Webhost can also focus on certain languages and software which are very popular. Not many hosts offer Java Servlets, Postgresql, Zope, etc.. Zope only hosting for example would surely lead all the Zope developers to use as well as recommend the Zope community a webhost who specializes in Zope hosting.
With broadband getting cheaper by the day, webhosts can now truly expect the market of application hosting to get popular. There is a whole new market of large and small corporate who would not mind keeping their data is secure networks. All they need to do is log into their servers and access their data from anywhere in the world. They would be looking for applications such as Compiere or a groupware where they can access, share and store the data on the net. Corporate would not mind paying a premium for such services. The webhosts have to assure security and reliability in such cases.
Adding value to what is being offered to the customer would always interest the customer is taking services from the webhost. A webhost can offer hosting with certain software pre configured for use.
Take a look at Postnuke for example. The latest version of postnuke has had over 39,000 downloads in just about 40 days. All the customer needs to do is change the logo of the site to his logo and start writing. hostnuke has taken the initiative and offering postnuke hosting. Their plans are not cheap. But because they specialize in postnuke hosting, most customers of postnuke would prefer to be with go with hostnuke.
One can offer hosting with a postnuke, gallery and phpBB forum all bundled into one. This gives the customer more time to focus on what he wants to do with his site rather than spend time on how to implement a CMS system or picture gallery.
Sites like hotscripts.com have a section which lists the popular software. Some good ones to offer with hosting are ikonboard, eZpublish, phpShop, Zope, A-Cart etc. After identifying the right software one can create scripts to automate the installation procedure and thus reduce the time to execute new orders.
And finally, one need not go and put in a lot of money for advertising with search engines or webhosting directories. All the webhost needs to do is advertise on the selected software's Home page and be present on their forums/mailing lists.
Amarjyoti Krishnan heads bobcares.com, a tech support company for webhosts and ISPs. He is the co-founder of Poornam Info Vision Ltd., a software and IT services company which specializes in Linux based solutions for Webhosts and ISPs. Poornam Info Vision is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company with a team of over 100 engineers.
收藏至：
