Hi folks,

I've been spending time trying to understand this host business. All I can say is: I'm more confused than ever. :( Need some help in trying to understand what I need, compared of buying what I don't.

Here's a couple questions:

1) What do you call the plan, or it's term, when you buy a chunk of HD space and bandwidth, then cut up each to resell (these other sub-domains don't have email and other such options, it's basically a Geocities style site)? Is it a "reseller"? I ask because what I've been reading is more geared for those reselling domains and offering the same services (mail/CGI/etc.).

2) Is there a bandwidth calculator out there? Or does anyone have a handy formula to anticipate bandwidth useage on a site that's prime purpose is to display graphics? It's a headache to calculate something like this: 20 people/300 graphic files from 400 bytes to 200kilobytes/linked to 5 forums/web sites with an estimate of 5000 views a week.

3) Is there a list out there of web hosts to avoid (so one doesn't have to dig through a zillion posts to find the bad sites)?

4) Lastly, is their a book one can read to get through this info overload? LOL! I have many, many questions - probably way too many.

1.) Most of the time you really have to watch what goes on if you get a shared hosting account and resell it. Most Webhosts will suspend you in a heartbeat if one of your sub-accounts violates their TOS agreement of Acceptable Use Policy.

2.) There is no given method for calculating bandwidth except to use your best judgement. It varies too much to accurately tell.

3.) For starters, stay away from *****. They've been in legal trouble before and I don't really trust them.

4.) I can't really think of any on the subject of Webhosting in particular, but if you're going to be using a *nix account, then a fairly strong knowledge of *nix is a must.

Just an addition to 1):

Reselling web sites like what you described is not really a common practice if you are serious about reselling, and if your clients are also serious about getting web sites. Most probably you will only be able to sell those kind of "subdomain no email" kind of service to kids for $1 each.

Normally what people here call "reselling" is when you obtain a special right from a web host and you resell their hosting plans. So your client will get a full account just like if he gets it directly from the web host. You determine the price (and your profit margin) and you will be the front line support and contact to your customers.


oh and to answer 4) Web hosts normally use WHM/CPanel to maintain their web hosting accounts. In fact if you are reselling, you might have access to a "Reseller WHM" so you can set up your own clients. This WHM/Cpanel makes it very easy for you to set up and maintain your client accounts.

However, as ShellBounder said, a good knowledge of *nix, more specifically RedHat Linux (because most hosts use this) would be a good plus on some occassions, and is a definite must if you are running your own web hosting business.

Good luck on your venture into web hosting / reselling

BTW,

WHM = Web Host Manager - this is the web interface used for web host owner to create their clients
CPanel = Control Panel - this is the web interface used by each client to manage their own account ; set up their email etc..

have a browse and you'll see many demo of CPanels.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ShellBounder
]1.) Most of the time you really have to watch what goes on if you get a shared hosting account and resell it. Most Webhosts will suspend you in a heartbeat if one of your sub-accounts violates their TOS agreement of Acceptable Use Policy.

Okay.

I understand there's some policing to sub-domains and all, but there's a certain market - us web artists who love message boards :) - that's doesn't want a domain for parking graphics for just plain net use. They're willing to pay a fee for their sig graphics, but they don't want to get bogged down with the admin stuff.

2.) There is no given method for calculating bandwidth except to use your best judgement. It varies too much to accurately tell.

:(

3.) For starters, stay away from *****. They've been in legal trouble before and I don't really trust them.

At this point I wouldn't know who to go with. Since what I'm looking for isn't being promoted as much as "have your own domain." I'm willing to buy my own, but would prefer reselling sub-domains for this population (since they're lucky to post a correct image tag to begin with - can't expect them to be the admin type).

4.) I can't really think of any on the subject of Webhosting in particular, but if you're going to be using a *nix account, then a fairly strong knowledge of *nix is a must.

Okay, what does "*nix account" mean?

<Sigh, all thumbs in this>..................

[QUOTE]Originally posted by muppie
Just an addition to 1):

Reselling web sites like what you described is not really a common practice if you are serious about reselling, and if your clients are also serious about getting web sites. Most probably you will only be able to sell those kind of "subdomain no email" kind of service to kids for $1 each.

Pardon if I disagree. There's a HUGE market out there for this. Folks are willing to pay more than a $1 for it too (especially if they have a collection of sig graphics advertizing their web sites). Currently I'm paying (like my fellow posters) $4 a month for graphic use on just one site. The thing is, they want one site for graphics for many sites they frequent. A central garage if you will.

Normally what people here call "reselling" is when you obtain a special right from a web host and you resell their hosting plans. So your client will get a full account just like if he gets it directly from the web host. You determine the price (and your profit margin) and you will be the front line support and contact to your customers.

For those who want all the bells and whistles. For those newbies and web board power posters out there who can't/don't want to do the admin stuff, this is their option.

oh and to answer 4) Web hosts normally use WHM/CPanel to maintain their web hosting accounts. In fact if you are reselling, you might have access to a "Reseller WHM" so you can set up your own clients. This WHM/Cpanel makes it very easy for you to set up and maintain your client accounts.

I'll have to get my feet wet with all that eventually. It's both good and bad: good to learn, bad because of the timeless learning curve!

However, as ShellBounder said, a good knowledge of *nix, more specifically RedHat Linux (because most hosts use this) would be a good plus on some occassions, and is a definite must if you are running your own web hosting business.

Haven't worked with Linux yet, but worked with DOS before Windows came along. Hopefully I'm not that rusty with the command line (gulp).

Good luck on your venture into web hosting / reselling

Thanks. :) Just a corner of the market for us artists who need web space for our creations.

*nix refers to all the variants or clones of Unix operating system, such as Linux, BSD, Solaris.
The most common is Linux.

cheers :beer:

If you just want sig graphics for message boards (assuming you mean for [img] tags or something similar?) why don't you just use the free web hosts like geocities, tripod, etc... there are hundreds out there, surely more than one will allow (or don't disallow) direct linking like this

Originally posted by muppie
If you just want sig graphics for message boards (assuming you mean for [img] tags or something similar?) why don't you just use the free web hosts like geocities, tripod, etc... there are hundreds out there, surely more than one will allow (or don't disallow) direct linking like this

Geocities, Tripod and a host of other free web sites don't allow outlinking. And outlinking is a mixed-bag of "when will they also start stopping this?" Sure one can get 20mbs for their web page, but if they are at a discussion forum like this, they can't take their advertizing or creations with them.

Artists/web board hosts want a reliable connection. They know they have to pay a fee for this, and I wish to provide that for them.

Hmm if you are just wanting to host pictures. Check out www.rackshack.net would seem good for THIS need. Not if you are gonna use heavy cgi etc but for plain pictures they come with 300gb of bandiwth for $99 a month.... Just some advice.

EDIT: Too many pixy stix.

I pretty sure Tetraboy meant http://www.rackshack.net

Yes chicken.. rackshack.net sorry. where is my brain today! Too many pixy stix.... BTW havnet seen you in hosthideout lately...

Hello ChrisLM2001a,

Regarding your #3... very simple... do a search here and also post your questions here for others to comment :)

Refrain yourself from going for unlimited bandwidth and web space type of hosting plans ;)

Just my thought.

Cheers!

Regards,
Choon

Originally posted by Tetraboy
Hmm if you are just wanting to host pictures. Check out www.rackshack.net would seem good for THIS need. Not if you are gonna use heavy cgi etc but for plain pictures they come with 300gb of bandiwth for $99 a month.... Just some advice.

EDIT: Too many pixy stix.

The bandwidth is great, but, after reading over what's been stated about them I'm a little weary. Would have to see if more folks say it's okay before considering them.

Service counts a lot too! Especially for a newbie. :/

Originally posted by choon
Hello ChrisLM2001a,

Regarding your #3... very simple... do a search here and also post your questions here for others to comment :)

Refrain yourself from going for unlimited bandwidth and web space type of hosting plans ;)

Just my thought.

Cheers!

Regards,
Choon

Thanks for the advice.

Put in a request and have gotten some offers that are pretty reasonable, but nothing unlimited.

I'd be weary of that type of offer anyway: that'll be a lot of possible traffic and would s-l-o-w down the server (especially with video/chat).

More interested in fast speeds of pics with reliable uptime. With the cable crowd nothing smarts more than a little 3kb image not loading fast enough. :/

From what I can see their support has improved lately as has their reputation.. just from following threads but yes do a search/ask before you get serious about em, I was just a suggesting :-)

Be very alert as to what your clients post on their sites. I know that most of them don't mind reselling portions of your account, but you are responsible for any overage, CPU resources, and bandwidth. You had better know who you're dealing with or I think you'll have more trouble dealing with your Web host than it's worth.

Originally posted by ShellBounder
Be very alert as to what your clients post on their sites. I know that most of them don't mind reselling portions of your account, but you are responsible for any overage, CPU resources, and bandwidth. You had better know who you're dealing with or I think you'll have more trouble dealing with your Web host than it's worth.

Shellbounder,

Won't be a problem. I'll police the sub-domains aggressively (and I mean aggressively). The market this is aimed for isn't "kiddies," but owners of established free forums and related web sites who have a vested interest in being appropriate. They put blood, sweat and tears into their creations (and artwork), so this is a much safer crowd than the general internet. Couldn't pay me to handle the regular internet storage/linking crowd (abusers they can be - especially on bandwidth).