What are the steps i should take.
What can i do to set myself up.

For those of you that will ask ..
if you have to ask.. then dont do it

i am a marketing savvy entrepreneur, not a tech expert


What are my options?
Money is not an issue, however im looking for the most affordable solution.

The only option i know is to rent or purchase a dedicated server from a place like rackspace.com

God Bless Ya'll.
Trevor

Well, generally speaking the past few years have demonstrated that dot-coms can only survive if they are founded on a firm base of technical expertise. So my suggestion would have to be that you should find a competant tech and let him handle the technical details, while you handle the marketing.

Originally posted by Trevor
What are the steps i should take.
What can i do to set myself up.

For those of you that will ask ..
if you have to ask.. then dont do it

i am a marketing savvy entrepreneur, not a tech expert


What are my options?
Money is not an issue, however im looking for the most affordable solution.

The only option i know is to rent or purchase a dedicated server from a place like rackspace.com

God Bless Ya'll.
Trevor

If money isn't an issue -- and this needs to be done, even if it is and you personally aren't able to do all the support, set up, configuration, etc on a server -- you need to spend some of that money on hiring a staff of people (or a person) that can do all that is required to properly run a web host.

You'd also need to spend some money on advertising, its a very hard market, way to much competition!
Originally posted by Trevor
What are the steps i should take.
What can i do to set myself up.

For those of you that will ask ..
if you have to ask.. then dont do it

i am a marketing savvy entrepreneur, not a tech expert


What are my options?
Money is not an issue, however im looking for the most affordable solution.

The only option i know is to rent or purchase a dedicated server from a place like rackspace.com

God Bless Ya'll.
Trevor

Your right.
I have one partner who is a sound technician.
I also plan to take on another partner when the time comes.

As per marketing and advertising i have already planned a budget for this, like i said im a qualified businessman with much experience in marketing, so i shouldnt have a problem there.
I'm looking to go out on my own, start my own business.



So what can i do?
How do i set myself up, get myself a server, a fast connection. Somethign like RackSpace.COM. Is that a good idea?

Are there any other options out there for me?

Thanks !!! :) :) :)

Well, if I were you I'd be leaving questions like where to buy a dedicated server from to your partner... I mean, that's what he's there for, right? To handle technical questions?

Originally posted by cperciva
Well, generally speaking the past few years have demonstrated that dot-coms can only survive if they are founded on a firm base of technical expertise. So my suggestion would have to be that you should find a competant tech and let him handle the technical details, while you handle the marketing.

Partly true. The past few years have also demonstrated even companies with great ideas and a sound technical background can and will fail, if they don't have good management. This means the company also needs to be able to budget itself properly, advertise, hire, expand, etc.

In the last couple months, old foggy CEOs from established businesses have become much more popular to run the bigger tech companies (Yahoo, for instance). 21-year old computer programmers don't generally have the experience and vision to run a company in the long term.

A little OT, but...

Originally posted by cperciva
Well, if I were you I'd be leaving questions like where to buy a dedicated server from to your partner... I mean, that's what he's there for, right? To handle technical questions?


Your right :)

Looking for more opinions.
More options from different people.
I like to consider all angles.

Trevor

I would add...

Don't try to grow the company too fast. Even if money isn't an issue, you have to ensure that you have a decent support staff and infrastructure in place to handle your customers. Example, you may have a good product to sell, but if you have a terrible billing system, then your customers will be unhappy if get they overcharged. (Of course, some will stay quiet if you undercharge them.)

Don't promise things you can't deliver.

Have a budget and keep reviewing your costs with the budget. Make changes if necessary, but don't ignore it. If need be, hire someone with accounting background.

Originally posted by cperciva
the past few years have demonstrated that dot-coms can only survive if they are founded on a firm base of technical expertise.

I don't think that's true, many firms with very good technical knowledge failed. In my eyes the main issue is business knowledge, not technical knowledge.

My suggestion is that you find a good 99/month dedicated server and sell your space on it to your customers. The more you frow the better you grow your technology. Like if 200 people signup you definately need more than one dedicated server. If 600 signup you may want to buy 2 or 3 servers and colocate them some where cheap. for future references I recomend you look at efreeservers.com.

I definetly agree with Walter!
Originally posted by Walter


I don't think that's true, many firms with very good technical knowledge failed. In my eyes the main issue is business knowledge, not technical knowledge.

Don't advertise before you're 101% ready - you don't want to create the wrong impression of your company...


hmm, unless you'll be doing 'coming soon' campaigns.


Good luck.

Frankly, you setting yourself up for trouble.

Your business reasoning is exactly why so many .coms have failed.

You say you have a technical person. Is this person a full partner? If not, you are in trouble technically speaking. If so, you are in trouble because you are asking a bunch of strangers to make the decisions he/she should be making.

The Internet is not a gold mine. You are expected to deliver a service and can be sued if you do not and you cause a disruption to other's business. And you will work like a dog, just like any other business start-up.

Marketing experience and ready cash does not make a business, although it does help.

Since you lack the technology experience, I suggest you go a dedicated solution with tech support handled by the hosting company (in the background, of course).

Or you make sure your tech person is really what they claim to be. There are a zillion wannabes around. They can be quite convincing to someone that cannot tell the difference. And if they are good, you better make sure they get a big share of the profit, or you will not only lose them, but you could lose alot more in the downfall.

Good Luck

IMO Pages is 100% right.

If you have a technical guru, a real asset to the company, make him something such that he has a real stake in the company and not just an employee. He'll try more when he's really a part of the enterprise.

Also, being a host or any technical service/product provider is faaaarrrr more than just being a good technician. You need business skills too. In fact, I'd hazard to say that at least 75% of your day will be spent doing business, not tech, things.

If you don't have a good grasp of business hire someone who does. And as the dot-bombs have shown just having an MBA does not prove someone is a business expert!

Finally, don't expect the world to beat a path to your door. You're going to have to target certain classes of potential customers and market to them. Show them how they will benefit with you, and not your competition. Show them how you will really add to theri bottom line. Too many dot-coms failed because while they had "really kewl tech man!" that doesn't make profit for clients.

Good luck!

If you are looking for a Sys Admin.. E-Mail me and I can help you out.
I'd be interested.


tony@ravencorpsolutions.com

Originally posted by TechnoHosts
My suggestion is that you find a good 99/month dedicated server and sell your space on it to your customers. The more you frow the better you grow your technology. Like if 200 people signup you definately need more than one dedicated server. If 600 signup you may want to buy 2 or 3 servers and colocate them some where cheap. for future references I recomend you look at efreeservers.com.


99$ for a dedicated server?
Hmm..id have to find a good one for that price.
Im looking at RackSpace.COM a dedicated server for 3000$ a month.

Originally posted by Trevor
99$ for a dedicated server?
Hmm..id have to find a good one for that price.
Im looking at RackSpace.COM a dedicated server for 3000$ a month.

Servers for 99$/month are listed at http://www.99servers.com but I wouldn't choose such one. And I think you are mistaken, no normal server costs 3000$/month :)
Usually they start at 200$ but a good one will cost you anywhere from 400$ to...

Originally posted by cperciva
the past few years have demonstrated that dot-coms can only survive if they are founded on a firm base of technical expertise. Originally posted by Walter
I don't think that's true, many firms with very good technical knowledge failed. In my eyes the main issue is business knowledge, not technical knowledge. Not to be argumentative -- because it isn't my argument -- but those two statements are not at odds. To say, as cperciva didl, that a company must have a firm base of technical expertise to survive is not the same as saying that a company that has such a base can not fail.

In thise case, Trevor has already stated that he has strong business knowledge. The advice to back that up with equally strong technical knowledge is sound.

..and since money is not an issue, have you looked into the possibilities of building your own Data Center ?

if money is not an issue for me, i'd build a NOC right now but unfortunately i don't have the $$$ :smash:

I think that Elijah has the right idea. Go out and hire a bunch of consultants, and purchase a building (or rent office space). Get a few servers, acouple t-1 lines, and a 24/7 staff. After you do this, you can manage the business part and let your tech consultants run your technology.

Just a thought for ya :)

Jim

No "ads-for-my-company" in all the forums, except the advertising forums :) Mods: correct me if i'm wrong :D


MOD EDIT:

Kiwi, nice call :) Next time, you can report the post to the moderators by clicking the link under the post.

Your all right.

No money isnt really an issue.
However, i want to startup as inexpensively as possible!

Business wise, it would be unwise to go out and purchase offices, many consultants, a bunch of technicians and a data center right off the bat.

I would like to start small and work my way up.

Big startup costs are what often kill a company, as they can never really get out of that rut.

Not getting in over your head is key to a companies success.


In reply to the person who said servers for 3000$ were crazy.
I refer you to this page.

I am looking for the absolute BEST service, one thing i will not compromise is the quality of my service.

http://www.rackspace.com/dedicated/recommended/server_linux.php

The most expensive Linux Server, basic, is 1200$ a month.
Upgrade by 3-400 Gigs.
Add 100% maintenance supervision and quality.
As well as all scripts, software.

Bingo. You have yourself a 3000$ server!!

Thanks to al for your suggestions.
Keep em coming!

good nite!!

Well... if you expect to pay $3000/server... you better be charging your customers A LOT to even break even.

your right.
i would.

Id like to cater to both extremes.
both the very high end demand, and simple demand for pepole witl their own private pages.

Id LOVE any suggestions on places where i can get cheaper servers with excellent quality.

Even better.
Is it ridiculous of me to be paying 3000$ a month on a server?

What are my alternatives?
Can i BUY a server, and have it upkept somewhere with a fast connection or something?

Thank You!!!

There are alot of places you could go for a server which would give you an even better service! try:
www.dtwebworks.com
www.pwebtech.com
www.jaguarpc.com
www.rackshack.com
www.dialtoneinternet.com

even do a search on this forum!
Originally posted by Trevor
your right.
i would.

Id like to cater to both extremes.
both the very high end demand, and simple demand for pepole witl their own private pages.

Id LOVE any suggestions on places where i can get cheaper servers with excellent quality.

Even better.
Is it ridiculous of me to be paying 3000$ a month on a server?

What are my alternatives?
Can i BUY a server, and have it upkept somewhere with a fast connection or something?

Thank You!!!

Originally posted by Trevor

http://www.rackspace.com/dedicated/recommended/server_linux.php

The most expensive Linux Server, basic, is 1200$ a month.
Upgrade by 3-400 Gigs.
Add 100% maintenance supervision and quality.
As well as all scripts, software.

Bingo. You have yourself a 3000$ server!!


Forgive me if I am being rude, but that is a terrible waste of money. You can get servers with the same or better quality for about 1/3 to 1/4 that price. ;)

Originally posted by Trevor
your right.
i would.

Id like to cater to both extremes.
both the very high end demand, and simple demand for pepole witl their own private pages.

Id LOVE any suggestions on places where i can get cheaper servers with excellent quality.

Even better.
Is it ridiculous of me to be paying 3000$ a month on a server?

What are my alternatives?
Can i BUY a server, and have it upkept somewhere with a fast connection or something?

Thank You!!!

do a search on colo or colocation
and you should get some good ideas about buying a server then colocating it

as others have said do not spend 3000 a month on a server

Originally posted by Trevor
What are my alternatives?
Can i BUY a server, and have it upkept somewhere with a fast connection or something?


Yes. It's called colocation -- you provide the server and manage it and you pay a network provider for the space, power, and bandwidth the server uses.

If you're looking at spending such large amounts of money, then I have no doubt that you'd find purchasing a server and colocating it to be cheaper. In decreasing order of expense, VA Linux, Pengiun Computing, and Pogo Linux are good places to buy servers from, although unfortunately they are all committed to Linux.

A brief note on prices: If you get a dedicated server from Rackspace, you'll find that the server rental each month costs between 1/3 and 1/4 of what the server would cost to buy. That $1300/month server would cost something like $5000 to build. Other places have slightly lower prices, but the general rule is that servers cost somewhere around 4-6 times the monthly rental fee. Bandwidth -- the other major expense -- generally varies from slightly under $1/GB to around $3/GB; at the top end of that spectrum you'll find Rackspace with a very good network, while at the bottom of that price range you'll find special offers from smaller or less well connected companies.

I really think you need to do some research!! Your question is a bit too general. Try to read through every post in this forum is a good start!

Hello

And I think you'd rather start with a server which has a good control panel installed on it.

I suggest cpanel. This will ensure that you will be able to do system management from easy to understand control panel not OS itself.

I suggest cpanel on a linux system again.

Regards,
Mac

Hi Trevor,

You say you are the marketing expert, Well thats one of the best talents to have,
Get a resellers package, and market your hosting site out.

Costs: $~50
Work: Maybe customer service emails.


When you reach more then 200 customers, hire a tech guy and get your own dedicated server and move on.

Utilize your money in marketing not on already avaliable technologies for you for $50.

Good luck :)

Tim, i've been using resellermatrix, and though there have been some negative comments on these boards about them i've actually found them to be quite good. I am not a techie either, and the most technical thing i've had to do so far is fill out a few forms... thats about it. check them out at www.resellermatrix.com, if you have any questions i'll do by best to help out.

I also know about globalhosting but i dont have an URL

:) :) :) :) :)
Hehehe.

That sonds like a good plan.
I will definitely look into that idea.

The idea itself.
Start small, then grow, is the ideal business strategy.

Thanks fo ryour input !

Trevor

If your gonna resell, I recommend http://www.hostingmatters.com and Im sure there are plenty of people who agree with me. No one beats their customer support, as well as reliablity. If your going to get your own dedicated server, I would like to recommend Site5.com http://www.site5.com...

They have good prices on their servers, and good customer support.


Thanks... Oh yeah, where do you find a tech person to hire? Any of them out there want to start off, with a company who is just starting off with a brand new server?

Wbhst

Thank all!

Thanks... Oh yeah, where do you find a tech person to hire? Any of them out there want to start off, with a company who is just starting off with a brand new server?


Hello

I have benn site admin for more than 5 years. And I am ready to work on a windows or linux server.

If you want please PM. Very inepensive !

My first word of advise is to PLAN and PLAN.. When you are done planning PLAN some more.. You need to make constant adjustments to succeed in the hosting business. Don't let your business model be too ridged.

Some where along the line of planning follow my second word of advise and make sure you find a partner that can bring web hosting experience and expertise to the table. You don't need another admin, you need someone that has built hosting solutions from the ground up and understands the customers and ever changing landscape of hosting.

Well, as far as marketing goes, I can handle that quite excellently, as well as customer support. AS a reseller, I would often search my domain name only to find customers leaving such positive feedback about my company, with any intervention from me at all. I mean, the second I get an email, It's returned withing 10 minutes. I like to think of hostingmatters.com as my role-model...hehe.. Sounds silly, but I like the way they manage their customers etc. When I said an admin, I also mean: advisor, someone to help me when there are questions I am unable to answer from my customers, and furthermore, someone to add professionalism to my company. Depending on how this thing takes of with my new server and all, I might add the automated billing and setup. Right now im not sure... I think I will slowly get my feet wet. What other jobs are associated with a system tech/admin?

Thanks
wbhst

Originally posted by Kiwi
No "ads-for-my-company" in all the forums, except the advertising forums :) Mods: correct me if i'm wrong :D


MOD EDIT:

Kiwi, nice call :) Next time, you can report the post to the moderators by clicking the link under the post.

MMMMMM, i always forget about the "report" feature. :D

man
theres alot of smart people in this post :) :)

Itd be cool if a big bunch of us put our brains together and started a big host. :) :)

That could work ...however everyone lives in a different place :D West Coast ...East Coast ...Europe ...anyone from Australia? Probably Asia too ...Not sure if the working together online would work very good.

in a way it could be good we are all in different areas and can work locally and promote locally as well as communicate via phone and email etc..

but there are alot of smart replies to my original message here and it got me thinking that it could be successfun and fun at the same time
throwing all our ideas in a big pot and many mentioned they had good marketing skills.. all mixed together could be good.
could be bad?

ok enough venting.
seeya
:)

Wait if money isn't an issue, please send me some :D hehe .