The free website method

I'm in the process of starting a company specialising in business growth (we'll be offering web design, competitor analysis, logos and branding, ad help, social marketing etc. etc.) and stumbled upon "the free website" method whereby you offer free web design to a business and then direct them to buy hosting via your affiliate link.

I have a few questions:

1) Is it better to send them through your affiliate link and let them have their hosting separately and collect your affiliate money or is it better to make a mock hosting company website to make it look like it's offering super cheap hosting for your clients and then charge them a lot less but put it on a reseller account with your own host?

2) If the former, who has the best offers in terms of helping convince the client to buy or in terms of overall payout?

3) My marketing plan was to spread the word that the first 5 businesses in and around my city to contact me will get web design services completely free, is there a better way to do it?

4) I'm aware this is an old method, so does anyone have any experience in it? How did it go?

Any answers would be really helpful Thanks

read the thread. its just under yours.
1 hour sending emails offering free websites = 320 dollars

theag said:

read the thread. its just under yours.
1 hour sending emails offering free websites = 320 dollars

Click to expand...

I did find the thread but it didn't answer these questions.

Below are my thoughts.

1) Is it better to send them through your affiliate link and let them have their hosting separately and collect your affiliate money or is it better to make a mock hosting company website to make it look like it's offering super cheap hosting for your clients and then charge them a lot less but put it on a reseller account with your own host?

It depends on how involved you want to be. If you want to do very little and get paid decent, just send them your Affiliate link and collect commission. Remember, affiliate links often are flagged as spam so cloak it.

If you want this to be more of a real business with the opportunity of repeat business and upsales, become a reseller. There are plenty of themes. Companies like InnoHosting offer end-user support which is a must unless you are at the PC at all times.

2) If the former, who has the best offers in terms of helping convince the client to buy or in terms of overall payout?

I like iPage. The site looks good, it is often based on a deadline which causes an action, the prices are good and the site is very professional.

3) My marketing plan was to spread the word that the first 5 businesses in and around my city to contact me will get web design services completely free, is there a better way to do it?

This will work. Or, you can focus on an industry and the first five doctors that sign-up are free. They will feel targeted and that it is for them. Since a doctor in Atlanta doesn't care what the site of the doctor in North Dakota looks like, you can use the same template and just change the data.

4) I'm aware this is an old method, so does anyone have any experience in it? How did it go?

There are several ways to do this. You need to decide who your market is focus on an industry. Some are easier and harder to reach than others. There are reports available that show which industries tend to respond to email. That will give you an idea of which way to go.

Any answers would be really helpful Thanks



I hope that helps you and any others that may stumble upon this.

Thanks for the help I missed a question out in the first post though so i apologise for that, but what do you do if a client approaches you and says "I already have/have bought hosting now can you make my website" but they haven't bought it through your affiliate link. I don't want to seem scammy.

Say that you are able only to offer the free website if they use your recommended provider as you have a special partnership with them.