Hi guys.

I am a web designer, keen on venturing into the webhosting business world. Thinking that i should start it small, reseller account is the best choice for me.

It's been a year or so now, nothing less... researching for a good reseller hosting account from a stable and established hosting company and all those things that will keep me well equip. Alright, I believe a person who knows what best for the others, is to think like the others, and be in the others shoes. Therefore, some of the companies that I have gone through are those that started as a reseller or started as a designer company.. who later on expand itself to a established webhosting company.

1) hostgator.com
2) site5.com
3) httpme.com

Please do give me feedbacks about the web hosting companies that I have featured above. If there are any companies that you guys want me to consider, please do tell me.

Since I'll be dealing with web designing, graphic and print designs, i will need some assistance. And so i thought of outsourcing. I've read through some articles and threads in WHT about outsourcing. Not much of outsourcing for resellers to be exact. These are some of the companies that I am currently considering.

1) bobcares.com - ticketsmith
2) handsonsupport.com - ticketsmith and perldesk.

Again, Do give me feedbacks about these companies and if there are any more out there that you wish to recommend it to me, shoot me.

Ah.. yes to ease myself from some trouble... I am thinking to have some automation and client management stuffs. I've heard bout modernbill, perlbill, phpcoin and all.. but only 3 caught my attention.

1) WHMautopilot
2) HSPhere
3) Clientexec
What do u guys thing about these 3?

I've already plan out on how to market the website, i won't go all out paid advertisments when i'm just starting out, i think that will too big a step. Maybe i'll start out e-mailing to those who are in my mailling list first.. let it be forwarded to their friends.. and more. After then, only then will i go on paid advertisements.

Aite.. Now.. I was thinking.. how will i convince the other that the company i'm creating will be better than the others. In fact, i'm a reseller and a newbie in webhosting.

So this is my plan.. instead of providing free site builder or some other free website builder, i will do it the hard way.

1) Shared linux web hosting
2) Exclusive total package - for a small amt monthly, almost similar to shared web hosting... i will design for them their website. No, not a template.. a functional website. What's the big deal huh? They will pay me in monthly instalment for a lil bit higher than the shared web hosting package. It is similar to what some web hosting is providing.. the freesite builder and stuffs. But this time, it's custom developed.
3) Premium Development - Purely web development.. no web hosting... with flexible payment plan and pricing.
4) Professional Design - Template design... No pre design template... design after quotation.

no. 1 will be the main selling point... no.2 will be our unique point ... no.3 will be our fortress ... no. 4 will be a bonus.

Since i dun have much in my portfolio to publish in my website to tell the clients on how many websites I have created, I will do some sample web development on the site, such as e-commerce, personal and corporate pages. Now, u'll be asking, a designer with little portfolio? Let me explain, i usually deal with design company who lack the hands to design and develop. So, they refer to me bout their client project and pay me a certain percent of their total gain from the projects.. lets say.. 60%. But the deal is.. i am not allowed to publish them in my portfolio. Why am i doing this? I don't treat companies or individual who are in the same field as mine as rival or enemies. They are not foes, they are my learning point. Their mistakes are what i will learn from and their success is what I will take as example.

I've been handling 3 , 4 projects at one shot and I think i will be able to manage the projects that will be given to me if i start this business with this plans.

But please, i need some thoughts from you, experience follk who have been in this business for a long time. I'm open with ideas, and let it be constructive.

Like i've already said, I've been researching the web hosting market for about a year or so now.. I see some light with the plans that i've already made. Only that, i don't know what others will think and what i will lack of.

It will be a huge step for me to take.. a long journey in the tunnel of web hosting business.. and i need the guidance, the light to walk me through the dark.

Thanks..

Regards,
Razil

Hi Razil,

First, I'm glad to hear you're considering Site5 as a possible provider! :D

Regarding your business plan, you seen to have done some good research and thinking here. One thing I would recommend is making sure that you outline the terms of your development (especially in product #2). Often times it's the simpler web design projects that end up turning into nightmares when customers come back wanting large changes made to their site. Make sure you let them know up front what's included with the package and how often they are allowed to request updates. Also, make sure that you price this product high enough to cover your own costs. Figure out how long it's going to take you to make the site for them. If each site takes a day, you're going to need to price it quite a bit higher than $2/month more than basic hosting, for instance.

With a little bit of luck (and a lot of hard work), you definitely have the potential to do well!

Best of luck with your venture.

Hey Thankz Matt...

Nice to hear that from you. I've read about site5.com, from solely providing shared linux web hosting from resellers account to now more that 70 server. I really admire site5.com achievements and success.

About product 2, Yeap it will be quite higher than normal shared hosting. And yes, I've already planned out what to be included for each individual plan. For example, personal plan i will include blog and photo gallery.. corporate and e-commerce plan will include its own functional input.

Thanks Matt..

Regards,
Razil

Woah.. It's been like 5 days without anyone commenting or giving their views.. Is there anyone out there who can provide me with some ideas and point of views?

Another good thing about site5, from the list you have above, is that they provide clientexec with some if not all of their reseller plans. Just another nice seperator between the three.

Yea... one think i'm not sure is what support should i use. I'll most probably be using site5.com. I've read alot bout support and see lots of complains.

Mirror mirror on the wall, please tell me who's the best reseller support of all..~

While i was surfing thru the web for more information that i can gather for myself.. i bump to a site called aplus.net. Hmm.. Looks like another altenative for me.. especially their platinum resellers plan. Hmm take alook guys.. and tell me what you think about it. http://www.aplus.net/platinum_program.html