hi to anyone who is reading this..

let me first tell you that i have very little idea of how hosting works particularly reselling and affiliating.
as a html and php programmer i know my way round a server from the folder i upload my files to and very little else.

anyway.

i want to set up a forum for a certain aspect of the design community (much like this one) and i also want to be able to sell hosting and domains from that forum.

i am considering getting a reseller scheme or maybe an affiliate programme but i really dont know what would be best for me.

i would like to advertise hosting and domains in the forum and then get a percentage of anybody that signs up but i dont want the responsibility of uptime,server maintenance or administration etc.

can anybody suggest what i should do?

and more to the point if i do go for one of these schemes how do i know how many people are signing up from my forum..

any advice,help or nudges in the right direction would be appreciated

thanks

regards

theode;)

Hello theode,

I think this is a great idea and that many hosting companies would be willing to work with you. I think you should research carefully and select an honest and reliable provider who will work w/ you.

I believe you offer a couple of great benefits to hosting providers and that you should realize that and choose your provider accordingly.

IMHO, I think it is a great idea and you will get some good responses here.

Good luck!

Hi theode :)

In my opinion you should get a resellers account you can get one for not much more than a standard account. That way you could set up your forums and sell space on the same server.

Theode, you could put certain strings in the links from your forum that go to your hosting site. That way it's easy to pick out the traffic if you run logs through an analyser. Also have a "How did you hear about us" field in your signup form with a drop down selection that includes the forum.

Many things you could do. :)

I would recommend an affiliate program, since it sounds like you just want a comission.

Originally posted by NexDog
Theode, you could put certain strings in the links from your forum that go to your hosting site. That way it's easy to pick out the traffic if you run logs through an analyser. Also have a "How did you hear about us" field in your signup form with a drop down selection that includes the forum.

Many things you could do. :)

thats sounds like exactly what i need....also ive just been to your site and your shared hosting starter plan looks like exactly what i need...Only $34.95/yr

i was wondering do you have such an affiliate scheme that you mentioned above and do you accept paypal for payment and could i possibly get a domain too? (obviously the domain would be extra)

i will be willing to pay a year in advance (say $50 for hosting and domain)...

Theode, that plan doesn't include mysql which you would need if you ran a forum. It's just a very cheap plan for people with basic needs. We can't delve into pre-sales here at WHT but feel free to contact me personally or sales [@] hostnexus.com and the mods won't get mad. :)

:D ;)