Starting a new small hosting company?

[NwS]

Hello,

I'm wondering what it would take to start a small hosting company?
Like what plans you'll need, what budget, staff etc etc..

Thanks for your time,
NwS

 

[Camron]

Are you looking for a dedicated server, vps, or reseller.

Dedicated server is made to get BIG, as you stated small so you probably leaning towards vps or reseller. I recommend vps because If you look hard enough you can find vps cheaper than some resellers. Vps has features of a dedicated server but less resources of the server. Resellers get barely any features, just making some small shared hosting account.

If you are looking for reseller account, pm me. I have directadmin or cpanel. Which ever you prefer.

 

[PolurNET]

There are a many options depending on how you wish to proceed as mentioned above. If you don't want to handle support or worry about technicalities (as you MUST be familiar with them if you're planning to get this started alone) then a better option would be to resell shared/reseller accounts, choose a company that anonymous end-user support, or become an affiliate.

 

[NwS]

There are a many options depending on how you wish to proceed as mentioned above. If you don't want to handle support or worry about technicalities (as you MUST be familiar with them if you're planning to get this started alone) then a better option would be to resell shared/reseller accounts, choose a company that anonymous end-user support, or become an affiliate.

Any suggestions?..

 

[jme574]

I personally use a HostGator Rellers plan, but I have moderate knowledge so I can work my way around cPanel, WHM and AutoPilot for billing. The tech support has been poor in the past but if you submit a help ticket instead of using live support chat you should be ok. The support is getting better everyday. I find that I get more/better support from some of the other clients from their forums. There is always someone else out there willing to help.

I have also use TotalChoice Hosting, with i found to be an outstanding company with excillent support, but HostGator offered more resources for the money so i decided to sacrafice some tech support for more space/bandwidth.

 

[my-e-space]

I just posted an article I wrote recently about starting a web hosting business. You can see it here http://www.namepros.com/web-hosting-discussion/183968-what-you-should-know-start-hosting.html

Hope it helps!

 

[weblord]

if you're just starting i recommend you get first a vps rapidvps.com has some, or a reseller with unlimited addon domains would be ideal

 

[NwS]

Thanks for the info my-e-space and weblord!

 

[my-e-space]

No problem, hope it helps! Good luck in your hosting venture!

 

[cvxdes]

Hope Im not too late.

Hosting people isn't a get rich thing. You need to provide support, and know what you're doing. On my server, I don't go around saying "I SELL HOSTING BUY HERE!!". I have in the past, but I've developed other ways of selling. They care about support, and speed. When a customer comes to me and asks a question, I don't just say "Screw off, im busy". You have to drop what you're doing and look into it, otherwise the customer becomes mad. If you think you can do that, great. Then you need to learn SSH and linux. NEVER get stuck with no linux skills, and an unmanaged dedicated server. Been there, done that, blew that. If you don't know shell, you cant really do stuff. Your support depends on someone elses, not good. You need a firewall, and a control panel. cPanel or DirectAdmin are good, cPanel is always prefered though. Never give up either - if your cost is outweighing your profit, then YOU pay for the server. YOU should know it'll pick back up, and a few dollars isnt worth ruining your rep over.

Hope I helped you.

 

[prolixity]

you need to start out small like a reseller then move up to a dedicated server

 

[El Dude]

I have my own webhosting company but I've not gone live just yet, just tweaking a few things. I would find a reseller instead of using VPS and what not if your new to this type of thing. Check out sites like www.findmyhosting.com, www.hostreview.com, www.thehostplanet.com and weigh up all the pros and cons as well.

Before you start you definitely need a business plan otherwise you will fail. Some things you will need to figure out.

1. How am I going to fund my new business venture?
2. How much money am I going to set a side for advertising?
3. How much money am I going to sell my packages for, and can I afford to sell them for xxx?
4. Do I have enough time to run my business on my own?
5. Can I afford to employ people?
6. Why should people choose me and not someone else?
7. Who are my target market?
8. How much money will I expect to make per month?
9. How will potential clients pay me for hosting?
10. Do I know enough about the technical side of things to provide my clients with support? If no, what can I do about this?

These are a few things you will need to think of.

 

[Romeo20]

El Dude is absoloutly correct.

First, try reseller and if you think it's too hard or complicated, DON'T be a hosting company. Reseller is the easiest way to go.

Then, to be more advanced, make sure you know how to manage a dedicated server, and hire a couple of people who are very wise with the operating system the dedicated server is using, etc. As stated above, mabye start with a VPS instead.

 

[NwS]

Thanks one again for the info!

About the plan thingy.. I always make the plan in my mind and in papers first and then i go for it Thanks for the info though coz some of them never thought of :D

Thanks ppl! :D
NwS