A PERSONAL MESSAGE...

Hi! My name is Chad. Do you enjoy my website so far? I truly hope that I have done my job in providing you with the information that you were looking for. I do try my best to provide quality information to my site visitors. If for some reason you did not find what you were after, please do not hesitate to send me a mail. I will be more than happy to assist you.

Anyway, where was I! Oh yeah...

Website building, and how I built my Corpus Christi Travel Secrets website from the ground up.

Would you like a website of your own, but have no idea where to start because you think that you have to be an expert at programming HTML? Nonsense! Luckily for you and me, you do not need to be Web savvy or even know HTML or any other programming language.

Building a website from the ground up and publishing that site on the Internet is not difficult. Let me say that again. Building your very own, unique website, one that you and your visitors will cherish, and publishing it for all to see, is NOT difficult. It's not EASY, but it is DOABLE. Why, do you ask? Thanks to a "little" known program called SBI! That's it, the cat is outta the bag.

The Corpus Christi Travel Secrets website was my first that I ever built and published on the Internet. Sure, I could surf the web and find information that I was looking for. But, building a website... Now that, I didn't know anything about. Absolutely...positively...nothing.

Site Build It! is an all-in-one website building and hosting program that will have the newest of newbie's to the Internet up and running in no time. SBI! is so powerful and efficient as a program that no, absolutely zero knowledge of HTML or web design is necessary.

That's right, you need not know anything about programming languages of any sort to build a website. SBI! comes with its very own Action Guide that will take you by the hand and walk you through every phase of building a successful website. SBI! will even help you create your site domain name and host your site once you're ready!

SBI! enables individuals with little or no website building experience to create their own website by using a block-by-block site building platform. All you do is bring the BAM (Brain and Motivation) and SBI! will take it from there. One caveat though. You MUST bring the BAM! Any entrepreneur will tell you that building a business, any business, takes the right attitude, precious time, and a lot of hard, hard work. There is simply no way around this.

I know. You thought this was a GRQ (Get Rich Quick) gimmick right? Not at all. In fact, it's quite the opposite. So, if your expectation is to make a hefty chunk of change by weeks end, then I'm afraid this program may not be for you. Success takes time, online, and offline.

What if you happen to be a Web professional? Use SBI! to take your website to the next level. I first used the SBI! block-by-block site building platform to build the first version of Corpus-Christi-Travel-Secrets.com. At that time I knew only basic HTML tags that I had learned from SBI!

Still with me? Good! So, to make a long story longer, this website did not always look the way it does now. After several months of using the block-by-block platform (or the training wheels as SBI! calls it), I figured it was time to take my website to the next level.

If you do know (X)HTML and other technologies like CSS, SBI! is fully compatible with WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editors, such as Dreamweaver or FrontPage, and will allow you to upload your own (X)HTML to the SBI! platform. So, that's exactly what I did!

I bought my first WYSIWYG HTML editor, bought a good manual to go along with it, and through blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of long nights, I managed to teach myself (X)HTML and basic CSS to create my new website. My new website uses Cascading Style Sheets to create the look and feel that you see.

The good news is that you do not have to do what I did. It's not necessary for you to learn any programming language or use an HTML editor to create your website. SBI! will handle all the techie stuff, allowing you to focus solely on business.

I have to be honest though. I am not a Web design professional. While I did learn the basics of (X)HTML and CSS, I hired a designer to help me design a custom template. A designer can build a custom template from scratch. However, I can customize and modify my template any way I want by knowing some (X)HTML and CSS. But, it is not necessary to delve into these technologies.

My website goes hand in hand with my theme and how I portray Corpus Christi to the world. If you like my website and are interested in having a custom template designed specifically for your needs, I only recommend the best. His name is Rohit Sinha. Rohit worked with me to design the template for my website and I must say, he did a fantastic job! I am extremely pleased with the final product.

Rohit is a Web design genius and he will work with you every step of the way to make absolutely certain that you are indeed happy with the design. He has the grasp on the technologies to make your website "kick ass." Rohit focuses on results. You may wish to contact Rohit at www.website-squad.com. (opens new window)

Sometimes it is necessary to outsource work. Because I wanted to upgrade to an HTML editor and have a custom template designed for my needs, this was one of those times. Remember that doing what I did is not a requirement for success! Quality content and integrity win the day, everyday. That is ultimately what people want.

It is best to focus on business. Many people start and stick with the block-by-block platform and it works like a charm for them. Others want to take the training wheels off and upgrade to an HTML editor. The beauty of it is that YOU decide what is best for you and your business.

Whether you use the block-by-block platform, or you're an old pro and upload your own HTML, there is no doubt in my mind that SBI! provides the tools, the guidance, and the resources that will give you the best possible chance at building a successful website.

A website that you are proud to call your own, one that your visitors will enjoy visiting over and over again, and one that will perhaps make all your dreams come true. Why just put up a website, when you can build a business?

Remember, the road to success is not straight. There is a curved called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, and caution lights called Family. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, and a driver called Hard Work, you will make it to a place called Success.

If you want to succeed, just try hard enough.

Wishing you great success,

Chad

Founder and Editor

A special thanks to Lyn Huet. Lyn is a Certified SBI! Webmaster. She did an absolute fantastic job in helping me choose my niche. Hiring a webmaster is a great way to get your site headed in the right direction. If you're pressed for time, or you need that extra boost to get the ball rolling, asking for help may save you loads of time and energy. Lyn is a pleasure to work with.

Contact Lyn at www.localbiz-online.com (opens new window)

Many thanks to G Scott. G Scott is a photographer in Corpus Christi. His photographic artistry is featured on many pages throughout the website.

View G Scott's work at www.gscottimaging.com (opens new window)