Interviewed on 27 Mar 07
Roger Schnur, President
ABI Hosting was founded in 1998 in Northern California and has a top notch reputation for providing all levels of managed web hosting and related services to independent developers and their clients. Additionally, we also assist our developers by assisting them with streamlining their code and database configurations to assure the fastest results are achieved.
What unique selling points do you offer?
ABI Hosting started in 1998 as a rallying beacon for new web developers when this industry was still in it’s infancy. Many people didn’t even know what “hosting” meant, and many web developers were so focused on learning the new programming codes that were emerging like Cold Fusion, and developing Websites in design and functionality, that they really needed an independent third party whose expertise they could call on for technical questions and for reliable uptime and delivery speed. Since then, we have always made it our priority to provide quick access and direct support in as many ways as possible via phone and email.
Describe the services you offer?
I would define Web Hosting in it’s pure form as the service of providing the means (server and internet connectivity) with which to maintain the source code and data files required to make a website visible, functional, and deliverable on the internet at it’s optimum speed. I would also say that today the definition of Web Hosting has been broadened to also include many of the related services now associated with web hosting including email, host headers, DNS transfers, domain purchases and transfers, database management, back-ups, and more recently, web site creator software.
Describe your target market?
The majority of our customers are web developers and the businesses they create websites for. So our marketing efforts continue to target this sector. Additionally, with the newly launched YouBuildIt! Free Web Site Creator, we are for the first time directly advertising to new businesses, small businesses, doctors, and professionals without urls who cannot yet afford the fees our developer clients typically charge.
How is your company planning for the future?
In a marketplace that changes so often, it’s hard to predict where we will be 5 years from now. Technology has advanced so quickly along with simplified user interfaces and automation that some web hosting tasks will easily be accomplished by the same people who are using our website building software today but would’ve spent thousands, if not hundreds of thousands dollars, to have a website built from scratch five years ago. We’re already seeing web developers forego managed hosting services and go right into VPS and Dedicated self-managed plans, although some are learning that the grass isn’t always greener. Assuming some of the hosting tasks also means assuming the customer support associated with it. So the monies saved by going from managed to self-managed hosting are now being spent internally on support. That’s one aspect of web hosting that will never go away and will always need to be every company’s priority. I also believe that there will be great wave of consolidation with the bigger, well financed companies acquiring smaller hosting companies. As one of the co-founders of Premiere Radio Networks in 1986, I saw this happen in the radio industry during the 1990’s where one radio group after another was acquired. We did our share of acquisitions and then ultimately became acquired by Jacor who was then purchased by Clear Channel. One thing I learned from all of this was that it’s always better to be in control than to be controlled. So in five years I expect ABI Hosting to be in the forefront of the hosting industry, maybe with a few acquisitions included and certainly a much larger list of clients, as well as our continuing to provide the same quality of service that our clients have received and expect to receive from us 24/7/365.
What benefits can you offer your customers?
ABI Hosting was created in 1998 specifically to support web developers and their clients. It’s what we’ve always done and have been recognized as always doing it well. We understand the needs of our web developer clients and work together with them by providing quick solutions to their programming questions and hosting requirements.
How do you support your customers?
ABI Hosting provides all levels of support related to web hosting and related services. Our support for Managed Hosting clients includes complete account set-up, server set-up and configuration, DNS transfers, domain management, host headers, Thawte security certificates, web stats, SQL database set up, and email support for POP3, IMAP, and SMTP. Our Self-Managed clients receive two hours of free support during the first 30 days for set-up and configuration assistance.
