HostSearch.com just added a "bidding system" to every host manager. That is, we can now bid on our index ranking.

I've started out with $100 (bid at $42 CPM) and I've noticed an excellent ROI. I'm noticing as high as 20% click through rate. I'm pretty surprised.

Also, we ask where our new customers heard of us. Most leave it blank. But, I've had 6 new signups tell me HostSearch - wonder how many more that just didn't say.

Anyone else have any experience with this? Are there any other index sites doing this and, if so, have you tried them? Click thru rate?

--Tina

I've started out with $100 (bid at $42 CPM) and I've noticed an excellent ROI.

Keep it then!! We had a high bid, had good results, and lost it (forgot to add money - funny how that works). From what we found, you can only fill one price. So only you have the $42 bid.

Now we have a smaller monetary bid with not so good returns. :bawling:

Actually, you can bid higher. I just raised mine. What you CAN'T do, is bid the same as someone else.

--Tina

Yes, I was one of the first to sign up. I got to test how it was to be on top by just paying the membership fee; but I`ve only got one highly priced plan so I get very few impressions. Though I`ve got a click through of 300% :) only 7 have seen the add so I`m not going to add money. Very good idea though, I think hostsearch is supperior to all other hostdirectories I`ve seen.

I signed up 20 min after they sent me the e-mail it was online.. I liked it but only being able to big on one price kind of sucks..

I like findahost.com a little better you kind of pay for what you get really there in away.. They charge for clicks now impressions so you could have 10000 impressions but only one click and only cost you for the 2 clicks..

I think it could go ether way.. If i see a good spot open at hostsearch i may add some mroe $$$ but just being a member bumps you up any way.. :)


But hey don't tell every one then we just get bumped back the more that signup... STOP don't tell any one else.. HEHE :D

Also look at the # 1 bid kind of high..
1 $80.00 Global Internet Solutions - 1 (888) 797-BEST (2378)

I am not sure i would want to pay that. :)

I think that they should offer it as a bonus for packages over a certain amount... that's what we do anyway... top listing for orders over $500. (reply to AffordableHost)

I mean, I understand the need in revenues, but come on... you can't charge hosting companies for every single feature... or can I? hmm...


Cheers

Anyone else agree?

I think that those sites are a complete sham preying on the new webmasters who don't know that they are rigged. It's pointless to even go there - the top listings are those who paid for it, not those who deserve it.

Originally posted by tubedogg
I think that those sites are a complete sham preying on the new webmasters who don't know that they are rigged. It's pointless to even go there - the top listings are those who paid for it, not those who deserve it.

How do you define deserve it? Surely if several companies have the same matching search criteria then paying for the top slots isnt really that much of an issue. Isnt it just a marketing excercise?

I disagree, there are always the reviews you can count on, and I think that Hostsearch.com allow only reviews from current customers, so it's reliable.

And you could always click on sort by rating.

Originally posted by logus
I disagree, there are always the reviews you can count on, and I think that Hostsearch.com allow only reviews from current customers, so it's reliable.

And you could always click on sort by rating.

I agree with you Lonny, I was only referring to search engine results. As you say thats only part of the story. Reviews and awards help consumers narrow down their searches even further.

To get listed no. 1 now costs $131. I tried to keep in the top but this is too much. So it is better to save some money until the race slows down.

Ahmed

Originally posted by steve93138
Anyone else agree?


YeP! i agree.
Try promoting your hosting business at family reunions/partys, at school, friends,neighbors, your dads friends..i'm sure they can't say No. I dunno 'bout you but it works for me :)

Disagree, word of mouth is good as a start, but if you want to grow certain type advertising is required.

This new bidding system is pretty innovative. They make it so you can't bid higher than the other, so it could go on up and up forever. I saw Indotek 's bid of $1000 /CPM, i came to the site and talked to the guy, "ARE YOU CRAZY, that's $1 PER IMPRESSION". I think this new thingy gives some unheard companies some exposure. Ussually the ads on hostsearch requires some contract right? The system is not fair but it's fairer than dirs like findsp.com and webhostingdir which is fairly new. It's going to be interesting to see every body a couple weeks from now on the bidding system. So far I had some sales from hostsearch. Beware those clickthroughs might be other hosts like myself checking you guys out.

Quoc Le
http://php.vobus.com

well not sure if it is fairer..
we give it as a bonus to our advertisers, and if someone wants to be on the top he has to pay a certain amount...

but going up to $1000 CPM... don't think it will ever happen... BTW I have a question.. those who are paying these high CPMs actually getting results?

Originally posted by logus
well not sure if it is fairer..
we give it as a bonus to our advertisers, and if someone wants to be on the top he has to pay a certain amount...

but going up to $1000 CPM... don't think it will ever happen... BTW I have a question.. those who are paying these high CPMs actually getting results?

I'm paying more, at HostSearch, than I EVER thought I'd be willing to pay for CPM. But, it's working unbelievably well. Our Click through is about 20% and orders, through HostSearch, are WAYYY up. :)

--Tina

It will go up even more :nuts:...its going to be at $2000/CPM before the end of next week. I really don't think you can get anything else out of there except exposure of your company. Forget about revenue :D

what kind of revenues you think hostsearch.com are getting?

:)

Originally posted by AffordableHost


I'm paying more, at HostSearch, than I EVER thought I'd be willing to pay for CPM. But, it's working unbelievably well. Our Click through is about 20% and orders, through HostSearch, are WAYYY up. :)

--Tina
Are you 100% sure about this? :eek:

We have been at or near the number one position for several days and we actually *tracked* 8 unique visitors per day out of about 375 Impressions per day. We got 0 orders.

Sure, the click through ratio ain't too bad and if we spent $500 a week to get a #1 position we could probably get a customer or 3 per week, but if you look at this from a math standpoint, I think you'll agree that it's a pretty scary proposition.

Oh and by the way, when we were lower than #1, we did in fact get less click throughs!

Originally posted by Quoc


I saw Indotek 's bid of $1000 /CPM, i came to the site and talked to the guy, "ARE YOU CRAZY, that's $1 PER IMPRESSION".
There were definitely some wars going on between us and some other bidders. It was funny to see us get to the top and then be outbidded by a dollar. So I wanted to rattle the cage a bit and went up to $1000 CPM for a few minutes and lost a dollar or two. :D

While it was kinda funny to see top listings change by the minute and various top bidders duke-ing it out, I just had to find out for myself if a prominent HostSearch listing was really worth it and while it may be good for some companies, I'm gonna forget them for a good long while and explore better avenues.

Top bidders at HostSearch.com ----> :argue:

Originally posted by steve93138

Are you 100% sure about this? :eek:

We have been at or near the number one position for several days and we actually tracked 8 unique visitors per day out of about 375 Impressions per day. We got 0 orders. We have found better luck elsewhere.



We're doing MUCH better than that (a bit more than 15% now and several orders per day via HostSearch). I think it's because we have sort of a niche in what we offer.

--Tina

Steve,

You support page kills me.
http://www.indotek.com/php/secure/ask-expert.php

This is so true for so many host. lol

Tina, I was going to check out this "niche" you have, but your site is down.

06/23/01 19:53:11 ping http://www.AffordableHost.com
Ping http://www.AffordableHost.com (64.23.37.14) ...
1 failed
2 failed
3 Addr:64.23.37.14, RTT: 436ms, TTL: 245
4 failed
5 failed

UmBillyCord : I want to punch that kid.

this is becoming like a webhosting guild. hehe...


Do we have a niche ? http://www.aresnetwork.com


-- Quoc Le

Do we have a niche

Who knows? If it works for you and your customers that is all that matters.

With AffordableHost, I wanted to see why they did so well with sign ups verses what steve93138 said his results were. It is good to learn from what works and what doesn't. :D