Internet Business Scam Alert! - Page 2

jdanswers · #16 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 08:34 PM

I'll take your advice Lisa.

And, Webdev, you are right. I would add, one should ask all the questions up front and have an email record of promises made and promises broken. That was my mistake. $80.90 lesson learned.

In my 15 months online so far, I have requested and promptly received refunds on just three of the many products/software I have purchased over that time. These were reputable marketers, obviously. I am happy with the rest because I learned something valuable from each one.

My weak area is this whole coding thing. That's where I will focus in between working my blogs. I have neglected them while trying to find the Holy Grail of turnkey websites.

Thanks so much for your input and advice.

Jim

lisa · #17 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 10:50 PM

Hi Jim

Just take it a step at a time. I'm not a fan of coding either and I've been doing this for 10 years. I just learned enough to get by and I use web software to help me along. I think the word "coding" scares people but HTML, CSS, etc. is not really difficult to grasp if you just hang with it.

You can go to Google.com and do a search for some very nice tutorial sites out there that will help you learn the basics. And the best way to learn is to fumble around until you figure it out.

One thing I used to do is go to other people's sites and do a "View Source" to see their code. That way I could see how something was done. That's a great way to pick up things here and there.

But I think if you just take it slow and don't expect yourself to learn everything at once you'll be fine.

jdanswers · #18 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

One thing I used to do is go to other people's sites and do a "View Source" to see their code. That way I could see how something was done. That's a great way to pick up things here and there.

I have been doing Source code investigation for some time and I have learned a few things along the way. I guess I need to Google "website coding definitions" next and start to learn the language of the group so I can communicate effectively.

There is a coder somewhere who is missing a great opportunity to write and sell an ebook that is written for dummies but it should be written in collaboration with a dummy. The dummy can write the instructions in dummy language once the coder explains it.

As a reporter for more than 15 years, when interviewing on a technical topic, I would have to say - "So, what you mean is......" - and restate it as I understood it then write the story in verbage my audience could understand. This would sell a ton of copies! I dare say that most tutorials are written by coders for other coders, not for average folks.

Anyway, thanks for your advice. It's off to study.

Jim

emogulusa · #19 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 12:11 AM

one big scam source is from using well know names such as google or whatever well know search engine site to promote a "turnkey website" to "start making money immediatley" the initial interest of building a site started from Google wealth builder for me. after finding out my "turnkey site was weak and un-editable, i opted for the refund ,WHICH I GOT. I was peeved only because I thought the ebook investement covered my site, whereas, I actually had the option of a free, crappy site, or a host that was ok...but not as good as my current host.

jdanswers · #20 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 06:55 AM

Using "Google Adsense" in the sales pitch or "Niche Sites" are the most common. But, not all are scams. Most are simply re-sellers who don't know how to edit these sites either. They buy the sites from coders to resell to the general public (us). They could care less if we can actually use them.

Email the seller first, asking them about editing and installing what they are selling, and, about their money back guarantee!

No "Contact Us" or "Support" link on the sales page? No Buy!

Don't be surprised that most do not respond at all. Some that do will say - "at this low price I cannot help with editing, etc....". Or - "at this low price these sites are sold As Is".

No Buy!

Jim

PosterBoy · #21 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 02:45 PM

Hey Jim,
Thanks for the heads up on these scams. This is a great topic which you started.

Incidentally I typed 'html templates' or something like that and I found Lisa's site on Page 1 of Google. So we both sort of ended up here in the same way.

jdanswers · #22 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 09:18 PM

These turnkey website promotions are all over the place. I get offers almost daily and download only the free ones on which I am going to practice!

In fact, I had an idea (moments ago - no kidding) that I am going to follow up tomorrow. We have a couple of local tech guys who advertise in-home computer repair. I'm going to contact them to see what they would charge for in-home tutoring so I can learn to use these sites quickly.

I am retired so as soon as the snow flies here in the Northeast, I am going to write an ebook myself with step-by-step instructions with screen shots teaching other newbies how to use these types of sites. It's about time someone catered to our segment of the market, ya think? It will make a great winter project.

It may cost me a few bucks for the tutoring guy but maybe, just maybe, there are enough buyers to make it worthwhile.

I still believe turnkey websites are a great idea if one knows how to edit them to make them unique and get through the FTP process.

Finally, a word about this site - Great! Lisa is very helpful and has created a great resource.

Yours for success!
Jim

PosterBoy · #23 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 04:53 PM

Hey Jim,

I think that it's a great idea you have to get some tutoring and then come out with your own ebook. You could sell memberships to your ebook once you have it written. Or post it up for free and try to collect ad revenues.

jdanswers · #24 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 08:47 PM

PosterBoy...

How about me selling my own mini-sites or Turnkey Packages, or reselling other TurnKey Packages and include my ebook with each package? I've seen a few "sites of the month" membership sites. I also see some holes in what they are selling that I could fill in.

I might take those lemons and make some sweet lemonade!

Thanks for jogging my creativity.

Jim

PosterBoy · #25 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 05:49 PM

Hey Jim

Glad that I could help you come up with some more creative ideas. Nice to be of service.

Don't hesitate to discuss any of your ideas if you need input.

jdanswers · #26 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 08:53 PM

You may have noticed I have nothing in my sig. Maybe you can take a look at one of my blogs and give me some tips on making it better.

It's my News and Commentary blog. I admit I have been lax in keeping it current. I have been bogged down in this "turnkey sites" investigation but I will be back to posting this weekend on all my blogs.

Anyway it's http://on-line-tribune-front-page.blogspot.com

You will see links to all my niche blogs as well.

Be cruel. I can take it.

Thanks
Jim

PS...I clicked your sig links already. You run some nice simple sites. I like the freebie angle. You must have lots of fans.

PosterBoy · #27 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 12:32 PM

Some comments about your blog. First, I have 800X600 resolution on my screen ( I know, it's a little outdated and most people have at least 1024X768) so I have to scroll to the right to read your whole page. As I mentioned, I don't you have to worry too much as most people don't use 800X600 nowadays. I like to keep fonts large so that it's easier on my eyes.

Second, I think it's great that you put your photo on your blog. I think you gain more trust as people can see who they're dealing with. You have a nice smile BTW.

I think you have a face that people trust.

Third it's great that you use the Google feed to have current news articles displayed.

Fourth I think that the JDAnswers ad thing that you have takes up too much space on the page.

Overall I really like your blog and I like your choice of free blog service providers.

As for my sites having a free angle, yes we have a lot of users, but since most of our stuff is free it's hard to earn revenue. I think that I can take lessons from Lisa on monetizing a website. She's got a lot of the angles covered.

jdanswers · #28 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 09:50 PM

Hey Posterboy, thanks for the critique.

I am still learning what fits on the page. I tried the narrower resolution at first but the typeface was kinda small and I couldn't get it to where it looked good. Sorry about the side scroll problem.

I just discovered Google Gadgets this week and added some to my various blogs. I like them too because they update the content daily.

As for the jdAnswers search box...I just added that recently as a test. It really is a Clickbank search module from CBglobe. My CB ID is imbedded so anyone who uses it and buys a product I get a nice commission. I agree it takes up a lot of room in the sidebar. I can make it smaller (height) but people will have to scroll to read all the catagories. I am still thinking about this. I just might shrink it as a test.

I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts.

As for the free aspect of your sites, maybe you can consider getting some products you can rebrand with your affiliate links and give those away too. They tend to spread and could generate some income for you. Of course there is always Adsense and Amazon too. I have tons of free ebooks and software programs I am studying about all this stuff.

Bottom line, however, is traffic. We all need traffic to generate sales/commissions. I am still looking at the best ways to do that as well. I submit my personally written articles to Article Directories and my blogs to Blog Directories. My front page (that you looked at) has gotten over 11,000 visitors since August 2006 when I put SiteMeter on it. That's not too bad. The others get between 200 to 300 per month.

My blogs have been, and will continue to be, for learning and testing while I learn more about domains, hosting, uploading, editing, etc. I need to understand the mechanics of it all so I know how to structure things.

Until I understand the mechanics I won't pick a business model to promote. I learned that the hard way in the beginning of my learning curve.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Jim

PosterBoy · #29 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 03:43 PM

No problem taking a look at your blog Jim. I'm sure that your stuff will continually improve as you learn more and more. You already have a great building block.

jdanswers · #30 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 08:24 PM

I came across a fairly extensive free ebook (PDF) titled: "Install Your Own Scripts" by Michael Ambrosio. It's step-by-step practice with screen shots for installing 3 scripts and uploading them to hosting.

Script 1 - Installing a Guestbook script.
Script 2 - Doing a CRON job.
Script 3 - Script for setting up your own affiliate program.

It's a great starting point, I think.

I will post my learning experience here so others may benefit too.

Jim

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