I’ve always been the type of person who believes that you can, at least 99% of the time, find a free alternative to everything. Specifically when it comes to software there is usually someone who spent the time to come up with some similar free software that does what you want it to do.
Awhile back I remember reading a lot of talk about something called BANS (build a niche store). Here is an excerpt from their site:
BANS (Build A Niche Store) is a website builder which enables you to create a network of traffic pulling, money making niche websites focused around the eBay affiliate opportunity.
And it looks like the software costs $97.00. I was moderately interested in the software but not enough to actual go and purchase it. The concept seemed so simple that I could have created something similar if I wanted.
However, after looking over at WF today, I saw a post about something called McJiffy.
McJiffy EASy is an open source project for quickly creating dynamic storefronts for the eBay affiliate program. Sites made with EASy can either be used as stand alone websites or included within an existing website.
What does it cost?- Nothing! After all, you can’t beat free…
So you see, most times you can find a free alternative to most programs. And if you can’t then maybe you aren’t searching hard enough…
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Good thing you didn’t avail the first one and you did wait for some time. And now you have found a free alternative with almost same features. As I read your article, it reminds me of my dad that always find “something FREE” as he search the net for an alternative for “something with FEE”.
Just in time! I was dreading paying for BANS or coding myself… thanks!
Free is always better but the thing is that when it comes to making money I think that it doesnt hurt to spend some to make some more. I recently tested a script that will do everything BANS does, everything wordpress does (including ping) but at once. It takes me less than a minute to set up a site and have it populated with content, ebay ads, yahoo images, twitter feeds and more. This script is the most powerful I have seen. New domains get indexed right away and rank well for longtail keywords. As a result it makes money almost instantly. I have written a review. You can check it out here.