Buying plans with upstarts

[JamesCWilson]

When a company is just starting out, and is fairly unproven, it can be pretty difficult to know if you can trust them or not. Unless you happen to know the hosts owner before-hand, you may not want to try them out, regardless of how good the price may look. What advice would you give to new web hosts to gain the trust of potential clients, and what advice would you have for the potential customers themselves?

 

[HivelocityLB]

When a company is just starting out, and is fairly unproven, it can be pretty difficult to know if you can trust them or not. Unless you happen to know the hosts owner before-hand, you may not want to try them out, regardless of how good the price may look. What advice would you give to new web hosts to gain the trust of potential clients, and what advice would you have form the potential customers themselves?

James,

You got to bear in mind that all hosts may have started out small.
My thoughts are - if the price is good and the service is better then go for it.

There are some well known cheap hosts out there that offer great products and services for a low price.

 

[MikeDVB]

I would make sure to contact them around the clock over a few days to see if they really are there if they offer 24/7 support and then I would make sure not to pay for more than a month in advance even if I was getting a sweet deal.

Best of luck

 

[cyberworldhost]

For customers I think you should always test the web host. Like testing there support system and seeing if it meets your demand. Always read the company T.O.S

Its always hard to get your first couple customers for any business but it's what you do when you get them. Treat your first customers like kings/queens and over time they will tell there friends about how good your services our and how good you do. Remember customer is always right(unless he breech the TOS) and treat them with respect.

 

[Blue]

What advice would you give to new web hosts to gain the trust of potential clients, and what advice would you have for the potential customers themselves?

Make sure you are in it for the long haul.
It takes time, sometimes a long time to build a clientele.

Sell hosting to a few friends or offer free service to charitable or non-profit organizations in the beginning. The local hockey or soccer team for instance.
This will generate some word of mouth.

After some time you will have gained more trust because you are no longer a startup.

 

[fumla]

For the company I would give the advice to get some medium sized businesses to host some website their and make a reference.

For customers of the hosting company, I would suggest to start with a few websites which aren't mission critical and wait at least a few month before going ahead.

 

[EasycPanelHost]

- If a site offers 24x7 support try using there support for a few days before signing up different times of the day.

- Try calling the company see if someone picks up the phone.

- Use way back machine to get a history of there website.

- Do a whois search see how many accounts they are hosting.

Here are a few tests you can run to make sure the company might be worth signing up.

 

[mariuskyu]

For customers I think you should always test the web host. Like testing there support system and seeing if it meets your demand.

I don`t see why that is really necesary.It will just take longer.You can always look for good or bad reviews about one company or another by using google search.It`s unlikely that you should be the first to use their services anyway.

 

[JamesCWilson]

James,

You got to bear in mind that all hosts may have started out small.
My thoughts are - if the price is good and the service is better then go for it.

There are some well known cheap hosts out there that offer great products and services for a low price.

This is all true, but how does one go about finding out if a host offers good service or not, until people have actually tried it out?

All hosts need their first customers after all, and until people have actually tried it out for themselves, trying to get feedback can be difficult, and the hardest part for many hosts is attracting those first customers.

 

[SenseiSteve]

What advice would you give to new web hosts to gain the trust of potential clients, and what advice would you have for the potential customers themselves?

Two completely different types of advice. For the web host, gaining trust is no different than any other industry. It starts with a business plan, and that plan includes marketing and support scenarios. Set realistic expectations for your prospects (they'll appreciate it), be consultative - offer solutions (and not just packages). Then be professional and keep your word. Take responsibility for what goes wrong and work through issues with the client. Just know that you cannot please everybody.

For the potential customer, look for stability - how long has the host been in business? After all, it's your data and business that you're entrusting to this host. Do Google searches on your short lists. Start threads in hosting forums asking for advice - you'll receive ample response - then weed out the obvious advertising replies from those genuinely offering assistance. Ask for references - then call them.

 

[LaneHost]

All great advice in this thread, but have to agree here. Just like any business someone starts, the only way to see if they are good is to try them and give them a shot. If they are new, you will not find any or much reviews on them. Best way is to contact the host you are interested in, if you are not sure you should go with them. Ask them questions that matter most to you and see what kind of responses you get. Surprisingly quite a few people skip this step and ask questions later.

As far as to the web host looking to gain customers, there is nothing better then treating your customers with respect and with great service. If you make a mistake, admit it. We are all human and your customer will appreciate it more.

 

[JamesCWilson]

Being as respectful and helpful as possible is indeed a big plus, as is prompt responses to any questions that you may be having about the service, and the more details provided, the better. Whenever somebody is too vague, I can't help but feel that they may be hiding something for whatever reason.

 

[siforek]

Being as respectful and helpful as possible is indeed a big plus, as is prompt responses to any questions that you may be having about the service, and the more details provided, the better. Whenever somebody is too vague, I can't help but feel that they may be hiding something for whatever reason.

Agreed. Very specific information leads me to trust much more.

 

[hostgoza]

When a company is just starting out, and is fairly unproven, it can be pretty difficult to know if you can trust them or not. Unless you happen to know the hosts owner before-hand, you may not want to try them out, regardless of how good the price may look. What advice would you give to new web hosts to gain the trust of potential clients, and what advice would you have for the potential customers themselves?

further more.

it is very common that a successful company has a vision.

If you are looking for partner who you can trust, you can do initial review.


here the importatant question you can ask for receiving "new partner":

do they have same vision with my own new company?

 

[SenseiSteve]

As a host, you'll be more successful if you can customize solutions - be flexible in your offers. Another tip would be to know the products and services you offer, inside-out, upside-down, backward and forward. Or at least give the perception that you know your business and are professional at all times.