Betahosts Exclusive interview with Amy Armitage

Betahosts: – Thanks for agreeing to this interview. Could you please tell us briefly about yourself and your role for Lunarpages?

Amy: It’s my pleasure! I started with Lunarpages in 2000 as a customer and active member on their community forums http://www.lunarforums.com As Lunarpages began to grow I started working as a Customer Support Representative, and was soon promoted to Manage all remote services from my location in Australia. For the last 12 months, I have been heading up their Sales and Marketing Department in California where we also focus on retention, affiliate relationships, business opportunities and partnerships, customer care and design services.

Betahosts: Could you please share with us when was Lunarpages founded?

Amy: Lunarpages was founded Summer 2000 by Ron Riddle and Maximilian Andersen.

Betahosts: How do you promote your business/web site?

Amy: A huge portion of our business comes from customer referrals and affiliate sales as a result of customers who are delighted with their hosting. Lunarpages has received numerous awards, specifically for our Customer Service and uptime. We also advertise on several various Web Hosting review magazines and sites and we’re constantly trying different strategies that are out of the box. Our founder Ron Riddle is a dynamic and inspiring man whose motto is “There are no rules”.

Betahosts: What is your best selling product?

Amy: Our best selling product is our Basic plan http://lunarpages.com/plan1.php It’s jam packed with features and the price is affordable specifically for new webmasters and small businesses.

Betahosts: Please define your marketing strategies. What do you think that is your strength for Lunarpages, as compared to your major competitors?

Amy: Customer Service, uptime, reliability, attention to detail. If you contact Lunarpages, you receive an email response within an hour and when you phone us, you speak with a real person. Our Customer Service Reps are highly trained and located at our facility (not out sourced), so your first interaction with them is usually the only one required to assist you with your support needs. We advertise my direct contact details online, so if a customer has an issue that is not resolved to their satisfaction, they are invited to contact me and I’ll work tirelessly for a resolution that pleases them.

Betahosts: What is your marketing goal/plan for Lunarpages now? How do you see yourself and your company in the next 5 years?

Amy: World domination would be ideal, however realistically our plans are to continue to grow at the same rate we have over the last 6 years, so that we can maintain our support services and uptime. Of course, we would be thrilled to double, or even triple our sales, however if this means that the quality of our service and support is compromised, then this is not what we want to see happen. I think the reason Lunarpages stands out in this industry is because we look after our existing customers, and we don’t make promises we are unable to keep. We are growing at a controlled rate by choice.

Betahosts: What have been your biggest achievements as a company? Have you won any awards?

Amy: Yes we have won several awards - http://lunarpages.com/awards.php

Our most satisfying achievement has been our FREE Education program. We provide free web hosting to any public school in America. Due to our success, we are in a unique position to give back to our community. Check it out at http://lunarpages.com/education.php

Betahosts: What aspect of your work do you find the most demanding and how do you navigate it?

Amy: Burnout I think is the biggest issue working online. Back in the days when I was working tech support I would spend an average of 16 hours a day online working 7 days a week and I was unable to identify when I was becoming stressed or burnt out. Now, I actually turn off my phone and computer when I sleep (it’s taken a HUGE amount of control to achieve this!)

Betahosts: What do you do to enjoy yourself outside working hours, or are you like many in the industry, always online?

Amy: I’m always close to my computer working, checking sales, responding to tickets, forum posts and chatting online with associates at work. I think we are a unique group of people who love their work and the environment. The beauty of my job is that I can work from my home, while I travel, at the office, or even using my phone. I love to play Texas hold ‘em, so I spend my off time doing that online sometimes. Last year I was heavily into playing EverQuest, however I found the time commitment was too much.

My husband and I often daydream about winning the Lotto and how it would change our lives. When we start imagining and strategizing I realize something.. I don’t want to relax on a beach, or travel for months and never work again. I LOVE my job! I am committed to Lunarpages and our community. I’m already living my dream. How cool is that? 

Betahosts: what do you think is going to be the next big thing on the Internet and how do you think it will impact people's lives?

Amy: If I knew I’d create it and make my fortune ;)

Betahosts: Thanks Ami for the wonderful interview!