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"Goal Setting Tools for Your Success"
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"Review of Site Build It!"By Colin Dunbar
Where I first came across Site Build It!Sometime in 2000, purely by chance, I came across a firm called SiteSell (as I recall I subscribed to a free e-course they offered), and a product called Site Build It. At this time I had other priorities, and did not pay much attention to this firm or to Site Build It.In the three years to 2003 my goals had changed, and I went looking for SiteSell, and especially this thing called Site Build It. I began studying the site, actually printing the web pages and reading them thoroughly at home. Make Your ... Sell - Where it StartedI had my first site up in 1999 (www.cyberdoc.co.za), and although I did get some business through this site, it was nothing earth-shattering. In 2003 my goal was to establish my own web business. I began to search the web for reviews of Make Your Site Sell (MYSS), Site Build It, SiteSell, and Ken Evoy.No matter how deep I searched, everything I came across was positive. All over the web, MYSS was referred to as "the Bible of Internet Marketing". With my background in technical writing, and my enjoyment of working with words, I obtained a copy of Make Your Words Sell (MYWS). I began my study of MYWS. I came to understand the "OVERdeliver" mission of Ken Evoy - this book covers everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) you need to know about writing for the web. I obtained my copy of MYSS, and again, began my study of this book... talk about OVERdeliver! There were a lot of references to Site Build It in this book, and this piqued my curiosity. To cut a long story short, I obtained MYWS, MYSS, and Make Your Knowledge Sell (MYKS). I now moved my focus to Site Build It.
Focus on Site Build It!Early in 2003 I began to actively research the web, and read and re-read the SiteSell web site. Then I began to do research on Google; I wanted to find everything I could on SiteSell, Site Build It, and Ken Evoy. Everything I came across was positive - I actually thought it was "too positive" (nothing could be THAT good). When I read Ralph Wilson's articles and reviews of Site Build It, I knew this was a quality product.The really neat thing about SiteSell is that they make Site Build It customer sites available, with contact details. I found a fellow South African Site Build It customer, and naturally I contacted her. Only praise. I contacted another Site Build It customer, and his reply was nothing short of extremely helpful. I again read the reviews of Ralph Wilson, and checked the reference sites offered on the SiteSell web site. I visited the Mikino site, an independent site listing SBI sites.
Was Site Build It the Way to Go?One of the SiteSell web sites I spent a lot of time on was the case studies.Site Build It Case Studies
I then downloaded an interview with Ken Evoy, and listened to this, making notes.
Being somewhat of a statistics junkie, I also visited the site that offers proof of the positioning of Site Build It sites. I have also included the many other web sites at the end of this review. I was convinced. On the 8th of December 2003 I made the decision and subscribed to Site Build It.
What you get with SBIAction GuideLet's start at the beginning. Both for the novice and the fundi, this manual is invaluable. Even if you consider yourself a fundi, you will be enlightened. I found the structure of this guide very good, in that it is divided into sections of 10 days, with the objective that you deal with certain objectives daily. And every day you are given a goal to complete. As is customary in all SiteSell publications, the writing is excellent - you will find it hard NOT to understand the material. The Action Guide is not a book you will read only ONCE - it is more like a very helpful assistant whom you regularly call upon. And you will be amazed at how much more you get out of it with every time you read it.
SBI ManagerThe Manager is software that you download (together with the Action Guide) and then install it on your computer. At first I had my doubts as to the real benefit and usefulness of this software. As of today I cannot imagine myself without SBI Manager - I use it regularly - on a monthly basis to check my theme and keywords' popularity, and almost weekly to check on other themes. SBI Manager really comes into its own if you are not quite sure as to what web business you want to start. This tool makes the process of researching your ideas incredibly valuable. And if you already know what you want to do, using the Manager can give you totally new ideas to expand your existing idea - very possibly the research you do with this tool can enable you to create a totally new, separate (and profitable) web business. If you are just starting, the Manager also helps you in choosing a domain name (that is effective in getting you good search engine rankings). My recommendation is to spend about a month using this tool. Definately, before you register a domain name, take this tool for a couple of test drives - your success may very well depend on it. What if you already have a domain? Take it from personal experience, test drive SBI Manager, and if you get something more appropriate (which is VERY likely), get your existing domain to refer to your new (and more effective) one. You can even consider discontinuing your "old" domain. Choosing keywords The value of SBI Manager in choosing PROFITABLE keywords is invaluable.
Build your SiteAlthough I opted to design my site using my own layout and HTML, you do NOT need any experience of HTML, or any HTML editor. I have toured around the Site Build It site building feature, and I can honestly say it is way beyond easy! You click a button here and there, and you can create a good-looking site that can compete with any professionally designed site (and it will perform better at the search engines!). Part of this feature is that you can create your own logo - again by the simple clicking of a few buttons. You can upload your own graphics to Site Build It, and these will be available should want to use them elsewhere in your site.
MailBuilderI have only recently made use of this tool, but what I've seen so far is impressive. MailBuilder not only manages your e-newsletter, but you can design/compile your newsletter here, with everything in one place. And it is really easy to do. You don't need to know any HTML, or any other technical stuff. Just plain ole English, and the clicking of buttons. Your e-newsletter is mailed as an HTML and text version, so you are certain that your subscribers get your newsletter. When your newsletter is sent, you receive an e-mail notification that the mailing has been done. I thought this was a neat extra touch.
Traffic centerNow this part of Site Build It I visit daily (sometimes twice a day)! I get statistics on how many daily visitors I had to the site, what the most popular entry pages are, the exit pages, where my visitors came from. These figures enable me to KNOW what is popular and what is not.
WebMailPart of the Site Build It package is a web-based e-mail service. The neat part of this is that your mail address is name@yourdomain.com, making it professional.Although I have found this feature to be sufficient, SiteSell say there are additional features coming.
Form Built ItThis feature enables you to design whatever online form you need. You can use this to run a survey, or whatever requirement you have. And in keeping with the ease of use of Site Build It, the designing of your form is again as easy as clicking a few buttons.
Extra's that are part of Site Build ItNewslettersSBI Xpress. This weekly newsletter is GREAT in getting me the latest news of what's going on, on the web. As a subscriber I'm "in the news" a lot sooner, and if there is action to be taken, I'm ahead of the pack. SBI Xpress also keeps me updated in respect of developments with Site Build It.5 Pillar Affiliate Program. Although the affiliate program is not solely part of Site Build It, the services and products I receive as an affiliate are very valuable. If you do join the program, you have access to everything you need to effectively promote not only Site Build It, but all the SiteSell products. Free E-books. There is an exceptional series of free e-books available that will enable you to learn a lot about having a small business on the web.
Other FeaturesKen Evoy has complete confidence in his flagship product, Site Build It.If you are anywhere near as thorough as I was, you have enough resources to check and verify the facts. A good starting point I would suggest is the site of Mikino. Here you will find a list (with links) to existing Site Build It sites. The site also has interviews with Site Build It owners. Another site that I visited several times was the Site Build It Case Studies site. I studied this site, and visited the actual sites of the case studies. I also visited the Site Build It example sites, where there are many actual customer sites that you can visit, covering a wide variety of fields.
Customer SupportYou will find it hard to find better customer support (and service) than that offered by SiteSell.I contacted Support on a daily basis during my first three weeks of joining Site Build It, and every one of my enquiries was dealt with fast and politely (even though my enquiries were as result of my stubborness). When you contact Support, you firstly receive an automated response advising you that your enquiry has been received. You are then assigned to a real person, who remains with you until your query is resolved. I have no hesitation in saying that cutomer support is EXCELLENT!
What's Wrong with Site Build ItHaving designed my own pages in HTML (and not using the Site Build it PageBuilder feature), and having to upload these one page at a time, I found frustrating. Although this is a fault I found with Site Build It, the good news is that a bulk upload feature is coming.Having an e-product to sell, I found the absense of a merchant facility disappointing. But again, the SBI E-goods module is very near completion (it may very well be available by the time you read this).
Is Site Build It the Solution for You?I believe the first question you need to ask yourself is: "What do I want to achieve?"I publish the Quarterly Journal of an Infopreneur, and in these I offer details of my goal path in using Site Build It. These are available as free PDF downloads.
Bottom LineLife is made up of choices, and when it comes to the Site Build It and the web, there are two choices:
Links to Valuable SitesIf you are in a hurry, have a look at the Quick Tour Slide Show. A fast step-by-step demo of how Site Build It works.Quick Tour Slide Show
If you are serious about starting your own web business, have a look at this site.
Not sure what you want to do? This site may be just the thing to help you decide
You can have a look at the results of Site Build It sites.
If you already have a web site, check this site to see how effective your site is.
Visit the Mikino site to find existing Site Build It sites, and read interviews by the owneers of the sites.
And if you have a question, you can ask the people at SiteSell yourself. Here are great articles on what has been acheived with Site Build It... What Nori Did on her Summer Vacation If It's Your Goal to Start Your Own Small Business on the Web, then You NEED to Read This!
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