I am using InMotionHosting to monitor its performance (the monthly reports are here) and to keep a closer eye on what is going on with this host because this host is a competitor to other hosts that I recommend. And the update about backups that I got from IMH made me say out loud “WTF” and write this post.
Your invoice will increase by default because of InMotionHosting’s Backup Manager
On the 9th of January 2020 I received an email from InMotionHosting. It basically said that no free backups will be available:
No more free backups at InMotionHosting
Also, the email said that the new paid backup service called Backup Manager will be included in my invoice by default. I can cancel the introduced the backup service if I don’t want to pay though:
You will pay for the Backup Manager from InMotionHosting by default
However good the new backup service from InMotionHosting may be, I do NOT like when it increases my bill without my prior consent. This is simply not client-oriented move that the hosting made.
It looked like to me as if InMotionHosting simply increased its prices hiding behind the improved service. But if IMH simply increased the prices, I would understand it. But subscribing me to an additional backup service (and removing the existing free backup option) looks a little dishonest.
The previously existed free backup option at InMotionHosting was a very limited one. It was only for emergency situations. But for many clients it was enough. Now the free option is not available.
So, if you don’t want to pay more for a full-fledged backup service it means that you don’t get backups at all from now on.
The real reason why InMotionHosting decided to charge for its new backup service by default
Although, all that I said above was my perspective as a client. And as you can see I was not happy with the update. But I also wanted to let you know my thoughts why IMH did such a not popular move. Let’s have a look at it from InMotionHosting’s business perspective.
The InMotionHosting’s explanation why it decided to include the Backup Manager service to your invoice by default is actually lame:
InMotionHosting explains why it charges for Backup Manager by default
It means IMH puts on a good face. I don’t accuse the hosting of it, because this is just the publicly acceptable language. Of course it can’t simply say truthfully like this: “We decided to get more money this way because simply increasing hosting prices would be too risky for us and making the Backup Manager a paid opt-in would bring us too little money”. But this is what really is between the lines.
What InMotionHosting will get from a business point of view by adding a fee for the Backup Manager
From a business point of view InMotionHosting did a smart (although a risky) move with its Backup Manger. IMH did not directly increase prices (it’s always a very unpopular move). It also did not offer you the new paid backup service (people are conservative and too little people would intentionally opt-in). IMH included the backup service in your invoice giving you 3 months to opt out.
This way IMH did a small step towards a bigger number of the Backup Manager’s users, i.e. IMH decided for you to opt-in and let you opt out (if you are not too lazy). And too lazy people who do not want to opt out will pay more. Also, the InMotionHosting clients who simply miss the email and notifications about the new Backup Manager in the dashboard will also pay more.
How InMotionHosting’s clients can react on the added fee for the backup service
Of course some clients will not be happy with this update. But this is business risks that IMH takes. After all, a hosting business is this kind of balancing between irritating clients too much and keeping the prices as attractive as possible.
Some clients will say “that was enough” and will look for a better host. But some clients will pay more. And if in the long run the hosting gets more profit from its moves it means that the hosting does the business right. Whether InMotionHosting did the right thing when added a fee for the backup service – I think we will know later.
In my opinion it will put off some clients from InMotionHosting. But at the same time it will bring more money for the host from the rest of the clients. By and large it means IMH makes a test step trying to focus on a more passive audience. If this step is successful from a financial point of view, IMH may be tempted to continue developing this type of income, i.e. IMH may want to include more paid products in the users’ invoices by default.
Practical tips for you if you felt InMotionHosting played a bit dirty with you regarding the Backup manager
- First of all, I understand your feelings. I also felt like “WTF was that”.
- Next, accept the fact that InMotionHosting experiments with the new streams of income. This time it is about the backup service. Next time it can be about anything else. Not a big deal from some perspective if you read carefully the emails from IMH.
- Another tip regarding other backup options and prices. Third-party backup options can be more expensive especially if you have a small site. InMotionHosting offers an comparatively affordable backup option compared to cloud-based backup systems like CodeGuard, BlogVault etc. By the way, you can read my reviews of several backup options here to get acquainted with the variety and limitations of backup solutions.
- If you don’t want to pay for having backups, you can manage your backup solution for free. Read my tutorial here.
- Another option to have backups for free is using a hosting that already includes a backup service that you easily manage (e.g. SiteGround, which is one of my best recommended hosts). Although it’s recommended to have an independent third-party backup solution, backups provided by your hosting can be simply more convenient.
- I recommend having at least two independent backup solutions for your website. By the way, here you can read about my personal backup (and security) strategy.
Conclusion
InMotionHosting made its clients pay for the backup solution by default and at the same time removed a free basic backup option. In many ways it looks like an attempt to get more money without increasing the hosting prices.
I totally understand this move from IMH’s business point of view, but some existing clients including me feel like IMH removed a free backup solution. If InMotionHosting had left its free backup solution for existing clients (however basic it was) then it would not be so disappointing.