If a single person set up a webhosting service with limited $, about $2000-3000, how long would it take to make how much money? assuming they did it on the side of their regular job. feel free to make assumptions in your replies.

Dave

Unfortunately, that's an almost impossible question to answer (at least IMO). There's way too many variables involved. If anyone can throw out some figures I'd be interested in seeing them.

If you just invest and do it on the side..... You won't be making any money but probally enough to get by..... With the lack of support, since your away, its even more harder for a webhosting business. Most will fail yet few will do good IMHO.

If you look at DELLHOST, or any of the multimillion dollar webhosting companies. It cost alot of money and devotion to start.

The real question is what are your startup costs+keep running for 4 months. Once you get that down, what ever money you have left I would advertise with. Then spend a lot of time advertising. If you do that and have decent support plus packages, I think by the 4th month at least you can be breaking even
(costs at$450 main package at $20 about 22 signups ) Work it like that and I think it seems possible.

Originally posted by gurney
If a single person set up a webhosting service with limited $, about $2000-3000, how long would it take to make how much money? assuming they did it on the side of their regular job. feel free to make assumptions in your replies.

Dave


I love to make assumptions so here's some thoughts:
Forget about getting your own pipe to the 'net. It's just way too much money. Maybe $10k for the bare minimum in hardware. Then figure out how much a couple of T1s (wait, DS1s, I'm dating myself here) will cost. Don't bother, it's too much.

How about this: get a dedicated machine sitting at someone else's site. Rackspace.com will rent you a PIII/750Mhz, 256MB RAM, 2 20GB HDs (1 primary and 1 backup), 1 IP address and 10GB of traffic for $385.80 per month. I sure there are less costly options out there.

Maybe a Cobalt server (I know, they can be pricey)? I've heard they're very easy to admin though.

As for making money, hmm. It would be nice to have some customers already lined up. Try local businesses and sell them on a complete package: setup, design and maintance. IMHO good service could make the difference. A few companies might make you a nice living (say 20 businesses at $300 per month). Just keep the expenses to a minimum. No jokes about burn rates ... =)

Personally I'd avoid the webhosting "all by itself" model. There are too many people out there doing this (and some are doing it very well for really cheap money).

I've had good luck offering a combination of services (networking, server setup/maintance, PC maintance and babysitting their off site web site). When you're their only tech and are honest with them, they will (for the most part) throw alot of business your way.

Can it be done? Yes. Will it be easy. No way. Could it be fun? It very well could be. $3k for starting a business is nothing today but many people have started with a lot less and made a ton of money.

What you'll really need is good luck. Please keep WHT updated on how things work out.

Good Luck,
pherris

BTW, I'm assuming that you have some other source of income or live someplace really, really cheap (and don't eat much) and you don't need to buy any new equipment (i.e.: new desktop or laptop for the home).

Originally posted by pherris
How about this: get a dedicated machine sitting at someone else's site. Rackspace.com will rent you a PIII/750Mhz, 256MB RAM, 2 20GB HDs (1 primary and 1 backup), 1 IP address and 10GB of traffic for $385.80 per month. I sure there are less costly options out there.

You need at least 2 IP's for the DNS Servers :D. Anyways, i would suggest you to start reselling for a larger hosting company ...and then when you have enough clients - move to your own server :)

Start small, i started with a resellers account and now have my own server, I have not been running that long but its not looking all that bad.
Dont worry if you charge abit more then the other people do. I have had a few people move from cheap hosting to mine thats more exspencive, i give my coustmers good suport and thats what keeps them with me. I dont aim to make alot of cash, i just want enough to make a small profit and keep running.
I enjoy what i do and thats probbly why i am still running.
You got to keep dedicated. you can do any thing if you put your mind to it.

As for start up, the ammount your going to spend is way more then i had, also your server will most likly be in the US so its alot cheaper for you.

One more point, DONT GO IN BLIND, i mean you got to know what your doing with your server etc. I made a home server using redHat 6 so i could get use to working with linux etc and then i start my hosting company.

As some people sead before its good to go into your town/city and ask the bussness's if they would like a website etc and you make it and host it. Thats whats got me the most income.

As i sead before you can do any thing if you put your mind to it, it may be a little shock to you but i am only 16 years old and have just left school, soon to go to colage. But i was dedicated and stuck at it.

I wish you the BEST of luck.

(sorry if i was just yapping on)

Regards

Luke

www.lantyland.co.uk - see some php projects i have underway.