Best way to 'grow' YOUR hosting business!

[Si]

I'm curious. I've been hosting for just over 8 years now (full time after 30 months) and most of our customers have come by word of mouth.

 

We're not massive by any stretch, (about 1055 clients at present). We've not advertised, but are now considering doing trade shows etc.

 

We've considering the affiliate route, (especially as we have a 1000+ existing customers) and I wondered if others would share their experience of how the affiliate route works for them, (or not). Is it worth it? and what percentages do you pay? Do you pay recurring or once off? That type of thing.

 

We're just a couple months away from employing new strategies and will be happy to report back how different approaches have worked and not worked.

 

Any contributors?

 

Si

[lostinspace]

Word of mouth is key we've found. Bad host news spreads like wild fire and constant communication with customers has been gold for us.

 

Posting promos and such in some hosting forums has worked well but mostly draws fraudulent orders for shared hosting. On the dedicated server side of the house posting in forums has worked well.

[Unlimited Hoster]

Sell one time fee hosting and promote on web master forums. But ofcourse unless you know how to manage selling one time fee hosting its going to come back to bite you.

[Nordevco]

I voted for word of mouth. Keep your clients happy and don't be afraid to ask them for referrals. Find a nice tell-a-friend script and/or offer an affiliate program with a nice payout.