I know this is probably asked all the time but i have searched the forum and not found that much.

I am in UK and thinking of becoming a webhost. I was thinking of probably starting off on a Raq and working up.

Now i have seen BSD and Linux servers from like $70/month which seem cheap.

But would i need a lot of knowledge to administer these? i.e commmand line? i have only administered 2k servers before.

Now the penultimate thing is the Credit card processing. Do i need a special account from my bank? or what??

thanks

Hi,

Yeah to administer a Linux/Unix server you are going to need more technical knowledge than a Windows 2000 server. Although with a RAQ they tend to provide a control panel which automates alot but still it doesn't hurt to know some Unix.

If you've got a spare PC, download FreeBSD, RedHat, etc. and install it. Just play around and try to find some documentation on it.

Regards,

David

-------------------------------
4dhosting.com
A new dimension in internet services

thanks ill look into it any ideas about the Credit card authrorizing?

Yep, You have to get a merchant account for CC processing. Third party processing is also possible but with lesser features. (Revecom type) Your customers not going to see your name in their CC statements.

Anyway offer Paypal or similar service for alternative to your primary payment method. Paypal now supports recurring billing.

For merchant accounts have look at here www.sfcommerce.com

Good luck

PS: Moving from Win to *nix is bit challenging task. It involves changing attitudes :D

Hi, thanks for the replies. The thing i am having trouble understanding is how one actually gets a merchant account thingy? whats the difference between that and a payment gateway?

i'm looking for the cheapest simplest way to accept money via CC.

Check out www.2checkout.com

The thing i am having trouble understanding is how one actually gets a merchant account thingy Typically, you need to go to your bank to get a merchant account. In the UK, you are looking at something along these lines:

Setup fee - £150
Monthly terminal hire - £15

The banks will often as for security too - particularly if you are trading from home - this could be in the region of £1000.

The alternative is to go for a third party processor - the likes of Revecom, Worldpay etc. These are much less flexible than a merchant account - the payment processor's name appears on the customer's credit card statement and not yours, and the customer must go through their gateway to enter their details.

A merchant account is much more professional, but the banks don't make it easy for small companies, a payment processor is easier to get, but requires reliance on someone else.

Well you've just saved me typing all that out :-).

What I might add is that make sure you get an ITA (Internet Trading Account) also called Streamline by NatWest as you need one of these to trade online as a normal merchant won't be allowed.

David

right i see. But to get a 3rd party cc processor do i need a merchant account?

No; you don't have to; They will deposit money to your bank account or wire it. Your clients will see CC Processor's name (Name of the actual merchant account) in their CC statement. Generally the processing fees are bit higher with this way than having a merchant acc on your own. I suggest first going with 3rd party processor & later move to the merchant acc option.

Good luck;)

Right thanks guys you are all being very helpful.

I think i get it that having the 3rd party makes you perhaps seem a alittle more amateur than the merchant account?

Would i need to have perhaps a registered business? or be a sole trader or what? I am not too sure of this side of it.

Thanks again. :)

That depends on the law of your country; Generally a business must be registered I guess:D

Well I'm not sure if it makes you seem "amateur" we had no problems with WorldPay (using WorldDirect and FuturePay) and customers.

I think a 3rd party C/C processor like WorldPay would be good to get you started since it avoids the large outlay of a merchant account while setting up.

As for registering, you could go Limited or Sole Trader. It's really upto you although Limited might have some attractions to different business plans. I would talk it through with a soliciter though before going Limited.

David

Hey thanks for the replies.

Am i right insaying if i went for someone like Revecom anyone could sign up? Just seems a bit easy if anyone can setup a dodgy business and accept CC's?

Originally posted by The Laughing Cow
Am i right insaying if i went for someone like Revecom anyone could sign up? Just seems a bit easy if anyone can setup a dodgy business and accept CC's?
That's right. Although the "dodgy business" owner never actually sees any credit card info, so can't do too much damage. :D

Companies like WorldPay tend to do simple checks to make sure you are fairly "legit" and you also don't get to see any of the credit card details since they are held/processed by WorldPay.

David

right i am understanding this.

I assume this is the question asked all the time but who is best for my needs?

I would probably only be making $50 a month sort of thing, who do you recommend?

I have seen the likes of Revecom and Worldpay which look very good.


I suppose recurring billing would be necessary.


Thanks once again guys!

BTW I'm in UK so that may probably narrow down the choices.

Cheers

Terry J

:)

Well I would use WorldPay since they have 'FuturePay' (which is an addon) and allows you to provide reoccurring billing at almost any interval.

They also have plently of features on the control panel (refunds, part refunds, statements, etc) they also have WorldAccess (I think...) which is another addon and allows you to take card payments by phone, fax and mail since it's basically a terminal. But you may not have a need for it.

David