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What am I doing wrong?

by thisisjack
11 replies
My problems genuinely seem solved, believe it or not.
#wrong
  • Profile picture of the author faisalmaximus
    Originally Posted by thisisjack View Post

    I'm trying to find clients to buy my web-hosting services, I've listed myself on Gumtree paying for a URL placement in my post, bought traffic from Fiverr, advertised on several forums, ect... yet no one seems the slightest bit bothered in actually buying. I've reduced prices, made discounts, redesigned everything, numerous times. What am I doing wrong?
    I think you can post an WSO with an attractive offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    The hosting business is very difficult to break into. There's tons of competition who have been in the game for years, most of whom have tons of affiliates promoting them.

    What are you doing to set yourself apart from the competition?

    Bottom line from my point of view: You'll have to promote the site in multiple ways, and promote it every day, to get any traction. It could take a long, long time unless you can come up with unique ways to promote it or somehow get a viral campaign going.

    Sorry if that sounds discouraging, but it's important to realize what you're up against if you want to overcome the obstacles. Find a way to set your service apart from the rest, and find some creative ways to promote it, and don't let up -- that would be your keys to success, IMO.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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    • Profile picture of the author Maecenas23
      Dennis is right. Hosting business is not simple at all since you have to fight with companies which are on the market for several years and which are investing massive amounts on making their brands more popular.

      What I can say is don't go and buy traffic for just a few $$ because that will help you only to lose some more money.
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  • Profile picture of the author sirtiman
    You should give free trial for your hosting package. Before that make sure you have solid profile on forums or hosting community. Don't forget to brainstorming your target market with your useful content.
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  • Profile picture of the author shipwrecked
    Have you tried?

    -Facebook Advertising?
    -buying BuySellAds that point to your site?
    -writing like 50-100 guest articles (all unique) on other sites with your link ebedded? (this usually pays off quite well)
    -writing reviews about the site on other sites: yes, open a review yourself and write about it
    -put more energy into new age SEO (Panda & Penguin-compatible techniques) and give it more time... possibly even a year or more
    -buy 1-2 large directory listings (BOTW, Yahoo)
    -syndicate news, press releases about why your service is new, unique, special - emphasizing on the advantages?

    Good luck, mate!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
    Your business plan should already outline this for you.

    It's about support and what you offer. It's not a get rich overnight business and if that's what your goal is, you can hang it up now.

    Reducing your prices to the cheapest available won't work & shows you don't value your services. From my experience of almost 9-10 years in this industry, those customers looking for super cheap, penny services are going to cost you more in support since they expect the world for literally pennies.

    Unless you have thousands or even 10's of thousands of dollars to throw at advertising, ads really aren't going to get you anywhere. Even with ads, in this industry, it's more about brand awareness.

    It depends on what you want to sell - if you're trying to sell the cheapest thing around, browse this forum and many others to see all the other failed "cheap hosting" companies that disappeared.

    People aren't always looking for cheap either, those looking for quality reliable services will pay what it's worth.
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  • Profile picture of the author moneymakerway
    You need to become an authority in web hosting niche.
    Just put yourself in buyer's position!
    Maybe the solution is to create some kind of referral or affiliate program
    to attract people who are interested in promoting your business.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheSalesBooster
    You should forget about promoting web hosting. Everyone and their mother does it and it's going to take A LOT more than what you've already tried. Go with something easier to sell.
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    • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
      Just to add what no one else has offered:

      Just cut them off at the pass!
      You really think that you're going to compete with the big boys in the sea?
      All the ideas and strategies expressed on this thread and so many others on the WF, tell you how the big boys get their customers. And now you're going to pick off customers away from the big boys playing the game their way except with a lot less to offer, a lot less experience, and a lot less money?

      Since you're trying to deprive the big boys from their well earned profits, why not take a page out of the old westerns and do it the way Billy and all those other good old rustlers did it back then?

      Corral them steers at the pass, before they get into the Ponderosa!

      I have had reseller hosting as my own hosting account since I started years ago - I'm yet to offer hosting by itself as a product. I will soon offer it - but with so many whistles and bells to distinguish me from the pack. Unless you got a Lamborghini with your hosting package, I would go on to develop myself online in other niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    Buying traffic from Fiverr is definitely one thing you did wrong.

    Also, if you truly want to compete in the web hosting market, you'll need to spend serious money on advertising...think $5,000 - $10,000 per month at least.
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  • Profile picture of the author MisterMunch
    You will have to enter the market in a more niche way if you want to break some ground. To most of us web hosting is just web hosting. But there are many different needs in web hosting and many different user groups.

    Go to Keyword suggestion tool — Google suggest scraper — Übersuggest and search for "web hosting for" and you will get a list of different user groups.

    Use google keyword tool to find a niche (one) that has enough searches and identify that spesific market groups special needs.

    web hosting for churches
    web hosting for djs
    web hosting for forums
    web hosting for jewelry
    web hosting for lawyers....

    Then market yourself as the service they need on places where they hang out. Make sure your hosting plan is the otpion that have their needs in mind.
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