Well, after two years my business is finally considering advertising. I know banner advertising has become very ineffective with very low click through ratios. So, my question is what type of advertising do you all find effective? Right now I am open to any suggestions you may have.

Thanks!

My most effective way is word of mouth advertising followed by ads on newspaper

For us..it has definitely been word of mouth..and plain old repeat customers..they are satisfied and so they spread the word..plus get additional domains for themselves.
I have tried paid banner advertising and Im not against it but I would only rely on that to just get your name going!
Good Luck!

We do reasonably well with affiliate programs. ClickBank.com is one that works well for us.

Hard to say what is the best way to advertise. The best way is what works for you. Word of mouth is always the best, but if you really want to get new customers, the best way that we have grown our business was to ..

now hold on to your hat..


Go door to door! Yes, you heard me. Cold call. You would be amazed at what is in your area. We just concluded another cold calling campaign and in 2 weeks we have added 83 customers. All from cold calling. It works. Customers also like to know they have a local presence and a local contact.

Believe it or not, the small buisinesses don't know where to go to get a good deal on hosting. They will get hosting sometimes from their web designer, or a friend in the business, or even from those cards you get in snail mail. If you can offer them a great deal and a local contact, they will jump all over it.

Try it and let me know the results!

You know, what WeinBar said just above may sound a little flaky on first read, but he *really* has a good point, here.

A few years ago, spending a day just walking through the commerce districts of your area and talking to merchants and businesses about hosting might have reaped little more than blank stares and incomprehension.

Now? Anyone who isn't on the 'Net really wants to get there, quick -- as most businesses, even small ones, are realizing that a 'Net presence is as important, or more important, than their telephone.

Yet most are either completely stymied by how to get there, or else at a loss concerning whom to choose amongst thousands of hosts.

Personal contact with a real person who can provide real help -- and this comes from recent real experience -- is apt to earn you some very real benefits.