Your Solo Build It Questions

Here are honest answers to all your Solo Build It Questions. These are the Q&As that I wish I'd had when starting my SBI website journey. I would have had far less worry and lots more confidence.

Solo Build It Questions & Answers

You're bound to have some questions you would like to ask about Solo Build It. I know I did, but back in 2004 I didn't know anyone who was working online, so I was on my own. You don't have to be.

The answers I've given below will help to shed light and give a clearer picture of what it's like to be a solopreneur and work at home online using Solo Build It.

#1 - Solo Build It Question

Is SBI as Complete as It Seems?

Yes, I call it getting an online business in a box. Everything is included in one package. That's why Solo Build It can seem a little overwhelming at the start, especially if you hurry to do everything at once.

However, by working through the proven 10-Day process, one day at a time, you will soon find yourself becoming familiar with the package and its terminology.

There's a good reason why SiteSell made Shelly the Tortoise the official mascot for Solo Build It. Like the tortoise, be steady, be persistent, and bring into play the security of your shell (the Action Guide) when needed.

Never be tempted to race ahead. Why leave one rat-race to compete in another?

Instead, go step-by-step and each day, and you'll move a little bit closer to your goal.

The pewter Shelly Award given to me by SiteSell sits beneath my computer to remind me that I don't need to get everything done today!

The golden tortoise key-chain sitting beside Shelly was presented to me at the Edinburgh SBI Conference. It reminds me of the wonderful opportunity I had to fellowship, attend helpful presentations, and share site-building tips with fellow SBIers from around the world. Your world expands with SBI!

You will mostly learn by doing each Day's tasks at hand and seeing the results. It's very much hands-on learning, and you need to give it time. Eventually, everything begins to fall into place, and you'll not only gain confidence, but pride in what you've accomplished.

Above all, remember that you are not alone. You will find other newbies on the Forums to share with, and your questions will always get answered by seasoned SBIers.

Never be afraid to ask for help. There are no dumb questions left. I know, because I've already asked them!

#2 - Solo Build It Question

Does Solo Build It Get Results?

Yes! Shown below is my monthly website Traffic Statistics for December 2019. Around 1000 visitors arrive every day looking for Grandma's old fashioned dessert recipes.

That's a significant number as, according to one marketing expert,  "most websites have less than 3000 visitors a month ... and by most I mean like 98%!" —Bryan Del Monte

My visitors have viewed my SBI site pages around one million times this past year! Many published authors and webmasters would give their eye teeth to achieve that kind of online readership!

Thanks to SBI's automatic page analysis and promotion tools, many of my pages regularly appear in the top search results on Google and Bing when people search for old fashioned dessert recipe topics. You found me, didn't you?

There are other SBI sites that target more popular recipe topics, and some are receiving over 10,000 visitors every day. Imagine! You could easily have a full-time business with that amount of traffic.

As you can see from part of my Keyword Rankings Report below, many of my Renaissance recipe pages appear within the top 3 positions on the Google and Bing search results.

Your content page must appear on page one in the Search Engine Results pages (SERPs) to attract good visitor traffic.

Want real PROOF that SBI sites get real results?

View over 500 successful websites. Notice the wide variety of niche topics covered by these SBI sites. The sites were all created by ordinary people just like you and me!

No other company dares to show you Proof of Success like this!

#3 - Solo Build It Question

Can You Make Money With a SBI Site?

Absolutely!

SBI helps me to earn regular monthly income on the sale of targeted advertising, topic-related affiliate products, and Ebooks.

Speaking of affiliate products...

Did you know that major stores like Amazon®, Ebay®, Etsy® and Home Depot® will let you become their "affiliate" for free and supply ads to place on your website?

Then, whenever a visitor purchases something through a link from one of those ads, the store pays you a small percentage of the total sale.

Your visitors will appreciate seeing ads for products related to your page topic, and the revenue generated will help to cover your site costs and earnings.

It's called affiliate marketing, and it can be another good source of income for your site, depending on your niche.

On my site, you'll likely see ads by Amazon featuring quality products related to the page content. These ads are very easy to set up and monitor.

The Action Guide also shows you how to create your own digital products such as Ebooks, Kindle books, video courses, podcasts, reports, and so on. And, you'll learn how to market them online.

Offering your own products can also be very profitable. I've authored 5 Ebooks that I've published worldwide online.

It's fun checking your online accounts in the morning to see how much you earned overnight while you were sleeping.

And take it from me, it's an even bigger thrill seeing monthly commission checks automatically deposited into your bank account. Each deposit helps to supplement my retirement income!

I began working on my recipe site in 2004, and within 5 years it had developed into a full-time business bringing in well over $100/day by 2010.

One Christmas I treated myself to a brand-new car with my fourth-quarter AdSense earnings. That was fun!

Little did I know that I would soon learn a hard lesson. Google improved its search results with an algorithm called Panda followed by another called Penguin, and my traffic dropped. I mean dropped like a stone. Ouch!

Let me explain, so you won't make the same mistake.

The Internet was like the wild west several years back. It was very easy to rank for almost any keyword when you knew how, and I knew how. But,  times change. The old methods no longer work.

I once averaged over 10,000 visitors each day looking for "dessert recipes." However, most of those searchers wanted "modern-day" recipes, and just as fast as they landed on my site and saw the "old fashioned" recipes, they bounced off.

Today, Google's policies are tighter and search results are far more relevant. Now, searchers wanting modern-day recipes rarely end up on my site. And that's okay.

They're happy visiting sites with modern-day recipes, and those wanting the old fashioned variety will still arrive on my site, and they're happy too. It's just that there are fewer people who search for the older-style, historical recipes.

Here's the Lesson:

You need to do your homework on Days 3 and 4 in the Action Guide to make sure you are targeting a profitable niche, and you really need to discover the search intent.

(See Day 3 on my Solo Build It Case Study page.)

Rest assured, the Action Guide explains how to do this.

I love targeting nostalgia and the old fashioned recipe niche, so I've had to accept its profit limitations. It's a basic fact that some niches are simply more profitable than others.

Don't feel bad for me, though. My old time recipe site earnings cover all my online business expenses, and I have since built other sites to support my interests and supplement my retirement, so I'm very happy.

#4 - Solo Build It Question

Can Anyone Make Money Online?

I'd love to say yes, but let's be honest. Not everyone has the inclination to be a solopreneur. It's likely you do, or you wouldn't be reading this far.

You must be willing to follow instructions carefully and to enjoy spending time researching online, writing about your chosen topics, and performing routine tasks while seated in front of a computer screen.

Don't let anyone kid you, it is hard work at times.

You must also have patience, as it can take weeks and possibly months before your site gets ranked by the major search engines, and some income begins to flow.

That's why it's best to get your site started now instead of later. Even if it's only a few pages, it's important to get your site growing and becoming established.

It also helps if you're a stickler for details. There's lots to keep track of when you are researching, writing, creating content, and internally linking your site pages. Thankfully, SBI has your back, so you'll always be aware of changes on the Web.

And like any small business, you will need to keep track of your income and business expenses for tax season. But, the bookkeeping for your home business is very easy, and the Action Guide helps you with the rest.

Make no mistake, it IS work, and on rare occasions you might burn the midnight oil. However, it is extremely gratifying to have the freedom that comes with being your own boss.

And when you take it step-by-step, it's all very doable. Believe me, if a senior citizen like me can do it, so can you!

#5 - Solo Build It Question

Besides SBI, What Else Is Needed?

Watch as the short video below reveals why Solo Build It is called the Complete Online Business Builder.

Your annual subscription to SBI covers EVERYTHING needed to build your website online. However, you might be wondering what else you might need to operate an online business from the comfort of your home.

So, here's a list of all the software apps and equipment I use.

By the way...

Are you aware that your SBI subscription, Internet costs, computer, iPad, iPhone, office equipment, office furniture, and software apps are ALL tax deductible from your personal income at tax time?

It's just another advantage of having a home business!

Home Office

I believe that having a comfortable work space is a necessity. It's always best to have a quiet area set aside to work in, and it doesn't need to be large.

My first workspace was a make-do area in a corner of our basement when I began working online on a part-time basis.

Eventually, as income permitted, I converted a 8 x 12-foot spare bedroom into a home office with a door that can be shut when concentration is needed.

The room's existing window was small and high on the wall, so I replaced it with an extra-large window thanks to my Google AdSense earnings.

Now, I have natural lighting and I can glance outside for a peaceful view of the countryside whenever a break is needed from looking at the computer screen.

A filing cabinet always comes in handy for filing important papers and for hiding work clutter. You'll also need a sturdy desk to support your computer and an ergonomic office chair that's comfortable for sitting at the computer.

It's important to stay healthy and alert when working at home, so I added a Kettler® encyclical trainer. It's great for exercise breaks and is really appreciated during the winter months when it's too cold and icy outside for safe walking.

And after a busy day online, it's wonderful to relax in your own infrared sauna. The handcrafted SaunaRay and a PlatinumLED BIOMAX 600 Therapy Light are two of the best perks my online business has provided.

Who needs a costly gym membership and travel time when you have a home office with everything needed for working, exercising, and relaxing?

Make your home office comfortable, healthy, and fun to work in and you'll find yourself eagerly awaiting the start of each new day working online.

Just picture yourself working in your own home office!

Software Apps

When it comes to software, you'll find yourself collecting apps to make your online tasks easier. Here's a list of several that I constantly use on my Mac:

• Grammarian PRO2 X checks for grammar and spelling errors. It's an indispensable app for anyone who's spelling challenged like me. Since most of my visitor traffic arrives from the U.S., I grit my teeth and use American spellings.
  
  
• Deep Vacuum is an app that quickly downloads an entire website and gathers all its photos and media files into handy folders for viewing offline. It's great for archiving copies of your site for retrieval or to look back on.
  
  
• VueScan from Hamrich Software is an indispensable scanning app that's better than the software utility that came with your scanner. I use it to coax the best possible image output from my scanner.
  
  I was honored when Hamrich chose to feature my recipe website in their March 2020 VueScan Newsletter.
  
  
• Acorn is an easy-to-use photo editor app. It contains many features found in PhotoShop, yet it's far less complex and far more affordable.
  
  
• Snapheal is a tiny app that easily removes unwanted objects and people and fixes imperfections in photos. It's fun to use.
  
  
• The Creator 7 app by Laughingbird Software is a handy graphics tool for creating colorful logos, banners, and Ebook covers. It's available for both Macs and PCs.
  
  
• RelayThat is an online design tool for creating Ebook covers, in-site ads, and properly sized social media images. Subscriptions are available for both Macs and PCs.
  
  
• ThumbnailCutter is a tiny Mac app that easily creates thumbnail images used for linking site pages. Such a timesaver.
  
  
• ColorDial is a handy little app that helps me choose complimentary colors for use on my site.
  
  
• Apple Photos is perfect for storing the numerous images needed for the website. It comes free on the Mac.
  
  
• Apple iMovie is great for creating videos that can be uploaded to YouTube and displayed on your site. It also comes free on the Mac.
  
  
• Apple Pages is my chosen word processor for writing Ebooks and preparing them in the proper format for publishing on Kindle. As an added plus, it's also free on the Mac.
  
  
• TextEdit is by far my most used app. You'll write all your page content in a simple, basic text editor and then copy and paste it into Block Builder for publishing online. It also comes free on the Mac.
  
  

Similar apps are available for PC users, and you can find them by searching on Google.

And, here's one of the Web's best-kept software secrets:

Subscribe to the free appsumo.com newsletter and never pay full price for software applications again. They'll send you the hottest deals straight to your inbox.

So you see, you don't need many program apps for working online, and the ones you tend to use the most are either very affordable or free, depending on the computer you use.

Most of the apps needed tend to be small utilities that focus on graphics to make photo editing easier.

If you're not a photography fan, don't worry. Anyone can take simple photos and videos suitable for a website. If you can upload photos to Facebook, you can upload them to your site. It's that easy!

Also, Depositphotos.com and other reputable stock photo companies can provide affordable stock photos for times when taking a photo isn't an option. Never use free photo sources, as they can contain copyrighted photos that could lead to hefty fines when published!

Office Equipment

You'll need surprisingly little in the way of equipment for your home office. And the good news is you won't need to get it all at once!

Only purchase equipment as it's needed,  and as your site earnings permit.  Here's what I use:

• A good desktop or laptop computer with reliable high-speed Internet access is an absolute necessity. SBI works well with both MAC and PC computers.
  
  I prefer my 27-inch MAC 5K as I find Apple computers easier to use, and I don't have to worry as much about computer viruses while exploring the Web and checking back-links from nefarious websites.
  
  
• My low-cost Brother DCP-L2540DW wireless laser printer comes in handy for making hard copies for record keeping. Sometimes I print my site pages to have a printed copy handy while I'm editing. It's just my old-school method of working.
  
  I also use my Brother laser printer for scanning old photos and vintage illustrations from Mom's scrapbooks. But depending on your niche topic, you might not need to scan at all.
  
  
• I use an Apple iPod for viewing and checking the mobile version of my site, and I use its camera to shoot my site photos. I also have a Canon digital camera, but I rarely use it.
  
  An iPhone, iPad or iPod camera is perfect for taking videos and photos for your site because the images only require 72 dpi resolution.
  
  Higher image resolutions will only increase screen loading times which can adversely affect your page ranking. So, don't waste your hard-earned money on an expensive digital camera for taking photos for your site.
  
  
• An APC Battery Backup & Surge Protector is an essential item. I STRONGLY recommend that you get one! It will continue to power your computer when your electricity goes off, and it will protect your costly equipment from power surges.
  
  Power outages do happen at unexpected times, and you won't want to lose an hour's hard work. It happened to me before I got my backup equipment, and it wasn't fun!
  
  
• Lastly, my Keurig coffee maker is indispensable in the mornings to help keep me going.
  
  

#6 - Solo Build It Question

Does SBI  Provide Instructions?

YES! Absolutely! The Action Guide and the many learning resources provided by SBI are excellent and very easy to read and understand.

There's so much helpful information that can almost seem overwhelming at times, especially when you're a beginner.

But, you won't hear me complain! I appreciate the clear instructions and step-by-step videos. Really, you don't need to absorb everything at once as the Info Center is always available when you need it.

Expanding on the Action Guide, the Info Center supplies targeted information to ensure your online success:

• Twitter Action Guide
• Pinterest Action Guide
• YouTube Action Guide (coming soon)
• Tips and Techniques HQ
• Monetization HQ
• Resources HQ
• Google Unified Study and Report
• SiteSell Professionals HQ

And much more, including the specialized Search It and Monitor It tools that are unique to SBI.

Everything you need is in the SBI package!

The competing site builder programs offer little or no instruction on how to build an online business compared to SBI. Solo Build It doesn't leave you fending for yourself against tons of competition.

Help is always available when you need it, including the Video Action Guide for those of us who learn better visually.

By watching the step-by-step videos, it's almost like watching over someone's shoulder as they demonstrate how to do it all.

If you're at all like me, you'll make good use of the videos. They are excellent, and they make the learning process easy.

#7 - Solo Build It Question

How Much Time Does SBI Take?

I won't try to sugar coat it. Building a niche site takes time. Even with the huge advantage provided by SBI, it will likely take up to 6 months before you will begin to see significant traffic results and income. That's why you should begin now.

This is simply how the Internet operates. You might be the exception, but I don't want to offer you false hopes. You must be prepared to be patient and realistic. Then, time isn't a problem; it becomes your friend.

Despite what some make-money-online scammers will try to tell you, there's no such thing as "Get Rich Quick" on the Internet!

Building a proper website, getting it indexed by the search engines, and waiting for the traffic to increase takes time. Results can also depend on your chosen niche and how much effort you are willing to commit to your home business.

It reminds me of when I grew up on the family farm. We spent weeks cultivating the fields and planting the seeds, and then we waited months for the crops to grow and ripen before they could be harvested. Building an online business is much the same and that's why I recommend starting your site now to get it growing!

Finding available time to work on a website can be challenging at times, especially if you have a job and a family to support. However, it's a step-by-step process, and it's amazing what can be accomplished in even a year's time simply by investing several hours each week to build your business.

The good news is, as your traffic increases, your income tends to increase also. And at some point, you can either outsource extra work to others, or you can fire your boss and work on your website full-time. Wouldn't that be fun?

Yes, building a website takes time and effort, but it's lots of fun too. It's tremendously satisfying to help people find the information they're searching for while doing something that you feel passionate about.

My website routinely attracts friendly visitors worldwide from over 150 countries who have the same interests as I do. Some visitors return to my site month after month, year after year. It's very gratifying.

I love that my online business gives me the freedom to work at home and to choose the hours when I want to work. You can even decide to take a day off now and then. You are completely your own boss. It is life changing!

#8 - Solo Build It Question

Are There Any Negatives?

My Solo Build It Questions would be incomplete if I didn't mention the negatives. However, there aren't as many as you might think, though every business has its issues.

But, take it from me, compared to working in the 9-to-5 rat-race, operating an online business at home is wonderful!

What I especially like is there are no office politics or overbearing bosses to contend with when you're a solopreneur. You really are your own boss. You've nobody to answer to other than yourself.

Well, almost nobody. Our tuxedo cat Max — he's my assistant — loudly vents his frustration when I'm busy working online and he's not fed on time!

The search engines can present your biggest headaches. Google and Bing must be kept happy! However, as long as you stay within their website policies, your site will thrive. It's when they alter their search algorithms with little warning that webmasters worry.

Always follow the Action Guide and you'll be okay. It's kept up-to-date, and it will always keep you on track. SiteSell has your back!

Frankly, my biggest problem is finding the time to do everything. You must be good at scheduling your day and concentrate on the important tasks — the old 80/20 rule. Otherwise, it's too easy to get sidetracked and end up wasting time on stuff that's unimportant.

Your site visitors are typically friendly, but you will come across the odd prickly person for whom nothing suits. You must try not to take it personal when they complain or unfairly criticize your site.

For instance, one visitor sent me a nasty email because they clicked the button to download their free PDF Ebook, and after waiting two weeks, it still hadn't arrived in the US Mail. Go figure!

A constant problem is plagiarism. Some dishonest bloggers will try to steal your photos and content. It's surprising how many people assume that once you publish something on the Internet it's fair game. They either don't care or don't realize that your creative works are automatically copyrighted.

So, you have to track them down and demand the removal of your content from their blog. If they refuse, you then need to file a DCMA Take Down Notice with their web host to get the content removed. If you don't do this, the duplicate content could harm your site once it becomes indexed. It all takes time.

And, everyone who works online experiences a common frustration with friends and family members. They always ask, "So what do you REALLY do?" When you try to explain that you have a website and... their eyes start to glaze over. They cannot understand nor do they really care. Most will never look at your site. So get used to it.

You'll find common ground and encouragement as you get to know your fellow SBIers in the friendly Forum. It's an awesome community, and you'll find it a vital part of your eventual success!

#9 - Solo Build It Question

What About the Writing?

Do yourself a huge favor. Don't ever worry about the writing.

Simply write!

I am not a professional copywriter by any means. English composition was NOT my strongest subject in high school. Always remember that site visitors are wanting information, not Ernest Hemingway!

People don't really care about your writing skills, as long as you give them the information they've searched for.

"You are the ideal person to write the content for your Website. Even a professional copywriter cannot bring the same sort of unbridled enthusiasm to a topic that you know and love." —Dr. Ken Evoy, SiteSell founder and CEO

If you can write a letter to a friend, you can write a site page! Ken even provides you with concise, practical downloadable PDF manuals outlining the ABCs of simple content writing. Believe me, you CAN do it.

Don't put yourself down. You can help people by sharing your interests and begin to realize your dreams. My website is proof that it's possible. This is a program that really works!

#10 - Solo Build It Question

So How Much Does SBI Cost?

Do yourself another favor. Please don't over-think the cost.

Some people think SBI costs too much, while many, including myself, wonder why it's priced so low considering all that's being offered. Believe me, it's worth every penny!

SBI offers two payment options: Pay $29.99 monthly, or pay $299 for a one year's subscription and save yourself some money.

SBI for WordPress is only $17 monthly or $149 yearly.

All prices are in U.S. dollars, so for around $1/day or less than the price of a daily Starbucks® coffee, you can start your own business or online Web presence.

The amazing thing is the subscription cost hasn't risen since I first subscribed back in 2004!

Imagine! You don't see many legitimate offers like this!

The Bottom Line

If you've ever had your plans to earn extra income at home crash to the ground, now is the time to dust yourself off and work with Solo Build It to achieve your dreams.

Having read my Solo Build It Questions and answers, if you have any questions about SBI and what it can do for you, feel free to contact SBI directly. I can assure you there's no obligation, and someone knowledgeable is always willing to help.

Don't put it off any longer. Subscribe today and take advantage of the Solo Build It risk-free trial offer.

If you click the following link to SBI! and subscribe, you can start your own online business today and although I stand to earn a small commission, it does not cost you extra. This is called being an affiliate, and it's one of several ways you will earn online.

Try SBI now. It works better than any other site-building product. It might not be right for you and that's OK. Just trigger the 90 Day Guarantee, turning your purchase into a risk-free trial.

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