Archive for the ‘Web Hosting’ Category
Should you consider creating an IPhone compatible Website?
Posted on August 17, 2007
Well some people think so. In an article about optimizing your site for the IPhone on the WHIR (Web Hosting Industry and Review) they discuss why it might be important for you, a few companies that are doing it, and how you might think about doing it… I thought it might be worth mentioning.
Google Selling Domains, and the/my Hype
Posted on December 25, 2006
Well, if you are a Web Hosting company, an ISP or anyone who resells domains as a loss leader or for a profit, you may have heard or even already looked at Google Apps for Domains and seen that they are now reselling domains through the two prominent registrars GoDaddy and Enom. This is really no surprise. Two of the largest registrars in North America working to build Market share.
While I am sure GoDaddy is hoping to build multiple registrations out of this deal to increase profit, I am sure Enom is also hoping to capitalize on the dropped names for their domain monetization business… Keep in mind this is only my opinion. And we know what opinion’s are like. Personally any registrar would be silly not to be knocking on Google’s door to sell domains if they can fit into the $10.00 domain and private registration(Whois masking) model. It is just good business if the registrar can get in there and make a profit. Google is giving the registrar another retail channel to capitalize on. The argument of course is does the domain business need another retail channel to purchase domains from in an already over-crowded marketplace? Google seems to think so. And, after trying to configure one of my own domains to Google Apps which includes Gmail for domains a couple months ago, even I had some issues configuring the domain for Google Page Creator, one of their free applications. If I were a layperson trying to do this, I would have been very frustrated. Registrations through accredited registrars will help with the auto configuration of the domain services for Google Apps.
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Value vs. Volume: Don’t fall into selling Space and Bandwidth
Posted on October 4, 2006
I’ve been traveling again this week visiting hosting companies and ISPs in the Southeastern U.S. I’ve been talking to them about value, stickiness, and growth. One thing is certain, and that is they all have the same concerns… “We’re losing business, and we want to know what to do to stop it.” Or, “We are looking to find new avenues of growth so we are thinking about experimenting with our packages and offers.” These items bring me back to one word for everyone I have spoken to, and that word is value.
If you are a hosting company that is bringing on new business, but losing old clients to churn, you need to examine what you are doing today based on the perceived value of those clients that are leaving. I am going to make a statement that I am sure will make some of you say I am crazy and others agree. That statement is that Value in Web Hosting is NOT disk space, the number of email addresses you offer, or how cheap you are. There are companies out there today making good on cash flow numbers, but having a hard time getting or remaining profitable because they degraded their value proposition to prices, space, and stuff. You know what? The average end user has no clue what the “stuff” is. The average end user just wants a web site that functions the way they need it to. Occasionally you get the end user (and it will be more frequent in the coming months and years) that may require hosted applications, but the average guy, “like my Dad,” just wants to present his business online.
E-tailing primer for the SMB Web Host or (The rest of the title was unfortunately truncated)
Posted on September 29, 2006
So, it seems like six or so months since I’ve posted a blog article here. In fact it’s been seven months now that I am counting them… Yikes! Well, we’re full swing into fall as far as I am concerned. People are back full time from vacations and time off, and its time to focus on making money and growing your business again. And I am here to make a few suggestions on how to do that if I can.
Today’s post is going to be aimed towards the small Web Developer or Hosting company looking to increase business in their local or regional locale. It is the industry I am in so I’m looking to get back to my roots for the selling season. With luck you’re in my industry too.
I am in the channel. I’m in the channel in every way. My company also sells direct to the end customer. We have a retail division that struggles with the same things that the smallest company does all the time. I just happen to be in a good position to work with them as well, so that I can bring you some best practices from our neck of the woods, as well as what’s making money in other businesses as well.
I will be presenting ideas and thoughts in this document to help you to hopefully make more money, create greater stickiness, which in turn increases RPU and creates longer than average terms for you. This is my goal. To help you make more money one client at a time, and when you look back at your financials, with a little hard work, hopefully you will see exponential profits where you had not before.
“Web Site” or “Web Hosting” for you to decide? Yes or No?
Posted on February 28, 2006
Well, do you know what a small business owner wants? Do you? Don’t think I’m trying to provoke you. I’m not. I’m trying to invoke some thought. I want to take a look at just a couple of items that might help you sell more of your products and services.
For years now Web Hosting companies have been pushing, well, just that, Web Hosting. Then someone came along and said lets push Web Hosting with more space, more bandwidth, more email, and more widgets. “Yeah, let’s add more widgets because we have to compete with Joe and Sam’s hosting company.” They have more widgets than we do… And so on… Guess what? I say, “so what.” Who cares about all those features? Do you? I’m sure you do. It’s your job to keep up with Joe and Sam. But tell me, what is your value proposition if you are keeping up with Joe and Sam’s Hosting widgets and driving your pricing down at the same time depleting your profits?
