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makingafriend
Forums Member
Joined: 13 Nov 2008
Posts: 8
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#1 · Posted: 14 Nov 2008 23:07 · Edited by: makingafriend
I was hoping I can get people opinions on this. Do you feel that using sites like Site Build it is the same as building the website from scratch?
I was just wondering how people felt about websites like site build it. Do you think you will get more profit from building your site from scratch or do you think you get the same amount of profit from site build it sites. Thanks so much for your opinion
[Post edited - Admin]
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Newbie Shield
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 2226
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#2 · Posted: 15 Nov 2008 06:54
Hi Makingafriend,
No, it's not the same as building a site from scratch.
Building a site from scratch involves coding everything yourself. SiteBuildIt (SBI) has templates and site builder wizards.
The difference in profit is a matter of the difference in expertise.
If you know little or nothing about coding from scratch or about SEO and you don't want to know how to do it yourself, then consider SBI.
I'm sure HappyWife will be around to provide additional commentary about SBI since she's the leading SBI expert on this forum. She's intimately familiar with SBI and her SBI sites are performing well.
~Newbie Shield~
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swain35205
Forums Member
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
Posts: 6
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#3 · Posted: 15 Nov 2008 12:39
Hi,
This mesage is for HappyWife. I would love to talk too you about SBI. If you would respond so that I can ask a few questions I would really appreciate your expertise. Thanks in advance. Tanya
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Tanya Swain
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happywife
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 1565
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#4 · Posted: 15 Nov 2008 22:10
swain35205: This mesage is for HappyWife. I would love to talk too you about SBI. If you would respond so that I can ask a few questions I would really appreciate your expertise. Thanks in advance. Tanya
You rang?? 
Hi Tanya,
Sure ask away. I may not know all the answers, but I'll sure do my best to help you out. You can ask here, or send me a note via private message by clicking on the little envelope next to my name over on the left.
makingafriend,
I would slightly disagree with Newbie about whether or not building a site with SBI is the same as building one from scratch. Technically he is correct, for sure.
However, the framework (coding) does not really determine the profitability of a site (in my opinion). The coding is more about look and functionality, particularly for the webmaster when making site wide updates, etc.
This is something that can indeed be done using SBI if you like. You just use the upload your own html function and you can do it literally from scratch if you like.
On the other hand, SBI also has the capability that NS was referring to where they provide you a selection of templates already coded so that you just build the CONTENT from scratch. This is called their blockbuilder function.
For most of us starting out, this is a life saver. There is enough to learn about online marketing and SEO without worrying about the coding too.
I started out using the blockbuilder - you can see live examples in my signature. After several months of building content, I decided to customize my headers on a couple of sites to make them more applicable than the general template. But I've still been using the blockbuilder.
To me it's kind of like writing in a notebook. The lines are already on the paper, you don't have to draw them in first before writing your story.
With the blockbuilder, the framework (coding) is already there for you, you just fill in the blanks (write your story on the lines).
It is your content that is profitable! Not your coding! What makes SBI more profitable for most people than DIY is that apart from the coding, they provide excellent keyword research tools, step-by-step instructions on how to build a page (site) to please the search engines as well as your visitors.
It also includes analyzing tools to be sure you have it right before building each page, easy form builders, Content 2.0 to allow your visitors to interact, ezine, auto-blogger, autoresponder, etc.
You are much more likely to succeed with your website (in my opinion) when you have a clear blueprint to follow and all the tools already integrated in place and working behind the scenes for you.
I hope that makes sense. I have no doubt I would have given up in utter confusion and frustration if I had attempted to compile all that together myself (from scratch) - especially since I had no idea what half that stuff was (actually probably 99%) or that I would need it.
Blessings,
Angie
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pcwork
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Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 1650
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#5 · Posted: 16 Nov 2008 01:00
If you are planning to have one or two websites, Site Build it is OK, but for multiple websites, it is better to learn from scratch
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Newbie Shield
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
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#6 · Posted: 16 Nov 2008 07:08
happywife: However, the framework (coding) does not really determine the profitability of a site (in my opinion). The coding is more about look and functionality, particularly for the webmaster when making site wide updates, etc.
Angie,
Actually, we aren't in disagreement at all. I apologize if I was unclear ;)
By "The difference in profit is a matter of the difference in expertise" I was referring to general online marketing expertise and that it's independent of Both SBI and coding from scratch.
Additionally, I know that you can upload your own works via SBI, but only a small percentage of folks who know how to do this make up the SBI roster - at least initially, true?
I would think that most join so they can focus mostly on the content rather than the things you'd have to know if you used different company for hosting (it seems you've said as much above and have been saying so in many of your previous postings).
In common webmaster parlance, when you "build a site from scratch", you don't have wizards or WYSIWYG. While it's true that you're starting from "nothing" in every case, "coding from scratch" generally implies hand-coding everything via actual typed code.
It's more clear when it is worded that way - hand-coded. Then most everyone knows :)
I'm sure you know that but there it is in writing for the benefit of those who are unsure.
Anyways, SBI seems to have all of the tools and other resources in one very convenient place for creating a good site that will do well. I'm convinced that, along with W.A., it's one of the top two choices for those who want a complete program.
Me? I know enough about online marketing and technology to go the self-hosted route.
~Newbie Shield~
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happywife
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 1565
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#7 · Posted: 16 Nov 2008 18:14 · Edited by: happywife
Newbie Shield: By "The difference in profit is a matter of the difference in expertise" I was referring to general online marketing expertise and that it's independent of Both SBI and coding from scratch.
Thanks for clarifying that.  I was rather surprised when it seemed to me you were indicating otherwise.
Newbie Shield: Additionally, I know that you can upload your own works via SBI, but only a small percentage of folks who know how to do this make up the SBI roster - at least initially, true?
Maybe/Probably. I don't know the numbers/percentages, but there do seem to be a lot of people who upload their own (based on talk in the SBI forums).
I think it depends on where you are when you first come to SBI. Those with zero prior experience, like me, don't even attempt it at first. But many eventually decide to switch over to make things a bit quicker and get that added functionality.
Some people come to SBI already familiar with coding. They can build beautiful sites visually, but just can't seem to get the organic traffic to make them successful. In their case, they need to learn the C-T-P-M process (Content, Traffic, Presell, Monetize).
Ken Evoy recommends even those people who know their way around coding to use the blockbuilder for the first several weeks so they 'get a feel' for how to build a page that does meet the best criteria for ranking well in the search engines.
After you've built a number of pages successfully, you can almost do it right every time naturally.
As I said, I'm not privy to the numbers, but I get the impression that the majority of SBIers tend to switch over to uploading their own html eventually (whether they use a WYSIWIG or notepad, etc.).
I'm probably one of the lazier hold-outs (2 years and still using blockbuilder).
I wonder if the day will ever come when I want to go the self hosting route???? Only time will tell...
Blessings,
Angie
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juno44444
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Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 128
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#8 · Posted: 16 Nov 2008 22:29
I haven't used SBI but I have a friend who did ... a few years later he had a problem with his host (Vodahost - never use them) and in the process he somehow lost control of his domain name.
I don't know the details but he said it was under the control of SBI and he couldn't get it back.
Basically Vodahost shut down and deleted his site for no real reason, and he had to rebuild from scratch. But not only that, he couldn't rebuild on the same domain, as it was under SBI's control.
That domain name was getting hundreds of visitors a day. I don't know why but he said he couldn't get it back from SBI or was having a problem.
So I would say, definitely make sure you own your domain name, whatever else you do. You can register it at GoDaddy for under $10 per year.
Also I would personally recommend anyone start with Wordpress. That's just me - I haven't used SBI.
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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 2086
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#9 · Posted: 17 Nov 2008 05:31
SBI is a great program, but it is very expensive, so I guess the answer depends on what your budget is.
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Newbie Shield
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
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#10 · Posted: 17 Nov 2008 06:13
Keith,
What do you mean by "expensive"?
It costs less per month than W.A.
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happywife
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 1565
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#11 · Posted: 17 Nov 2008 06:42
juno44444: I haven't used SBI but I have a friend who did ... a few years later he had a problem with his host (Vodahost - never use them) and in the process he somehow lost control of his domain name. I don't know the details but he said it was under the control of SBI and he couldn't get it back. Basically Vodahost shut down and deleted his site for no real reason, and he had to rebuild from scratch. But not only that, he couldn't rebuild on the same domain, as it was under SBI's control. That domain name was getting hundreds of visitors a day. I don't know why but he said he couldn't get it back from SBI or was having a problem.
I'm wondering if you may have gotten the story a bit confused. SBI provides the hosting, so you wouldn't be using Vodahost or any other hosting company.
Also, there is no reason why SBI would refuse to transfer a domain if someone requested it. They have nothing to gain by that, and they have a very high level of integrity. I can only assume there is some confusion there.
getagrip: SBI is a great program, but it is very expensive, so I guess the answer depends on what your budget is.
I really wouldn't classify $25 per month "very expensive." You are talking about a complete website and business building package. Most people spend more than that on one dinner out.
Perhaps it's not so much dependent on your budget as it is your understanding of what you are getting. There's just nothing else comparable anywhere near that price.
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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 2086
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#12 · Posted: 17 Nov 2008 07:11
Newbie Shield: Keith, What do you mean by "expensive"? It costs less per month than W.A. ~Newbie Shield~
At WA, you have the option of paying a monthly fee, but at SBI, you have to pay everything up front (about $300). Not a lot of people are able to do that. The price does "average out" to be $25 a month, but technically, there is not an option to pay monthly. Again, I've heard a lot of great things about SBI, but you have to have the money up front to invest in it.
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#13 · Posted: 17 Nov 2008 08:00
happywife: Most people spend more than that on one dinner out.
True, my wife and I just spent $70 on lunch yesterday and it was just the two of us.
Keith,
Play nice :P or we'll have to send the Ghost of Online Marketing Past! He'll pay a visit every night until you mend your ways
:D
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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 2086
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#14 · Posted: 17 Nov 2008 08:27
I do play nice...
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moneyforgreene
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 60
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#15 · Posted: 6 Jan 2009 01:11
Hello Makingafriend... I'm sure you've resolved this by now, but I haven't been on in a long while. My 2 cents though... I was trying to build a website on my own, using free and low cost methods. I didn't know what I was doing and I certainly didn't get very far. It wasn't until my dear friend happywife recommended SBI. I now have a great website going! And it was so much easier than the other way. It is still work, but I have all the support, tools and training to help me get found and indexed! And the support at SBI has been great on the forums... and I even got a site review and recommendations from the owner himself when I was in a slump! So SBI is who I'd recommend in a heartbeat! Hope that helps!
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Sonni
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Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 448
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#16 · Posted: 6 Jan 2009 12:19
I haven't used SBI, but may in the future when I get ready to do static sites. I only have blogs at this point and am trying to master WP so I'm in over my head as it is.
SBI is a solid program I have researched it and am convinced so if you want static sites and don't want to master coding then go with it and sign up under Happy Wife so she can assist you.
Sonni
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molyda
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Joined: 5 Oct 2008
Posts: 43
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#17 · Posted: 6 Jan 2009 21:04
If you ask a web design company, they'll tell you how much design is important.
If you ask SBI, they'll tell you how much content is important.
Each preaches what they sell. I think you need a little bit of both.
However, you don't have to have the best design, but you have to have the best content!
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 3099
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#18 · Posted: 6 Jan 2009 22:40
SBI rocks and so does happywife.
I had an SBI site in a very hard niche - uhuh, you guessed it, home business stuff - and I still got traffic to it, so when I get another one, I plan to do an easier and more profitable niche.
And I think they may be coming out with a monthly payment plan, but am not sure. I think it is a steal of a deal for everything you get with it, personally.
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happywife
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 1565
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#19 · Posted: 7 Jan 2009 05:13
mountainmom5: And I think they may be coming out with a monthly payment plan, but am not sure. I think it is a steal of a deal for everything you get with it, personally.
Yes and no. They do have a payment plan, but it's only for those who already own SBI for at least one year. They still only take newbies on who are willing to give it a one year commitment.
They do have a money back guarantee, but by keeping it "pay for the first year in advance" it tends to weed out those who probably aren't as serious about building an online business.
Personally, I think it helps those starting out to have more realistic long term goals rather than expecting to have massive success in a matter of weeks or months. It gives you a different mindset.
moneyforgreene - I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying your journey with SBI. There are humps along the way, but your site is coming along beautifully. I need to implement some of YOUR organizing skills, myself!
mountainmom5 - It is sooo much harder to win free traffic in a broad niche. I'm sorry you had to learn that lesson the hard way on your first site. I did the same thing with my second site (should have known better - actually DID know better, but decided to try it anyway). Still, I stuck it out with that one (it at least pays for itself with a little bit extra) because I know eventually my perseverance will pay off. I consider it my long term time investment. I do hope you decide to give site building another go. I am completely confident that you could do exceptionally well with it if you choose a narrower, more targeted niche.
Blessings to each of you for the new year,
Angie
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oregoncountry
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Joined: 26 Feb 2009
Posts: 159
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#20 · Posted: 30 Mar 2009 21:55 · Edited by: oregoncountry
getagrip: I do play nice...
I agree, you tell it like it is as you see it, I respect that. Also, I have to point out to Newbie, that not everyone has 70 dollars to spend on dinner or was it lunch. I may be able to scrape up enough at this point to pay monthly but not a big chunk of money for my website Thanks for the post Keith.
denise in Sams Valley OR
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