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So, if I offer hosting... and other questions

by PatriciaS
7 replies
Most of you have probably heard the old joke -- purportedly a true story -- about the tech support guy who walked some poor woman through figuring out what was wrong with her brand new computer only to find out that No, it wasn't that it was unplugged, but that all the power in the house was off.

The techie told the lady to package up the computer right away and take it back to the store. "What shall I tell them?" she asked.

"Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer."

Well, this is one of those questions that makes me feel "too stupid" to be in internet marketing -- online OR offline. But I'm going to ask anyway.

QUESTION NO. 1 - HOSTING
It makes a lot of sense to me to offer hosting along with website design/redesign. But if I do, what does it involve? My hosting company is BlueHost and I love them -- superb tech support (for ALL my stupid questions, which I try to keep to a minimum -- but I have them on speed dial, if that gives you any clue). Would I have to handle tech support with them? How would I do that -- or perhaps I'd do better to just give them my BlueHost affiliate link and let them give me the sign-in info?

And for those of you who do offer hosting (to anybody), what services are included with that, and what do you typically charge?

QUESTION NO. 2 - NEW DOMAINS
i guess the best thing to do would be to open a separate account in their name, paying out from what they've paid me? That way if we terminate our relationship, it's already in their name, etc. Or, how do the rest of you handle it?

Also, wouldn't that make it simpler for the the ICANN info?


Seems to me I had another question, but it escapes me at the moment.
#hosting #offer #questions
  • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
    These are great questions.

    Subscribes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Toby Couchman
    I've been running hosting for about 5 years as a value add service and my advice for anyone getting into hosting would be that you research and know your platform back to front. That way you can answer support questions and therefore position yourself as the go to guy for all your clients internet related stuff.

    This means you can sell them on multiple services. Web design, Content management, FB pages, Adwords campaigns and SEO to name a few.

    I recommend starting out with a reseller service. That way all the really hard stuff (server management) will be done for you. You can outsource the client support (although I don't recommend this as you lose the relationship that you build through support calls/tickets) to companies like Bobcares.

    Take a look at WMHCS.com. This is a great system that you can setup to handle all of your account and billing stuff. You can even automate the process if you want.

    Check out webhostingtalk.com this a great forum where loads of hosters discuss everything about the biz. You'll be able to get a good feel for whether you want to dive into this biz or not.

    Good luck dude. Hosting is not easy but the rewards can be great
    TC
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  • Profile picture of the author Toby Couchman
    One other tip. Price yourself at a premium rate and market yourself as small business specialist hosting. This way you will avoid all the people looking for the cheapest option. IMO those people are the first to jump ship and are the most annoying to deal with.

    TC
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan Smith
    That is sooooo true. I am not annoyed easy. There are clients who want the best and some who want the cheapest.
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  • Profile picture of the author PatriciaS
    Thanks, Toby. Good info.
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  • Profile picture of the author dancorkill
    Not charging extra for hosting is a good way to differentiate yourself from everyone else that does. I usually throw in a year free and then setup in Fresh Books to bill them recurring each year after that.

    Yeah having domain is their name is the most ethical and easiest if they leave etc.

    Something a bit more advanced every service that you do not offer means more partners you can line up. For example if you do SEO/Hosting/Design (everything) no other web business will refer you because they are afraid you will steal their business. But if you just do design then you can partner with SEO guys, copywriting, hosting etc It's also good positioning.
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  • Profile picture of the author Owen Mailer
    Originally Posted by chi-whiz View Post

    Most of you have probably heard the old joke -- purportedly a true story -- about the tech support guy who walked some poor woman through figuring out what was wrong with her brand new computer only to find out that No, it wasn't that it was unplugged, but that all the power in the house was off.

    The techie told the lady to package up the computer right away and take it back to the store. "What shall I tell them?" she asked.

    "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer."

    Well, this is one of those questions that makes me feel "too stupid" to be in internet marketing -- online OR offline. But I'm going to ask anyway.

    QUESTION NO. 1 - HOSTING
    It makes a lot of sense to me to offer hosting along with website design/redesign. But if I do, what does it involve? My hosting company is BlueHost and I love them -- superb tech support (for ALL my stupid questions, which I try to keep to a minimum -- but I have them on speed dial, if that gives you any clue). Would I have to handle tech support with them? How would I do that -- or perhaps I'd do better to just give them my BlueHost affiliate link and let them give me the sign-in info?

    And for those of you who do offer hosting (to anybody), what services are included with that, and what do you typically charge?

    QUESTION NO. 2 - NEW DOMAINS
    i guess the best thing to do would be to open a separate account in their name, paying out from what they've paid me? That way if we terminate our relationship, it's already in their name, etc. Or, how do the rest of you handle it?

    Also, wouldn't that make it simpler for the the ICANN info?


    Seems to me I had another question, but it escapes me at the moment.
    Can I just say that you got slightly mixed up there... stupid people do not ask and they fail!!
    In business I have yet to meet someone that new everything, The joy of being a Entrepreneur is that you are expected to ask questions and make mistakes!!! certainly does NOT make you stupid!! quite the reverse!!
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