What gives you the edge?

[alex042]

I've noticed there are a ton of people offering basically the same types of services but some are gaining more customer base than others so I've been wondering what exactly gives some companies an edge over another.

Say for example, a company offers cpanel hosting as well as WHM reseller accounts. Most of these have virtually identical software since they usually come with cpanel/whm, all 3 webmails, fantastico, and similar server hardware with most being 1.7ghz+. Most offer a satisfaction guarantee, uptime guarantee, helpdesk/forum/email support of some form.

Some take a niche of that hosting and may specialize in just the mail portion. What would give them the advantage over a full host who offers the same 3 webmail packages?

Or what if a company decides to specialize in something like Ventrilo or Teamspeak hosting. These all have the same server software and most of the time are priced basically the same. What would give one the advantage over the other?

I know a lot of people say service would give people the advantage, but how is a new customer supposed to know who actually has a better service when they all may claim to be the best? Noone is going to say "hey we're good, but they're better". People don't usually have time to email every provider out there or post to their forums to test their support system.

What would tell your prospects to pick you over the competition? What kind of 'extra' things can you offer than someone else doesn't or what makes you stand out if you offer the same base product line as your competition?

[Nick]

Hi,

That's a question i've asked myself over and over again regarding my hosting business.

I am working towards implementing a Client Area for customers to access various tutorials, guides, scripts etc in the hope that it will provide some value for money and a Wow factor.

I think there's too many hosts offering dirt cheap reseller accounts which anyone can get their hands on, then they just look at other web hosts and "borrow" their content.

I would like to specialise on a certain aspect of the hosting industry, but like you said, we all have similar software so we can't really offer a part of that when the customer could just go to another host that includes that as part of their plans.

This is one topic I feel strongly about, and I'm sure there'll be a good response to this thread.

Regards.

[nsusa]

It often comes down to customer service when comparing businesses. Trust is required. What can make you look different are things like attitude and personality. What does that mean? It means something different for everyone. Create your niche market and work it with the right attitude and show your personality. Also - taking a standard service that every web host offers and turn it into something special - give it the little extra.

Christoph

[beley]

I take the extra time to help customers whenever I can. I wouldn't be able to do this if we were a large company...

We don't offer phone support, but have a toll-free number for customer service, billing and sales. If customers call and have a serious issue I'll typically help them resolve it over the phone even though we don't offer phone support. I'll also help them if they didn't upload scripts correctly, or need help installing or configuring scripts.

It's not really our responsibility but by helping them when I can it shows I really am committed to helping them and their website succeed. It's the extra effort that makes the difference.

[web-frenzy]

Very intresting thats what i have been doing with my customers and they seem to be very pleased with our service. I have fixed some coding problems of my customers too.


I have seen an article on MSN and it was saying ways to a sucessfull buisness. And the one way that applied to me the most was personal networking. Such as for example:

You get a friend to sign up for hosting
\/
That friend tells another friend
\/
That friend signs up.
\/
And so on.

You
/\
Friend (hosted)
/ \
Friend Friend (considering hosting)
/ \ / \
Friend Friend Friend Friend


I think you get my point by now. all of my customers are from personal networking. It is a slow but sure process to get customers. May go quicker if you have alot of friends who are web designers also. This is also good for going through family.

Your dads friend owns a buisness and no site = buisness opportunity ETC.

This has been a major part of my sucess in the hosting industry.


On another note about search engines. Submits definetly are the key. Thats how i got to this site to begin with. As i was trying to find a way to get more customers and promotions.


Also what i have been trying to nail is that "comfort zone" as i call it.

Its somewhere between the right price and what you offer.

"UNLMITIED everything " + low price = Skeptical
1gb + high price = rip off

As soon as we find that one spot in the middle where people are comfortanle i think that will be where the buisness will suceed.

This will require alot of research to achive and i would like some imput on it to help to increase all of our sales.



Sorry for such long essay :D . I hope it helped.

,Chris