We're just gettin started up and we were wondering if some of the more experienced guys would recommend some sucessful and cost effective ways to start building a customer base. Thanks a lot:D

Most Effective: Word-of-Mouth

Can not stress that enough. It will get you customers ;)
Ohh, and dedication to what you do :cool:

Hope that helps,
-hostriot.com

Must agree with HostRiot. The next obvious question though is how do I get that first batch of customers to spread the word. I'm sure that the effectiveness of different strategies will vary from host to host, but here are some things to consider.

1. Submit your host to all major search engines that you can for free. (I know most are not free anymore, but some are and for the little time it takes it's worth it.)

2. Offer free or discounted web hosting to related sites with a good deal of traffic, in exchange for an advertisement on their page. Webmaster, script sites, technology related sites are all good options. Consider this; how many sites can you host on a $200 leased server, and how many impressions will that create for your site? Compare that to the same $200 that will get you listed once in most host directories.

3. Post meaningful comments in related forums, and have a signature that references your site. Many folks are looking for hosts that give a more personal touch, and your involement in the industry via forums etc, will show that you are that kind of host.

4. Submit your site to all host directories that have a free submission, including all of your packages. Each package you submit, gives you one more chance for someone to see your site. (While you are at it, be sure to inquire about advertising rates with the directories and their traffic levels so you can compare later.

5. Consider paying the one time fee to get listed in some of the other search engines. It's not so much that any individual search engine will make you rich, but being listed in a combination of search engines will increase your postion in most.

6. Pick a couple different paid advertising spots if your budget allows. Most directories are saturated with host advertisements, so don't expect them to be your bread and butter, but it will help get started. Don't be afraid to ask them if they can work out a discount on the first month to help you see what to expect... many are more than happt to work with you.

7. Look into offering an affiliate program. I prefer to use one of the third party affiliate programs, because it extends beyond just the folks that view our site. Consider whether PPC, CPM, etc, is best for you, and set a budget to spend and see where it goes from there.

8. Make sure your site is finished and ready before you begin the advertising. It will be much more effective if your visitors see a finished product when they see your site. Under Construction pages etc, create a sense of unprofessionalism...

9. Treat every customer like they are your only customer. Check with them periodically to see how things are going. You will be amazed at what impact that will have. When they have been with you a while, ask them if they would mind filling out a review at one of the directories.

10. Use press releases, but only when appropriate. Press releases should not be used just to get your name out there in more places, but to let everyone know about key events (i.e. Just opened, added new service, acquired company, reached milestone,etc. ) Do some reasearch on format. Most directories have a place to submit press releases, and there are also services to submit it to many places.

I'm sure there are more, but this should keep you busy for a while. Good luck with everything. Let us know how it goes.

^^ nice be-hosted :stickout:

-hostriot.com

Loca advertising also helps big time. Usually can carry you through rough times.

wow, thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate all the input. :) :)

9. Treat every customer like they are your only customer.....

[siggggh]

agree .. you do but try not lose your mind if they keep insulting you :bawling:

if you have website-making abilities, you may want to consider contacting some local small businesses and explain your situation and offer that you will make their website for an extremely reasonable rate if they will host it for you, or even for free if you can tastefully place a link to your hosting site on it. At least 50% of your business will probably come from referrals, so even giving two websites away should at least bring you one extra hosting account if you treat them right, and you'll be getting the hosting for all three then.

be-hosted, that was a nice post.

anybody had any luck with banner ads?

Not really. Banners are usually for branding so the conversion to sales will not be very high.

Originally posted by CDXSolutions
anybody had any luck with banner ads?

Originally posted by RFhost
Not really. Banners are usually for branding so the conversion to sales will not be very high.



yup yup, banners help with brand recognition and market penetration. They work best when in concert with other marketing techniques.

Banners can get you sales, it all depends on where you have them placed. You'd have the best luck with webmaster related or web hosting directories .

Could someone elaborate a bit more on what be-hosted meant with #2, im a bit confused :eek:
thanks guys :)

be-hosted meant that you will pay $200 for X amount of impressions at someone else's site.

If you spent (opportunity cost) $200 in free hosting, you would get Y amount of impressions. Y being equal to the number of free accounts times the average number of viewers to each free account. PLUS you get the added bonus of direct referrals/conversions from your free-hosted accounts.

Not counting referrals/conversions, figure out if Y is greater than X and that will tell you which is the better deal.

Exactly. Number 2 essentially boils down to hosting sites for free in exchange for them placing a banner or link to your site. The $200 was just an illustration to show that you could buy a server that is dedicated to nothing but free accounts for about the same cost that you would pay to list yourself in some directories. (Keep in mind though that this doesen't include the cost of maintaining the sites)

We tend to do this a lot with smaller technology related or non-profit type sites, and it has worked well both from the impressions it generates, and for the word of mouth advertising that the customers generate.

ah gotcha ;) , thanks guys

Selling through large affiliate networks like CJ.com can build your sales and traffic up very very fast ... but the startup costs can be prohibitive unless you got a good budget to spare.