notyouraccount Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Can someone please help me? I am new in the webhosting business and have only been in it for a week, and during that week I have had no customers... No one has even visited my site . Can someone please help me by figuring out where and how to advertise, or something in that manner? or what I am doing wrong? I will appreciate any help I can get. Here is my website: http://nys-hosting.com . Thanks to everyone in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Hmm.. where to start.. You've been in business a week and you're saying its going down the drain? It sounds like you thought this was easy money. Don't be surprised if you don't make a decent profit within a year. How are you advertising? Secondly, your website is one of the worst I have seen. There's no contact details, no welcome text, no images, no support link.. nothing. It's no wonder nobody has signed up. It looks like you've just found a template and put in the bare minimum effort with a default install of WHMCS, added some text to a single page and thought that was it. You have a lot of work to do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Wade Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 First...didn't you have a plan? You don't start a business without a plan. Where have you advertised already? I'm sorry to tell you, but even if you do get someone to visit your site no one will order from you. I'm just being honest here. You site is horrible. You didn't even try to integrate WHMCS into your site. The main page looks like you made it in under 5 minutes. This is a tough business. If you don't come into it with a business plan or at least some idea what you are doing, you will fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striddy Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Can someone please help me? Looks like you need to speak to a business adviser and an accountant to help you draft up a business plan. I am new in the webhosting business and have only been in it for a week, and during that week I have had no customers... No one has even visited my site How would anybody know about your site. Are you doing any advertising? Heck, google hasn't even indexed your site yet. what I am doing wrong? For one, finish your website. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSG Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 http://www.webhostingtalk.com A lot of traffic from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraedesigns Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 http://www.webhostingtalk.com A lot of traffic from there. I don't think that is going to help him. Unless he first makes an effort to get his site developed properly and have a business plan drafted up. From what I see, a business plan scribbled on a napkin would be of much more benefit to him than what he has already done. Just being honest here also, it looks like you are not even trying. At first I thought this post was a joke, you need to seriously sit down and think about things a bit. I mean there are literally THOUSANDS of web hosting providers out there. 1. Draft a business plan 2. Finish your site 3. Submit your site to search engines (start with google webmaster tools) 4. Find a niche market 5. Advertise toward that market 6. Don't expect results overnight. I'd say 6-12 months if you really really put forth some effort before you see anything that could be considered results. I mean this is the bare minimum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyouraccount Posted December 31, 2008 Author Share Posted December 31, 2008 Yes I know, im working on getting dreamweaver to design my site. That is just a temporary page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Wade Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 You'd be better off paying 30 bucks for a template and taking the remaining $360 dollars and spending it on advertising (once you have a plan of course). Unless you just have money to burn, but for some reason I'm thinking you don't. I'm also thinking that you don't actually have the money to purcahse dreamweaver either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 http://www.webhostingtalk.comA lot of traffic from there. Name dropper! Yes I know, im working on getting dreamweaver to design my site. That is just a temporary page. You don't need Dreamweaver to make a site. Any editor will do, and if you really need WYSIWYG, go for NVU or something. Free, so you don't need to "find" Dreamweaver (in case you were thinking of getting it by downloading). DW is remarkable, but overpriced if you're only working on your own site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraedesigns Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 I never could figure out DW, UltraEdit 100% on all the sites I work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorro67 Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Down the drain? You haven't even filled the bath yet! First thing in business is a plan, which includes the basics of marketing, the 4Ps - Product , Place, Price & Position. What will you sell, how will you sell, it, how much for (the value question) and how will people perceive you against compared to other suppliers? Unfortunately your site fails against other suppliers on al counts. the only business you could expect after week is a spammer or a relative. Don't spend money on software yet. Go down to your local book store and spend $30 on a "how to start my own small business" type book. and the, AFTER you've read it, do a search for one of the numerous threads in here about "getting started" or "business plan". Because its only after you have the basis of a plan will anything here make any sense to you. you don't have to listen to me, or any of the other posters, but I've got 25 yrs business experience. Get professional or get out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplybe Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 posting your url and "business is going down the drain " will not inspire any potential customers with confidence if they google your domain before buying ! Hosting is not easy money and demands a lot of time and effort. Do some research and come back with a plan. I wish you the best of luck but now is not a great time to start a new business if you have no experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
othellotech Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Chave only been in it for a week, and during that week I have had no customers... Ask yourself "why would someone buy from me ?"... Your hosting plans are ridiculous - 500gb of disk from $10 - do you even have 500gb of disk ? Your pricing makes no sense - its cheaper to pay quarterly (84$) than annually (100$) The domain pricing just looks like a * - not even a total muppet would believe they can buy a .com for $1 Go back to the planning stages, write a business plan , and then decide if its even something worthwhile doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyouraccount Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 I asked for friendly advice like "You just need to edit your website here and there" not "Your website is the worst I have EVER seen, you never have a chance". All these replies are put downs except striddy's post... I have a new website in the works, and I have 5 other people to help me design it... So if you go to my website and think it is a piece of s*** then dont post it here, I already know it and im working hard to improve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlinpa1969 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 you need to stop taking offense, you came in here whining that your business is going down the drain... heck its not even started, you may well be better off to put up a under construction coming soon page, build the new site. sit down and actually do the math ( plans and actual Dollars ) put together a business plan and then open the doors...... you might be able to make a business out of it, you also need to be prepared to lose money the first year, and to work 18 Hrs a day....... this is a business, you should be lucky these folks took the time to even go look at your site and criticize it. But if you dont want the cold hard truth dont ask the questions..... Kinda like asking someone from NYC "How are you today" your likely to get the whole story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herdboy Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I asked for friendly advice like "You just need to edit your website here and there" not "Your website is the worst I have EVER seen, you never have a chance". All these replies are put downs except striddy's post... I have a new website in the works, and I have 5 other people to help me design it... So if you go to my website and think it is a piece of s*** then dont post it here, I already know it and im working hard to improve it. Don't take the replies the wrong way. Most of the respondents to your plea for help/guidance are from persons who have been in the business for a long time. Your site really needs a lot of work as well as your business plan/strategy, and the advice you received was spoton. I am hosting for almost a year now and my site is still not complete, but I only host clients sites. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txkhomes Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) First I get a plan, then get a design or hire a designer to develop a website for you This business is a hard business, not one as a hobby but a real business William, if you need help let me know I would be willing to help you learn the business, so you some better available designs and help you get the software required, there are several freeware html editors ie. nvu and others mentioned above, let me know if I can help I am also in Texas, not close to Keller but I am available via Internet Instant Messengers etc Edited January 2, 2009 by txkhomes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorro67 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) I asked for friendly advice like "You just need to edit your website here and there" not "Your website is the worst I have EVER seen, you never have a chance". All these replies are put downs except striddy's post... I have a new website in the works, and I have 5 other people to help me design it... So if you go to my website and think it is a piece of s*** then dont post it here, I already know it and im working hard to improve it. As merlin says, we take time out of our business to post here because we do want to contribute, and if you look at some of the other posts of the respondents, you will see that they are all generally very helpful. Given the level of sophistication of your site, and the fact that you've only been in business a week, a number of us experienced older hands are duty bound to tell it like it is. From the first look at your website, all you've shown me is that you have a hobby, not a business. I like hobbies as much as the next guy, but recognise that we take time away from our own hobbies, businesses and families to respond to others. To sugar coat your issues, as we see them, would be in all honesty, doing you an absolute dis-service. So its simple, in non-malicius, but simply direct language, if you can't follow my and others suggestions, please don't waste our time. We are in business to be of service to people, and to make money, amongst other reasons. I am in the habit of telling iot lie it is; in the real business world, most potential buisnesses (that's who your clients are aren't they) would look at your site, and either laugh, and ignore you, or just ignore you. You asked for help, and I offered and others it. Real, valid, relevant, useful, truthful and honest. If you want platitudes, talk to your mother. None of the language here is any more direct than any employer would give you if you turned this sort of effort in to them for a client project. If you want serious business advice from your peers, first you have to show us that you are one of us. Then you'll get it. Edited January 2, 2009 by Zorro67 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) Well said Zorro. Most of us have been doing this for years and have successful companies - we know what it takes to stand out in this competitive business and you've received some honest advice. It's a common misconception that this is a quick and easy way to get cash - it couldn't be further from the truth! We spend about 5-6 months just writing out a plan and making sure we had the funds to survive. Our design costs thousands of $ to get right and I worked a minimum of 18 hours a day, 7 days a week for the first few months. In the first month, we had 2 clients - If we saw 2 clients in just an hour now I would be checking our order forms to make sure our site isn't down.. If you can't take the little bit of criticism that you've had in this thread - you might want to reconsider going into business. Edited January 2, 2009 by Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handsonwebhosting Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 While I haven't contributed to this thread yet (guess I missed the boat as it seems the OP doesn't want our help), I did want to comment that the owners and designers of your COMPETITION are freely giving you advice on how to operate a business. This is money out of OUR pockets. Granted there are thousands of "hosting companies", but each one that pops up is potentially taking one more client away from my business, resulting in lower sales. Take the criticism just like if your professor in college graded a paper. They're not going to say wonderful nice things about how the words fill a page, they'll give you the bottom line. Good luck in the business, I hope that you come to realize that this post alone has a wealth of information and is being FREELY offered by the same guys that you're going to be competing against for business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlinpa1969 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I only have one last thing to say and its constructive not criticizim " If you build it they will come" only applies to baseball fields in Iowa corn fields, If you are Kevin Costner and your Angel is James Earl Jones..... and you have a few Million Dollars on a film Budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraedesigns Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) Upon revisiting his site, viewing his pricing, I hope that is purposely set to scare people away while under development. As it is all pretty much still ridiculous and he seems to have ignored the advice given. I also get the feeling you are just a teenager, between 13 and 15 years of age. Based on your sites, their info, your posts, etc. Edited January 2, 2009 by mcraedesigns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 ....and your Angel is James Earl Jones..... That was actually Ray Liotta as "Shoeless Joe Jackson" (Jones dies at the end). This has gone far enough, I think. OP isn't interested in hearing what's wrong, though he asked, so closing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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