What are some problems you ran into?

Goodness, that's a wide open question with a huge list of answers ;)

Competition is a big one :stickout:

I think finding the appropriate software for a variety of task is also a huge hurdle for many of us, and when the software we have chosen fails in one area or another it can really increase the workload on already overworked employees of the company (especially when the company only has one or two members on the staff as a whole).

Hiring honest, hardworking, educated staff can also be a struggle. Keeping them on the payroll for any great length of time can be just as complicated. We are finally established with our current staff. The team member with the shortest amount of time on payroll has been on that payroll for well over a year now, but getting to the point of being able to say that was rough. This industry seems to invite short term employment opportunities due to the higher demands of a client base that finds it easier to harass and abuse service reps via 'faceless emails". Most humans can only take so much before they toss up their hands and move on.

Keeping up with new technology and new client requests and requirements can also prove to be a struggle...

I'm sure others will have a number of additions to this very short list...

I've been looking through the forum for a couple of weeks.
Almost everday there are so many questions like "I want to start hosting business, please advise" or "What are some problems you ran into?".

I guess MODs should create a special thread named "Starting a web hosting business".

Or, another one, "Running FROM a web hosting business" :) with the things mentioned that people will face.

Good luck,

your biggest problem will be surviving.

if you price compete on WHT, u'll last a month, if you actually provide quaility hosting, at a quaility price.. your growth will be very slow (but each client will be worth more.)

good luck.

So far my biggest problem has been trying to find affordable, yet decent advertising. Overture & Google Adwords are both very expensive, especially in the webhosting area. Trying to find something that fits into a budget of a couple hundred dolloars a month, versus the hundreds of dollars per day on Overture & Google isn't an easy task.

Keeping up with technology and advertising are the two major ones. Sinking money into comptuers is always a up-hill battle since todays hardware is yesterdays news.

And as someone already pointed out, PPC advertising which is most effective is also the most effective, especially for the hosting area. I think Overture wants around $17-$20 a click for the top 5 positions.

If your just getting into the business, I'd seriously re-think it, if you don't have something unique to offer.

Oh I have 3 things that I havent seen anyone else have at lease WHT hosters dont have. I looked around for months and still dont see it so I think I will be all set with being unique :P

Problems, problems & problems, that is what you will find with hosting business, BUT if you are smart you can turn problems into solutions.

Regards

Oscar

The biggest problem I am currently in and think is the biggest problem is getting known and getting a steady number of signups. I can't compete with the outrageous prices that some of these WHT hosts offer because I know in the long run, my business will fail. Unfortunately, prospects don't know any better so they go with the host who offers the numbers that are too good to be true.

I plan to pay for some banner advertising. That should change my current situatiion :).

DEFINITELY try to find a niche market, atleast to get you started. The webhosting industry is just insane right now, with thousands and thousands of "companies" competing with reseller accounts masquerading as legi businesses and very cut-throat prices.

---
Stuck with FDC for only another week! :)