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Thread: Starting off...
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09-29-2002, 02:52 AM #1Disabled
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Starting off...
Hi everyone,
I have just started [offering web hosting] and I notice that alot of you say you are still a small hosting commpany, yet you say you only have around 500 customers. I think thats ALOT! LOL, I dont have any!
Well, I was hoping to get your help and suggestions on how I could go about getting started in the web hosting world. For example: Getting Customers
If you can help in anyway, please do. I would really appreciate it
Thank You AllLast edited by Chicken; 09-29-2002 at 10:28 AM.
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09-29-2002, 03:12 AM #2Web Hosting Master
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Offer your services to folks that you know first. Then work your "associates" circle. Then just let your business grow out from that point. Think of your business like circles. Your friends/family are in the first circle. Then your "associates" are in the next circle out. Then if you start some promotional work, you are promoting to the 3rd circle.
Be patient and build your client base 1 client at a time.
P.S. Check your site's links again. I got some error messages etc.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
• Increase your hosting profits by adding VPN to your product line up •
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09-29-2002, 03:14 AM #3Disabled
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After reviewing your site (design is pretty nice) your prices seem reasonable. You'll just need some exposure. For the record the link to the data center ( http://www.hostriot.com/?page=datacenter) is giving an error:
Warning: Failed opening 'datacenter.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/badchaos/public_html/index.php on line 225
So you should get that sorted out, first
Post your site at Dmoz.org directory, try to get it listed there, submit it to the search engines Google especially, try to get some free traffic. Submit to all the hosting directories that offer free listings such as:
Webhostdir.com
Findsp.com
HostSearch.com
Webhosters.com
TopHosts.com
Try as many free resources as you can to get some traffic before pulling the pocket in advertising. You could also monitor the requests forum here at WHT, to see if anyone needs any hosting deals that you could offer and respond to them. Another thing you could do is offer maybe a couple free hosting packages to a few people, have them give some good testimonials (as long as the service is good and have those testimonials on your site to help build crediblity. Word of mouth is a great form of advertising.
Just a few ideas, hope that helps
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09-29-2002, 04:08 AM #4Web Hosting Master
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You know - your site has a google pagerank of 7/10 - that is very good indeed & a good place to be starting from! You can do something with that.
Andrew McMaster
http://www.FindMyHosting.com
Compare Prices, Consumer Reviews, Help, Guides and More.
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09-29-2002, 04:25 AM #5Web Hosting Master
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I don't mean to change the subject but is your website a template because edge-host.com has the same website
Anyways, if you look through all the posts on this board a lot of people will say "find your own niche" in the business. So market your hosting to a certain area such as your local shopping mall.
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09-29-2002, 04:32 AM #6WHT Addict
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Originally posted by NovaW
You know - your site has a google pagerank of 7/10 - that is very good indeed & a good place to be starting from! You can do something with that.
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09-29-2002, 04:35 AM #7Disabled
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Hi,
Do a search on Google.com for the domain name hostriot.com, it brings up a site called "mantech.com". Somehow Google is interpreting this site mantech.com to be part or associated with hostriot.com and the Google Toolbar is showing the page rank as 7/10 which is really good. It is an error on Google's end.
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09-29-2002, 04:37 AM #8Disabled
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Hmmmm
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09-29-2002, 04:48 AM #9WHT Addict
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Originally posted by hostingseek
Hi,
Do a search on Google.com for the domain name hostriot.com, it brings up a site called "mantech.com". Somehow Google is interpreting this site mantech.com to be part or associated with hostriot.com and the Google Toolbar is showing the page rank as 7/10 which is really good. It is an error on Google's end.
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09-29-2002, 04:52 AM #10Disabled
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I agree, as I was saying it *is* an error on Google's part. After seeing they are basing it on another site mantech.com, the page rank will be no permanent benefit to him.
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09-29-2002, 05:04 AM #11Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by JonL
I don't mean to change the subject but is your website a template because edge-host.com has the same website• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
• Increase your hosting profits by adding VPN to your product line up •
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09-29-2002, 05:16 AM #12WHT Addict
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Originally posted by Aussie Bob
Yeah, looks like the exact same template or the same designer. Care to clarify this for the community?
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09-29-2002, 05:23 AM #13Web Hosting Master
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09-29-2002, 05:28 AM #14WHT Addict
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Originally posted by Aussie Bob
Gotta love those template sites. For $20, a host can have a U-beaut website and look all together.......
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09-29-2002, 05:53 AM #15Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by labzone
At least until someone finds out it's a template. I've seen a few hosts using this same design.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
• Increase your hosting profits by adding VPN to your product line up •
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09-29-2002, 05:55 AM #16Junior Guru Wannabe
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lol
Vinh,
ShockHost - host me up scotty
http://www.ShockHost.com
(Coming soon to a world near you next month)
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09-29-2002, 10:33 AM #17Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by HostRiot
Well, I was hoping to get your help and suggestions on how I could go about getting started in the web hosting world. For example: Getting Customers
If you can help in anyway, please do.
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09-29-2002, 10:52 AM #18Disabled
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This template is only temporary. As I am working on the real website.
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09-29-2002, 10:56 AM #19Postcount ++
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Make sure you get a reliable server provider. What good are customers if you cannot provide them good service? Do alot of research and find a <<edit>> respected <<edit/>>company over one that offers you 50$/mo. 100000 gb xfer/mo 500 GB RAID... 4 GB DDR Ram DUAL PENTIUM 4 processors 2.4ghz...hmmm..also make sure its REAL 24/7 support..
Orlando Magic--> 05-06 CHAMPS
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10-01-2002, 08:18 PM #20Newbie
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What is wrong with using a template?
I got this design at the moment: http://www.the-webhost.com/ wich I made my self, I think it is a "decent" layout but not proffesional. That's why I am thinking of actually buying a template instead. what is wrong with that?
Give me a few reasons that I should not. Anyway, interresting reading.
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10-01-2002, 08:51 PM #21Web Hosting Master
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webhost,
most importantly because people that are looking at a lot of hsoting companies shopping around will notice that youre using a template and will assume you are a reseller of one kind or another. people usually dont like dealing with what they consider 'middlemen'.
however, having a professional design vs. a non-professional one might far outweigh any disadvantages to using a template. just try to find one that everyones' mom and goat doesnt use =]
cheers,
paul* Rusko Enterprises LLC - Upgrade to 100% uptime today!
* Premium NYC collocation and custom dedicated servers
call 1-877-MY-RUSKO or paul [at] rusko.us
dedicated servers, collocation, load balanced and high availability clusters
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10-01-2002, 09:02 PM #22Disabled
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I think it should be pointed out that using a "Template" isn't really bad, there are lots of hosts buying templates and using them. The problem arises when you buy a template that can be or will be resold to others. That's where the problem Rusko pointed out will occur. You can get a professionally made template and everything be OK once it's sold to just you, no one else but you
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10-01-2002, 09:21 PM #23
I don't think the template issue is nearly as important as the service and responsiveness. Here is my advise:
Deliver what you say you will.
Be honest with your customers. You don't have to tell them you're a huge company when your not. Most people like the personal service they get with a small company.
Be proactive. I e-mail my customers once a month, or IM or call them, just to make sure they're okay and ask if there's anything I can do for them.
Provide GOOD service. When your small it doesn't take a lot of extra effort to go an extra mile for a customer every once in awhile. The customers really apreciate it and they will stay with you for along time and there friends will come to you also.
As far as getting clients.... Pick a market. You'll find more sucess early on if you pick a market and work it for awhile. You may decide to specialize in local realtors. Or maybe just local businesses in general. Don't try to get into a price war with people. Offer a reasonable product at a fair price and sell yourself based on service and quality.
I wish you luck.
AaronAaron Wendel
Wholesale Internet, Inc. - http://www.wholesaleinternet.net
Kansas City Internet eXchange - http://www.kcix.net