Marketing your web hosting business is one of the most daunting task.
You know you have a service that is well needed, but you also have to compete with a lot of big players.
Guys like GoDaddy, HostGator, NameCheap, etc. will almost give away the hosting just to get the customer. It’s pure quantity over quality.
However there are many sub niches of communities online all looking for web hosting. Focus in on one of these and tailor your marketing plan around it. That way you’re not left shooting bullets in the dark.
Find Discussion Forums
People like to gather in groups. It’s our human nature. Start Googling around different sub-niches for discussion forums. A huge one amongst the Affiliate Marketing crowd is Warrior Forum. I’m pretty sure everyone running a successful campaign has web hosting ;). Tip: Don’t forget related Facebook groups.
Start Blogging
Just like people gather in groups they also like to read about things happening in their industry. Start blogging daily on big events or include tips on how to make the most out of their web hosting.
Build An Email List
Offer a free domain coupon or some type of helpful information in return for a user’s email address. Follow up with them regulatory but don’t SPAM that crap out of them. Offer them the ability to share with a friend (if doing a coupon code) and you’ll start to pickup some traffic.
Get Heavy On Social Media
Everyone is on social media. Make sure to build your company pages for Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIN but also focus on your personal profile. Connect with people in your target niche and start providing them value. Even if it’s just an inspirational quote or something; give them something that’s going to leave you in their memory.
Start Doing YouTube Tutorials
Show people how to do certain technical tasks related to their websites and publish it to your YouTube channel. They rank high in SERPS and will provide you with people getting interested in your brand. The more videos the better, but aim for one a day.
Do Simple SEO
This is a no-brainer. While it’s not as effective as it was a couple of years ago, make sure to verify your site in Webmaster tools, have unique meta descriptions on all your pages, as well as proper heading and lists. Also don’t use query strings in your URLs.
Issue Press Releases
Make sure to keep the buzz going around your business each month! A press release is very important even if you don’t pay for distribution. If you have the $250 or so to spend, go to PRWeb.com for one of their pages. But nothing else, make sure to post it on related forums, such as Web Hosting Talk.
Feel free to go out on your own. There are many other ways you can get the word out without buying expensive advertisements. As long as you can produce content / help people out, they’re going to start talking about your business!
Ryan Gray is the founder and CEO of NameHero, one of the fastest growing independent web hosts in the United States. Ryan has been working online since 1998 and has over two-decades experience in Internet Entrepreneurship.
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