How to Get Web Hosting Clients - A Complete Guide to Land Your First 100 Clients

Are you just starting or own a web hosting business, but thinking of how to get web hosting clients? You're at the right place. This blog will take you on a smooth and step-by-step journey on how to get success with your web hosting company and how to have new web hosting clients.

Imagine now that you are a customer and see the many hosting providers to choose from. With over 2,500 active hosting companies and 2,374 data centres worldwide till date, it's safe to say that competition is fierce.

Now, let's flip the coin. As a hosting business owner, you may also feel overwhelmed. How can you succeed in this crowded industry and secure those all-important first 100 clients?

Don't worry, this blog is here to help you cut through the noise and make your vision a reality. We'll explore practical strategies for attracting customers and growing your hosting business, step by step. Ready to dive in? Let's go!

What is web hosting?

Web hosting is a service that allows the content of your website to be accessed online. You are renting storage on a real server to house all of the files and data for the website when you buy a hosting service.

Website space is typically rented to clients by a hosting firm, like Bluehost or Hostinger. These web hosting companies offer the resources and technology needed to guarantee the safe and uninterrupted functioning of a website. Website owners may, however, occasionally decide to host their websites on their own servers, however, this calls for a high level of technical expertise.

Read more on How to Start a Web Hosting Business Easily

What is a reseller web hosting business?

A reseller web hosting is simply a service provider that serves as an intermediary between end users and the hosting company. One kind of web hosting service that enables you to purchase hosting resources from a provider and sell them to your clients is reseller hosting.

Mainly, it's an entity or service provider that established itself as a web hosting company that sells hosting services to end users. The hosting is purchased from a hosting provider, but to the end customers, it is portrayed as a different web hosting provider than the one used.

Read More on How to be a Successful Hosting Reseller - Proven Secrets Tips & Tricks to Grow

How does web hosting work?

Your website's server is a real computer that operates constantly to ensure that it is always accessible to users. Purchasing web hosting servers will enable you to keep all of your website's data on your provider's servers.

The web host's server will send all the files required to load your website as soon as a user types a domain name into the address bar of their browser.

A website can be hosted by you, but it takes a lot of technical know-how. Building up and configuring a site's server from the ground up, including the hardware, software, infrastructure, and equipment, is known as self-hosting. Additionally, all of the continuing maintenance will fall within your purview.

Related: How to Start a SaaS Business - 10 Easy Steps to Success

A web hosting provider guarantees improved security protocols and great website performance. Additionally, it streamlines the numerous intricate facets of website hosting, such as technical assistance and software installation.

7 ways to get web hosting clients

Enough talking! Now, let's dive into the main topic of the blog on how to get web hosting clients. Follow this step-by-step guide, and you can attract clients like big companies like never before.

1. Find your niche & target group

First things first - do your homework.

Not all hosting businesses are created equal, so ask yourself:

• What type of hosting package do you want to offer? Shared hosting, VPS, reseller, cloud hosting?

• Will you include additional services such as domain registration or website management?

Understanding your focus will help you find a niche that sets you apart with your unique selling point. And here's the golden rule: "Don't try to target everyone."

Instead, narrow your target by asking questions like:

• Should I focus on a specific geographic location (country, city)?

• Do I want to serve small startups, medium businesses, or large companies?

• Is there a particular industry I could specialise in, such as e-commerce or technology?

By identifying the niche, you reduce competition and position yourself as an expert for your chosen audience. And guess what? Customers love working with experts.

2. Create a user-friendly website

Your website is the first impression potential clients will have of your business, so it's important to get it right. While flashy, intricate designs may look cool, remember the first tip we discussed: know your target audience. Not all clients are tech-savvy, especially in the early stages of your hosting business. So, it's best to keep your website simple, clean, and easy to navigate.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Clear pricing: Be transparent about your plans and pricing structure.

• Call to Action (CTA): Guide visitors to sign up with a bold, clear button like “Get Started” or “Try Free.”

• Live chat support: Real-time help can increase conversions.

• Mobile responsive: Make sure your site works smoothly on all devices.

Pro Tip: Include a blog section, e.g Upmind Blog. Content creation on topics like “how to choose a hosting provider” or “a beginner's guide to domains” can drive organic traffic to your site through Search Engine optimisation and content marketing. (More on that later).

3. Join and engage in forums or communities

Get involved where your potential customers hang out to get new clients. Online relevant forums, Facebook groups and communities are goldmines for connecting with people who may need your services.

Start with platforms like Reddit, Quora, and industry-specific forums such as Web Hosting Talk, or you can check more in our blog here

Avoid being overly salesy. Instead, provide value, share insights, and subtly introduce your services when relevant. Also, you can talk about interesting content, industry events, marketing strategy, etc., to engage with other hosting companies, web developers, big companies and so on.

Another engaging formula to attract clients is to engage them with a discussion of the real-time problem of hosting accounts from your current customers from other websites, and then, upon discussion, you can offer value-added services or share contact details.

4. Level up your marketing

Customers don’t just want to hear that your company is the best, they want to see it. “Working a lot” in marketing means showing your audience that your hosting company or business is active, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping them. Instead of just advertising, focus on creating value and being where your customers are. Here’s how you can do that:

A. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

• Make your website easy to find! It helps your site rank higher in search results, so potential clients discover you when they search for hosting solutions.

• Research keywords like “affordable hosting for startups” or “best VPS hosting for small businesses.”

• Optimise your pages, blog posts, and descriptions to include these keywords naturally.

• Ensure your site loads quickly and has an intuitive design; Google or any other search engines and bots loves user-friendly websites.

• Link back from other web hosting providers or relevant websites with higher traffic and DA (Domain Authority) to establish brand value and rank higher in search engines. You can reach out to them via email marketing or various social media channels.

B. Social media marketing:

Social platforms are where you can connect with your target audience. Start with platforms like LinkedIn (great for B2B clients), Instagram, or Facebook, and share content that builds trust and engagement:

• Highlight customer success stories.

• Promote your services, discounts, or new features.

• Create fun, helpful content like how-to videos, infographics, or industry tips.

Pro Tip: Posting consistently (even a few times a week) shows potential clients that you’re active and invested.

C. Guides, documentation, and tutorials:

This is where you can shine as a helpful and knowledgeable host. Create resources that solve real problems for your customers:

• Publish beginner-friendly guides like “How to Choose the Right Hosting Plan” or “A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Domain.”

• Add FAQs or quick tutorials to your site, so clients can easily find answers.

• Use visuals like screenshots or short videos to make your content easy to follow.

In Upmind, we have guides or documentation as well as YouTube tutorials, so these efforts don’t just build trust; this also demonstrates that you’re serious about supporting your clients, not just selling to them.

5. Affiliate or referral system

Affiliate programs are a win-win solution for you and your partners. Offer a commission to bloggers or your existing clients who refer customers to your hosting service.

To make your affiliate program attractive:

• Offer rewards to existing clients: Give them a discount or upgrade for every new customer they refer.

• Keep it simple: Provide a referral link or pre-written messages so it’s easy for clients to share your service.

• Make it worth their while: Offer incentives like cash or free months of hosting.

6. Focus on existing client satisfaction

While it may overlap with referral strategies, client satisfaction deserves its own attention. Why? Because your existing clients are gold when you're just starting out. Satisfied clients don't just stay loyal, they naturally become your brand advocates, spreading the word about your services. This “word-of-mouth marketing” is very effective and costs nothing!

Here’s how you can make your clients happy and encourage them to help grow your web hosting business:

• Ask for reviews: Positive reviews are a powerful tool. After providing exceptional service, please ask your clients to leave a review on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, or even social media.

• Incentivise feedback: Offer small rewards like discounts, free service upgrades, or a month of hosting for clients who leave reviews or share their positive experiences.

• Assure great customer support: Make sure you have an amazing support team that hops on anytime when a client is in need of help or support. A prompt response and solving of problems boosts your client satisfaction way higher than you expect.

Happy clients are your business's best ambassadors. By keeping them satisfied and engaged, you’re not just retaining them, you’re unlocking a whole new stream of potential customers through word-of-mouth and referrals.

7. Partnership with other businesses

Ever attended an IT conference or hosting industry events, joined an online forum, or struck up a conversation with a local business owner? These networking opportunities aren't just about meeting people, they can also lead to partnerships that open doors for your web hosting business.

By working with businesses that complement your services, you can expand your reach and provide more value to customers.

Here are some potential partners to consider:

• Web design agencies or Web designers

• IT consultants or software providers

• Freelance developers or digital marketers

• Local businesses like cafes or computer service providers that need hosting for their websites

Pro Tip: Collaborate on co-branded offers or campaigns to benefit both parties. For example, a shared discount or promotional landing page can make the partnership more attractive to your audiences.

Related: How to Start a Digital Agency - A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Reaching your first 100 hosting clients isn’t a sprint, it’s a strategic marathon. By focusing on your niche, creating a user-friendly website, leveling up your marketing strategy, and keeping your customers happy with great support, you’re building a strong foundation for long-term success.

Yes, the hosting industry is competitive, but persistence and smart strategies can help you carve out your space and grow your business. The key? Take action! Start applying these steps today, and watch as your client base begins to expand.

Frequently asked questions on how to get web hosting clients

Q: How to start a web hosting business?

You can start a web hosting business simply with a website. You can set up your web hosting provider, offer competitive prices with no hidden fees, have a good marketing strategy with a unique selling point, have an excellent support team, and you are now ready to start your own web hosting business.

Q: Can you earn money by hosting websites?

Most businesses have websites, and an increasing number of businesses are online-first or even online-only. In much of the world, online adoption is still growing at a phenomenal rate. As a result, there is a lot of demand for web hosting. You can make a great recurring income by offering it.

Q: How do I become a domain reseller?

To become a reseller, you would normally need to register with a domain registrar that offers reseller programs. The registrar will give you access to their domain registration platform and a reseller account, which allows you to buy domain names at a discount and resell them to your clients at a profit.

Q: How do I promote my web hosting business?

Once you find your target audiences and set up a simple and fast website for your hosting company and have competitive prices ready, you can practice the following methods to promote your hosting company.

1. Engage in social media pages and forums

2. Content Creation - Create a podcast, write a blog, or record a vlog.

3. Search Engine Optimisation or SEO

4. Marketing on social media channels

5. Sponsored Promotion and content marketing

6. Adding your business and website to directories

7. Local face-to-face networking

8. Endorsing other websites

9. Happy customers' referrals (affiliate marketing)

10. Provide something that "competitors" don't

Q: How to grow a web hosting business?

Apart from what's discussed above, you can grow your hosting company by adopting a Business and Billing automation tool for your business. It will make your life easier, and you can focus on more important tasks while the business automation platform handles all the heavy lifting for you with precision.

You can explore Upmind's features and how it helps with the web hosting billing system to help you excel in your business.

Conclusion

In summary, attracting web hosting customers necessitates a combination of smart promotion, first-rate client service, and a steady display of your proficiency. Make an effort to comprehend your target market, modify your offerings to suit their requirements, and broaden your reach by utilising web channels.

Long-term client relationships depend on establishing trust and keeping lines of communication open.

You can differentiate yourself in a crowded market and build your company slowly by putting these doable strategies into practice. Set your web hosting company up for success by taking the first step right now!

Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll dive into how to balance business growth and customer satisfaction.