Would it be rude to ask someone this question?

Just thinking... I know even paying month-by-month on Hostgator's Hatchling plan it is only $9. Most uneducated people with websites are paying more than that on Yahoo hosting and such.

So would it be rude next time I speak to a business owner to ask them how much they pay monthly for web hosting? Or could it seem like I am criticizing them too much.

Because remember Hostgator pays $100/signup and even if you don't like them you can also do reseller. That way you are saving the business owner money and making some yourself.

just ask them man, i would could save them money

Why not? business is business and you will most likely be helping out. Unless they also use hostgator xD

not rude at all. When I sell services to a business I always ask what they are paying now. They will either tell you or they wont. Most times they don't have a problem spilling the beans.

I do this all the time. Majority of the time.. they're OVER paying. I know a local web designer that charges $20 per month to business owners for 5 emails and 1 GB of space.

Granted.. most websites won't ever use over 1GB... but she charges it because she can get away with it. Business owners don't know.

You could probably make more money buying a great dedicated... or even cheap.. and charging your clients for the hosting. You'll end up making more money in the long run rather than $100 up front.

What I have done is set up hosting under my own CC for a year and I'll host 5 sites on that one hosting account. Costs me about $100... and each of those people are getting charged $150 per year.

150 x 5 = $750 - $100 = $650 profit.... each and every year.
You renew a subscription of one of your clients next year... you'd not getting that $100 anymore.

Just a thought...

It definitely wouldn't be rude if you're looking to save them money, go for it!

Most of the time they will tell you, and they won't take it as a rude gesture. Why?

Businessmen don't usually trust the people they pay for some service. So they would glady tell you to see if the other guy has been ripping them off

The Offline Marketing section would have a lot more accurate answers and experiences on a situation link this.