A few months ago, in response to Trinity Ventures’ $10.5 million investment in Photobucket, Tier 1 Research wrote that “the growth in functional hosting represents a growing threat to shared hosting providers.“
Photobucket has grown rapidly since then. It had 15 million users back in May but recently passed the 30 million mark. Other functional hosting services – such as YouTube, MySpace, LinkedIn – have also enjoyed unheard of momentum (and valuations!) in traditional web hosting. In contrast, GoDaddy is just now entering the photo hosting market. I’m sorry to say that I don’t think its Online Photo Filer will *ever* reach 30 million users. It offers too little, too late.
Instead of chasing after functional hosting coattails, maybe Bob Parsons should position himself as the king of “situational hosting”? As his ads put it, life is full of dotcom moments. For instance:
JohnAndMaryAreGettingHitched.com
As a newly engaged couple, there’s nothing you need more than a web hosting account! Set up a forum where your bridesmaids can gripe about your dress selection! Install Pligg and let your friends vote on who deserves to be invited to the wedding!
BabyJane26Dec2006.com
Yay! She’s finally here! Now sign her up for a domain name, put a “donate to college fund” button next to the cute pics, and email the URL to all of your relatives!
RIPSteveSmith.com
Great grandpa’s lived a good life; now doesn’t he deserve an online memorial? Create a central repository where everyone within the extended family can upload old letters and photos. It’s part of your personal history, don’t let it disappear!
You get the idea: it’s up to web hosts to make web hosting a relevant part of every milestone (KimIsAKindergartenGrad.com), every product purchase (FredHasAFastNewCar.com), every trip people take (AndysAwesomeAustralianAdventure.com)… Because there’s an endless array of dotcom moments that can be leveraged to reach highly targeted audiences of super eager buyers. The trick is to focus on *customers* as stars in their dotcom-worthy experiences – not French Maids, not Candice Michelle and not Danica Patrick.
