What's the deal with promo codes?

Hi, I just recently started researching a number of web hosts and came across DreamHost. I am confused about one thing, though, and that is the vast amount of promo codes I've begun to see. Not only do I see them on this forum, but across many other hosting related sites. If I'm about to sign up how can I be sure I'm getting a good deal?

It all seems very scheming and unprofessional at first glance... please inform me.

Perhaps this should be made as a separate thread, but are those disk storage and monthly bandwidth numbers for real? They're so disproportionately large compared to a lot of the other hosts I've looked at.

Your thoughts? Thanks.

In reply to:
If I'm about to sign up how can I be sure I'm getting a good deal?

At the moment you would obtain the best deal by using DreamHost's own 9999 anniversary code, which provides a $99.99 discount on 1 year and 2 year plans.

In reply to:
It all seems very scheming and unprofessional at first glance...

Not at all, promo-codes are just one of the methods that DreamHost uses to reward their customers for referring new customers to them. Every existing customer has the ability to create promo-codes, the discount offered by a particular promo-code comes out of the $97 referral reward that DreamHost pays existing customers for each referral. Different customers choose to offer different discounts, hence the wide variety of promo-codes out there.

In reply to:
are those disk storage and monthly bandwidth numbers for real?

Yes, but remember that disk storage and bandwidth are not the only resources consumed by sites on a shared host, there are also things like CPU/RAM usage. While DreamHost has no hard limits on resource usage, your site can be suspended if it uses enough system resources to adversely affect others on your shared server.

Mark

Looks like you got your answers, but just to expand on this...

In reply to:
It all seems very scheming and unprofessional at first glance... please inform me.

Actually, it's pretty much the opposite.

Most hosts offer an affiliate program that will pay you for referring people, usually in the $20 - $100+ range per new customer.

In Dreamhost's case, that amount is $97--but unlike the others, they let you pass that $97 (or part of it) on to the person that's signing up.

The referrer can still make money, though. The $97 discount is only good for 1 & 2 year plans. If you sign up for a $9.95/monthly plan, you would only save $50 and the referrer would get $47. Plus, if you refer someone, the person that referred you would get $5 (even if you made $0 using a promo code).

> It all seems very scheming and unprofessional at first glance... please inform me.

Sounds like Marketing. :-) Don't look behind the curtain... Hurry, the disk space and data transfer limits are decreasing fast... All part of the game. A bit manipulative, etc., but that's buyer/seller psychology for you.

> numbers real?

You can have your cake, or eat it.

So many people are used to being scammed it's hard to give them a good deal.

Note - Promo codes only work for new users. When renewal time comes by you'll have to pay full price.

Some people (you've probably seen them) have been less than happy with the service they've received here but they certainly must be in the minority with more than 400,000 domains hosted.

Good luck in chosing a hosting company!

Wholly

If you read through this forum, you will find a plenty of promo codes and I think all of them are working.

Just make sure you key in the promo code when you sign up a plan and look at your bill carefully. It will automatically show the discount :P

good eh!

I believe we were told that the "reductions" in bandwidth and disk space would not be enforced if a promo code was used.

Wholly

In reply to:
I believe we were told that the "reductions" in bandwidth and disk space would not be enforced if a promo code was used.

Yeah, I too recall Josh saying something like that on the DreamHost blog.

Of-course, the 'reductions' don't mean much in reality. Firstly, I doubt most customers use anywhere near their allocated space or bandwidth. Secondly, with the weekly additions being added to the quota, it wouldn't take very long to regain whatever quota you 'lost' by waiting a few extra days to sign-up.

Mark

So let me get this straight.

For example, I want to buy the "Crazy Domain Insane!" for 1 year, which would cost me 119,40$. Using the promo code 9999, I'd only end up paying 19,41$? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, it just sounds too good to be true, heh.

Yes, that is correct. You only need to pay 19.41 for "Crazy Domain Insane" for 1 year with the promo code. What a big deal! Thank DH and the person who provides the promo code.

Be noted that this is only available for new customers. You can't use the promo code again when you try to renew your plan.

In reply to:
it just sounds too good to be true

I can assure you that the discounts provided by promo-codes are very real. Although, the 9999 popup is gone from the DreamHost front page, so that code may not be active any more. Although, I am sure you will be able to find another promo-code if you look hard enough. smile

I have no inside info on the DreamHost business plan, but I imagine they are willing to sacrifice their profit from the first year of hosting in order to gain a new customer, hoping that customer will like the service enough to renew their hosting at full price, I know I did. smile

Mark

I see. Thank you for the advice, I'll look into it. :)

In reply to:
Thank you for the advice, I'll look into it. :)

No problem.

If you find the 9999 anniversary promo is no longer active, you can always wait a little while, they seem to throw it up as a 'one day only' thing every couple of weeks. tongue

or as I stated above, you shouldn't have too many problems finding a user created promo code that offers a similar discount (give or take a couple of dollars).

Mark

Well... I was thinking about using the 97CRAZY one, seen as it's only 2 $ away from the other one and is obviously more reliable? I've not browsed enough to find where the codes might be listed yet but... I'll get there.

In reply to:
I was thinking about using the 97CRAZY one, seen as it's only 2 $ away from the other one and is obviously more reliable?

Yep, that one should work as well as any other. smile

It is not really a case of 'reliability', it is just that DreamHost's own promo-codes, like 9999, tend to only be brought out on *special occasions*, while the user created promo-codes, like 97CRAZY, are constantly active.

Mark

Yes, that's what I meant... Apologies for my poor use of words. :)

Some people have even better deals than the 9999 promo code wink .

Welcome to DH!

and did we remind you that paypal payment is not refundable? DH prefers Google Checkout.

I'm looking at the signup page. What opportunity is given to verify the final price before committing to a certain code? If someone says their code gives a $97 discount, I want to be able to check that before agreeing to anything.

In reply to:
I'm looking at the signup page. What opportunity is given to verify the final price before committing to a certain code? If someone says their code gives a $97 discount, I want to be able to check that before agreeing to anything.

The promo code is checked by the system (promo codes can be deactivated, so this is a necessary step) and you are given a final total.

In reply to:
What opportunity is given to verify the final price before committing to a certain code?

You should see the final purchase price, with the promo-code discount, on the second page, before you commit any funds. If you are not satisfied, I guess you can always hit the back button on your browser and try another code. smile

Mark

Thanks, that's good to know.

It would be so cool if you could retroactively use a better code if you found one later. This is the best I've seen so far: $102 off using 5back from http://www.dreamhost-promocodes.com/?p=4

In reply to:
http://www.dreamhost-promocodes.com/?p=4

I thought DreamHost did not allow their name to be used in domains in this way? Besides, this guy expects a link back to his site. My promo code does not have such a stipulation.

But for $2, I'll put links on each of my sites... (Just kidding)

Wholly

haha... I knew it was going to make Bob's head hurt when he saw Simon giving out $100.

You knew about the $102 code long before you started pushing 9999. You mean you weren't really pushing the 9999 code all this time just to help new customers because you really thought it was the best deal out there? No way!!!

It should also be noted that Simon's $100 is catch-free, but you have to buy the $102 code with a link. Judging by his backlinks, he hasn't convinced many people that $102 is a good deal.

That's because it's not a good deal. If you want to link to random business sites, then use Adsense or YPN instead and make a LOT more than a whopping one-time $2 savings (over Simon's code -- $5 w/$97 codes).

In reply to:
It would be so cool if you could retroactively use a better code if you found one later.

Are you offering to refund all of your $97 ardco referrals to those poor customers that didn't save a penny?

Or did $97 off only count as a bad deal when your $0 off referral links went out of style? wink

> Are you offering to refund

I'll offer you a ride, if you start going to meetings.

It's good to be supportive of people in AA.

Wholly

Nice to see see that everything here is as usual, where everyone is happy and cordial.
Places where friendships are bound, and people return all the time to a friendly chat. Fortunatelly no flame wars happen here, because we would all hate that, and that could scare customers away.

Continue the good work! 123 thumbs up!

Dreamhost $97 promo code

97promo will give you $97 off
90promo will give $7 to Unicef

123 thumbs up!

I have been using DH for about 9 months. It's getting better and better.

Get $97 off your dreamhost plan by using promotion code: ROAD2UNITY.Edited by lqg on 01/28/07 09:01 PM (server time).

I'm an italian user, and I'm interested into porting my .com website (currently hosted in Italy) on DH.
Can I use these promo codes or they are suitable only for US residents?

In reply to:
Can I use these promo codes or they are suitable only for US residents?

Yes, of-course.

Promo-codes are valid for all new customers, regardless of their country.

Mark

I don't have the impression the promos are for everybody. For example Simon (scjessey) excludes non US citizens from his promo code (it says so on his details page).

And why do some promo codes apply to 1 year plans and not to 2 year plans? Which ones apply to 2 year plans?

Otto

7is7.com

In reply to:
For example Simon (scjessey) excludes non US citizens from his promo code (it says so on his details page).

Of-course, Simon is the best person to answer questions specific to his promo-codes, but I think Simon's country restriction only applies to the extra $3 that he sends via PayPal, the initial $97 discount is available to everyone. There is no way for a user to create a promo-code that is country specific. It's possible that DreamHost could create such a restricted promo-code, but I doubt they would.

In reply to:
why do some promo codes apply to 1 year plans and not to 2 year plans? Which ones apply to 2 year plans?

This is totally up to the user that creates the promo-code. However, I think you will find that *most* promo-codes that provide a discount for 1 year pre-paid plans will also provide the same discount for 2 year pre-paid plans.

I should note that DreamHost does restrict the max discount that a promo-code can provide for monthly plans. The max is $50 or $60, depending on the plan.

If you are unsure if a particular promo-code provides the discount you expect, simply enter it during the sign-up process, you will be shown the discount provided *before* you commit any funds. If the discount is not what you expected, simply hit the back button on your browser and try another code. wink

Mark

What's the deal with promo codes?