1st Month Free?

[Schmarvin]

Do you think I should give people the first month free to my hosting? I provide quality hosting, no problems at all and 99.9% uptime. Yet, no one buys my hosting, even with the hundreds of discounts. I will not lie to people and say we offer unlimited space or bandwidth just to attract them, that is completely against my ethics.

Any ideas on how to improve attraction of customers? I already offer very cheap prices, with very large plans.

[Eclouds]

Giving the second month free is a better option. Otherwise you will get users who will make it seem like they will be with you forever but in reality will be hoping from host to host to get the hosting for free. At least with the second month free, you have the payment guarantee of 1 month.

[Schmarvin]

I suppose that might work, but it'll never get anywhere. ;)

[Dan]

It all takes time.
Plenty advertising on forums etc and also in your local press.

[Schmarvin]

Heh, for one, I've been working hard for six months to bring quality hosting, with no problems. And two, I advertise a LOT more than other hosts, but I just can't keep up. Think I should get rid of my hosting, I'm putting all my time and money into something better than the rest, and now it seems like I've wasted it all.

[.Andy]

Heh, for one, I've been working hard for six months to bring quality hosting, with no problems. And two, I advertise a LOT more than other hosts, but I just can't keep up. Think I should get rid of my hosting, I'm putting all my time and money into something better than the rest, and now it seems like I've wasted it all.

It takes alot of $$$ for advertizing. We are paying for local comercials only jan-febish. Perhaps sell out to an established company and offer to join there sales team for livehelp and what not. I'm sure you will get an offer. Heck pm me if you would consitter that option.

[Dan]

Heh, for one, I've been working hard for six months to bring quality hosting, with no problems. And two, I advertise a LOT more than other hosts, but I just can't keep up. Think I should get rid of my hosting, I'm putting all my time and money into something better than the rest, and now it seems like I've wasted it all.

It takes a lot of dollars and a lot more than six months to get some bit established. Just stick with it. Don't sell up or anything. However, maybe get in a Partner or something to help along. That's what I did with CompleteVPS and as a result, it has been doing really well.
Don't give up though.

[utcrazy]

I used to throw a few months free around, spread the Christmas cheer.

[PoliticalMonster]

You will never be able to compete in low prices for huge resources. Aim to gain top-quality customers. To compete against the big big hosts, you need 6 figure sums of cash for advertising alone. But aim for the clever customer, one who knows a good small host. And don't offer hugely oversold packages.

Having said that, I took a look at your plans, they are pretty average. We offer that amount (10gb space/100gb bandwidth $10) without overselling.

Don't try changing your prices, they look good, but perhaps a little site modification is needed? I found it a little confusing, especially that page which just says paid or free? - it's too simple.

Otherwise, forum posting is a good free method of advertising, and sticking with it is the other good free method ;)

Free accounts also seem to bring in quite a few paid customers for us, either through upgrades or links.

As for free months, I recommend offering 2 free if customers pay yearly, and offer the second month free too. If you offer the first month, customers sign up, then move. A money back guarantee is a good thing though, 14 days seems to be industry standard.

[fcolor]

Hi,
I think you may have more success if you offer something like a percentage of the hosting to come for free if the customer goes for a yearly contract payment. This way you will get your customer and he will get the free hosting - of course if you are building customer data base you may offer even more free months in the form of 20-40% discount upon sign up. This was the client will check your hosting and will still be satisfied as it is cheaper.
Also, I think "the trick" with the 1st free month does not work as if a customer wants to leave and jump from host to host on monthly basis you cannot run away from your 30 days money back guarantee ;).

Good Luck!
A.

[Schmarvin]

Hi,
I think you may have more success if you offer something like a percentage of the hosting to come for free if the customer goes for a yearly contract payment. This way you will get your customer and he will get the free hosting - of course if you are building customer data base you may offer even more free months in the form of 20-40% discount upon sign up. This was the client will check your hosting and will still be satisfied as it is cheaper.
Also, I think "the trick" with the 1st free month does not work as if a customer wants to leave and jump from host to host on monthly basis you cannot run away from your 30 days money back guarantee ;).

Good Luck!
A.

Already done, on my yearly payments a client can get up to %30-40 off if he/she pays yearly.

[.amaZe]

Not to be rude or anything, but in order to attract people you first need to work on your website.

I went on your website, and I was turned off immediately. You have no design, and your using free forums software as your main site. I have gotten clients, that say they have signed up with me, just because they liked our layout.

If the clients see that you spent a good deal of money on your appereance, then they will trust you, because they feel you will spend the same time on them.

[Schmarvin]

Oh well, then I guess I won't get clients. Because I'm not paying for a license that I can't afford. Why should I? I offer free hosting the benefits of paid hosting. No problems with hosting accounts, and I have a friendly relationship with all clients.

As for the layout, it's being changed on New Year's Eve for the new year. I have no intention of just buying an IPB of vBulletin license for a mostly free hosting service. The traffic I get barely pays for the host on its own.

[DavidsAwesome]

Find a niche... and If I were you i'd stop offering free hosting.

From my experience, free hosting customers don't really respect the server, they tend to spam, and only a very small percentage will ever upgrade to paid.... especially when you're giving them so much space.

[HighLayer]

Giving the second month free is a better option. Otherwise you will get users who will make it seem like they will be with you forever but in reality will be hoping from host to host to get the hosting for free. At least with the second month free, you have the payment guarantee of 1 month.

True. That is why we don't offer the first month free.

[Skylar]

Not to be rude or anything, but in order to attract people you first need to work on your website.

I went on your website, and I was turned off immediately. You have no design, and your using free forums software as your main site. I have gotten clients, that say they have signed up with me, just because they liked our layout.

If the clients see that you spent a good deal of money on your appereance, then they will trust you, because they feel you will spend the same time on them.

Where did you get your template BTW? I really like it and want one like that lmao..

Anyways I wouldn't go just for the template. I would talk to support first to see how it is.. I agree with the free forums as the main site though. Turns me off from that as soon as I load it up.

[Schmarvin]

Okay, as I'm only getting negative feedback about my site, and not about my idea, can a moderator please close this?

I'm starting to get annoyed.

[Jan]

can a moderator please close this?

And done.