Need client feedback - dedicated server deals

[JPC-Greg]

What kind of response would a deal like this trigger among those who use the forums?

I realise only a portion of the client base uses the forums but it may at least give me an idea.

P4 Celeron 2.4ghz
512mb DDR ram
80gig IDE drive
600 gig bandwidth
5 free ips
Free ping monitoring
FreeService Monitoring (3ports)
Free reboots
Webmin control panel
Virtualmin & Usermin addons for Webmin
Root access

Choice of OS :
Fedora , FreeBSD , RH9, others available as well

$79 month, NO SETUP



OR



Dual Opteron240 (faster than dual xeon 3ghz)
1gig Registered ECC DDR400
2x120gig IDE drive
900 gig bandwidth
5 free ips
Free ping monitoring
FreeService Monitoring (3ports)
Free reboots
Webmin control panel
Virtualmin & Usermin addons for Webmin
Root access

Choice of OS :
Fedora , FreeBSD , RH9, others available as well

$179 month, NO SETUP



We are doing some preliminary marketing research for our investors. Depending on the response we receive we could start stocking these for same day delivery soon.

What else would you like to see us offer with deals like these? Is there potential for referrals and affiliates if you give you an incentive for sending us clients for these machines?

Feedback ?

[prattboy]

I'm underwhelmed by the first plan. It's alright, but after doing the math, I come up with similar prices on similar setups at other providers, especially at Jag's CPanel prices (assuming they'd stay the same). I'm not too keen on Webmin. Yes, it's free, but there are some great paid control panels out there, CPanel and Plesk among them. One particular provider launched their low-cost server packages last month starting at $49 that include Plesk.

With that said, I'm very impressed with the second plan (minus the Webmin)! I'd probably sign up for a couple of those babies.

Would the price for extra memory/bandwidth/control panel upgrades stay pretty consistent with what they are now, or would we see some changes?

Some dedicated server providers also offer the option of the user paying a setup fee, and then reducing the monthly cost if the customer opts to pay the fee. Any possibility of that?

[JPC-Greg]

We (ourselves and our investors) have been over it and over it and below $60-70 there is zero profit margin. I can only assume those other providers are using cheap parts, cheap tower case, breadracks, lack the providers we do, possible use low end cogent type bandwidth, and who knows about the power, data center, security. etc. All that before we even get into actual support, who is on the other end of that offer.

We're talking with plesk, ensim, hostadmin, zervex, and cpanel all on software pricing which will launch with this line. The existing jag prices should not be considered for this line up. This is our new stocked lineup we want to start with at dedicatedspace.com

What could we add to either of these offers to really "wow" you away ?

Whats your biggest concern, feature, etc that you look for when it comes to selecting a dedicated server provider?

[prattboy]

Hey Jag. The most important thing that will wow me with these packages is awesome support and a well-defined uptime guarantee.

I've PM-ed you links to a couple packages that match up with the first one you put.

[JPC-Greg]

Great, im putting together a real nice tour of our data center ... and most shared clients know our network to be very strong.

I will let you know when the DS (dedicatedspace) site is ready to go .

keep the info flowing

thanks

[Zhen-Xjell]

I somehow suspect you know where I stand.

[the_ancient]

Originally posted by Jag
We (ourselves and our investors) have been over it and over it and below $60-70 there is zero profit margin.

you dont need to make money do you?????

[mattsiegman]

cool

[Gwaihir]

Deal 2: With such dual opteron power driving it, wouldn't more memory be appropriate (two gig sounds optimal to me)?

Fedora? Ok, you can put it on of course, especially if you don't need to do support work on it, but to start the list with it.. doesn't look right to me. Fedora is supposed to be the playground for those that want to try the very latest, not a solid stability distribution for server use.

2cents from someone who for now can only dream that his sites will ever need a dedicated server

[JPC-Greg]

Fedora may be the playground for RH Entreprise, but then again by that terminology so was Redhat v6 thru 9 .

The Fedora core is no different than the RH9 when it comes down to the basics, which is all a server cares about. We could , and have the same machines on rh6.2 and noticed no difference between it and rh9.0 .

Perhaps when it comes to marketing starting the list of OS's out with Fedora isnt the ideal method though, point noted.

[ryanstev]

My response to that is "whoop de do" not to be rude, but that deal looks like every other deal I've ever seen for low end dedicated servers.

They're referred to as bargain bin, which I suppose they are, considering the normal cost of dedicated servers, but surely you can go cheaper than that?

Where's the cost?
There's a one time cost for the hardware, then a monthly cost for bandwidth.
I would be happy to use a Celeron 800, or similar, 256mb ram, 20gb hard disk and 100gb of bandwidth, when my site grows, maybe then I would get a better server.

At the moment there's nothing for people who are near the line where they're using too many resources on a shared server, but aren't making enough money for a dedicated server.

[G.Bloke]

Originally posted by ryanstev
At the moment there's nothing for people who are near the line where they're using too many resources on a shared server, but aren't making enough money for a dedicated server.

Isn't that what the semi-dedicated plans are for?

I'm not yet in the market for a dedicated plan myself so I've no idea how the proposed plans compare to what else is out there. I believe I will be in the market in the future so at that time I'll have a better idea of what I'd want from a dedicated server and at what cost.

[prattboy]

Perhaps when it comes to marketing starting the list of OS's out with Fedora isnt the ideal method though, point noted.

Yup. Probably a good idea. Red Hat Enterprise hasn't been getting sparkling reviews at the moment, either... maybe that will change with time, though, as they work out the kinks.

[gerilya]

Originally posted by Jag
The Fedora core is no different than the RH9 when it comes down to the basics, which is all a server cares about. We could , and have the same machines on rh6.2 and noticed no difference between it and rh9.0 .

What kind of machines did you use for RH 6.2 install?
We couldn't get it installed on anything above 1GHz.


On completely different note, I am too very much surprised to learn that "below $60-70 there is zero profit margin".

What if you offer 2-3 different configurations for sale and then consider them as colo deals? This is a way to build long term relationship with your customers as anyone who purchase a server would be inclined to stay for a long time.

[JPC-Greg]

I beleive 6.2 was runing on a dual P3 1ghz so yeah that could make good sense. My point was though that there was no difference in shell, features, etc between it and the later versions of RH...seen one you seen them all basically.

Of course when you go to freebsd, its a similar but very different world. Similar in basic structure but very different operationaly .

The buy a server, colo it here idea isnt one thats new to us. I actually have that on proposal but investors want focus and so at least initially that will not be a model we explore. In later quarters though its something I will pitch again to the board as potential "next big thing" .