Block Builder and SBI!

Todd22 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 11:48 AM

I am just about ready to sign up with SBI! I am impressed with the total approach that they have.

I have questions about the Website Builder that is available through SBI!

1 - If using the website builder, can I make a professional looking site? I know of other builders that seem to look cheap. At this time I would like to not have to purchase something like Dreamweaver until later on.

2 - Am I able to create or host a forum/message board through website builder and SBI!?

3 - What is the blog feature like?

I have seen numerous samples of websites hosted at SBI! but I am never sure if they used a product like Dreamweaver or the actual builder that is made available to everyone.

I am truly excited about getting started, just have these last couple of questions. Thanks in advance for any help.

Todd

missyb · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 03:41 PM

I use SBI. I don't really like the block builder look either - but for me as someone who knew nothing about building a site SBI was a great choice.

Dreamweaver is just one of many html editors that you can use (you can use any you want) I started with arachnophilia(free to use and download) on a pc, I bought a template and then changed it to my own look (just updated my look). I am now on mac so I am using coda.

You can change most elements in the blockbuilder(soon to have a 3rd column) pretty easily. I think it depends on you colour choices. In my new look I have found using grey writing and off white background softens the look a lot. Compared to the standard black on white of blockbuilder.

I use the blog feature as just a "what's new" feature on my site. Every time I add a page it shows as a new blog post. You can add your own blog posts (ie not SBI turning your new page into blog post) also.

I think you can use content 2.0 as a form of message board, don't think a forum though.

Thats all I can help you with I'm afraid!!

All the best!

Tracy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 04:44 PM

I think it is absolutely possible to create a very professional looking site using the SBI! Block Builder system. The thing that is great is that you can completely customize the Look & Feel of your site as little or as much as you like.

You can start out with an existing template and just tweak it a little bit or you can tweak it a lot!

You can also use the custom template option and create all of your own site elements.

You can host a forum on your SBI! site, but you do need to use Infin It! for that, which is an SBI! module that allows you to create a subdomain for things like outside blogs, forums, stores, etc. There is no cost for Infin It! on the SBI! side, but you would have to pay for hosting your subdomain on another host.

The SBI! blog feature is nice. It allows you to Site-Blog, which is what Missyb was talking about where each time you add a new page to your site SBI! automatically adds the page name and description to your blog page and pings the SE's. You can also create Bloglets which would be separate blog entries that you type directly into your blog. You can do one or the other, or both. It is up to you.

Todd22 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 07:06 PM

Tracy and Missy,

Thanks for your replies.

Tracy - Are you currently using the site builder on SBI!

Missy - What do you think of Coda? I am also a Mac person and don't have any desire to ever use a PC again if I don't have to.

I checked out both of your sites, keep up the good work!

missyb · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 07:29 PM

You and me both! (about never wanting to use PC again ... ever)

I think coda is alright - ie it works etc but I'm not wowed by it. But the good thing about coda is that you can download a free trial to see if you like it or not. To be fair I am very new to html, I don't have much experience beyond arachnophillia and coda so I can't compare them to other programs.

I made the official transition from block builder to own html end Jan (changed my look 3 times, yes you read that right!! I just want to get my header to be a better quality and I am happy for now), previously I knew how to bold, make font bigger, bold, make font bigger ... um ... oh yeah and do page breaks... I have learned alot since doing my own html and I have loved the choices I can now have.

For someone new I would definitely recommend the block builder (a lot of people end up outgrowing it, but a good place to start). As I never ever in a million years would have built a website without SBI and block builder. It allows you to focus on first things first. Learning about content, keywords etc without the distraction (aaaargh moments) of html learning.

In saying all this my husband has just started a site a few weeks ago (not built one before) and he is using SBI but is using his own html. I have been able to help him with a little bit of html (read: showed him a few things, and now he's teaching me!), because he is one of those people who gets technical stuff. So if you fall under this category - you would probably be ok.

Tracy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 07:09 AM

Todd, I started out with Block Builder and then decided to transition to uploading my own HTML....which I am still in the process of doing so you can see what my site loooked like with the Block Built pages if you check out some of my older pages like this one...

http://www.tips-to-organize-life.com...ilds-room.html

I hope it's okay to put that link here...I just wanted to give you an example of what one of my Block Builder pages looked like.

Todd22 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 07:19 AM

Tracy,

Thanks for the example.

1 - When you say you are uploading your HTML - are you using FTP to upload your site? OR is there a better more efficient way to do this on SBI!?

Tracy · #8 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 07:29 AM

Hi Todd,

No, SBI! doesn't support FTP, they have a section called Upload Your Own HTML that walks you through the process of uploading pages you have created.

I create my pages in Coffee Cup and then upload them....it is very easy.

Todd22 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 09:27 AM

That is good to hear!

If there are two of us working on a website and we both have a website creation software such as Dreamweaver, are we able to upload from different computers without overriding the webpages or files already uploaded?

Tracy · #10 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 09:34 AM

Yes. The only time you would ever override an existing file is if you uploaded a page with the exact same page name as a page you had already uploaded....which, of course, you would want to do if your intent was to change, edit or update that particular page. When that happens you get a warning tell you that you are about to override an existing page and asking if you want to continue.

But if you were working on your computer and uploaded Page A and your friend was working on his/her computer and uploaded Page B....no problem there.

I'm not sure if it would cause problems if you were both trying to upload your pages at the exact same time, though.

Todd22 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 09:45 AM

I think I am convinced that SBI is the way to go.

Any last words of advice?

missyb · #12 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 04:03 PM

All the best SBI is definitely a good choice...

Get ready for lots of reading + watching of dvds though...

Todd22 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 06:42 PM

Are all of the reading materials and DVD's provided with the purchase?

Am I best off purchasing with a certain affiliate to get the most bang for my buck?

missyb · #14 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 07:05 PM

All the materials are included with your SBI purchase, when I said dvds (I meant down loadable movies - sorry not dvd) This is all part of your SBI package, no matter what affiliate you go through!

No bang for buck difference as far as I know - but you will make some affiliate happy they got another sale. Thats as far as it goes as I understand it!

Happy website building!

PS it is strangely addictive!

Todd22 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 07:29 PM

I am already addicted and I haven't even signed up yet!

Did you have difficulty finding your niche? Did it end up differently then what you would have expected after using the Brainstorm feature?

I have several ideas and am interested in seeing how the Brainstorm and Niche finding tools work.

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