I know I promised a couple open letters in my next posts, but those are going to have to wait. I have a question/topic of much greater importance to me and the industry as a whole.
Almost a year ago, I blogged about the formation of a hosting association, a noble endeavor for which I was witness to both the waxing and waning of inertia that went into and eventually left the project. I'm sure it came as no surprise that the effort was being made; apparently it's been made more than a few times in the past. It's probably no surprise the efforts came up short. So far, the formation of a comprehensive hosting organization has a 0% success rate.
The fact that it hasn't happened doesn't make it any less important a pursuit. The hosting industry has a very weak voice (consumer media, mainstream business, government, etc.) and has very little means of providing support to the businesses and individuals of whom it is comprised. Outside of some (thankfully very active) online communities and vendors who typically satisfy very channel-specific hosting company needs, there's not much in the way of collective activity. What's missing is the right platform for that activity to take place.
At HostingCon 2007, a group of us were lamenting the lack of a unifying body in the industry. Indeed, the Web hosting industry is one of very few large industries that lacks this, and conversations arose over what such a body could accomplish if given the opportunity. So, a small group of us set forth to discover why given so much anecdotal support, the formation of a hosting association has yet to be achieved.
We've been quietly researching the industry, asking a lot of people and companies a lot of questions, essentially in an effort to assess the feasibility of pursuing this endeavor again. The assessment is complete. The research is done, and without getting into too many details, we are moving forward.
During the course of exploratory research, we compiled a lengthy list of holes in the industry where an association could have real impact on hosting businesses, individuals and suppliers. We held our own brainstorming sessions. We also asked a whole lot of tough questions to hosts and hosting vendors, shut our mouths, listened and took notes.
The purpose of this blog post isn't necessarily to drum up publicity for the association (though I suppose it inherently has this effect). We'll make official statements about it when the time is right, explaining what it is, why it exists, its name, etc. I'm posting this because I want you to be aware an effort is underway, so you can speak up about ways an association could help fill needs and gaps in your professional life.
If you'd like to respond here, please do so! If you'd like to email me privately, use the link to my personal site below and fill out the form. If you wish to post encouraging comments, thanks, we'll take 'em! If you wish to post disparaging comments, think of ways you can voice concerns constructively so they can be taken into account as we move forward.
The best type of response to this post would be your own personal wish list. For example, "I'm a small host, and I wish I had easy access to affordable benefits, legal services and a comprehensive vendor directory," or "I'm a larger host, and I wish I had a thorough library of research available to me, hosting industry-specific binding arbitration services and a voice in the Net Neutrality debates happening in congress."
What's on your wish list? What keeps you up at night? What would get you more excited about hosting if it existed?
(P.S. The organization will be entirely non-profit, and the principles involved in its formation will derive no additional benefits from its formation. This is an altruistic effort in its purest form.)
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PaulHirsch.com . International Web Developers Network . Web Hosting Talk . Equentity Host
I think an associate to cover all the grey areas is a superb idea - the main piece of information that I would personally benefit from would be the legal requirements and legislations for both the UK and US.
As a company looking to step into the hosting world there are so many things to consider - one thing I would really love to see are Association accepted providers such as outsourced support companies tried and tested by a panel from the association. This would make choosing a provider for services to help maintain my company much easier and I would definetly feel more confident in the service knowing a team of experts had checked it all over for me.
I have carried out work for associations from other areas within the UK mainly to do with insurance - but the primary benefits are carried over to any association. The security that an association would provide is almost like a union - if anyone has questions or issues the association could take it on board and act on it in a professional manner and solve numerous issues saving everyone hassle.
Once the association is accepted as an actual 'official body' i really think the industry as a whole would benefit.
So, you've got my vote!
Thanks for your comments! You know, of all the things we've brainstormed as functions of the association, we never discussed having a division similar to Consumer Reports, for testing technology and giving full, unbaised reviews of how applications, hardware, etc. perform. I'm not even sure this is something an association should do, but that's the fun of brainstorming; you can concoct anything you'd like and then hash out the feasibility later.
Thanks to everyone who has emailed me privately. The feedback I've been receiving so far has been very helpful!
Who governs the governors? I believe official regulatory bodies or committee's are to be approved at government level (?)
Why do we need a regulatory body, especially a voluntary one (other major ones are money-makers)?
What legal doors are being opened, especially the bad ones?
So, you have a body, who rules on who gets in and who doesn't?
How do you handle the obvious backlash from many major players who ridicule the body/organization?
How do you drum up support, what are the benefits to a hosting provider or related vendor to supporting the body?
What steps are going to be taken so it doesn't become the next UnlimBand?
Even if done in a wholly professional manner and with the right backing, the organization could do some good. I wouldn't expect major waves, in light of the fact that it will be very difficult to drum up support from many major and medium sized players, but it could certainly go a little way to improving things (do they need improving, though?).
The people who will jump on board right away are the smaller companies. Unfortunately, that alone may scare off the big guns of the industry and all its sectors. Egos tend to run big in the industry and that is also something to consider. Is X company going to belittle Y company because they are part of the association (and vice versa)? How is that going to be moderated?
It's a big, big task. If there's anyone with the determination to do it, you may be that man, Paul. I warn you though that previous attempts have fallen on deaf ears with many in the industry. That means it will have to be water tight in order to get some backers.
I have a couple answers for you - obviously not a lot, since we're in early stages, but I left the functions of the association vague in my opening post, and in doing so, I may have left its purpose a little bit too open for interpretation. A lot of the things about which you're worried would have nothing to do with the association in the first place.
1. This wouldn't be an official regulatory body. The word "governing" was probably a poor choice on my part. Membership and oversight are completely voluntary.
2. Thus far, the only things we've discussed being "regulated" (not official regulation - suggested regulation, like W3C standards) are industry terms and certification, which again would be voluntary. We need it...because a whole lot of people have told us we need it :)
3. Criteria for membership is an interesting question. The better part of me says no one gets excluded, unless you fail to conduct yourself properly as a member, a bit like the BBB, but industry-specific. That's very much up for grabs at the moment. Ideas are welcome!
4. Thus far, the large players with whom we've spoken have expressed very keen interest in many of the functions an association like this would handle on their behalf. We're focusing significant effort on services for companies of all sizes, including the GoDaddys, 1-and-1s and Yahoo!s of the world. If we get ridiculed and it's legitimate, we look at what we're doing wrong and fix it. If it's not legitimate, we keep doing what works and don't get caught up in egos. "We," by the way, is an open term for all members, not just the core ones who are working on this now. We're creating this, but it's owned by it's members and even with a board, it is largely governed by members as well. At least that's the current vision. Everything will be refined over time.
5. If you have something really good and a ***good plan to communicate it***, support will come. There will be a HUGE list of reasons to support the association. This discussion is about finding out reasons more people might have that we haven't heard or brainstormed ourselves :)
The benefits for small and medium size companies will be very obvious, and mostly center around collective buying power.
We have a list of 6-8 items that will make the organization vital to large companies, but you are absolutely correct. Large companies have less to gain through associations, and making this matter to them remainsa high priority as we continue to research. What ideas do you have?
Don't get me wrong: I have always been a staunch supporter of the idea in general (I sense your reply was a little defensive).
In my opinion, the biggest gap in the industry right now is education. That is both from a client and provider perspective, but mainly the provider. Could the association do some good there? How about the members holding open forums and seminars (web based?) that lend a hand to "smaller" providers, even if only to try and ready them for growth and to try and attain some longevity. How about offering assistance, also, to larger providers (as members) in order to keep them in touch with their client base? These are sidebars to the association in general, for sure, but it would help create an environment within the assoc. of contentment.
From a regulatory standpoint, I think the allowance of all providers to apply for membership is key. There should be some screening, though, and I believe that's where the difficulty lays. What would the criteria be? Perhaps an analysis of all applicants is required? A full and thorough background check, so to speak, in addition to evaluating both what the prospective member can bring to the assoc and also what they, as a provider, are doing within the industry.
I do tend to think that going to the Yahoo!'s, 1and1's, etc, with the idea in order to get something laid down might be a mistake unless you're canvassing many SMB's also. I would also say that it needs to be divided through the various sectors of the industry: co-location providers, transit providers, hardware manufacturers, software vendors, server providers, reseller hosting, application hosting, et al.
No! Not at all! I just wanted to add some clarity, to make sure everyone understands the nature of this sort of endeavor, that's all. There are still a lot of unanswered questions. Thanks for following up with more comments.
> Could the association do some good there?
I put a checkmark next to this item on our list for you :) (we've discussed education to the point where people might even be able to earn continuing education credits good toward a degree)
I'll hold off on replying to specifics in your post (some we've considered, others we haven't, but keep it coming!). There's a lot of great stuff there - thanks!
> I would also say that it needs to be divided through the various sectors of the industry: co-location providers, transit providers, hardware manufacturers, software vendors, server providers, reseller hosting, application hosting, et al.
One of our biggest challenges is identifying segments within the hosting industry, because there is so much gray area. Not that this is bad, but it presents inherent organizational challenges. This is a great suggestion on your part for identifying those segments. If you have more ideas, please share!
We're in the process of trying to create a trade association for the industry, and one of the major goals we've identified is the having B2B and B2C mediation services, much like how the Better Business Bureau handles disputes now, but industry-specific. Until we get there, from a less formal standpoint, you can always participate in online community discussions. http://www.google.com/search?q=web+hosting+communi...
Hosts and other hosting customers may have good advice for you, or you may be able to engage your host in a community discussion that bears mutually favorable results.
We look forward to having a formal grievance process soon!