SBI! alternative: XSitePro2

[sirkinm]

This isn't an attempt to get affiliate sales (I signed-up for their affiliate program, but I'm not promoting it here). I bought XsitePro2 last week, after a drawn-out comparison to SBI!. It's marketed as a Frontpage/Dreamweaver alternative for internet marketers.

In my opionion, it's just a great piece of software -- I would use it even if I just was into website development and not necessarily marketing.

I still believe that SBI! is a viable alternative, and I actually intend to get it (through Steve's link, of course) in a number of months -- I think it will enhance my internet marketing education, at the very least.

However, I'm really happy about my purchase of XsitePro2, and it's something that I don't see discussed here. It's really simple to learn -- I skipped most of the instructional materials, against the strict warnings of the developer

Here's what tipped the decision in favor of XsitePro2: I already had a webhost and domain name that I'd purchased. At $197, it's no more economical than SBI! if you don't already have a webhost.

Many of Steve's readers who don't have much of a background would probably benefit from SBI! over XsitePro2. HOWEVER, many people in the forums -- who tend to be more tech-savvy -- might be better off w/XsitePro2 (you can still benefit from the free SBI! materials).

If Dreamweaver/Wordpress/Frontpage/etc., are already working for you, you prob don't need it. But IMO, XsitePro2 is legit if you want a way to quickly and easily publish on the web. The tools are so awesome -- I love how quickly I can make modifications and publish. That said, I'm not sure how easy it is to do with those other programs.

The only downside that I hear it's hard to work with the html once you export into other web development programs, so you have to stick with it. Also, I have to do website development on strictly one or two computers (they give you permission to install on 2) -- so I can't tweak pages at work, for example.

If a friend asked about XsitePro2 vs. SBI!, I'd say, "If you're comfortable purchasing webspace and a domain name on your own and assigning it to your site, get XSitePro2. If not, go w/SBI!."

[Daffy Duck]

Does XSitePro have the same type of tools SBI has or only the web page building part?

[sirkinm]

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

Does XSitePro have the same type of tools SBI has or only the web page building part?

There is no brain-storming tool. There is a nicely-integrated SEO feature, though some might argue its effectiveness, because SEO is hard to pin-down (still, it doesn't hurt, and it's never intrusive). The tools for integrating adwords and other affiliates are great, as are the ability to quickly ad standard pages (privacy page, site map, sales letters, etc.). For me, it's about how quick I can build a website or web page.

Example: I VERY QUICKLY made a (IMHO) attractive site in XSitePro2 based around an ebook I'm selling (I had the web copy and various articles written before I ever bought XsitePro2). Later, when I was tweaking my adwords campaign, I realized that I should make a new landing page based on a certain keyword. It took well under 5 min to make the new landing page that was based around the new keyword -- had to write a new headline, copy some previously written text, publish it and bam: That was my attractive new landing page for that particular Adwords ad.

As I said before, the functionality of XsitePro2 might not impress some experienced website developers: I don't have much experience w/Frontpage & Dreamweaver (I actually used a past version of Frontpage -- maybe 2000? -- and I didn't really like it, but it's probably changed a lot).

[Daffy Duck]

Cool. Thanks for the info.