Over at ProBlogger there is an exceptional discussion on whether to recommend SiteBuildIt as the best way to build a Web site. Since I’ve actually seen and tried out their system while assisting a friend in building a site there I wanted to share some insights and recommend you check out the great comments that other Site Build It users have shared.
One thing to understand is that Site Build It is NOT simply a way to create a Web site or Web pages. There are many of those that are far faster – and some easier – to use. Simply building Web pages is not really what Site Build It is all about. It goes far beyond that and anyone considering Site Build It as a platform for building an online business needs to understand that.
The difference between the Site Build It system and any other method of creating a Web site is the research it forces you to do to ensure that:
- There is a demand for what you intend to build – or to find niches that will generate a demand
- That your site is search engine friendly so that your visitors will find you
- That the site is usable
While those things sound simple they are extraordinarily complex. Few people who build sites – even those who do it for a living – have adequate experience with all three of those concepts. If you don’t cover all the bases, you’re going to be leaving business on the table. If you don’t understand any of them adequately, you may build an online business that never makes any money.
That is the bottom line: the Site Build It system forces you to build a business that will make money online. Other ways of building Web sites do not. There are many comments in the ProBlogger discussion from people who are building sites with Site Built It and other platforms.
The most telling is from Kathi whose site is How to Make Resumes – Learn How to Do Resumes Correctly wrote:
“I am an SBI owner, having built 6 of my own sites using this platform. I also have a number of other non-SBI sites that I built using straight HTML, Wordpress and Blogger. None but the SBI sites are making any significant amount of money.
And that’s despite thinking I’m using all of my SBI knowledge to build those other sites. There’s something special about how SBI sites succeed.”
That pretty much sums it up. If you want a turn-key system that teaches you Site Build It could be what you need. It is one of three platforms that I can strongly recommend. The other two are WordPress and Volusion Store Systems. Both of these can be very successful and both have similar learning curves to Site Build It.
No matter what platform you use, to make money requires understanding generating visitors, being found by the search engines (SEO), and Web site usability. You either have to learn it or hire someone who already knows it. Just be wary of hiring those who THINK they do, but don’t.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Very useful stuff here. I am researching content for an article. Bookmarked, will be back.
What’s the performance comparation between your SBI sites and non SBI in terms of traffic and revenue?
Jim’s last blog post..How Make Money Online With Google Adsense
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Brian When you post your article you’re welcome to share the link in the comments here.
@Jim I am familiar with SBI because I once assisted a friend to create a site using the system. I had access to it and did the keyword research for her and because of my own background in ppc and keyword research I was impressed with what the system was doing behind the scenes – and also knew that most people would not have the patience to stick with it.
I do not personally have any SBI sites so I can not accurately answer your question. However, I can say that I saw some sites targeting very small niches that were able to generate traffic and sales far beyond what anyone would expect precisely because they used SBI. I am certain they would never have flown without it.
The one I remember most clearly was a featured SBI site on juggling. Imagine how much traffic juggling alone would bring in and then consider that SBI had him targeting children’s parties, events, etc. Those are FAR larger niches that would be interested in juggling but unlikely to be actively SEARCHING for juggling.
I agree with you. A well designed site must attract visitors then only your bussiness will grow. SEO services deals with all the website business growth.