Hello everybody, before I start this post I would just like to say this is my first post. I recently started up my own Web Hosting service, I have a few dedicated clients but not enough to justify the time and effort I put in to the service. I would appreciate any advice on how to market this business correctly and I am open to constructive feedback about our current pricing.
The first thing you need to do is get rid of your free domain name. Nobody takes hosts with free domain names seriously, I'm afraid. In fact, most people avoid them, as they usually aren't around for long. If you can't afford $7/year for a domain name, what kind of business are you running? That's the impression it gives. Secondly, you need to create a business plan, which I'm guessing you haven't yet. Set funds aside for marketing, etc.
In my opinion, your website design is not related to hosting, also it is not integrated with your client area, you must integrate your website design with your client area. I can not find your TOS or Privacy Policy. If you want web hosting customers to order from you, then you need to present your business in a professional manner.
Rather then using free domain name for your hosting business try to grab some top level domian (.com, .net, .co.uk etc.. ) Your website is face of your business, it should have perfect design with enough details about your plans. It should have professional feel. Check if you are capable of providing uninterrupted service and support to your clients else start with joining some webhosting affiliate scheme so that you can start earning without investment
If you can afford to run a free hosting service as well that can bring in a lot of users, some of which you should be able to convince to upgrade to paid plans through special offers, coupons etc. It's a pretty expensive way of going about it as the free service will most likely pick up a lot of users who will never upgrade and will end up costing you money. An option would be to run a free service for a year or so, pushing hard on the upgrades, then sell the free service and continue with the paid service having given it a good start.
.co.cc ... get rid of that. Get a real domain name. How to get clients ... well it is simple market. Do all sorts of marketing including local, adsense, adcenter, online forums and social. And the most important is to get your customers talking about you.
Get the name out there. Get rid of the co.cc domain. Using forums are great ways to get the name heard and to get clients
You need to do a lot of marketing. There are lots of hosts out there, and you need to let your potential clients know what makes your services different from those of others.
I think you're missing just about everyones' point. The URL is indeed necessary for the discussion. You specifically asked how to market your business to clients. I can assure you that you will not be able to market to clients with a free domain name. That is a huge, huge red flag in this industry. If a "business" can't afford $7/year for a domain name, what kind of business is it? Seriously...would you be willing to spend money, and presumably give your credit card and personal information to a company that can't afford $7 per year for a domain name? That is going to be the single biggest thing that is going to hurt your business. If you don't want to listen to that advice or take it seriously, that's up to you. Secondly, you are asking for suggestions on your current pricing. Nobody knows your current pricing because your website is down. Thirdly, you refer to your web hosting "business." Is it indeed a legitimate, registered business? If not, that's another big turn off. List your contact information, both address and phone number somewhere on your site, and that will also help instill confidence in your company. [EDIT] I see now that one of the moderators, Sarahk, is actually the one who removed the URL. Sarah, I will be happy to discuss the hosting industry with you anytime you like. I can asure you, the URL (not the specific URL, but the domain extension) is extremely important. He is looking to start a legitimate business, and anything to help him do that should be welcomed.
Get referrals, spread the word and give commissions. But before anything else, build the backbone of the business first! Avoid free domain as it annoys potential clients, idk, maybe just me.
its hard to get first clients once you get the first few and you provide all the support and tools to clients.. the word will spread in no time!! Remember one golden rule in hosting!!! never take any question lightly!! answer every question with patience !!! reason you might end up with 50+clients that are satisfied and 1 not satisfied!! that 1 not satisfied customer will post in forums etc against your company... and put your reputation in a mess!! so keep eevry customer happy no matter how far you grow in business!!
you should focus on building a niche. and don't start off investing too much into it because the customers won't come overnight. start with offering reseller services before you invest alot of money into dedicated services..unless you have connections I don't know about. I'd also suggest offering some free services