About this siteWho knew a science major with no internet experience could become a webmaster (and small business owner)? Here is my journey:(with updates!) I had tried to build a website in my junior year of college. Tried and miserably failed. I did what most novices did- I went to Yahoo, paid the minimum amount for a website and was handed a blank page. “Ok! This is great!”, I thought. So, I started building my little site, but become frustrated. Things would look great on the Yahoo software they gave me, but when others (my mom) would look at it, words would run together, images were skewed and my header would only appear 50% of the time. So, I researched some more and found some great free templates, but I did not know anything about html. So, I researched html. Much, much later, I finally had a homepage I was proud of. But, that was it. A homepage. I became frustrated and angry. I spent so much time and energy on learning all the technical aspects of this site- and had so little to show for it. I wasn’t on the web, I was in a web. But that was not really the problem. I had only one visitor a day. (Thanks Mom!!) A New Way I re-read my copy of Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad and became re-inspired about finding passive income so I could one day live off of my investments. Researching investment possibilities I found a site run by a man named Craig. Craig talked about stocks and techniques, but he also had a link to a information about how he created his site. That lead to a company called Site Build It. I read their homepage and became instantly inspired. So many of their site-owners have gone on to do great things with their lives. They have retired, doing something they enjoy. Being a research junkie, I devoured their case studies page and I devoured endless pages and lists of site owners who had done exactly what I currently wanted to do! Site Build It’s approach was different from anything I had read before. They tell you to concentrate on serving your customers and building great content for them. For me, it was all about my
passion. I am not interested in building web pages from scratch and code, but just pies and sharing great pie alternatives with those who have nutritional needs, like myself. After signing up, I was shocked at how easy it was to build pages. At the same time it took me to do one Yahoo! homepage- I had 30 pages on my site. Not just 30 pages, but 30 visitors a day- steadily. And it was just the very beginning! Update: June 22, 2008I am officially at ONE MONTH today!!! This is thrilling! Traffic is growing and growing. I just reached 100 pages. (What!?!?) I am slightly obsessed- my friends tease me. But I love every minute of this. Also, the forum is amazing. They know the answer to everything. I am so in awe of these lovely people- I have yet to make a post. But I go everyday and find great ideas to improve the site. Recent improvements:
…well that is only three, but they are three big ones! Stay positive,
Update: June 24, 2008SBI fever is catching and we could not be more excited. Stella-B-Fashion.com My "fashionista" friend just started her site! It is about making what comes down the catwalk tangible to the everyday fashionista. "stella b is about taking inspiration from the latest runway styles and making them your own. It's like playing dress up in the real world, I guess...now that I think about it. I do all the searching for you so you can see that with the right resources and a little creativity, a personal fashion sense is not as enigmatic as it can sometime seem." -stella b
Everyday Fashionistas: show her some love here! My mom and dad are also starting two (it is easy because SBI is having a massive summer sale – for $100, you can have a second site) Hmm…maybe I should branch out with another site? Cookies? Healthy alternatives?Let me know what you think! Stay positive, Update: August 4, 2008I have had an amazing month on both afflilates and google ads! On site build it they talk about the "snowball" and how it grows and grows. I think my snowball is growing. I am excited because it feels good to see hard work pay off! Update: August 22, 2008This past summer, Site Build It ran a great promotion with buy one and get another site for $100. I did it!!! I bought one for my mom (The Texas Travelers) and one for future use! I think I am finally going to branch out and try cookie-supply! I now am 200 pages strong on this site with over 100 visitors a day and counting. I think it is time to "have another baby", so to speak. I know that SBI is always running a great promotion, check here to see what's coming up!
Update: September 22, 2008I have an average of 100 visitors a day!! Update: October 15, 2008I now have an average of 150 visitors a day!! "My goal was to build an online business that would generate an income equal (or greater, of course) to the salary I was earning. And also wouldn't be dependant on any country's economy (as my country's economy is in shambles...)." "My online success means so much more to me than money. The fulfillment I feel in my own life and the example I'm setting for my kids far outweighs the dollars (although dollars will always be welcome!). ;-) My boys are growing up with the knowledge that they really can achieve their dreams if they're willing to have faith in themselves and take action in their lives. Then all it takes is some dedication and hard work, which is easy to muster when you're doing something you love! ... Oh yeah, and SBI! of course." "By this time, my husband was at the "not another one" stage. But he was also impressed by SBI! and he offered his support. I must say that I was nervous the day I purchased SBI!. But since the day I bought my subscription to SBI!, I have never looked back." |
