Hi. I am running a dedicated server and I would like to use it to host other peoples websites. My problem is, I do not have any clue where to start as far as getting my name out and getting people on my service. I was thinking on working on getting local people before I go to the net. I do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on banners and advertisement but I want some way to get my name out. I was also thinking of going to local business and showing them why they need a website. Do you have any ideas on how I can do this? What is the best method? How do you do it?
Thank you very much for your help.

Advertise helps.

buy a marketing book
you have no other choice
customers wont fall on your lap

Your best customers in the beginning will be local ones. They will help you get your business processes straight and they know you so they can trust you. Once you have all of them happy, then you can move on to the net. But getting customers from the net is very hard to do. I would focus on local customers first and treat them good, then ask them for referrals, it can grow quite exponentially that way. Build your business off of great customer service and of course good hosting. :)

FYI... our business has pretty much no local grounds. :) We looked outside our local area first. We're only now getting a few local customers. We actually expect to do a lot more local customers because we're moving our sales to a new city. :)

We'll see, but just an FYI. You don't HAVE to start out local.


Originally posted by smartbackups
Your best customers in the beginning will be local ones. They will help you get your business processes straight and they know you so they can trust you. Once you have all of them happy, then you can move on to the net. But getting customers from the net is very hard to do. I would focus on local customers first and treat them good, then ask them for referrals, it can grow quite exponentially that way. Build your business off of great customer service and of course good hosting. :)

Concentrate on your local market.

Join the local chamber of commerce and attend networking meetings and events.
Offer your services for free to local charity or civic group.
Create and Host the web site for your childrens baseball/soccer etc. team.

Buil a site and submit it to hosting directories - there are tons of them, it should get you started, once you'll get some clients do some showcase advertising, and then.. well, when you'll get there let me know :)

Originally posted by FindSP.Com
Buil a site and submit it to hosting directories - there are tons of them, it should get you started, once you'll get some clients do some showcase advertising, and then.. well, when you'll get there let me know :)

Any special prices for a webhosting startup like me? :D :D

Thank you all for your suggestions. If there was a business that needed a website, should I go to the business, or should the business come to me? How do I ask them? Thank you very much.

remarkable:
You have some good ideas, I like them and I will try them out.

FindSP.Com:
I have submitted my company to a few host directories, the one that seem the largest. So far, it does not seem it has helped any yet.

IntraHost:
How did you start out? It seems to me that starting local would be the best way, just because people know and trust you. Starting local would probably be the best for me because I do not have the money to promote my site online.

If there was a business that needed a website, should I go to the business, or should the business come to me? How do I ask them?


Since you are new, you have to approach them. Before that, prepare a plan and study the businesses you're going to approach. Look at the market their business is in. Create a presentation that will tell them how having an online presence will benefit their business.

I'm also in a similar position as you. In addition to the great ideas provided by other posters, I'd also pass the word around to friends and family that you're now in the webhosting business. Friends will tell their friends, and so on. My business have not started yet but I've already got several jobs waiting, thanks to my friends who have helped spread the word.

Good luck! :)