Personally, I don’t know why anyone would say that they didn’t “like” Site Build It!. It’s simply a tool. If it’s the right tool for you, great. If not, then you move on to something else. I don’t know of anyone who would be angry at a saw for not doing the job of a hammer.

And I agree with you; you certainly don’t need SBI! to build an online business. But I feel it’s the absolute best option for a newbie marketer, because it allows you to focus your energies on building a business founded on solid fundamentals, without falling into the “paralysis by analysis” trap – which can be so paralyzing and time wasting!

Cheers!

Paul

I don’t have a problem with people saying they don’t like SBI!, especially when they’ve tried the product out. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions and as you said, everyone doesn’t need it.

I’ve created successful sites both with and without SBI!. But it really bothers me when people cry “scam!” or “rip-off” when they’ve never even owned the product. Most bad reviews for SBI! are written by people who have never bought it and are basing the value of SBI! on the price alone.

Then they bash us (the affiliates) for writing glowing reviews just to earn a commission. First of all, I never try to hide the fact I’m affiliated with SiteSell and earn a commission. Why would I? When you like something and want to recommend it, why not earn a referral bonus? I’ve been a SiteSell customer since 1999 when they launched their first eBook “Make Your Site Sell” and they always OVERdeliver on every product they launch.

Four of my friends own SBI! and all of them knew about cheaper hosting options before they decided to buy SBI!. They’ve all admitted that they are glad they took the SBI! route. Yes, it costs them more than Godaddy, but they value having all the tools in one place and the training. Now are there things they don’t like about SBI!? Of course, but overall they believe it’s a great value.

There have been a ton of debates about SBI! and the price over the years, but it really boils down to this. If you value having all the tools (templates, autoresponders, mailing list, marketing help, etc.) in one place then you will find SBI! a great value. If you’d rather save money and get the tools and help SBI! provides by going out on your own…. fine. You can certainly be successful that way too. It really comes down to what you value. And MANY people value having all the help in one location. And when you really understand what SBI! offers, it’s a fantastic value for the money. My friends sure think so.

Anyway, I’m rambling, but I agree with you Paul. If you’re going to bash a product, at least have the facts. I have much more respect for SBI! naysayers when they have experience/evidence to back up their statements.

I read that review by Lis Sowerbutts and was appalled that she could get away with so many blatantly false statements. No wonder the SBIers got mad – there were so many outright lies in that review. I notice she had a few cohorts backing her up and 1.5 years later, turns out they’re all in business together.

One of those buddies of hers did a video on Adsense, calling SBIers vile names, etc. Being curious like you, I tried his advice. It crashed my income!

So you’re right. Lis is not a good source of information. I don’t think her mentors are that hot, either. I think the whole false review thing was an intentional ploy to get traffic and income – because Lis has used this tactic more than once with more than one company. It’s like some kind of business plan she cooked up: go around call people a scam, bait them into giving her content, traffic and income. Then slap up some affiliate links and sell “stuff” to all the people she riled up.

However, like Matt Cutts says – do it too often and you’ll lose credibility.

And that’s exactly what has happened to Lis.

Thanks again for setting the record straight. It’s nice to finally have the truth come out. :0)

If you want to really establish yourself as an expert, do the commenting yourself and add value to the post. People love to learn more both through the blog post and comments. That’s what the comment section is for. You can use others comment section to create credibility and get traffic and back-links in the end. Don’t waste your money on a commenting automation software please.