Should I become a reseller?

[lasvegascom]

I do SEO for a living and I have some clients that ask about web hosting. Now usually I refer them to either my host or a few hosts that I have heard positive things about.

However, now I am thinking that I should sell hosting an add-on product to my normal services. It would never be my primary revenue source I just want to provide an extra service to my clients that need it.

I would require my clients to sign up for either the same term that their SEO project period would be (normally 6 months) or they could sign up for longer. I would definitely stay away from monthly plans as I do not want to deal with the hassle.

Is a reseller option smart for me? Any recommendations on hosting providers with good reseller programs? I would love it if the reseller program comes with set packages, a billing program and they would need to handle all support issues. I wouldn't even need a site but that might be a nice extra to pick up a few clients here and there. My main issue is that I don't want to think about this except when I am billing the clients or transferring their sites over.

Or would I be better off just doing an affiliate program with a hosting provider and making money of referrals? Are there any other options for me?

 

[Ray]

I wouldnt do like a reseller plan. Look at the down fall, you could waste about $15/mo and not receive a cleint that is intrested in hosting. This could make you lose money.

I would consider like an affialiate program, where you pay the host like $5 or so for a cleint that you will recieve the funds from. Its really not a bad idea at all,..

 

[Camron]

Like templaterave said, this is true. You could get loss of money. But if you find a site with money back gurantee, cheap prices for big enough space, ect, you could always upgrade. $6-12/mo loss isnt bad for one month. You will know if you get any customers by then. On the bright side, you could become your own host, host the extra domains so you dont need to ever buy hosting again, ect.

If you are really looking into Reseller plans, pm me. Im sure we can make some deal. Our company is user friendly, we can help you start as a new company.

Thanks,
StackedTech

 

[RickyG]

lasvegascom has a great in. He does SEO for a living. I think he will have a good chanche of making it.
LV....You have to look at how many times you are asked for a reccomedation and take it from there. I suggest becoming a reseller from someone that has a good rating.
RickyG

 

[lasvegascom]

templaterave - I wouldn't sign up for a reseller program until I had at least 1 client that could pay for a good portion of the bill. But I do agree the affiliate program is a good option because I do not have to deal with anything except getting the check for anyone that i refer who signs up.

stacked - send me a pm to discuss further.

rickyg - thanks for the vote of confidence. Since December I have had about 3-5 people ask me about hosting. Where could I find a hosting provider with a good rating?

 

[RickyG]

Ask here at namepros. Start a looking for reseller in under the hosting in the market place area. Then ask the people here if they use them and thier opinion.
We are an active bunch and alwaays ready to offer advice on services.
RickyG

 

[jmweb]

I do SEO for a living and I have some clients that ask about web hosting. Now usually I refer them to either my host or a few hosts that I have heard positive things about.

However, now I am thinking that I should sell hosting an add-on product to my normal services. It would never be my primary revenue source I just want to provide an extra service to my clients that need it.

I would require my clients to sign up for either the same term that their SEO project period would be (normally 6 months) or they could sign up for longer. I would definitely stay away from monthly plans as I do not want to deal with the hassle.

Is a reseller option smart for me? Any recommendations on hosting providers with good reseller programs? I would love it if the reseller program comes with set packages, a billing program and they would need to handle all support issues. I wouldn't even need a site but that might be a nice extra to pick up a few clients here and there. My main issue is that I don't want to think about this except when I am billing the clients or transferring their sites over.

Or would I be better off just doing an affiliate program with a hosting provider and making money of referrals? Are there any other options for me?

Unlike the others I would suggest you get into a reseller account if you have the time. Your practically throwing away business but saying go to "x" company". For a reliable reseller your going to be paying around $10-$20 A month. To some people thats a lot of money but in the real world thats 2-3 fast food meals (hardly an investment). Then if you do find a host with a money back guarantee your protected for however long (assuming you go with a legit host).

Obviously if you already have clients coming to you, you don't need a store front. Chances are you got their address info already so really all you need to do is set them up with an account and give them your phone number or email addy for support. Mind you this would be the very basic. If your wanting to get into hosting people who aren't your clients then you would need a storefront.

If I were you, I'd go for it,

John

 

[thomase]

Unless you can actually support your clients (decent knowledge of technical terms, control panels, etc) I wouldn't. It's far too easy to get into the hosting market.

 

[Zeeble]

Simply refer them to a hosting company which will pay large one-time payouts. Some affiliate programs pay up to $60-$80 for a hosting signup.

 

[lasvegascom]

My biggest apprehension to doing a reseller is support. I want nothing to do with support in any way shape or form. The only things I am willing to do is set up their account, upload or transfer the site to the new host and charge them.

Any technical or other support issues I want nothing to do with.

 

[RickyG]

Sorry LV....that comes with the territory.
Then I would suggest like a few said above and get a commision on refferals.
RickyG

Some affiliate programs pay up to $60-$80 for a hosting signup.

Maby I should give up my server and do referrals...

 

[Zeeble]

Once option is unbraded support from your reseller.

I know the beachcombe.net offers unbranded support to your clients for a $100 setup fee.

 

[Camron]

Once option is unbraded support from your reseller.

I know the beachcombe.net offers unbranded support to your clients for a $100 setup fee.

Not found.

Also, its not hard to offer support. If something is major wrong and you can't fix it, just contact your reseller provider and they can fix it. Then again, if you can and not know how, your reseller provider can teach you how, for next time. But if you get a server, 9 chances out of 10 your server will be unmanaged, and when something goes wrong, its up to you to fix or get $5000+ management per month for your server which can get costly.

Affiliates programs are great. I have seen many good ones. If you want to just try one out I hear things about resellerspanel.com offering free resellers with there own type of control panel, you rate the prices plus plans. Maby you can check them out.


Regards,

 

[lasvegascom]

Yeah I am rethinking the whole support thing as long as everything else is private labeled.

 

[zachbb]

i use a reseller plan that offers good support. As long as you have a good client base, or high paying clients, youre fine.

 

[lasvegascom]

who do you use zachbb?