Hey... I'm wondering if someone would be kind enough to help me with some ideas. I've setup a new server in which I will be providing shared hosting. I would like to get some ideas on getting traffic to my site. I've looked into adwords but it seems that you have to bid quite high to even rank in the top 10 advertisers.

What suggestions would you have for a new webhost that is interested in growing a business with a solid clientele. I'm not really interested in trying to get anyone and everyone. I'm more interested in building a loyal client base.

Any suggestions/help would be appreciated.

This should have been done even prior to setting up the server...

Why would I advertise a business that isn't running yet. If someone was looking for service, then I wouldn't have been able to service them. Or am I misunderstanding what you are saying?

Either way, I'm in the position now that I have to start generating traffic, and I would appreciate any suggestions that anyone can offer.

What I think sinohosting was trying to say was that before you purchased a server, you needed to come up with a business plan and in the business plan you identify your target market and how you plan on attracting those customers (advertising/promos/plans/etc).

I don't know, but by your post, it seems you skipped that part.

No... Either way, I was getting a server. I have quite a few websites that I run for myself and my family. So, I was planning on getting one anyway. No I would like to make it profitable.

I must admit, I under-estimated the adwords thing. I have had success with it for other businesses and I assumed that it would be the same. However, it seems to be quite a bit more costly to place.

I'm just trying to get some ideas of where people might consider a good place to start... If they're willing to share that kind of info.

Rest assured... I didn't completely skip that part, just didn't plan enough for contingencies. As far as I'm concerned though, I'm going to make it work, one way or another.

Walk a mile in your target client's shoes, and advertise along their daily path. You should be targeting a specific niche with the way the hosting market is these days (flooded) unless you have the deep enough pockets not to (and even then it seems like a waste). Imagine you are your target customer and advertise where they would frequent on the internet. Tailor your plans to things they would want. Tailor your design to what they would find appealing.

When you're not trying to advertise to the general public it gets quite a bit cheaper.

Why would I advertise a business that isn't running yet. If someone was looking for service, then I wouldn't have been able to service them. Or am I misunderstanding what you are saying?

Either way, I'm in the position now that I have to start generating traffic, and I would appreciate any suggestions that anyone can offer.

No, what I meant was you should have had a marketing plan in place prior to purchasing your server, since this is a major fixed expenditure, so making sure you are profitable as soon as possible is quite important. This is not like a multi-account shared hosting plan or a reseller account which is not that expensive.