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Welcome to our definitive Solo Build It review.
Solo Build It is “a complete web business building system” by Ken Evoy. My team and I signed up for the training and researched it thoroughly.
(Have you taken this course? Add your rating!)
If you’d like to know…
- How exactly Solo Build It works
- The pros and cons
- If the whole thing is legit or a scam
- The different pricing options
Then definitely keep reading.
Jump to…
About the Author
Hey, I’m Niall Doherty.
I quit my last 9-to-5 job back in 2010.
Since then, I’ve earned my living online in various ways. Revenue for my latest business is at $1+ million and counting.
I’m on a mission to accurately rate and review all the best “make money online” courses. My team and I have spent 1000’s of hours investigating these courses and getting feedback from real students.
All that to say: we know a thing or two about such courses and making money online.
How does Solo Build It help you make money?
SBI teaches you how to start an online business by building a website and monetizing it with affiliate marketing or display ads.
Solo Build It has two options. You can use their own website builder, or use their action guide and WordPress as your preferred site builder.
You then learn about creating content to attract visitors to your website.
As stated on the sales page…
You’ll be guided every step of the way and encouraged to “stay the course” as you progress from researching and choosing an exciting topic to start a business about, through all the steps of growing and earning income.
Affiliate marketing is when you promote other people’s products or services, and collect a commission for every successful referral.
Display Advertising is when you place ads on your website and you earn money every time someone views your webpage.
Who is Solo Build It for?
Solo Build It sells itself as a platform for people from all walks of life.
The official word…
It doesn’t matter what age you are, or how much or little experience you have with technology.
What does matter is an “I can do this” attitude, a willingness to learn, and to be guided every step of the way […]
Having seen inside the training, I tend to agree for the most part, but I’d say it’s most suitable for people new to website building and/or online marketing.
IMO, the Solo Build It website builder is nowhere near as powerful as WordPress, and I’ve also seen people stating they outgrew SBI and eventually made the change to WP.
- 70+ ways how to make money online (including easy options)
Does Ken Evoy have a good reputation?
For the most part, yes.
During my research of Ken Evoy and Solo Build It, I didn’t find a single bad word about the platform or its creator.
Ken’s company, SiteSell, has apparently been in business since 1999, and has helped many people build and grow their online businesses. (SiteSell is the parent company of Solo Build It.)
Ken also apparently had some notable entrepreneurial success before he started SiteSell…
Ken Evoy (born September 25, 1953) […] was one of Canada’s most productive toy makers in the 1990s. Evoy’s game design company (named Isovoy Inc. – a mix of his and his wife’s surnames) went on to create and license more than 20 toy creations between 1985 and 1998.
Solo Build It still receives regular updates to this day, which I found impressive. I’d even say it gets updated more often than some similar courses that have been released in recent years.
The only thing that’s giving me pause is the fact that Ken himself hasn’t appeared online in quite a while. My guess is that he’s transferred everything on to his team.
An update from the SBi customer support team after reading this review…
Ken is still involved at a high level, giving directions to the teams and attending weekly team meetings. He’s just not doing 100 hour work weeks anymore, which also meant reducing his appearances in the forums. Whenever an exciting new development happens (the most recent one being the integration of ChatGPT / GPT-3 functionality into SBI!), he becomes more visible in the forums.
Here’s a video from the Solo Build It YouTube channel so you can get a feel for their style…
Are Solo Build It students getting results?
Browse through the official Solo Build It websites and you’ll find no shortage of student testimonials.
For example…
The Solo Build It website has a dedicated customers page where you can find many more success stories like these two. I liked how they dug into specifics, such as exactly how SBI students make money and, in some cases, how much they made.
SBI also has a results page that lists many customer websites with impressive traffic rankings.
Unfortunately, it seems like most of these testimonials and websites are rather old, or at least the students first took the training a long time ago. Also, I didn’t manage to find any notable testimonials on other websites.
So while it’s clear that SBI has produced many successful students throughout its history, I’m not so sure it has done so in recent years 😕
An update from the SBi customer support team after reading this review…
Our approach is based on aiming for long-term success. The Content-Traffic-PreSell-Monetize approach we teach focuses on producing evergreen content. It enables our customers to attract a lot of organic search traffic — but it takes time.
If someone wants fast success, they may be better off with either becoming very active (and good!) on social media or pay for traffic.
How much does Solo Build It cost?
Solo Build it has two pricing options:
- The standard SBI costs $34.99 per month or $329.99 per year
- SBI for WordPress costs $19.99 per month or $169.99 per year.
Keep in mind that you’ll probably need a little extra money to spend on hosting, themes, and plugins for WordPress whereas there shouldn’t be any additional costs with the standard SBI course.
If you plan to do extensive keyword research with SBI’s kw research tool (Brainstorm It!), you will also have to spend a bit more money, as detailed here.
However, I’ve searched the SBI forums to see if any students complained about having to spend more money on their sites. I didn’t find much there, so it looks like the core cost of SBI is the main expense here.
Solo Build It Discount?
I’ve checked every likely place for a discount or coupon code, but have come back empty.
It looks like there’s no option but to pay the full price for access.
Refund Policy
The refund policy page for Solo Build It specifies a 90-day “no questions asked” money-back guarantee for the annual subscription. However, they will also give you a refund AFTER the initial 90 days, depending on the time of your refund request.
The official word…
Ask for your money back anytime… SiteSell will refund you 100% within the first 90 days of purchase of your annual subscription, and on a pro-rata basis after that
You can also request a refund for the first 3 months if you had a monthly subscription…
Ask for your money back within the first 90 days of your initial monthly purchase… SiteSell will refund you 100% (up to 3 months!).
I haven’t seen any reported issues with obtaining a refund during my research, so you can feel confident in this guarantee.
How is Solo Build It structured?
Here’s what the training looks like once you’re logged in…
The core training is broken up into 10 days, each of which seems to cover one aspect of running an online business. However, you should expect to take more than 10 days to work through all the lessons.
Each of these “days” has at least one video and a lot of text. Most videos tend to last over an hour, but I was delighted to see screencasts rather than PowerPoint-style slides.
Sadly, the training materials, just like the rest of Solo Build It, seem extremely disorganized. I got lost many times due to the long lessons, tools flying around, and the search function not always being readily available. I liked SBI’s search function, but it’s not always easy to find or access.
Solo Build It doesn’t just include training materials, though. Many people consider it a collection of tools, and for good reason. It has its own site builder, keyword research tool, a forum, and much more.
Despite it not being very tidy, the forum looks quite useful. There are lots of people in there, many of whom seem to regularly chime in to help their colleagues. What I found especially encouraging here is how many active members also happen to be long-time SBI users, having registered years ago.
Green Lights 🟢
A few things to like about Solo Build It…
- Most students seem to rate the course highly.
- Active and supportive private community.
- 90-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.
- The training is regularly updated.
- No shady marketing tactics.
Red Flags 🚩
A few things to be wary of regarding Solo Build It…
- Mostly intended for beginners.
- Core training is poorly organized
- Outdated, chaotic interface.
- Unclear if the platform still delivers results for newer members.
Other things you should know
- Solo Build It starts off with some fairly basic lessons on online business and site building, so I’d say it’s best suited for people new to both fronts.
- SiteSell’s course comes with plenty of bonus tools, as well as a good forum, but the interface makes them somewhat hard to find.
- I’ve often heard SBI spoken about as an alternative to Wealthy Affiliate. There are even rumors that the two companies had some legal battles in the past. Personally, I consider SBI to be a more realistic and down-to-earth platform that is more likely to help you build a successful website.
Should you join Solo Build It?
Solo Build It seems to be a solid investment if you’re specifically looking to start an online business by creating a website. However, you may not find much value here if you already have experience with site building and/or online business.
IMO, Solo Build It would be great if it was easier to navigate. Unfortunately, its interface looks like it hasn’t been updated in years.
Nevertheless, I generally recommend SBI for people who are new to online business and want to create a simple website that has a fair chance of earning good money.
Remember that it has that 90-day refund policy, so you can give it a good try before committing fully.
Solo Build It Alternatives
We’re on a mission to find the best “make money online” course, based on real student feedback and our extensive research.
Here’s our top 5…
🏆 Best Courses to Make Money Online 🏆
Your Thoughts on Solo Build It
- Have you taken this course yourself?
Add your rating so others can see if it’s worthwhile. - Do you have a question about this course?
Let us know below and we’ll try find the answer.
Student Reviews of Solo Build It
Validated Reviewer
4.0/5
Incredibly underrated education and tools
First off, I wouldn’t consider Solo Build It! a course. It’s more of a collection of tools, articles, and support to build a lasting online business.
The main Action Guide is sequential, but it’s not meant to be a stand-alone part of SBI! It’s just the foundation with numerous other parts to help you get started and continue to grow your business.
I’ve had my subscription since 2008 and it’s helped me learn tons about SEO, writing articles, and serving my visitors. And, they’ve only raised their rate once in all those years.
I don’t know of any other site builder that offers as much human touch and down-to-earth support as SBI! Where else does the CEO drop into the forums with expansive advice and support?
In an age of doubt and get-rich-quick marketing, SBI! remains an example of real education and integrity.
In 2023 SBI has added an AI tool that makes content creation easier and more efficient. There is a small charge after using the free credits, but it’s affordable and worth it.
My wish is that SBI updates its web designs. It’s far behind standard themes you can get for WordPress etc. But, the trade-off is worth the overall value you get.
Pros and Cons
- The forums are wonderfully supportive.
- The up-to-date articles help users navigate SEO, Google, and social media.
- The founder is the type of guy you want to hang out with.
- The design elements of BB2 are not as pretty as other site builders.
5.0/5
This reviewer has a business relationship with the course creator or a competitor. Not included in overall ratings. Learn more.
Great Way to Learn How to Create a Website Properly
I’ve been a student of SBi! since 2008. I try to follow their Action Guide and keep up with all the wonderful improvements to the software and course as it evolves. The course has allowed me to generate my own website/marketing business over the years. As of 2023, I created and still manage almost 30 active websites for small businesses all over North America.
Their teaching with the Action Guide keeps you focused on what you need to learn and practice. Honestly, I’ve never found another source for website building that comes even close to this. If you use the principles that SBi! teaches, you are almost guaranteed a spot on page one of search results – unless you are in a really competitive niche. Even then, you’ll still do very well.
Best of all, their foundation is always improving. Thanks, SBi!
Pros and Cons
- Teaching you the best practices for building a website
- Always consistent and positive
- Very affordable
- Too much "tweaking" sometimes
5.0/5
This reviewer has a business relationship with the course creator or a competitor. Not included in overall ratings. Learn more.
My Years with the Best Online Business Builder
I’ve been with SBi! since 2014 and I don’t regret one second!
For one, at an exceedingly reasonable price, you get all you need to get off the ground with a website that becomes your home business. The method devised takes you through “baby” steps to get started. It is as if you’re going through an education: from elementary school, high school, and then off to college. In the end, you will have a Master’s Degree in successfully producing a website home business.
Not only that, you go at your own pace. You have individual and group help every step of the way. You’re never on your own, even for those not very internet savvy.
I’ve used other systems before such as GoDaddy, Wix, WordPress, etc. when I worked in education/management. I was using them for students and those reporting to me. However, I would never even try to use their systems for what I’ve accomplished with SBi!
I particularly enjoy the individual assistance I get. And the regular training available, like the interactive challenges via the forums. Also, the forums are the most helpful thing I’ve ever seen. Just yesterday I asked an important question related to my newer site. I received 3 great answers and already acted on one of them.
I’m now producing my 3rd website. Two prior ones I was able to sell. One was exceedingly successful, and the other was fairly new and on its way, but I lost interest in both. That was why I sold them, and SBi! helped me do that.
SBi! provides all you need. I don’t believe there’s anything better. I love it!
Pros and Cons
- The step-by-step system to build your online business called the Action Guide (AG).
- Regular Zoom meetings, focusing on varied parts of the AG and you can ask anything.
- All inclusive pricing. It is automatically provided for all internet technicalities, even those difficult to understand.
- Honestly, I can't think of anything. I totally love it. Every part!
5.0/5
The Foundation of My Success
The course is structured as a ten-day course. Take your time, though. It took me nearly a month to do it properly, but I am so glad I did. Thanks to SBi!, I now have several successful websites like MiOMyItaly.com and ItalyMammaMia.com.
It still takes work but without their plan and direction, I would never have made it. I tried Wix and others before and though they may give you a great website, it doesn’t translate into online success.
Pros and Cons
- Laid the foundation for my success
- Taught me that building a website was not the same as building a successful online business
- Provided me with a comprehensive blueprint that I still use
- n/a
5.0/5
This reviewer has a business relationship with the course creator or a competitor. Not included in overall ratings. Learn more.
I started my first SBi! site in 2006 and it is still going strong
I knew nothing about website building when I first signed up. However, the help was amazing and before long I was up and running. The site I began then is still online and gets great traffic, often almost 2,000 visitors a day, which for a site about needlework is pretty impressive.
I was so impressed with the results that I also started new sites recently for my art endeavors and wildlife photography pursuits.
I was asked to join the SBi Support Team in 2008 and then moved to the Content Team in 2022. SiteSell is a lovely company to work for and looked wonderfully after me when I caught Covid last year.
I have no intention of moving my sites elsewhere. Solo Build It! has kept up with the growth of my original site as I progressed. Yes, it is ideal for beginners, but even after 17 years I am still a very happy customer and haven’t found anything I need missing.
Pros and Cons
- The help provided to get you started
- The long-term friendships I have made along the way
- The tools included within the overall package. It means I don't need to spend extra elsewhere.
- Anything that I didn't like has since been addressed by the developers.
5.0/5
A Great Opportunity
I was a complete newbie when joining SBi, so I had no experience whatsoever in building and developing a website. Initially, there is a lot of information to digest, but this is all put into an action guide in video and text form. You must follow and watch every aspect of it to give yourself any chance of success.
My first attempt was a travel website in the area where I live (the site is still live). This was more done to learn about how SBi worked and if it would be something I could master and make a living from full-time. I learned a lot from that first website, and it helped me get to grips with the platform and implement things explained in the action guide.
One of the most significant advantages I found as a beginner is that you simply need to pick a template for your website. Even with no actual knowledge, you can get a basic design and make some changes to it yourself (there are also members in the forums to help when you run into any trouble).
The same can be said for the security of your website. This is not something that you have to research and pay for yourself. All protection is included in the monthly/yearly subscription price. So you don’t have to worry about getting bugs on your site that could potentially cause you massive problems.
As I have developed over the years as a webmaster, I find myself barely visiting the forums or using some of the expertise that SBi offers. Also, I like to gather information from other sources, too. But if I have any issues or queries, the support team is extremely helpful and resolves any problems, which I find very helpful when running busy sites.
Pros and Cons
- It is well explained and contains videos and text for you to watch and read.
- The support from the team and the help and encouragement in the forums.
- Some useful tools that are helpful in determining your niche and choosing keywords.
- Hiring the pros can be expensive if there are specific things you want to apply, such as implementing new designs.
- There was a live chat option a couple of years back, but that seems to have been removed.
- Inaccurate traffic stats on the platform. Just remember to install Google Analytics and Google Search Console to avoid thinking you have good traffic when in reality, you might not.
4.0/5
This reviewer has a business relationship with the course creator or a competitor. Not included in overall ratings. Learn more.
My Experience with Solo Build It
As a paying customer of Solo Build It, I have had a positive experience with the course.
The step-by-step instruction and guidance provided in the course helped me to understand the process of building a successful online business. The tools and resources provided in the course were also very helpful in creating a professional-looking website and driving traffic to it.
I used the knowledge and skills I gained from Solo Build It to build a successful online business, Bingo Card Creator. With the help of the course, I was able to increase my website traffic by 50% within the first 6 months and revenue by 30% within the first year.
The course not only helped me to understand the process of building a successful online business but also provided the tools and resources to make it happen. However, it’s important to remember that the success of your online business depends on your own dedication and hard work.
Pros and Cons
- Great option for anyone looking to start an online business.
- Provides the tools and resources to help you succeed.
- Less practicality while learning.
5.0/5
This reviewer has a business relationship with the course creator or a competitor. Not included in overall ratings. Learn more.
Helps you to build a successful business
Some consider Solo Build It! a scam, but others claim that it is helpful to build a successful business. I believe it is an excellent platform that shows you how to become a solopreneur by offering you the training, the tools, and the community.
My first impression of Solo Build It! was that it is a legit course. It explained everything I needed to know in order to grow an online business. It guides the user on how to drive targeted traffic to the website and offers advanced tools and training that help to get free traffic.
This course’s training helps you build a profitable business, and it all comes from monetizing the site. The downsides are that the monthly fee is high and that they don’t offer a free trial.
Pros and Cons
- Helps to monetize business
- All important basics are included
- Easy to understand
- A bit expensive
- No free trial
- No direct access to the owner
