Like many people on Dev.to, I enjoy working on projects outside of my day job. Some people code apps, some build tools, and some just write for the love of it. For me, that side project has turned into EcoFurball.com
— a blog dedicated to eco-friendly pet care, sustainable products, and green living with our animals.
I wanted to share how I’ve been approaching it, partly because I know others here have similar “passion projects,” and partly because I’d love feedback from a community that understands the joys and challenges of creating something from scratch.
Why EcoFurball?
Pets bring so much joy into our lives, but caring for them often comes with a hidden environmental cost. Plastic food bowls, synthetic chew toys, and disposable grooming products are everywhere.
EcoFurball grew out of a simple question: Can we do better for our pets and the planet at the same time?
The site now features resources like:
Eco-Friendly Pet Food Containers
The goal isn’t just to review products but to share practical, sustainable tips that any pet owner can adopt.
The Tech Setup
Because this is Dev.to, let’s talk a bit about the stack:
WordPress (self-hosted) → makes it simple to publish and manage content.
Astra theme + Spectra blocks → lightweight, flexible, and easy to customize.
Rank Math SEO plugin → helps keep titles, meta descriptions, and schema consistent.
SiteGround hosting → reliable performance without breaking the bank.
It’s not fancy or over-engineered — just enough to get the job done. The emphasis is on content and community.
The Content Challenge
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that consistency matters more than polish.
I try to publish 2–3 articles a week. Some are deep dives, like Are Bamboo Dog Bowls Safe?
, while others are quicker tip-based posts. Either way, the point is to keep showing up with useful information.
At first, traffic was non-existent. Google’s “sandbox” effect is real — new sites often struggle to gain visibility early on. But the more content I publish, the more EcoFurball starts appearing for small search terms, and the more people stumble across it.
Community & Sharing
For me, EcoFurball isn’t just about writing in isolation. It’s also about connecting with other eco-conscious pet owners and people who are interested in sustainability.
That’s why I share posts across:
Instagram (eco-friendly tips in a visual way)
Pinterest (boards like Eco-Friendly Pet Care)
LinkedIn (for the professional audience who care about sustainability)
Medium & Vocal (cross-posting content for broader reach)
Each platform has its own rhythm, but together they help create a small but growing community.
What I’ve Learned So Far
Pick a niche you care about. Writing about eco-friendly pet care doesn’t feel like a chore, because it matters to me personally.
Small wins add up. A single reader commenting that they switched to natural rubber toys because of my article makes it worth it.
Don’t chase perfection. Publish, learn, adjust, repeat. The rough edges are part of the journey.
Community > traffic. The most rewarding part so far has been connecting with people who share the same passion for sustainability.
What’s Next
I’d love for EcoFurball to become a go-to hub for sustainable pet care. That means:
Continuing to publish useful guides and how-tos.
Featuring voices beyond my own (interviews, guest posts, maybe even user stories).
Expanding into more formats, like quick videos or downloadable checklists.
Over to You
Have you ever built a side project around a personal passion — something that isn’t about coding tools or chasing revenue, but simply about helping a community?
If so, how did you grow it? What helped you stay motivated when progress felt slow?
And if you’re curious, you can check out one of my latest guides here: Are Bamboo Dog Bowls Safe?
I’d love to hear your thoughts — both on EcoFurball and on building projects like this in general.
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