Hi,

I am curious to know what you "web hosting" customers would feel and think if a hosting company mailed you a thank you card once you placed your order (personally signed)? Lets already say that you will be thrilled with the service and no problems there. Would getting a thank you card make it even that better, get you to talk to your friends, shows you that the company really cares, etc?

Or do you think it would just be a waste of time and money for the hosting company to do all of that, as it wouldn't have any affect on you?

Thanks
Curtis Stevens

Think one in the mail (snail mail) that might impress me though :) but not an e-card ;)

Hi,

Sounds like a nice idea, although possibly a little expensive.

I think it will make your company look caring and proactive although may bring little in the way of return.

Yes, snail mail.

Found a really good one for 90 cents, so it would be about $1.27 after postage?

Curtis

One time a few years back, a host sent me a welcome package with post-it's, m&m's and a mousepad. Just for signing up and trying (and cancelling a few days later since I wasn't happy) a reseller account with them.

The thought was nice, but it did not help with retention and wouldn't have if I got the package before I cancelled

I think it would be better to send cards at Christmas, New Years, etc...

What if customers aren't satisfied, and sending them a card wouldn't change anything, then they'd cancel and you would've lost a bit of cash. Some might think of it as a kind gesture though.

Even if service was great, receiving a thank you card wouldn't mean much to me. If I thought your service would work well for others, I'd refer them to your company, regardless of receiving a card in the mail or not.

One thing to consider is what yourself do with cards that are sent to you from other businesses. I personally toss them in the trash with the junk mail as that's what they look like to me :( Others may be impressed....

From a marketing standpoint I relate it to a pay-per-click program. It may take quite a few clicks to turn one into a sale. If however, it pleases a satisfactory number of people (which only needs to be one or two) then it may be worth it. If not, then it may be money better spent on obtaining new clients or offering more in the way of services to existing clients.

Something even more personal may be better received such as an actual letter that discusses the client's actual services for their specific web site. "Hi so&so, I noticed your web site is about such&such. Did you know that this&that is a great way to enhance the delivery of such&such? I just wanted to remind you we also have great these&those and if at any time you have questions about this&that don't hesitate to contact me here&there."

:smokin: But actually the customer will be paying for the card themselves.
Because the cost will be passed on to the customer.
I have to agree with Deb, most would just toss it in the trash with the rest of the junk mail.

Most get enough mail as it is :rolleyes:

What about Christmas cards?

Originally posted by Curtis Stevens
What about Christmas cards?

:smokin: All customers are not of the Christian religion.

Include a Religion field for customers, then :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Blak n Wite
Include a Religion field for customers, then :rolleyes:

:laugh:

There are non-denominational ways to spread holiday cheer while not stepping on deep-rooted belief systems.

Though we may call it 'Christmas Break' when school lets out it's actually the "Winter Break"

Though you may want to send a "Christmas Card" a "Winter Season" card can be just as nice and helps to avoid conflict by showing you do respect the beliefs of many.

The next problem is ... even if you're snowed in, your client may be sunbathing on the beach :P Ahh the joys of breaking international boundaries ;)

i actually do send a personalized thank you card from time to time, the last bunch cost me just under $25 for about 100 clients, not including the postage (it's only i think about $0.23 if you send a postcard), and I don't take it as a business expense, I paid it out of my own pocket so that my customers would not end up paying for it...:D

We used to send Thank You cards and Christmas cards. We never got comments on them, and instead, all we got was a sore hand in the end. Christmas cards are especially difficult because they all go out in a short amount of time. Thank You cards you can send out as the orders come in, making much easier to deal with.

:cool:
George

Well we always give most of our customers a couple of free pens and mugs, however, we only gotten a few thank you here and there.. But a few is better than none.

MERRY NON RELIGIOUS WAY OF SPREADING CHEER AND GOODWILL just don't have the pep of "Merry Christmas!" but maybe it doesn't offend anyone.

There is 1 host i know of that send out welcome notes/letters through the post and i think it's pretty good.

:cool: Yes, I send out Holiday cards. I personally sign them all myself.

I feel comfortable with this because my hosting service is personal -- I have chatted with each of my clients online and spoken to the rest by phone. I think of them as "people" not as clients. And two of them are Christian sites. So I guess a Christmas card just "feels right."

*shrug* I think it's a personal decision. Right now I'll be sending about 10 cards as it stands. If the client base continues to grow at the current rate or business changes direction, I might have to re-think that in a couple of years. We'll see.

Just my personal $.02

:D Bailey

Thanks everyone for your input. They have really helped me make my decision.

Curtis