SBI or BlueHost?

[Sunoshow]

I am completely devoid of any technical knowledge and I have to admit I am struggling a bit to figure this out.

I know I needed a webhosting service, so I paid for 2 years of webhosting with BlueHost. The cPanel is FILLED with all sorts of functions I know NOTHING about. I know there must be a wonderful functionality with it, but it means nothing to me at this time. Everytime I needed to do something, such as upload a blog template, I find I need to figure out how to do that, only to find I need to purchase a FTP something.

Then in my constant research, I find SBI. If my understanding is correct, it handles all those technical aspects for you and gets you functioning sooner. It seems I could spend more of my time being creative without trying to spend my time learning HTML, CSS, PHP, databases, CGI, Javascript and any other technical jargons I left out. I want to learn those aspects, but I'd like to get up and running while I spend my spare time learning.

I guess my question are...

I just coffed up money for 2 years of BlueHost, which is a webhosting service. I now see, if my understanding is correct, that SBI is ALSO a webhosting service, along with all the things I need to get running NOW. I have 3 domains purchased and hosted by BlueHost. Should I abandon BlueHost and go to SBI? Will I be able to move my purchased domains to SBI, if I go that route? Or are there any other advice I should pursue?

I am very determined to make this work and I realize I will need some help to get there.

Thank you.

Bill

[Ozzie]

HI Sunoshow,

I am not too sure about BlueHost but I currently have a website with SBI (still WIP) I reckon SBI is a fantastic place to start if you have zero experience! The online tutorials are priceless and the books you get are excellent! It is a great program to use for Affiliate Marketing and will guide you all the way in the niche you choose!
(Within the tutorials you learn about keywords and seo etc and much more which makes it priceless.)

However...if you have some experience with building website then you may find it a little frustrating! I found myself at a point of frustration cause I couldn't do something that I wantd to......you can build your website in FTP and upload if you prefer, which is something I wanted to do.....so it prompted me back to school to learn Dreamweaver!

Hence my site has lay dormant for a couple of months as I am still at college learning!!!

But over all I would say the cost for value for money is fantastic and I have no regrets about purchasing their hosting and site building.

Hope this kinda helps?

Goodluck!

Chris

[Griff Grumbein]

Hi Bill!

If you really want to "own" your business, you really should learn at least some basic html or PHP. (I have just started learning PHP so I can have my scripts run on the server vice javascript that anyone can jack, but having leaned html is helping me grasp PHP faster - "ain't skeered"!)

For the moment I would suggest staying with BlueHost and take a close look at your needs and options:

I learned html by buying the "HTML for Dummies" book and bought a heavily discounted WYSIWYG editor called Namo. I consider myself of average intellect, and between the two of them I had a solid basic understanding of html in a couple hours, was enjoying it within a week, and have never regretted it.

While I have heard good things about SBI, I don't have the budget required for it. Before you go sinking a bunch of money into something like that, at least give some basic html a shot. You can download a WYSIWYG program called Nvu for free at www{dot}nvu.com, and see if it will help you learn and do what you want. I have also heard many good things about Nvu also, (but haven't tried it because I like my Namo editor so much). Anyway, it may come with some templates to play with and try your hand at. If not, there's plenty of free templates available to download and experiment with.

The more you know about the workings of your site, the better you can tailor it to your needs. Going this route will also save you Chris's frustration of not being able to do what you want, when you want. SBI appears (to me) to be kind of a "package deal" that leaves you somewhat at their mercy, and certainly will take some money out of your bank account. Not saying it isn't worth it to those who NEED it and can afford it, but a little quality time spent with a $15 book and a WYSIWYG html editor can go a long way in being able to use that bankroll for other important marketing tools. (Not to mention the fact that I like having all my tools on MY computer, that way if the internet goes down, or if SBI's site (for example) goes down, I'M STILL WORKING!)

A bit of advice: I understand the ants-in-your-pants feeling of wanting to get something going, but slow and steady wins the race. Slow down and force yourself to weigh the pros and cons of each decision you must make. This is a business, and must be planned out as one, every step of the way. Your success depends on it. I also understand the "information overload" one goes through when starting IM. All the more reason to slow down and think everything through.

If you haven't already done so, make a business plan, a REAL one as if you were going to have to present it to your bank for approval of a large business loan. This can help you understand just what is (or will be) involved in making your business successful. For help with this business plan I suggest calling your local chapter of S.C.O.R.E. (Service Corps of Retired Executives), they are non-profit and their counsel and services are free. Talk to and LISTEN to these people, they KNOW business! I used their experience and knowledge to put a business plan together for a friend's brick & mortar business, and what I learned in the process is priceless and applies to ANY business!

Sorry for such a long post (again), I just get on a roll (I LOVE this stuff), and there is so-o-o-o-o much you can do on your own that doesn't cost an arm and a leg if you're just willing to apply yourself, and most of all DISCIPLINE yourself to take sure, logical steps to build your business. Sure, we all stumble and / or fall flat along the way (goodness knows I have), but that's why you make plan and stick to it. . .so you have a course of action to follow and move forward.

And let's face it: if you aren't moving forward, you're moving the wrong way!

p.s. For the easiest, most user friendly FTP program, I suggest Filezilla (www{dot}filezilla.com) - it's easy to use, powerful, and (of course) free.

[BradleyD.Haslam]

Griff,
You always have grate posts.
Don't worry about the length,
the value you contribute to the community is immense.
And we appreciate it.

Bill,
You picked an awesome host.
Don't bail out.

SBI has some real issues.
I don't want to miss quote things,
so I'm going to find an article for you about them.
Give me a day or so, K?

And DON'T overwhelm yourself
thinking you have to learn all that stuff.
You don't.
Some basic understanding of html and ftp
is all you need right now.
Period.

Use NVU and Filezilla like Griff said.
These are programs, with menus like your browser.
The learning curve is small.
Marketing is NOT about learning code.

Search for html and ftp tutorials on google.
Or better yet, visit webmonkey.
Those are the tutorial I took over 8 years ago.
I had the concept very quickly with their help.

Ask questions here and in the warrior forum.
2 of the best places on the web for answers
And I will get looking for that article.

Hope it helps some!
Brad.

[Sunoshow]

I agree, great posts Griff. And you are not too bad yourself, Brad.

This has been WONDERFUL advice!

I'm sorry if I don't get right back to you guys as I have been insanely busy lately. However, trust me, I am reading your posts and I really do appreciate them. I would love to one day "pay it forward."

Thanks a whole lot.

Hmmm... Business plan? Yuuuck! But great advice. I'm getting dizzy.

I look forward to reading that article.

Bill

[Sunoshow]

Warrior forum? Am I missing something? Where is that?

Bill

[BradleyD.Haslam]

Glad to help Bill.

Missing something?
Wow! Are YOU in for a treat!
http://www.warriorforum.com/

Don't get lost!
This is a place you will hear about
from EVERY marketer on the web worth his or her salt,
for the rest of your internet marketing life!
And you will see all the top names there.

Talk about info overload!!

My advise? Use the search function.
Go there with a specific goal.
Don't just surf through your first visit,
or we might not see you till next year.
LOL!!

Just kidding of course,
but you 'll see why I say it when you get there.

Enjoy!
Brad.

[Griff Grumbein]

OH NO, BRAD! You didn't send Bill to WF already!?!
I smell smoke! Did his information overload exceed the limit?
Will we ever hear from him again?

Bill, leave a trail of breadcrumbs so you will find your way back. We would like to see you again back here!

[Sunoshow]

OK. See you guys later... I'm packing!

Just kidding.


OMG!!!

WOW!

I am sorry Brad, I just could not follow your advice. I went surfin' dude.

Amazing! A true wealth of information.

GREAT! Now my head is really spinning, but is a lot fun learning.

Unfortunately, I still have a J.O.B.. However the good thing is I get paid 6 figures to sit and stare at 5 computer screens all day and basically do nothing on most days. This affords me time get some study time in.

You guys have been teriffic in giving great advice. Now I just have to start making some of that green stuff.

[BradleyD.Haslam]

Hi Bill,

Well, in the hunt for that article, I came up dry.
I read SO many things each day,
that I'm not even sure it was an article anymore.

So, in the hunt for a post in a forum or something,
I came across quite a few things I could have shown you.
But none of them talk about the point I was trying to make.

So, I'm not going to say it, because I'm not sure.
And I don't want to just 'bash' sbi, that wouldn't be fair.
Also, because I know how passionate sbi people are.
And it's all a personal choice in the end.

I will give you this, a LOT of posts talk like the following post.
And my opinion is at the bottom.
But read what these people have to say first. K?

(note, this is what I do. I never buy on impulse.
I have a solid reason for each purchase I make.
Usually backed up by researching in forums.
And printed sales letters that I take notes on as I surf.
In this case... I would have been glad I did the research )

[Sunoshow]

Thank you very much Brad. You have done plenty to help me.

I have gotten enough info to realize I may have made the right choice. I still don't know the technical stuff on the cPanel but I can tell it provides me with all the control I need as I become knowledgable enough.

I have gotten enough knowledge to at least start my personal blog. As I grow technically, I know I will be able to do more. Trust me, I hope to count on all the wisdom here. I'm sure I will have plenty of questions. You guys have been terrific! Thank you.

I did buy on impulse many tools I believed I needed for this venture but I think BlueHost has been my wisest choice. I will have to exercise control in the future to avoid buying what I don't need. Thank you for that additional thought, Brad.


Bill