Shared Hosting Tips in Bangladesh

In a recent discussion, Site.pro's Filip Borcov engaged with Imran Hossen, Managing Director of Eyhost.biz, and Shajid Ahmed, Managing Director of HostPico.com, to delve into the shared hosting landscape in Bangladesh. They explored topics such as the prevalence of .com domains, the competitive pricing of hosting services, and the rapid adoption of website builders in the region. The conversation also highlighted the importance of swift adaptation to market trends and the challenges of scaling businesses in a dynamic environment. This article encapsulates their insights, offering valuable guidance for navigating Bangladesh's evolving digital market.

Bangladeshi Market Overview

Regarding the Bangladeshi market, there are approximately 69.4 million people according to Wikipedia. The country code for domains is .bd, and as of 2021, there were about 31,000 .bd domains. Since it’s now 2024, the number has likely increased significantly. The market in Bangladesh is growing rapidly, with a 40% internet penetration rate, which means 40 million people are online, leaving 100 million still unconnected. This represents a huge opportunity.

Three years ago, the market was not very popular, but it has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. With everyone stuck at home, creativity blossomed, leading many to start e-commerce businesses. As a result, there is a growing need for websites, domains, and web hosting.

Hosting Pricing

The most popular domain here is .com, as it is cheaper and faster. Globally, .com is priced around $9 to $14 USD for the first year of registration. In Bangladesh, .bd domains require a two-year registration and cost around $21 to $25 USD, making them more expensive.
Typically, hosting prices are about $1 per month. Local hosting providers offer competitive services because they need to stand out in the market against global providers.
Local providers often offer better quality services due to the competitive nature of the market. Local support, local payment options, and local currency are significant advantages. International providers have a global reach, but local providers must strive to offer superior services to compete effectively.

Payment Gateways

Local users typically prefer a variety of payment gateways, including Uddoktapay, SSLCommerz, Aamarpay, and bKash Merchant. Additionally, global providers are unable to process payments in the local currency, creating a significant opportunity for local providers to expand and strengthen their presence in the market.

Lessons Learned

Lifehack #1: adapting or testing novelties as fast as possible
Newcomers to the industry should start with a lean team and grow as needed. HostPico.com success came when they started with fewer servers and switched to reseller web hosting, which allowed them to better understand and serve the market.

Fail: thinking that big team will help with rapid business growth
HostPico.com was hiring too many people before they had clients, which was a big failure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the shared hosting market in Bangladesh is ripe with opportunities, driven by local preferences for specific payment gateways and the inability of global providers to cater to local currency transactions. As more businesses recognize the value of reliable and affordable hosting solutions, local providers have a unique chance to expand their services and strengthen their market presence. By focusing on customer needs and leveraging local advantages, companies can successfully navigate this evolving landscape and contribute to the overall growth of Bangladesh's digital ecosystem.