SBI Software Development/Hosting Question

Gary · #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 02:54 PM

I am new to this and just into the planning stages for my first site. Question I have is; If I go with SBI and develop my site using their software, will I be locked into them later on if I decide to transfer my site to another hosting company?

All comments appreciated.
Gary

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 03:08 PM

Not at all. You own the domain name so you can transfer it to another host should you decide to cancel.

paperchaser777 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 11:27 AM

Besides the domain, I wonder if you'd be able to take your entire site with you though?

Seems like it would be a bad business move for SBI to let you take your entire site with you.

lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 03:38 PM

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Let's say you have a site already getting traffic and you decide to move to another host for whatever reason. You would want to keep that traffic so you need to keep your content. Remember you own the domain and content, SBI! doesn't.

Some people discover SBI! is not for them so they decide to move on. That's understandable. In my opinion it would be a bad business move if they didn't let you take your domain, etc.

Gigababbler · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 01:21 AM

Not wanting to offend anyone here, but I really think that SBI's wayyyy overpriced for its value. Sure it's got the brainstormer and could guide you through, but can't you get all that, plus more info from books?

I'm going to build a website and have decided to use host gator for my web hosting. For now, I'll be sticking to dreamweaver, hostgator, and of course, good ol' 2createawebsite.

Just my opinion.

ssmorgan · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 01:49 AM

SBI is really an attractive offer, because it's all inclusive. Brainstorm, Research, Domain, Hosting, Page Builder, etc.

Because it's all inclusive, it is very reassuring to someone who does not know how to create a website, and even very convenient to those who know what they are doing.

I agree with you that SBI does have any secret formulas... it's all out there, but searching the entire web for reliable info can be overwhelmingly daunting, and it's nice and worth it, IMO, for a beginner to have one trustworthy source that provides all the info they will need.

Theresa · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 07:10 AM

I used SBI! for my second site and find it worth it. Yes it is pricey, but I find it so much easier building this site. Definitely not for everyone, though.

Gigababbler · #8 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 11:33 AM

Maybe it's just the fact that my budget's very low.

lisa · #9 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigababbler

Not wanting to offend anyone here, but I really think that SBI's wayyyy overpriced for its value. Sure it's got the brainstormer and could guide you through, but can't you get all that, plus more info from books?

I'm going to build a website and have decided to use host gator for my web hosting. For now, I'll be sticking to dreamweaver, hostgator, and of course, good ol' 2createawebsite.

Just my opinion.

As I've said many times here, SBI! is not for everyone and sure you can find everything they offer on the web on your own.... I did with 2create but I still value SBI!. I'm glad I've built a site using both so I can compare the two. Fortunately both sites have succeeded.

Some people learn differently and find it convenient having a "coach-in-your-ear" approach to learning how to build a website, plus having all the tools in one place helps too.

So yes, it's up to the individual. It's great for some, but many people find success doing it on their own without it.

And I have to disagree with the overpriced statement. I used to work for SiteSell and I know several of the programmers who built SBI!. I've seen the "behind-the-scenes" programming and sweat that went into building that proprietary software we know as Site Build It!. Even though it may not be for everyone, I think it's a steal for $299. If you think about it, there's nothing out here close to how it operates.

max · #10 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 03:14 PM

It's also important to note that sbi is not just brainstorming tools. Now if you only got that then it would be rip off. But you're paying for way more than that. You get a mailing list manager with an autoresponder, a SpamChecker, search engine ranking reports, unlimited advice for marketing your site, a website builder, templates, unlimited bandwidth, hosting, a domain name and the community/forums are a Godsend. It's so cool to get help from so many other successful SBIers there. Those people on the forums are soooo nice and helpful.

And my favorite sbi feature is the SiteMap manager! I love that they automatically update my SiteMap when I add a page and submit it for me so I don't have to do that manually every time I add a new page to my site.

As others have said, the value is definitely the "all-in-one" aspect. What other company has that or even comes close? I agree with Lisa, though. It's not for everyone but I'm glad it was for me.

paperchaser777 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Let's say you have a site already getting traffic and you decide to move to another host for whatever reason. You would want to keep that traffic so you need to keep your content. Remember you own the domain and content, SBI! doesn't.

Some people discover SBI! is not for them so they decide to move on. That's understandable. In my opinion it would be a bad business move if they didn't let you take your domain, etc.

I know that they let you keep your domain which is good, but it doesn't appear as if you can take your entire site with you, (i.e. everything that makes up your entire site exactly as it). Even though you own the content you created, the user doesn't own the tools SBI gives to create it. If they let you take every piece of everything that makes up your site it would be nice, but that would be a disadvantage for them because all you'd have to do is build up traffic and then skate away to another server with the entire site in your pocket so to speak, and never have to renew with them.

lisa · #12 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 10:39 AM

Oh I see what you're saying. No you can't take the tools because they sit on the SBI! server. That would be next to impossible anyway. But what you can do is save your site (images, etc.) to your PC and transfer them to another host if you want.

paperchaser777 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 02:11 PM

Yeah, that's one of the reasons why (besides not wanting to spend the extra $99, lol) I was thinking of a way to get around the Content 2.0 thing and do it manually with contact forms. I was concerned that if I ever left SBI, I'd have to leave that Content 2.0 tool behind. So I figured, if I do it manually with standard forms I could move everything without a hiccup and users would be able to adjust without much change.

I'm just laying my site out right now. I do this before I ever sign up to build it. This way, I'll have the concept phase out of the way, and can focus on integrating the idea with whatever software I'll be using. I've put up entire content rich sites in a day or so doing this. Hopefully there will be no roadblocks with the SBI software. People say it's pretty simple to use so I'm not too worried.

lisa · #14 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperchaser777

I'm just laying my site out right now. I do this before I ever sign up to build it. This way, I'll have the concept phase out of the way, and can focus on integrating the idea with whatever software I'll be using. I've put up entire content rich sites in a day or so doing this. Hopefully there will be no roadblocks with the SBI software. People say it's pretty simple to use so I'm not too worried.

Very good idea. Plus it's easier to ask specific questions when you know exactly what kind of tools/platform you'll need. Plus SBI! is evolving and growing so fast. I predict in the next year or so it will behave a lot like a standard Linux or Windows host and you'll have the same capabilities you have with GoDaddy, just with all the marketing help. Now THAT will be awesome. They'd have to raise the price though. That would be a LOT for $299.

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