What makes a good shared hosting account?

Pre paid for a year usualy means scams, don't offer anything longer than a month, cause if they want to move they don't want to feel obligated to staying if they are not happy. Charge backs are a pain in the ass
 
fratty22 is correct. We offer payments via monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually. Some brand new customers will purchase quarterly and very rarely semi-annually. Usually they start out with monthly billing cycles and if they like your business they upgrade to yearly plans. We have several accounts paying annually, but mostly all of them are on the smallest account. Most fraud orders will purchase your largest hosting package and prepay for the entire year. I would reccomend verifying these orders by phone and if possible by faxing in their license and cc (if paying by cc).

The best way to get customers is word of mouth so the best advertising you can use is offering great service and support to your customers and potential customers. It'll be very slow in the beggining unless you have hundreds per month to spend on advertising. You need to find something unique that divides you from the rest of the web hosts out there. Good luck!
 
Nullified said:
fratty22 is correct. We offer payments via monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually. Some brand new customers will purchase quarterly and very rarely semi-annually. Usually they start out with monthly billing cycles and if they like your business they upgrade to yearly plans. We have several accounts paying annually, but mostly all of them are on the smallest account. Most fraud orders will purchase your largest hosting package and prepay for the entire year. I would reccomend verifying these orders by phone and if possible by faxing in their license and cc (if paying by cc).
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Offering more options is better in the long run for a customer. I like the fact that you are offering different payment cycles. Does the customer save when they sign up for a longer period of time? As far as fraud, paypal tends to be a pretty good merchant when it comes to verifying certain things. Being verified by paypal is always a plus.

Nullified said:
The best way to get customers is word of mouth so the best advertising you can use is offering great service and support to your customers and potential customers. It'll be very slow in the beggining unless you have hundreds per month to spend on advertising. You need to find something unique that divides you from the rest of the web hosts out there. Good luck!
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These days customers will flock to you if you provide them with great support and let them know you are a serious hosting company and not one that will stop abruptly at any moment. Most of the questions I get revolve around company longevity and support, these are two key issues that customers hold close to them.
 
I think a domain registration to hosting service is OK but it definetely attracts only newbies or just people who do not have enough time to manage their domain on separate account. More important are other features. SSL, forum software, CMS and etc.

Regards
D.
 
A good shared hosting account should target a certain client niche, then match that niche as best as possible. Don't try to be "everything to everyone".
 
TheReason said:
What should a provider offer for the long lost shared hosting member? Will a free domain be tempting for someone to sign up for a year? :confused:
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Offer discounts and promos actively--that's what I do. Throw in a free space/bandwidth upgrade, a small discount, etc. It tends to attract attention.
 
just figure out your strengths... think about the sort of service you can supply and support and offer plans accordingly..
 
TheReason said:
What should a provider offer for the long lost shared hosting member? Will a free domain be tempting for someone to sign up for a year? :confused:
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Domains are tempting, there are otherways (bandwidth upgrades & space upgrades for first x months) the other advantage of the latter is they will most likely be unused!


Pre paid for a year usualy means scams, don't offer anything longer than a month, cause if they want to move they don't want to feel obligated to staying if they are not happy. Charge backs are a pain in the ass
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Offer all, monthly, semi-annually, annually...most companies make it cheaper to do it yearly. Yearlys aren't scams, just if you get a bad company you're stuffed! That's why you have 30 day money back gu'tees.
 
My expenses are so low, that annual plans work better for me. I would rather have annual plans so much that I offer almost a 50% discount for them compared to monthly. Of course, I also have other steady forms of income so the likelihood of me going out of business anytime within the next year is extremely low.
 
GamePhreak said:
My expenses are so low, that annual plans work better for me. I would rather have annual plans so much that I offer almost a 50% discount for them compared to monthly. Of course, I also have other steady forms of income so the likelihood of me going out of business anytime within the next year is extremely low.
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50% thats a lot of your profit down the drain most webhosts i've seen offer 33% max.

But if its sustainable for you then great.
 
50% amazing you must have some masterplan up your sleves why not stick to the classic 33% instead and if not suitable then challenge the market more with 50% but it is a big drop!!
 
I remember, I was lost 30$ for pre-paid yearly hosting with domain name included at my first years. This is why I always seek professional and quality web hosting service with setup fee excluded. Domain name and web hosting, two different business. Choice your domain name provider separetely, and find experienced web hosting company. Thats it.
 
Its not necessary to choose two separate companies one for domain and one for hosting. Their are reliable and experienced webhosting companies that provide free domain for one year along with the hosting packages.
So instead of going with two different companies go with single reliable and reputed company.
 
Last two posters: That is somply a matter of opinion. Both points could be true and both could be false depending on what company is being referenced.
 
Agree with all, most of the users prefer monthly plans.
Price discounts are not necessary as hosting business has many costs.
Lastly, the most effective way is paying high attention to the customers' needs.That is more important than a free domain.
 
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