Lots of hard work, with little gain. That is more like. That looks more like the truth. The real world. But you should not be surprised. That is usually how it is at the beginning. All pain and slow gain.
But this should not discourage you. The important point to remember is that you are building something. At the beginning it is not worth much. Only after it is built into something can you expect returns. The beginning is all, give, give, give. No take.
Once the website is full of content and provides value to visitors they will come. And they will pay you more. Best of all, they will invite their friends. But all of this is later.
