Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Overboard? Hostgator goes a bit too far

[hostgator.com]

The google search is only showed on 404 pages, and it only takes a few seconds for a customer to upload there own to replace our default one. If a customer isn't sure how to do their own we are happy to do it for them.

Resellers and there customers do not get the hostgator mention nor would we ever solicit them. If we ever attempted to steal customers from our resellers we would be losing the market we value most. That would be stupidity!
We've had a few upset customers, but most ended up being happier in the end as they weren't aware they could have a custom 404. Some customers have even contacted us saying they like the new one more as it's prettier then cpanel default one. In the end if anyone is unhappy it comes down to a few seconds of uploading there own.

We received permission from Google ahead of time so they are fully aware of what we are doing.

I'm not saying what we are doing is right or wrong simply giving our reasoning for doing it. If we put up ads that were in competition with the sites that would be a completely different thing then what we are doing as we would be stealing business.

[Keith W]

A colleague of mine said that he already had custom error pages installed on his site and then found you had replaced it with your own hostgator one.

[hostgator.com]

Did he open a ticket on it? We don't replace existing 404's. Did he ever get it worked out with us?

[Keith W]

From what I understand he just replaced them with his custom pages again, he was seriously p!ssed though.

He said he is happy with your services by the way and has never had an issue in the past

[Chris`]

Originally Posted by hostgator.com

The google search is only showed on 404 pages, and it only takes a few seconds for a customer to upload there own to replace our default one. If a customer isn't sure how to do their own we are happy to do it for them.

We received permission from Google ahead of time so they are fully aware of what we are doing.

I'm not saying what we are doing is right or wrong simply giving our reasoning for doing it. If we put up ads that were in competition with the sites that would be a completely different thing then what we are doing as we would be stealing business.

Thats not the point, webhosting should not be like a fresh installation of Windows Vista, where you have to go in and revert all the default settings. Everyone knows thats a pain. Nor should the customer have to even worry about losing clicks while waiting for hostgator support to upload the new 404 pages.

Not really stealing hits, just taking the accidental bad ones.

[AHFB HTML]

"the market we value most... ...that would be stupidity!"






I'm not saying this is right or wrong.


Wow, this low morals thing is cool.

[Chris`]

Oh yes, its obvious to one how much more you gain upon the abuse of others. But whats not obvious the lack of abuse that brings more respect, and that lasts longer.

[tws]

I personally don't see HostGator's move as *that* bad. It doesn't appear to be on the reseller servers - just the shared servers. It's an easy fix to replace a 404 error page.

That being said.. would I personally do it? No.

Let's change up the scenario a bit. Excessive resource usage pages - be it bandwidth, CPU, or whatever. That page also advertises the host's brand. Is that wrong too? No.

I think you guys are just making a mountain out of a molehill again.

Originally Posted by 2Mhost

I saw dreamhost sell links in their KB http://blog.dreamhosters.com/kbase/

That knowledge base was decommissioned a long time ago; their new KB is in the form of a wiki: http://wiki.dreamhost.com

[Aussie Bob]

Originally Posted by hostgator.com

. . . We've had a few upset customers, but most ended up being happier in the end as they weren't aware they could have a custom 404.

Brent, I suggest you create a KB article showing exactly how folks can create their own custom error page. Then send out an announcement to your effected clients telling them about the custom error page etc. Have a predefined helpdesk response ready too, for the onslought of tickets.

[Highland Web]

A custom 404 article in the KB is a great idea.

[WN-Ali]

Well I do not think it's a bad idea for shared hosting customers if they actually are liking it, a KB article with explanation would be a good idea

However reseller customers shouldn't have any sort of surprise ads even in the 404 pages, which I don't believe you have done so I think it's all good!

[Chris`]

Originally Posted by Highland Web

A custom 404 article in the KB is a great idea.

I agree. Good idea.

[coight]

Originally Posted by hostgator.com

The google search is only showed on 404 pages, and it only takes a few seconds for a customer to upload there own to replace our default one. If a customer isn't sure how to do their own we are happy to do it for them.

I think the question is why do it in the first place not how to get around your advertising. I see you make no mention of this anywhere on your pages which is very poor and unethical.

Resellers and there customers do not get the hostgator mention nor would we ever solicit them. If we ever attempted to steal customers from our resellers we would be losing the market we value most. That would be stupidity!
We've had a few upset customers, but most ended up being happier in the end as they weren't aware they could have a custom 404. Some customers have even contacted us saying they like the new one more as it's prettier then cpanel default one. In the end if anyone is unhappy it comes down to a few seconds of uploading there own.

Cpanel does not have a default one so it's quite clear that your lying. A customer would contact you and say "yeah mate it looks good love the advertising" I would be saying wtf am I getting out of this it's a paid hosting account. As I said it's not a matter of changing this is unethical.

We received permission from Google ahead of time so they are fully aware of what we are doing.

I'm guessing you neglected to tell your customers what you were doing. Anything for a couple extra bucks hostgator.

I'm not saying what we are doing is right or wrong simply giving our reasoning for doing it. If we put up ads that were in competition with the sites that would be a completely different thing then what we are doing as we would be stealing business.

Where is this reasoning. All I see is excuses and the benefits to you (hostgator). I don't see any benefits to the end user. Lets just face it, it's a money making cash cow.

[Archbob]

Looks like its the fall of hostgator and the rise of host catfish!

[chuckworld]

I immediately checked with my host(s), to see if they were pulling stunts like this and (so far) they are not.

But this is a bad little idea I can see spreading..