Ok, here's a general question i haven't seen answered:

I'm starting a new colocation facility (small in comparison to anything around here, but no small investement obviously) based on cogent bandwidth, and a few other carriers to start.

We are offering dedicated servers and colocation services with tolerances of midtowers also, but I find myself wondering this: When I read the threads on people offering dedicated servers and them saying "we sold 12 yesterday" I sit back and ask myself "chee, thats a lot.... I wonder where else he sold". If you have decent pricing, where are other good places to advertise?

I realise this forum is a good start, but it's like IRC, theres such a broad audience that when you post, there will always be an extremely well educated audience, who know every low price, most other providers, and who beats your offer, etc. Where are other good places to advertise? I'm not saying that my corporation can't beat other peoples offers, but this is the internet age, and no matter what, theres always someone out there that will have a better deal then you do.

Anyone care to give me some tips on other potential markets so that I may be as prepared as possible for our launch date?

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Thanks guys =)

That's not a bad price at all really.

Hell try Ebay to start, it'll cost you like 10 bucks to post a handful of auctions. Warning: supply NO LINKS to your site (they keep yanking my auctions for that so I finally removed any and all links).

Where you located? A bit of local advertising could be in order. I know if I saw someone advertising your prices anywhere within a hundred miles of me I'd already be signing up.

I don't think you'll have any trouble getting rid of those. :D

-Dan

The faciilty is located in Miami Florida, but support staff are located all over north america (on per ticket basis) as should be expected with this type of business.

Thanks for the e-bay idea dixie, it's not too shabby, but why can't you link to your own page (just curious)? Also, i considered local advertising, but it didn't seem to be a good idea for bang for my buck (except im really considering decals for my own cars, i dont know how well those work though, like a back window one). I will be posting sometime soon for presales for people to reserve their spots so we know how many systems to assemble to start, and I really appreciate the kind input *wipes away a tear*.

Thanks guys, keep it coming please :)

Advertise in Magazines just like WorldCom, ATT, Dialtone, and the rest.

I heard that webhostingtalk.com gets a good number of people that might want your services... As long as you offer

*Unlimited Bandwidth
*Unlimited Storage
*24/7 Email support :bawling:
*Etc...

Heh, synergy I think thats a *tad* out of my budget, major magazines aren't cheap to get advertising space in, i'm looking for the "cheaper" and most effective advertising methods for my money.

And studio, hahaha, i've been considering webhostingtalk.com too, i like the banners they already cycle, it would fit in well (all current banners are good tastefull, etc.).

Every think of your local Chamber of Commerence? Sure there is a low fee but you are gaining access to a group of business people that has the potential to spread your service.

I have not used the Chamber for web related business but have used them for other businesses and I was very pleasently surprised and happy of the amount of buisness that I got from going to their little social events.

Have you tried advertising on hosting portals and directories?

Will consider it loony and dollac, anyone else with more ideas? This is making a good list :)

Hi all, I too have just set up a hosting company and am on a small budget......I am not doing dedicated servers, i sell space ona virtual server so its ideal for newbies or small companies, i host a few small companies sites.....I know that word of mouth is the best idea but i need to find customers and cant afford to advertise on big sites or in magazines. I am also a webdesigner so most people who pass my name on do it because they want a website but i am trying to break away into hosting........any ideas?

Local advertising is a good idea, asking friends, family and neighbours if they know anyone wanting your services is also a good idea - you never know what you may find out. We have some big corporate sites through me living next door to the right person.

Originally posted by Lonny
Have you tried advertising on hosting portals and directories?

I second this motion :)

Can anyone make, or reference a list of related portals and directories? I only know of 3-4 ones, and none of which are very big or widely used AFAIK.

http://webhostmagazine.com/wf/whfinders.asp

What a one of our more recent customers did was go through everyone on that list and get a small test with each of those companies. Then when the tests are done, decide who to stay with.

Just a short tip when advertising on hosting directories, just because someone offers a lot for a small price doesn't mean you'll get good results for it.

Ask about previous campaign on the site, CTR, traffic etc.


Good luck

Hi does anyone know any good UK direcotries, i dont want to have to advertise my sites packages in USD i like them in £ sterling as i only offer my hosting in the UK anyway

tophosts.com and hostsearch.com have UK sections