I want to see if we can name all the methods to increase sales of webhosting packages out there. Here's a short list so far...

-> Affiliate programm
-> SEO
-> Top plase in brother directory
-> Banner advertising
-> Forum advertising
-> anything else

What do you think, which one are the best?

I think forum advertising, banner advertising (depending on what sites you place the banner), and google AdWords are great ways to do advertising.

Well, everybody keeps saying that Google Adwords is the end-all be-all, but I have had no luck with it. I have blown through hundreds with not a single sale from Google.

I HAVE had luck (albeit only a little of it) with the HostQuote leads from Webhosting Talk. I have gotten 3 resellers and 3 regular hosting customers this month from them. Those customers alone have more than paid for the membership. Of course, I don't bother with 90% of the leads there because they want the world for $1.

I have gotten a couple of customers from various forums.

I have tried the Hosting Directories and they are a huge waste of time.

I am going to try something new. I purchased a bunch of postcards with a scratchoff that reveals a "30 Days Free" under it. I will be doing a local mailing with these scratch-offs. I am also looking into having an insert placed in the local newspaper advertising a promotion available only to local residents. I have a feeling local advertising will be the way to go.

Actually, with the bunch of Webhosting businesses around, it seems that the best bet would be "Local Advertising".
One of our Partners, tried a while back, what we are calling "Guerilla Marketing".
You know, this is when you let a visit card on the table you were eating for the next customer or when you pay the coffee to the next client in a drive in......

I find the concept of scratchcards really interresting.
I suggest you also to insert onto these card a reducing coupon for the non-winners.
Something like "10% off for the 3 first month....". It will allow you to have a feedback on these cards... and then you'll be able to control your advertising campaign.

Please, let us know how it is going with your marketing campaign. Maybe a good article to publish after Christmas.
Good Luck.

Actually, the scratchoffs I had custom made have no losers. Every one of them has the 30 days free under it. However, I bought a bunch of the "dots" so I could make up my own cards and if I get any responses from these I will do them again and make them all different.

I'd actually love to write up an article if this method works. I actually have not heard of anyone else doing it yet.

We have attempted the untargeted approach with flyers (postcard size) handed out at large events. Unfortunately it was not coordinated properly with the distribution team, so couldn't track feedback/visits.

The scratch n sniff, gives it a nice touch. If it works out you might want to write something for pingzine (pingzine.com) "Alternative Marketing"

Good Luck.

Hmm has anyone ever tried sticking up posters around the city? I've tried it and i have gotten alot of sales from that..

You can also stick posters in cities where alot of people do business (rich people) maybe that will also bring in more sales :)

just my 2 cents.

I guess it also depends on which target audience you are trying to reach.
The posters are usefull if you are trying to get youngs, students and so on....
But the other side of the medal is: they can also bring a cheap image of your company.

Actually i find the idea of FunkyFrog simply excellent.
Peoples like games, people like to win something, egal what....

Please, FF, tell us who is story is going.... you'll be more than welcome to write an article to relate this here.... :)

Keep on the good work.

Hmm i dont agree that it makes your company look cheap it depends on the look of the poster, if it looks really professional and it has a picture of someone on it and it points out alot of eyecatching features it wont make your company look cheap.. But if its just plain text it surely will make your company cheap.

Oh and if your rich enough you could even put your Webhosting Company up on a billboard thats near a street that is very busy, that may attract more customers too :)