I was wondering if I could get some input on this. I noticed this: http://www.affordablehost.com/freebie.shtml

A large company offering no obligation free hosting. This looks like a good marketing strategy. It makes sense that a user on a stable, large network free host may be intrigued to upgrade to a real plan with that host after time.

I was wondering what others thought about this. Is it feasable? Are there any other companies doing this?

I am thinking about adding a similar free hosting option next to paid hosting on a seperate semi-supported machine. But with similar specs and network connectivity. heavily limited. But free to upgrade to a fully-supported, redundant, backup up production environment.

I'd like to hear any thoughts someone might have on this.

Thanks!

It looks like you have to pay for the first three months though. It may work depending on the size of the accounts that they offer.

I can tell you this much: I know the owner of AffordableHost and she runs a very tight ship. AffordableHosts will not disappoint and among all the free hosts, I would have definitely chose them if I needed.

Best,

Yes, Tina knows her stuff. I've had the pleasure of reading her posts on hosting forums on several occasions.

About other companies doing that... sure. Netfirms is one big hosting company that does something like that and they've been around for quite a while.

AffordableHOST has been around for a while, so they can afford to advirtise such claims. I havn't really heard any reviews with there support staff, however, I have spoke to Tina, the owner, and she is a nice person. I wouldn't consider the plan something to test out though, in my honest opinion (as a web host; to advirtise it), because I am just starting in March.

We actually just built a machine tonite specifically for free hosting. We are going to heavily limit the machine by using very small packages and little to no support (unless upgrading to pay packages of course). Since we have the rackspace and bandwidth to spare we figure we will use it as a test marketing tool. Worst case the machine becomes a nice backups servers =)

eger, I don't think "little to no support" is the right approach. In my best marketing knowledge, both paid and free customers should be served with same integrity. Why? Suppose you have 10,000 free customers that receive no support from you. How many would really have the desire to "upgrade" their small package they outgrew with you if they receive no support and they don't have the slightest idea of what your support is like? Whereas if you provide them excellent service, do you think your customers who decide to go on a bigger paid deal would stay with you or leave?

I have a gut feeling that is how AffordableHost is taking care of their free hosting customers, so they can at least convert them into paid customers one day. The only way to do it is, as you correctly noted, provide small resource packages, but also excellent support.

Best,

I think it is a great idea. It is similar to offering a free trial. I know that works because once they are signed up with you, as long as they like your service, they will be with you indefinitely.

I'm curious what kind of conversion rate (and how long) there is for free to paid customers.

Roj

I don't think its a bad idea, but I think it can be more of a hassle to sort out people who are legitimate and those who sign up to use the service to spam.

I run a free branch onto my paid hosting site and get well over 600 signups a day. Out of the 600 more than 200 are fake accounts. Im just glad that Im using xpanel or you could be in a big mess in a hurry.

600 signups a day? And only 200 are fake? Sorry to get off-topic a bit, but I've never even heard of your company, nor any reviews. I don't even think that MidPhase or iPowerWeb gets that many signups, or is this for your free hosting branch?

Free hosting branch. "I run a free branch onto my paid hosting site "

Free hosting is just a HUGE form of advertising, service isnt always on top of its line but it works for the newbies. Sometimes people would be better off with freewebs or 50megsfree than an actual hosting companies free hosting.

Free Hosting is more of a pain then anything else, nearly all your signups are fraudulent or fake and you also run a 600 fold increase in allowing customers to spam, use it to phish etc...in the end, its just not worth it