SBI vs WA

Frets · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 08:51 AM

I am "this close" to purchasing and employing the SiteBuildIt product. However, while doing my due diligence I did stumble across the Wealthy Affiliates. Does anybody here have any familiarity with WA and/or thoughts about them?

Though they are advertised as cheaper, please know that has nothing to do with my decision b/c I feel SBI is more than fairly priced and feel they are a worthy investment.

I looking more at the tools, support, validation, etc ...

As always ... thanks in adcance!

Frets

ed7up · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 09:33 AM

I'm always keen to see 'SBI vs' threads - because it gives us all a chance to see if we could be doing it better, or content ourselves with our current choice.

I must say, the two looks very similar - BUT...

WealthyAffiliate doesn't seem to be interested in YOUR long-term success - SBI is about 'building online businesses' - Wealthy Affiliate is about producing lean, affiliate-based websites fast.

It depends on what niche topics you've got your eyes on - but WA is another $60 per year!!

I'll be looking into this one though - thanks for sharing

** Edit to add: The affiliate program pays up to $175 per referral - possibly a little bit high. So I did a little 'due dilligence' on WA and it seems to have mixed reviews. In fact, I say one post which recommend PPC Coach above WA ... but know you really are just building websites, not businesses.

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 09:52 AM

I don't know anything about WA. I'm probably always going to be biased toward SBI! because I use it and I believe in their tortoise approach (slow going leads to long-term results). Also, any time I read a sales page that sounds hyped up, it turns me off.

The phrase "You Will Start Earning Money as Soon as You Join" immediately sends up red flags. Not saying people don't and I have no idea what their "system" is about, but that is a very get-rich-quick claim that always makes me skeptical.

Also, they have a page with testimonials marked with first name, last initial (I HATE those kinds of testimonials) with no website listed with the testimonial. Only 2 testimonials show actual websites and they're both internet marketing related.

One thing I like about SBI! is they list first and last names with their testimonials and they show successful sites in all niches, not just internet marketing sites. I'm not saying WA is not legit. I've never used it so I cannot make such claims, but there are a lot of red flags when I go to that site. Plus, as I said, it's hard to see past SBI! sometimes.

WA probably works for a lot of people, but it seems to be geared toward turning you into an internet marketer. SBI! is more about teaching you the fundamentals of creating a website, choosing a passion and making money as a result of doing what you love. Technically you still become an internet marketer, but the focus of the two programs seem to be different.

ed7up · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

I don't know anything about WA. I'm probably always going to be biased toward SBI! because I use it and I believe in their tortoise approach (slow going leads to long-term results). Also, any time I read a sales page that sounds hyped up, it turns me off.

The phrase "You Will Start Earning Money as Soon as You Join" immediately sends up red flags. Not saying people don't and I have no idea what their "system" is about, but that is a very get-rich-quick claim that always makes me skeptical.

Also, they have a page with testimonials marked with first name, last initial (I HATE those kinds of testimonials) with no website listed with the testimonial. Only 2 testimonials show actual websites and they're both internet marketing related.

One thing I like about SBI! is they list first and last names with their testimonials and they show successful sites in all niches, not just internet marketing sites. I'm not saying WA is not legit. I've never used it so I cannot make such claims, but there are a lot of red flags when I go to that site. Plus, as I said, it's hard to see past SBI! sometimes.

WA probably works for a lot of people, but it seems to be geared toward turning you into an internet marketer. SBI! is more about teaching you the fundamentals of creating a website, choosing a passion and making money as a result of doing what you love. Technically you still become an internet marketer, but the focus of the two programs seem to be different.

I think we all hate hyped-up sales pages, but what about SiteSell.com? Did Dr Burch really increase his asset value by $2 million? All I know is he didn't answer my email..

I don't see it as a 'GRQ' claim, I just see it as a 'we can generate you income; these testimonials simply have lots of it!'. The sane people can understand that with work comes reward, but if they're offering training then perhaps it makes sense.

Whilst I'd still choose SBI anyday, I don't see anything fundamentally wrong with WA - it's just SBI 'brings me to the light'.

Frets · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed7up

I'm always keen to see 'SBI vs' threads - because it gives us all a chance to see if we could be doing it better, or content ourselves with our current choice.

I must say, the two looks very similar - BUT...

WealthyAffiliate doesn't seem to be interested in YOUR long-term success - SBI is about 'building online businesses' - Wealthy Affiliate is about producing lean, affiliate-based websites fast.

It depends on what niche topics you've got your eyes on - but WA is another $60 per year!!

I'll be looking into this one though - thanks for sharing

** Edit to add: The affiliate program pays up to $175 per referral - possibly a little bit high. So I did a little 'due dilligence' on WA and it seems to have mixed reviews. In fact, I say one post which recommend PPC Coach above WA ... but know you really are just building websites, not businesses.

Thanks all .... How about this then ...

I know and understand the concept of developing one-site/concept-at-a-time, but how about a scenario where you purchase the SBI product to build a business and at the same time use a WA-type package to generate the fast affiliate-based seed money to use to build (or pay) for the SBI purchase?

lisa · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 02:55 PM

I suppose that could work, but now you've spent money on 2 products and are dividing your attention between two ventures when you could purchase one and focus 100% on that one. This also assumes you will be successful with both methods.

ed7up · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 04:09 AM

Unless you're already an experienced internet marketer - "one at a time."

If you start one at the same time as another, you'll not only be a few hundred dollars further out of pocket, but you'll have a much more stressful time setting them up. Websites take work - and you've got to build up traffic, search engine credibility, links (argh!) ..

What's worse is that you'll probably only devote time to one which gives you the biggest reward. I can vouch for the SBI Action Guide and training, and I would recommend this for anyone starting out or already out there but failing.

There's nothing to stop you from signing-up to both, but my advice is to wait until your first site is established and breaking even before you start spending even more money. Let's face it, neither of them are everyday purchases - they are taking a couple of hundred dollars per year from your pocket. You aim is to not only make that money back, but make it worthwhile with the time and effort you have put in. That's the equation you need to focus on.

lisa · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 08:09 AM

Great advice ed7up. The biggest lesson I learned from my early days is ONE SITE AT A TIME.

Mr Potential · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 12:13 PM

I would like to join this discussion, I agree with everyone here. I became curious about WA after Frets opened this thread, so i did some investigation and then asked a lot of questions and got feedback directly from WA. I am planning to purchase a month to month membership with WA.

My view is that both programs are very innovative, structured, offering different perspectives for a common goal on the internet. It’s an opportunity to gain additional support, services, networking and feedback. Multiple perspectives offer greater insight, focus and control. It is a system use in product development and science. The two approaches are just like opening a thread and asking a question to get multiple feedback from others that will help you act efficiently upon your problem. Also, our government legistration, has to go through multiple committees for updating and approval, then be combined as a single house and senate bill before it is submitted to the President for approval or veto. This process has kept our country strong and given us the opportunities we have right now, so I am applying a scaled down approach.

My goal is to use them both to launch ONE website, and build my business. I will use them both to compliment each other to create a dynamic, yet focus website. We have the potential to do anything we believe we can do.

Mr Potential

ed7up · #10 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Potential

I would like to join this discussion, I agree with everyone here. I became curious about WA after Frets opened this thread, so i did some investigation and then asked a lot of questions and got feedback directly from WA. I am planning to purchase a month to month membership with WA.

My view is that both programs are very innovative, structured, offering different perspectives for a common goal on the internet. It’s an opportunity to gain additional support, services, networking and feedback. Multiple perspectives offer greater insight, focus and control. It is a system use in product development and science. The two approaches are just like opening a thread and asking a question to get multiple feedback from others that will help you act efficiently upon your problem. Also, our government legistration, has to go through multiple committees for updating and approval, then be combined as a single house and senate bill before it is submitted to the President for approval or veto. This process has kept our country strong and given us the opportunities we have right now, so I am applying a scaled down approach.

My goal is to use them both to launch ONE website, and build my business. I will use them both to compliment each other to create a dynamic, yet focus website. We have the potential to do anything we believe we can do.

Mr Potential

I 100% agree with you. You express many different analogies there - but let me throw this one at you...

I do a lot of music at quite a high level. Early on, it's a case of having a music teacher literally showing you the techniques and introducing you to more musical features, ideas and understanding. Now as you develop, music becomes much more of a 'self-fueled' thing whereby myself as the instrumentalist will perhaps make suggestions, be able to form and opinion whether they like a piece or not etc.

But as your musical knowledge matures, it makes more and more sense to diversify your influences. This can only make you stronger - but when you're mature. I get different tutoring from masterclasses, county level ensembles, friends in the profession etc. Now I benefit from that ENOURMOUSLY

but

I only benefit because I've already done that groundwork and become technically able. If I'd have been exposed to more influences earlier on, it may have distracted from my development at that time - probably confusing me and at the end of the day... not helping my playing.

---

Now put that in context with web development. It is GREAT to be exposed to other peoples opinions for the reasons you say, but only once you've got the basic understanding and techniques nailed under your thumb first. The SBI Action Guide is designed to be 'noise-free' and having produced two SBI sites, I must STRESS that in days 1 through 6 you should pay exclusive attention to it - thereafter when your website is generating it's own free traffic you should be able to put your head above the parapet.

The SBI concept of C>T>P>M implies you should look into buying SBI first and then use WA as an add-on later when reach Day 10. Money-making is so much easier once you've got free targeted traffic that you can build relationships and trust with! Nail down the 'Content>Traffic>PREsell' before you look to affiliate marketing.

It's great that you have a long term goal, but the Action Guide is crafted to take your mind off that and take small, methodical steps which are essentially the building blocks of your business.

lisa · #11 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:49 AM

Interesting point, ed. I agree, no other product seems to teach the fundamentals like SBI!, and as you said, once you learn that, monetization becomes MUCH easier because you've laid the proper foundation. Good post.

Mr Potential · #12 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 11:14 AM

ed7up, thanks for your feedback, I will follow your advise. Your advise, gives me the opportunity to experience both, also, allowing me to get grounded in the basic structure first.

My intellect and my talents have been my greatest asset as well as my akilies heal, so, i've been accustomed to doing too many things at one time for so long, and i spent the last few years getting into the practice of doing just one thing at a time. Now I discovering how to blend the best of both together, where I experience growth in all my interest in a balanced manner.

Nice insightful interview you did with Lisa. I am also reviewing your 4 part SEO presentation.

Mr Potential

Frets · #13 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 12:15 PM

Mr. Potential / Ed7up,

Your banter here, with its insight and forward thinking, is exactly why this forum works so well. Thanks for sharing. I am interested in reveiwing (viewing?) the 4-part SEO presentation above ... where can I find it (if I'm allowed to ask).

As always, thanks in advance,
Frets

Mr Potential · #14 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 02:15 PM

Thanks Frets. You can find Ed7up's presentation from a link within the page of his interview with Lisa. You will find the interview Link at the bottom of Ed7up's previous post to this thread, post #10.

Mr Potential

ed7up · #15 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 01:43 PM

Thank you very much,

Lisa very kindly agreed to an interview; I cannot thank her enough! Frets, if you go on my site and look for the 'SEO Success' on the left hand nav bar, you'll find it.

Good luck with your websites!

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