What would you expect my company to provide?

**TWD-Tony** · 29-05-2005, 09:25 PM

This may seem like a really stooopid question, but bare with me while I explain...

I run a small web-hosting business which is currently going through a direction crisis! We started off as "just another hosting company" - you know the sort, lots of techie stuff on the website and pictures of servers etc... But we have slowly built up quite a good business client base - all of which are currently blown away by our "personal approach" to their questions / problems. We decided at the end of last year to switch from general hosting to "business website solutions" (and redesigned our site to match) and since then have seen a slow but steady amount of new business.

But... This is where i am starting to ask questions!

What else could a company like mine offer a business looking to "go online"? We already offer free domain names (to clients), SEO hints and tips, Search Engine / Directory Submission and eCommerce solutions - but there is more to running a business! So do I now go further down the business road and offer MORE business services? Maybe finding partners in the printing, marketing and design worlds? Thus offering a more "complete" solution... Or just stick to building online shops and leave the rest to the client and Google?

Your opinions would be appreciated!

KGP · 29-05-2005, 10:22 PM

yes outsourcing i believe its a good and niche area....outsourcing consultancy and management although its provided by completely everyone...noone really takes care of it...just to fill some places on things they offer nothing more nothing less....

stoner3221 · 29-05-2005, 10:38 PM

I have one hosting company I strongly dislike and two I think are great. The difference is support. The on service is submit a ticket and in a couple of days you get a reply that I strongly dislike the other two have a phone number I call and get personal support from knowledgeable and caring personnel. If you have great support service your service will be praised and recommended by webmasters.

Eagle · 30-05-2005, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWD-Tony

...What else could a company like mine offer a business looking to "go online"?

Logos/Identity?

***Brian Turner*** · 30-05-2005, 12:54 AM

Certainly there are different markets and directions you can re-orientate your business services towards.

However, a definite concern would be as to whether you may find yourself being overstretched if you start to branch into newer areas.

Making business partnerships is not a bad idea, but it may certainly help to ensure that you have clear set goals on your existing services, and clear set standards you can uphold no matter what else you do.

Just a personal 2c.

vpssupport · 30-05-2005, 08:58 AM

keep it small and personal, nothing worse than having a great releationship with a business for it to change over night and suddenly your just another number. In a market like yours they are two to a penny - and if you offer a good releationship you will stand out!!!!

We have spent alot of money with our provider- it all started with Â£9.99 and now we would have to think long and hard before changing.

Keep your clients happy, they will come back time and time again

RichieRich · 04-06-2005, 01:08 AM

It seems you are already doing very well as it stands and whilst repeating some of the above posts it would be a shame to make happy clients nervous by them thinking you may be growing away from what first made your company attractive to them.

one option to consider would be further developing what you already offer to attract more new business without losing the personal touch and keeping this intact; whilst developing a seperate business addressing other possible avenues of revenue development with two dedicated teams working on both angles(could of course be a massive headache but just another angle or variation of to consider)

kind regards..Rich

Dr.Max · 07-06-2005, 11:56 PM

why don't you ask your client base - on where you can improve and what services they are looking for? why ask us - when you can ask them? this will also help to build better customer relations - asking them what they like and are happy with and what things they think need improving etc... listen to them ! get feedback - why not give them a chance to speak - maybe give them a forum? and a chance to show off their website? you want to keep that personal touch - but also try to create a sense of community of happy and satified customers? sometimes - its best - to be the best at what you already do - without branching out too much? if you can create a following - people that like your brand - that identify with your business approach - they'll stay with you for years! and they'll get their friends to do likewise (because they trust you) . you can offer other associate survices - but its a tricky thing to do well - people don't want to be confused - they like things staying the same - the change has to be very gradual - keep them on board etc... don't change the design of the site too radically - keep all your sevices under one roof. so they know its you guys & girls doing it and not some random people elsewhere? I think you might want cool pictures of yourselves on the site - so people know who they are dealing with? keeps it more personable? anyways good luck

29-05-2005, 09:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
TWD-Tony Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Manchester Uk Posts: 505	What would you expect my company to provide? This may seem like a really stooopid question, but bare with me while I explain... I run a small web-hosting business which is currently going through a direction crisis! We started off as "just another hosting company" - you know the sort, lots of techie stuff on the website and pictures of servers etc... But we have slowly built up quite a good business client base - all of which are currently blown away by our "personal approach" to their questions / problems. We decided at the end of last year to switch from general hosting to "business website solutions" (and redesigned our site to match) and since then have seen a slow but steady amount of new business. But... This is where i am starting to ask questions! What else could a company like mine offer a business looking to "go online"? We already offer free domain names (to clients), SEO hints and tips, Search Engine / Directory Submission and eCommerce solutions - but there is more to running a business! So do I now go further down the business road and offer MORE business services? Maybe finding partners in the printing, marketing and design worlds? Thus offering a more "complete" solution... Or just stick to building online shops and leave the rest to the client and Google? Your opinions would be appreciated! Last edited by TWD-Tony; 29-05-2005 at 09:34 PM.

29-05-2005, 10:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
KGP Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 103	Re: What would you expect my company to provide? yes outsourcing i believe its a good and niche area....outsourcing consultancy and management although its provided by completely everyone...noone really takes care of it...just to fill some places on things they offer nothing more nothing less....

29-05-2005, 10:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
stoner3221 Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Glens Falls, NY USA Posts: 74	Re: What would you expect my company to provide? I have one hosting company I strongly dislike and two I think are great. The difference is support. The on service is submit a ticket and in a couple of days you get a reply that I strongly dislike the other two have a phone number I call and get personal support from knowledgeable and caring personnel. If you have great support service your service will be praised and recommended by webmasters.

30-05-2005, 12:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
*Brian Turner* Business Guru Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Near Inverness, Highlands, Scotland Posts: 7,892	Re: What would you expect my company to provide? Certainly there are different markets and directions you can re-orientate your business services towards. However, a definite concern would be as to whether you may find yourself being overstretched if you start to branch into newer areas. Making business partnerships is not a bad idea, but it may certainly help to ensure that you have clear set goals on your existing services, and clear set standards you can uphold no matter what else you do. Just a personal 2c. __________________ SEO specialist

30-05-2005, 08:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
vpssupport Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 155	Re: What would you expect my company to provide? keep it small and personal, nothing worse than having a great releationship with a business for it to change over night and suddenly your just another number. In a market like yours they are two to a penny - and if you offer a good releationship you will stand out!!!! We have spent alot of money with our provider- it all started with Â£9.99 and now we would have to think long and hard before changing. Keep your clients happy, they will come back time and time again

04-06-2005, 01:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
RichieRich Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 8	Re: What would you expect my company to provide? It seems you are already doing very well as it stands and whilst repeating some of the above posts it would be a shame to make happy clients nervous by them thinking you may be growing away from what first made your company attractive to them. one option to consider would be further developing what you already offer to attract more new business without losing the personal touch and keeping this intact; whilst developing a seperate business addressing other possible avenues of revenue development with two dedicated teams working on both angles(could of course be a massive headache but just another angle or variation of to consider) kind regards..Rich

07-06-2005, 11:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dr.Max Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 32	Re: What would you expect my company to provide? why don't you ask your client base - on where you can improve and what services they are looking for? why ask us - when you can ask them? this will also help to build better customer relations - asking them what they like and are happy with and what things they think need improving etc... listen to them ! get feedback - why not give them a chance to speak - maybe give them a forum? and a chance to show off their website? you want to keep that personal touch - but also try to create a sense of community of happy and satified customers? sometimes - its best - to be the best at what you already do - without branching out too much? if you can create a following - people that like your brand - that identify with your business approach - they'll stay with you for years! and they'll get their friends to do likewise (because they trust you) . you can offer other associate survices - but its a tricky thing to do well - people don't want to be confused - they like things staying the same - the change has to be very gradual - keep them on board etc... don't change the design of the site too radically - keep all your sevices under one roof. so they know its you guys & girls doing it and not some random people elsewhere? I think you might want cool pictures of yourselves on the site - so people know who they are dealing with? keeps it more personable? anyways good luck

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