Submitted by jglaysher on Wed, 06/04/2008 - 15:20.
Is using the SiteSell service, Site Build It! as a site architect and process tool a viable option for members of the TBIP?
It seems to help with many issues like hosting, domain names and keyword research.
Thanks
I've never used it, so I
I've never used it, so I can't comment on it. The only problem I have with the software is that it appears to be limiting in some ways... Maybe it's good for those just starting out, but I wonder how quickly you'll hit a ceiling with it? Anyone here using it? If so, can you give a balanced/educated review?
I'd say it's a viable option
I'd say it's a viable option but not the best option. I've never used the service so I'm not an expert and I haven't looked at the web site in years but, last time I did, my impression was the same as Jeremy's.
Starting point
I used it for one domain and found it limiting. I did feel like they gave a good service, but as a tech geek I wanted to stray outside the box a bit more than the app allowed.
Looked at sitesell for a long time
As a newbie it was compelling years ago because of the excellent sales copy
(all the proof stuff with the Alexa profiles)
and at the time couldn't find any 3rd party experiences because affiliates
jumped on it like crazy and searches would just turn up affiliate sites.
I didn't try it because everything was so spammy about the subject.
I have no direct experience with it but at this point in the BIP process
and affiliate MKTNG in general I have read enough to know that there
are no magic tools and shortcuts for relevant, targetted traffic and conversions.
our focus should be on relevance, conversions, and testing and not traffic throughput.
This seems to be what Jeremy is emphasizing.
My problem is I don't like
My problem is I don't like to follow a strict path.
SiteBuildIt has a very good, "proven", strict process of producing high ranking web sites, if you follow the drawn path strictly and within a good topic/ niche.
The process started from doing keywords researches still the level of writing and putting up your content. It comes with one domain, so you cannot try and try to get it right. You must, aim, aim, aim again, ready and shoot. You can't quickly throw out a web site and see the result for yourself, then try for a better one. You must believe in the SiteSell process, follow it strictly, get the result right the first time. Do it right first time.
SiteBuildIt websites have structure that is SEO friendly, i.e. resource links to high ranking website at the bottom of pages for specific keywords, etc. You follow their path, and if you did your keywords research correctly (I couldn't) that fit into a niche that you can write quality content (I could not figured out then) then your website will be ranked high.
Two years ago, I just started my journey of IM. I could not figure out a workable niches. I didn't even know whether I was working on right niche when I tried to use their keyword tools to do keywords research. I could not continue as there were too much doubts, and without knowing outcomes.
I knew I need to shoot first before I know where to aim. I stopped using it and tried to produce as many Amazon affiliate website stores as I like and try different niches. This gave me the experience of slowly knowing what niche is about.
Today, I think if I use SiteSell again, I probably now know what to do and am able to follow the instructions. At least, I can cross over the figuring out niches hurdle and do the keyword research meaningfully.
In short, it is a good product. But if you were like once I was, had no clue of finding a niche, OR wanting to try different ways and different niches and cannot follow instructions without doubts...this probably is not for you.
CT
https://twitter.com/ct2008
I used it for one year and then moved on
I started FreeComputerConsultant.com as an SBI site 2 years ago at the ETR 5 days in July.
Ken Evoy is very sharp and SBI works well for people with content ideas and NO TECH KNOWLEDGE.
Once you get the tech knowledge you may find it limiting. They counter that you can upload your own HTML, but then why use SBI?
I left after one year for several reasons:
1) $100 renewal
2) no FTP access to your website - many people found limiting
3) no way to integrate a blog easily, one person had a $30 add-in that apparently worked.
They do add features all of the time and the user forum is outstanding. But don't say anything in the forum the least bit anti-SBI or you will get politely annihilated; possibly even the post removed.
Jeremy mentioned in one of the BIP sessions that he read a book by Ken Evoy. This is his company. Ken seems like a pretty nice guy too.
I moved to XSitePro with my site last year and am considering what to do now as the site is in desperate need of an update and XSitePro v2 still seems to be bug ridden.
My Thoughts As An SBI Member
I've been an SBI member for over a year. They have a good product, good support and they have an excellent and extensive forum. However, as stated on the previous comments, I think SBI it's a good choice for a beginner (it gives you a guided start) or someone who doesn't have the time to learn more about SEO. I've learned a lot from SBI but the more I learn, the more I want to increase my possibilities.
For instance, SBI recommends to build your domain name using dashes on your domain name. Through some research I found out that this is not a very good SEO idea to rank high with the search engines. Even Aaron Wall from SEO confirmed this during his presentation at the Black Ink Project.
As you learn more about marketing and SEO, you feel more confident and you'll want more freedom and more control. The Black Ink Project has been awesome and loaded with valuable and thorough information. This should give you the necessary incentive to be more independent. After all, you won't be on your own, you'll still have the feedback and support from Jeremy (one of the best in the business) and other experienced fellow affiliates.
I hope this helps.