I have a question for all of you who say word of mouth is the best.
Are the people who bring in accounts people who host business sites or personal sites with you?

Most of my clients are hosting their personal sites and i want to know how to get more customers, as most of these people are unlikely to know that many people who are looking for hosting.

Originally posted by tazd9t9
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Are the people who bring in accounts people who host business sites or personal sites with you?

. . . . . Yes. :) Both.

As far as people with personal sites not knowing other people needing hosting goes; they may not . . . . today.
But, when someone asks them where their site is hosted; or who they should get to host the site they've been thinking about, it'll be you they recommend if you've been taking good care of them.

Originally posted by tazd9t9
Most of my clients are hosting their personal sites and i want to know how to get more customers, as most of these people are unlikely to know that many people who are looking for hosting. I don't agree that people who are just running personal sites wouldn't be a good source of referrals. Those are people who talk to their friends about the websites they're running... and in those conversations their friends often say "yeah, I've been meaning to do a website too..." Or, you'll find your personal-site clients might have friends who don't know how to set up a site, and the friend -- your client -- will do it for them, and so is likely to host it at the same place.

Many times, in fact, the individual or hobbyist user is a better source of referrals than business users are. Businesses are more likely to have other alliances and partnerships already existing.

Originally posted by JayC
I don't agree that people who are just running personal sites wouldn't be a good source of referrals. Those are people who talk to their friends about the websites they're running... and in those conversations their friends often say "yeah, I've been meaning to do a website too..." Or, you'll find your personal-site clients might have friends who don't know how to set up a site, and the friend -- your client -- will do it for them, and so is likely to host it at the same place.


Completely agreed. Personal/hobby sites are as good, if not better, a source for word-of-mouth referrals.

sorry i wasnt saying that they are no good, i was just thinking that maybe businesses would be better as they may know more people with sites, but i guess you are right about the personal sites :)

Also hosting comunity sites for free, and placing a big fat link, gets some clients through the door ;)