Web Hosting Interview - HostICan August 2006

Web Hosting Interview - HostICan August 2006

Denis Motova, Affiliate Manager of HostICan

In August we talk to Denis Motova, Affiliate Manager of HostICan. HostICan is a subsidiary of IndexCore(IC), a company that has been around since 2003. Although they are still relative newcomers to web hosting, they are certainly proving successful, so we asked them about the ups and downs of web hosting, the challenges they face, their recipe for success, and their new website!

  • HOSTSEARCH: Denis - thanks for agreeing to speak to us today. It might be best to start with a basic introduction to HostICan and IndexCore(IC) and perhaps look at the relationship between the two organizations and your role.
    DENIS MOTOVA: Thanks for having me John. IndexCore(IC) was started back in 2003 as a business to business orientated web hosting company. Though our extensive partnerships with Dell, HP and other companies we have been able to provide stability, value, and a great support.

    Later in 2003, we were looking at our growth rate, as well as the consumer market to see if we could improve on what was already being offer. Having a network that has superiority over our competition we put ourselves to the test. Thus we envisaged HostICan.

    HostICan is a consumer based web hosting company totally separate from the IndexCore(IC) brand. The staff is different, the offices are different, and so in essence they are both separate identities. The only linking between both of these companies is that they have the same owner(s).

    My role at HostICan has been one that has given me great pleasure. I on a daily basis work with many people, both with affiliate that have been with us for three years plus years, and others that have just joined.
  • HOSTSEARCH: Whose inspiration was the company? What is the basic philosophy behind what you do?
    DENIS MOTOVA: Well, as I use to work in quite a collection of web hosting companies back in 2001, I saw that there was a need for a company that would be stable, secure, and provide excellent support.

    At the time there were many hosting companies that just didn't care at all those important customer support questions, and needs. So we rose up to the challenge and we are happy that we did.
  • HOSTSEARCH: So, what sort of progress has HostICan made over the past few months? What sort of relationships have you developed?
    DENIS MOTOVA: HostICan has been working hard on building the trust between our affiliates, suppliers and customers. Over the past few months, HostICan has expanded adding another four shared servers raising the total to 122 shared servers that are currently operated under the HostICan Brand.

    From the satisfied customers, and our affiliates, we have setup a relationship that we all believe will lead us to be one of the market leaders in the year(s) to come. From the reviews, to the actual experiences we have had nothing but positive outlooks on our service, and staff.
  • HOSTSEARCH: What have been the biggest challenges you have faced up until now?
    DENIS MOTOVA: Nothing is a challenge, unless you let it become one. Is what we say at both companies. Thus, challenges - one could say that we have been growing so quickly that our support times have been a little slower then normal. However, that issue was quickly ratified by hiring another four support members bringing the total support team up to eight.
  • HOSTSEARCH: What has been your biggest achievement to date, do you think?
    DENIS MOTOVA: Our biggest achievement has been to earn the trust of our customers. To demonstrate that we have the reliability they need as well as unbeatable value.
  • HOSTSEARCH: I understand you launched a new website quite recently. Perhaps you could give us some background to the new site.
    DENIS MOTOVA: Sure, I would love to. We at HostICan believe that things should be simple. Simplicity is what the customers need, bound together with reliability.

    When we were making our site, we wanted it to be simple, clean, and appealing. Thus, we decided early on that we should make a site that works well, and allows people to find what they need.

    Having gone through about six different sketches, and mockups we found what our customers wanted and liked. Keeping a simple easy to use approach we believe that our customers will enjoy visiting the site and reading our rapidly growing newsletter.
  • HOSTSEARCH: Given what you know now, what advice would you give to startup hosting operations just starting up?
    DENIS MOTOVA: That's a tough one. There are so many things you can say, I wouldn't know where to start. However, one that comes to mind is; the biggest assets any hosting company has to be its customers. Look after your customers and they will in turn look after you.
  • HOSTSEARCH: I notice from your website you are a member of BBBOnLine. How important are such schemes, do you think?
    DENIS MOTOVA: I believe that setting up that trust factor with the customer is the most important role of any company or marketing achievement. If the customers don't trust you, no matter how many hits your website will get. There won't be many sales. Thus, its an important factor to allow the customer to understand that you are there to help them further their interests and business.
  • HOSTSEARCH: Here's the de facto question we ask everyone... What's going to be the next big thing to hit the Internet and how will it impact people?
    DENIS MOTOVA: Well, I personally see the Web 2.0 changing the way we do business and communicate. However, that's a while off. The main market I see growing would be the IPT or more commonly know as Internet Phone Service such as skype.

    If the web hosting providers could all get a company that makes a product that they could sell to the end user that would create another market trend that might grow faster then the web hosting companies. Of course, that again depends on the pricing, service levels and other key factors.
  • HOSTSEARCH: I guess you don't have too much time to relax, but when you can squeeze in a bit of R&R, what do you do?
    DENIS MOTOVA: Well, when I managed to get a couple hours off, I really enjoy playing golf. It somehow manages to take my mind away from all the things that are happening at work.

    We try to keep our office, as a zone where there is no stress, thus we encourage our staff to take short breaks in the recreation room that we have specially designed for just a bit of fun for our staff.

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