — No Credit Card Required
Who Is This Actually For?
Complete Beginners
Never built a website? Perfect. That’s where I started.
Retirees
Looking for extra income or a new chapter? This works at any age.
Small Business Owners
Want to expand online without hiring an agency? Build it yourself.
Side Hustlers
Work full-time but want to build something on the side? Start here. from hobby to Empire building
Your Questions, Answered Honestly
Is this really free to try?
Yes. No credit card, no trial period that auto-charges. You can stay on the free Starter plan as long as you want. I recommend trying it for at least a week before deciding.
Do I need technical skills?
No. I had zero web experience when I started at 70. If I can learn it, anyone can. The training assumes you know nothing. Further more you have the best of AI at your disposal
How long before I see results?
Honest answer: It depends on your effort. Some people see their first traffic in weeks. For me, it took 3-4 months of consistent work before things started clicking. This isn’t a “get rich quick” scheme — it’s a real business model.
What if I get stuck?
24/7 live support. Active community. And the training is designed to answer questions before you even have them. In 10 years, I’ve never been stuck for more than a few hours.
Can I really make money with this?
Yes — but let me be clear: this is not passive income. You’re building a real asset. I write 90+ posts a month. I optimize and I learn. The platform gives you the tools, but you have to use them.
My Bottom Line After 10 Years
I’ve tried dozens of platforms, courses, and tools. Most were hype. Wealthy Affiliate is substance.
What I love: Everything is in one place. The community is real. The training is updated constantly. The tools (especially the new AI features) are cutting-edge.
What could be better: The learning curve is real. You will feel overwhelmed in week one. That’s normal. Push through it.
If you’re serious about building an online business — whether part-time or full-time — this is where I’d start if I were doing it all over again today.See It For Yourself — Start Free Today
Questions? I’m here to help. I’ve been where you are.
Peter Hanley | Member Since 2015 | Top 100 Active Member