What is first step?

A business plan sure would help :eek4:

Write out a biz plan, how your going to advertise, get a client management scripts such as PHPManager or ModernBill, Get Something like 2checkout so you can accept Credit Cards, Get a reseller, domain, then sell =)

- I am working on biz plan.

- Can someone explain this to me a little more?
"get a client management scripts such as PHPManager or ModernBill"

- is pay pall good enough for accepting payments?

Er...

How are you going to know who has paid what, and when they next have to pay? That's why people are suggesting client management / billing software. It's possible to do all of this manually; but using something like phpManager or Modernbill makes it all much easier.

Paypal may be "good enough" for accepting payments, but I wouldn't use it as your only method to accept payments. Some people don't like it because they have to sign up for a Paypal account. Others may not trust the service. You want to make it as easy as possible for the client to give you your money, and that means accepting credit cards using something other than Paypal. Sign up for a 3rd party processor, or a payment gateway + merchant account.

Also, take some business courses at your local JC, if you haven't already. This will save you some headaches.

And stock up on antacids :D

Originally posted by LANSTARR
1 - Can someone explain this to me a little more?
"get a client management scripts such as PHPManager or ModernBill"

2 - is pay pall good enough for accepting payments?

1 - go to http://www.modernbill.com/ and http://www.phpmanager.com/ to see their demos....

2 - it's not considered 'professional' but it does work...

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125387

Originally posted by living_media
Also, take some business courses at your local JC, if you haven't already. This will save you some headaches

Graduating this may from a business university in NYC with a BBA.
I've taken plenty.

Originally posted by idologic_dh
2 - it's not considered 'professional' but it does work...

What do you suggest I use then?

how much time you will put in this new venture?

Originally posted by VNPIXEL
how much time you will put in this new venture?

side hobbie. 2-3 hours a day

Originally posted by LANSTARR
side hobbie. 2-3 hours a day

Being a webhost takes alot more then 2-3 hours a day. Unless of course your either going to outsource your support or leave your clients hanging 21 hours a day.

dont plan on having that many clients yet. once I do, I will hire some people

set up an introduction price ;)

There are a number of things you should do:

1. first of all consider a billing system or method for billing
2. Then decide what type of hosting packages you would like to sell (ie windows / linux / cobalt OS)
3. Then deal with finding a company that offers reseller hosting that fits your above requirements.
4. Build your website
5. Then begin marketing via family, friends, and business contacts.

With regards to taking money from customers:

Many people start out using paypal but it will give you a bad "image" due to the limitations of paypal and the amateur feel paypal has attached to it.

I would suggest you look at Ibill.com they offer a good selection and are much more professional.

Good luck in your adventure... the hosting industry can be fun and a good source of income if done right from the start.

Thanx for tips.
Are their any billing software that are not online? A software package?

Billing or billing software is the number one reason that hosting companies go out of business.. poor billing.

I would look at Digitalpoint.com and look at their OptiGold Software!

It is free for up to 100 users and it is a first class piece of software! over the 100 user level your cost is 1.00 usd per user. well worth the money!

Thanx for the tips! I will check that out