20 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
20 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Struggling to justify your monthly web hosting fees to clients? Read this post.

by StrategicCheetah
16 replies
If like me you are selling websites, you will no doubt be charging a monthly hosting and maintenance fee. For me, the back end fee is equally, if not more important, than the front end fee, which is why I thought this info would be useful.

Sometimes it can be a struggle to get monthly hosting and maintenance fees from clients who already have websites. The simple reason being, their current hosting package is either costing them nothing, or next to nothing and they don't think they are going to need any updates (which is usually the case).

So when you mention that you are looking for an additional £200-400 a year to host it and provide updates, they can start to get pretty disillusioned pretty fast because they can't understand why you are charging this extra amount when in their eyes, hosting is free/cheap... They become confused which is the worst case scenario as it can jeopardise an already done deal.

A few weeks ago through working on one clients site, it became clear that the clients hosting package was using very outdated PHP version which could not run Wordpress. Not only could it not run Wordperss or any of the other industry standard platforms, it just didn't run as well or have the same capabilities as an up to date server - which I am able to offer for a small monthly cost.

Not getting too technical on this, because I really have no idea how a server works or PHP or any of that - Alls I know is, it caused problems and the client eventually had to host with me, so I used this as a related story from then on.

So over the past few weeks, whenever I have met resistance with customers who have a preconceived idea that hosting is free, I tell them the story about that client and explain to them that it is possible to get hosting dirt cheap however like everything, you get what you pay for. By hosting with myself, you will get a reliable service which will allow you to have an up to date website and keep it running at all times.

This has in every case that has come up made them happy and most importantly, they agreed to the hosting fee. They were really just looking for justification and to feel that they were not being taken for a ride. Making them understand, meant they were only too happy to part with that monthly amount.

Hopefully this will be some additional ammo for anyone that may be struggling to justify monthly fees
#clients #fees #hosting #justify #monthly #post #read #struggling #web
  • Profile picture of the author krzysiek
    Good job mate. It's all about justification and providing value. The value you provide is that it's hosted with you so YOU take care of it and they don't have to. At 30 pounds a month, I can see how it is more important than the front end initial cost (in the long run).
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4916723].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
      At those prices, I can see why a business owner would be taken aback. They can get dedicated hosting for that price, or maybe that is what you are offering?

      I'm not quite sure how your story justifies the hosting cost either. Most businesses are using html pages, not Wordpress. The concern over the outdated PHP is moot in that case.

      Now if you are doing some fairly frequent updates or changes to the website, then yes, the cost is worthwhile. If that is the case though, you better explain the service as more than just hosting. If they think that they are paying that much for just hosting and later see an offer in their email or an ad on another webpage offering hosting for $8/month from Hostgator or some other hosting provider, they are going to think that you have been ripping them off.
      Signature

      For SEO news, discussions, tactics, and more.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917032].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author rjhartl
        I haven't had a success yet selling a wordpress site, but I had planned on on charging for two different hosting packages...one was $30 a month and included:
        • updating the wordpress site,
        • daily database backups,
        • and frequent security scans
        (the security scans are free on my server and the daily database backups can be taken care of through a free wordpress plugin)

        And my $50 (would go up or down depending on how much updating I thought they would actually ask me for on average) a month plan would include all of the above plus something like 5 hours a month of updating content for them (after that I would charge $30-$50 an hour or something like that)...

        In my head it seemed like I could justify that price by adding all of that value. As a business owner wouldn't you buy into that?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917331].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author StrategicCheetah
        Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

        I'm not quite sure how your story justifies the hosting cost either. Most businesses are using html pages, not Wordpress. The concern over the outdated PHP is moot in that case.
        Most of the local businesses out there when considering a new site want the ability to blog on their site, most want optimization, most want something they can easily update, most want a website that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg.... So in other words, a Wordpress site fits the bill. HTML does not.

        If they cannot get a wordpress site on their server can you see how that would be a problem for them?

        Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

        Now if you are doing some fairly frequent updates or changes to the website, then yes, the cost is worthwhile. If that is the case though, you better explain the service as more than just hosting. If they think that they are paying that much for just hosting and later see an offer in their email or an ad on another webpage offering hosting for $8/month from Hostgator or some other hosting provider, they are going to think that you have been ripping them off.
        All my clients are entitled to unlimited updates.
        Signature

        Precision beats power
        Timing beats speed

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917336].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
          Originally Posted by PositiveVibe View Post

          Most of the local businesses out there when considering a new site want the ability to blog on their site
          I would actually disagree with this strongly. You have it backwards. Most offline marketers are telling business owners that they want the ability to blog on their site. I have rarely come across a business that told me they wanted that feature.

          Now there are some businesses where it actually makes perfect sense and there is a benefit. For most businesses, a blog is not needed.

          Internet marketers have this false belief that search engines prefer blogs over static websites and want constantly updated pages. That is not true at all. That myth has transferred over to the offline marketing world.

          But yes, if a blog is needed, then a host capable of hosting it is required.


          And my point was simply that if all they are getting is hosting, the price you quoted is completely out of line. If they are getting more than just hosting, explain that and call it something else other than "hosting".

          If there is more being offered, then it is easy to justify the cost.
          Signature

          For SEO news, discussions, tactics, and more.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917599].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Colm Whelan
            Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

            Internet marketers have this false belief that search engines prefer blogs over static websites and want constantly updated pages. That is not true at all. That myth has transferred over to the offline marketing world.
            Can you provide any substantive evidence for this statement? I'd love to agree with you but this is the first time I've heard this mentioned!
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917771].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
              Originally Posted by Colm Whelan View Post

              Can you provide any substantive evidence for this statement? I'd love to agree with you but this is the first time I've heard this mentioned!
              Because Google is a business not a charity.

              They are not going to rank some crap blog over a relevant HTML site.

              They would go bankrupt.

              Googles aim is to make money like all businesses and to do that they need to provide me with the best search results for what I am looking for.

              And I could not care less if there is a blog on the site or not and neither could most people for most products/services.

              Google have never mentioned they favour Wordpress over HTML in their entire lives.

              If they did then every large company on the planet would have swapped over the next day.

              Wordpress makes it easy for people and companies to have a website and that is fuelling its popularity, but that is a different point.

              Dan
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917853].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Colm Whelan
                I wasn't really asking about good content versus bad content OR about CMS vs HTML but about good static content vs. good dynamic content.

                Anyone care to comment?

                In offline marketing, I'd agree that most businesses don't need a blog from a business or promotional point of view BUT I'm still going to provide one if I believe it will help them with SEO.

                Originally Posted by jimbo13 View Post

                Because Google is a business not a charity.

                They are not going to rank some crap blog over a relevant HTML site.

                They would go bankrupt.

                Googles aim is to make money like all businesses and to do that they need to provide me with the best search results for what I am looking for.

                And I could not care less if there is a blog on the site or not and neither could most people for most products/services.

                Google have never mentioned they favour Wordpress over HTML in their entire lives.

                If they did then every large company on the planet would have swapped over the next day.

                Wordpress makes it easy for people and companies to have a website and that is fuelling its popularity, but that is a different point.

                Dan
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917878].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
              Originally Posted by Colm Whelan View Post

              Can you provide any substantive evidence for this statement? I'd love to agree with you but this is the first time I've heard this mentioned!
              Can you show me evidence that it is wrong?

              Most of the pages you find ranked at the top of SERPs for competitive keywords are static pages. They are not updated 3-4 times a week.

              It is just silly to think that you have to constantly add new content in order to be seen as relevant by search engines.

              Search engines do not see a difference between a Wordpress site and a html site for ranking purposes.
              Signature

              For SEO news, discussions, tactics, and more.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917897].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Colm Whelan
                Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

                Can you show me evidence that it is wrong?

                Most of the pages you find ranked at the top of SERPs for competitive keywords are static pages. They are not updated 3-4 times a week.

                It is just silly to think that you have to constantly add new content in order to be seen as relevant by search engines.

                Search engines do not see a difference between a Wordpress site and a html site for ranking purposes.
                You appear to think that I'm disagreeing with you - I'm not. I'm asking for some indication that what you're saying is correct rather than just another opinion among many. I'm looking for a reason to agree with you. Your point above regarding SERPs results is certainly logical.
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917922].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
                  Originally Posted by Colm Whelan View Post

                  You appear to think that I'm disagreeing with you - I'm not. I'm asking for some indication that what you're saying is correct rather than just another opinion among many. I'm looking for a reason to agree with you. Your point above regarding SERPs results is certainly logical.
                  Honestly, just look through SERPs and you will see it.

                  Now is there anything wrong with having a blog? No. Can it help with SEO? It could if used properly, but most offline marketers are completely missing the boat on how they are optimizing blogs for clients. If you look at the internal linking structure, it is a joke.

                  They myth of blogs having some amazing benefit to SEO started with people selling affiliate marketing programs. They wanted to sell to a larger market. It is much easier to show someone how to setup Wordpress or Blogger than it is to teach them HTML and CSS. Affiliate marketers usually also like to setup individual pages or posts to target anywhere from 1-3 keywords individually. So they are constantly adding content to target additional keywords.

                  I could argue that most Wordpress setups are actually SEO inefficient. Owners often load them down with garbage plugins that drag on the sites load time. Many marketers are also using themes that they do not write themselves and they are filled with useless code. Whereas HTML sites are usually not bogged down with bloated, unnecessary code and are often easier for search engines to crawl.
                  Signature

                  For SEO news, discussions, tactics, and more.
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917957].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
                And by the way, especially in local SEO, content is extremely overrated.

                I have clients ranking #1 for 10-12 local keywords with no keywords in their title tags, h1 tags, or content. Many of them have no more than 250-300 words on their front page.
                Signature

                For SEO news, discussions, tactics, and more.
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917928].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author Colm Whelan
                  Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

                  And by the way, especially in local SEO, content is extremely overrated.

                  I have clients ranking #1 for 10-12 local keywords with no keywords in their title tags, h1 tags, or content. Many of them have no more than 250-300 words on their front page.
                  Is this because content is unimportant per se in their niche, or in local SERPs or because there is very little (or none) RELEVANT competition with better content?

                  EDIT: Everything that you've said so far points to Local SEO being far easier and far less costly to provide than many here would have us believe.
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917938].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
                    Originally Posted by Colm Whelan View Post

                    Is this because content is unimportant per se in their niche, or in local SERPs or because there is very little (or none) RELEVANT competition with better content?

                    EDIT: Everything that you've said so far points to Local SEO being far easier and far less costly to provide than many here would have us believe.
                    I'll answer this, but I don't want to hijack the OP's thread. Feel free to PM me.

                    Local SEO is far easier for 99.9% of clients than it is for any IM niche. If, you are targeting restaurants in New York City, it is probably a pretty tough market. But for "dentists in Gettysburg, PA", piece of cake.

                    There really are two reasons in my mind. Number one, no matter how much Google does not want to admit it, backlinks are far more important than any content. Even with all their Panda updates, you can still find sites sitting on top of some competitive niches where the content reads like it was written by someone for whom English is their third or fourth language.

                    Second, the competition in local niches is just very light. Most businesses have no idea what they are doing SEO wise if they are even making an effort. I've come across several who bought GoDaddy's $20/year SEO package and think they should be getting traffic.
                    Signature

                    For SEO news, discussions, tactics, and more.
                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4917979].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author StrategicCheetah
            Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

            I would actually disagree with this strongly. You have it backwards. Most offline marketers are telling business owners that they want the ability to blog on their site. I have rarely come across a business that told me they wanted that feature.

            Now there are some businesses where it actually makes perfect sense and there is a benefit. For most businesses, a blog is not needed.

            Internet marketers have this false belief that search engines prefer blogs over static websites and want constantly updated pages. That is not true at all. That myth has transferred over to the offline marketing world.

            But yes, if a blog is needed, then a host capable of hosting it is required.


            And my point was simply that if all they are getting is hosting, the price you quoted is completely out of line. If they are getting more than just hosting, explain that and call it something else other than "hosting".

            If there is more being offered, then it is easy to justify the cost.
            Mike, its amazing to me that you know more about what my clients want than me considering I've spent time sitting talking to them and you ahve never spoken to them.

            Good going

            Really, not looking to get into a debate here, it was just a very quick share of something which is helping me to secure monthly fees.

            Take it as you will.

            Cheers
            Signature

            Precision beats power
            Timing beats speed

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4922098].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
              Originally Posted by PositiveVibe View Post

              Mike, its amazing to me that you know more about what my clients want than me considering I've spent time sitting talking to them and you ahve never spoken to them.

              Good going

              Really, not looking to get into a debate here, it was just a very quick share of something which is helping me to secure monthly fees.

              Take it as you will.

              Cheers

              My point was simply this...

              I know there are a lot of people promoting themselves as offline gurus selling WSO's. I've seen the WSO's. Most of them instruct would be offiners to create a blog for businesses as if it is some magical device.

              In the real world, not every business needs a blog or does it even make sense for them to have a blog. In most cases, a Facebook page would be much more beneficial to keep in touch with prospects and customers.

              Like I said though, if it was a real estate agent, for example, a blog could make perfect sense. They can update people on listings. They can talk about changes in the market and financing, what to do now that you can't get 100% financing to buy a home (in most cases), whether or not to escrow, etc. There are a ton of topics they could discuss and visitors would probably find useful.

              A pizza shop, on the other hand, what are they going to do with a blog? Sure they might have sales and specials to promote, but they can do that on the front page of their website and on their Facebook page.

              Many marketers getting into the offline marketing world are doing so trying to use the exact same tactics and techniques they used in their internet marketing business. Just because your MFA website about facial creams benefited from a blog, does not mean it is the right solution for the dentist down the road.

              If your clients need a blog, then great. They need a blog. Most local businesses don't though.
              Signature

              For SEO news, discussions, tactics, and more.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4923679].message }}

Trending Topics