Hey,
I was just wondering if being a premium member on WHT will gain you more customers and interest when posting in the advertising forum? Is it worth the money?

Think of it as supporting WHT. Don't look at it like you are or you'll be letdown. It's not going to improve much...

It's like anything else: it can be an asset if used correctly.

I defintely consider Premium Membership to be more beneficial to WHT/iNET than the member paying for the membership.

However, if you use WHT alot, then it could benefit you in the long run (make contacts etc.)

It's just cool to have the feeling of "premium" don't you think? Well I think it's useful and other members will see your post coming from "someone real" instead of some anonymous nobody which nobody knows the intention of being in WHT... well it's cool, I've done it once but gota save money for the kids you know ;) So I gave it up and just do my best to reach a gazillion post to be a community guide here ;)

We have just signed up.. I look forward to benefit from it.

I am still not persuaded whether or not I should. I would love to support WHT but think that they ask alot, considering they get paid for advertising anyway.

I am still not persuaded whether or not I should. I would love to support WHT but think that they ask alot, considering they get paid for advertising anyway.

You think $4.17 a month ~ $50 a year is a lot to give back? WHT and the people here can help with any issue you will ever have! Yes they get paid for advertising but a forum this big takes a lot of time, work, and hardware to run.

As others have said it can be helpful if used correctly, and it is great for making contacts in the hosting industry.

After at least one or two "companies" sprang for "Corporate" membership on WHT then promptly went under before those memberships even expired, I think any trust/legitimacy benefits gained from such memberships have pretty well been eroded.

I think it's a good deal from the extra features you get, and I'll probably do it sooner or later - but I don't think it'll help you gain more interest or customers at all. :(

By itself I doubt that the Premium/Corporate badge has a significant impact, if any. A helpful post will always have a much bigger weight than a badge. ;)

Blue is for cool people :cool:

I am not so sure it really affects how people look at you, however, considering the bulk of our business comes from WHT, the $50 price is worth it.

Lol so many mixed opinions, cant make my mine up. I suppose I need to put my hand in my pocket and go for it to see for myself.

I opt'd for the Premium membership when I first joined solely to support WHT (the tee shirt didn't hurt - still wearing it). :D

Ha lol I must have missed that when looking over whats included.

It will certainly give you an edge over your competitors. It also promotes a sense of trust to your customers. That reminds me, I need to renew. :)

Premium badge certainly gives a professional feel, but I feel join date and the post count proves how long you have been in business and how agressive you are in business ;).

Ha lol I must have missed that when looking over whats included.
Actually the T-Shirt has been discontinued now. :wht:

Premium badge certainly gives a professional feel, but I feel join date and the post count proves how long you have been in business and how agressive you are in business ;).+1 :agree:

With what I have learned from the people here, and the enjoyment I get from learning and reading the posts, I feel it is worth it for that alone. Anything else is a bonus. And I must be the smallest host here. At least for now :)

Actually the T-Shirt has been discontinued now. :wht:

Lol thats no good, I really wanted that t-shirt :)

It helps identify you as a potential mark :).

For people talking about supporting WHT, posting supports WHT. Buying memberships does not. Buying something, merely to support for profit (and at that, apparently very profitable companies) is a bit of a joke, unless you have some sort of invested interest there.

Interesting thought, but it actually DOES support WHT also, as well as posting. And I believe there are some, albeit "lite" benefits as per number of PM's and the like, so in that way, one is actually purchasing a product/service. And that DOES support the company in question, for sure. I think personally they should redesign the "badge" to make is look cooler :)

It must help your trust and credibility

I used to be a premium member and have seen it does slightly make you look different among other. But your hosting service depends on the reputation and the performance.

I have just joined WHT and was looking at the memberships .I am planing to start a new web hosting company.I can afford the premium membership.But corporate membership is a bit beyond my reach for $ 1200/year .can a web host be a premium member or he needs to sign up for a corporate membership

I am currently looking into buying premium membership. I don't think it will have that much effect on your business. Perhaps a little but not enough to write home about.

If you are considering buying the membership; Buy it for the right reasons. It is to give something back to the community that helps so much.

I certainly wouldn't choose a host just because he/she is a Premium member. There have been hosting fiascos with Premium members just the same as regular members.

can a web host be a premium member or he needs to sign up for a corporate membership

Anyone can purchase premium or corporate memberships.

I am currently looking into buying premium membership. I don't think it will have that much effect on your business. Perhaps a little but not enough to write home about.

If you are considering buying the membership; Buy it for the right reasons. It is to give something back to the community that helps so much.

I would like to know how buying a membership does give back to the community. Perhaps this has been stated somewhere, how the funds are actually used.

The mods work for free. The site has to be hosted for free, if inet is paying rackspace to have it hosted, especially after the hack they couldn't possibly be in business.

I don't think the member badges encourage any purchases. I don't even think i'll be renewing mine. Don't like the special treatment the corps are getting and all these interactive banners.

If WHT is going to continue to rake in all the money from corp and premiums they need to reduce the amount of ads paying members see.

I know it'll be said inet pays for it's site hosting, but that's silly. Any webhost would host it for free to get the plug. Even if I seen an invoice for it im sure when people click that rackspace banner inet gets something so if anything it's paid for with referrals.

James Paul Woods - agree with your there
I used to be a premium member and i didn't renew it any more - still here still see the ads -
its a good place to be!!!