Hello

I'm a really noob in this things, i wanne start a Hosting Company but i dont know exactly how to begin where and with what. Can someone give me some information about this. My plan is running it on a Windows Machine because my Linux is not so good. If someone give me some nice information i'll be very gladfull.

Thanks.....

Hi !
I don't want to sound rude, but if you don't know how to start, you might wonder if it is such a good idea to start at all.

But basicly:

rent/buy a server, build a website, advertise and your running.

:)

What are your exact plans and resources right now? What kind of connection?, How many servers (if more than one), what are your skills? What are the specs on your server(s). What do you plan to offer..PHP, CGI, MySQL, WebObjects??? Maybe with some more info about where you are at right now we can be of more help ! :scatter:

Judging from your post, I'll probably say that starting small will be good. You may want to consider starting out reselling to understand the business and see how you fit in it. Then adjust your business plan to fit that goal. Once you get enough customers to move into a dedicated server, upgrade and get your own server. But without knowing what you want to do it's hard to help you.

Give us more information.

I wan to Offer PHP, CGI, MySQL enz. my skills are oke i understand much but because i dont have any expirians with a busniss beginning i was asking for some tips. I think i'm going to buy a Server so i dont have those high monthly fees. The only things that sucks are my Linux skills i really dont know a **** about that.

cahostnet
Thats a good idea ,so can you tell me some nice companies where i can hire my space

Is this Enough information

If you'd ever think of getting business customers, you might want to try to type better. Proper capitolization and punctuation makes you sound a lot more professional.

Also,
Why do you want to start a web hosting company? Are you prepared to make the commitment?

Sorry about the way i'm typing this is not my main langues sorry. The main resean is that i like it and i got the time and money for it.

MarvinJ, there's allot involved in running a business. I hope you've thought hard about what you're about to enter into and not just an idea you got over night. But once you've made the decision (no sleep, dealing with customers, expense etc) then you can start building your business.

As far as where you can get such plan, do a search on this forum and you'll get allot of advice on where to get resellers packages. People here are very helpful in that area as well.

Second, before you signup for anything and start spending money you need to get some things together. They are:

domain name
business plan
web site design
TOS

and these are just a few. I won't even bother signing up for a reseller plan until I have a domain name and a web site ready to start hosting. This way you don't loose any money building your web site. What I would do is research the company you want to host with and see what you're about to sell so you can build your site around that.

Anyways, I think reselling is the way for you to go. Don't buy a dedicated server yet. At least if things don't work out, you don't loose money with a dedicated server.

Well like the others said....here is what you need to do

1) Write out a business plan...set short term and long term goals and try your best to stick with them...having a business plan is important, with out it you have no real direction. Gather cost information....Server Price, Software, Connection Cost Per Month, Advertising (big thing to look out for, advertising can make or break a business), cost of promotion and customer costs. Make sure that you have a balanced budget to support the company.

2) Get Farmiliar With The Business...look around at different hosting provides and find out how things work...this is a great resource because you have lots of members willing to help eachother. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

3) Technical Knowedge...make sure you know your platform well enough to trouble shoot, make sure you know how DNS works, basically know your software.

4) Set up your server and test out every nook and craney of the service to make sure that your customers will not experience any problems. If you go online without testing, you'll regret it.

5) Register a domain name and start building a web site, this is a very important to have a well designed and functional site...if the site doesent attract people to keep looking than your business won't do so hot.

6) Open your doors for business, make sure your terms of service are written out well, ask around for help if you need it!

Make sure that you are comitted to doing this, its a business that requires alot of attention, some think its a server sitting in a closet making you money , it isn't than easy, there are alot of customer relation involved, a lot of playing the tech support guy, and alot of problem solving

Also it would also be to your advantage to keep learning your and other OS's like Unix,Linux, and Mac...if you don't you may not be able to help customers using thoes platforms, and in the future you wont be able to have the diversity of different server platforms...some people only want unix, some linux, some mac, some windows, having all of them in the future is important thing to think about.

But there are alot of hosting comapny's...probably more that I can count LOL, so make sure that you have a good marketing plan so that you want be lost in the masses! Good Luck! I wish you sucess!:agree:

Thanks for all your help guys, this isnt a idea that just came in my mind so you'll be hearing from me more often hir on webhostingtalk.com .

About the legal tax stuff....

in Massachusetts anyways...you need a business certificate in your city or county (depending on loacl law)..this states your opening up a business in the city....they sometimes list you in community directories and such

and

Make sure to file with the IRS to get a TIN number or a taxpayer ID, once you get that you can open up a bank account in the business name....this is required in my area, but you may want to find out what is required in yours.

This is if you want a seriouse business

the IRS form for applying for a TIN number is SS-4 you can get it over the phone...go irs.gov for more info

Thanks for informing me

how old are you? Please tell me you are not another one of the 8 year old business owners are you. I am getting sick and tired of kids not out of elementary starting up a webhosting company and making trouble for legitmate business owners :)

YA WhAtS UP WITH THAT....a damn 10 year old kid gets mommy to buy a domain, he build this rediculouse site and being in business 2 month hes got more than i make in 5 years!!! There should be a law...no commerce till 16 or even 18...damn kids! :angry:

Don't let this thread turn into "Cheap hosts how do you do it?" Personally I think 13 you should be able to own a business and get sued also. ( 13 year olds get tried as adults for murders. ) I seriously doubt an 8 or 10 year old is starting a hosting company. Still though we shouldn't discriminate everyone under 18. Some are more than capable at running a hosting company... ( IE: Splashhost )

I don't see a problem with letting kids start companies. Just as long as they realize the responsibilities that come with it, and their parents are keeping on top of things.

I don't have a problem with it, just as long as kids don't act like 10 year olds!

Brian

I dont really see the problem i'm not a 8 year old but 16 yrs old. I had some experians from friends that are running some busniss. But thanks for your information and pleasee stay ONTOPIC.

What ever happened to Kids wanting to play sports, go out and have fun with their friends. And if you don't mind me asking, how did you get this kind of money to even want to buy servers and pay for hosting costs?

I mean I don't have anything against anyone wanting to be in the business but I think kids these days are loosing their minorhood. Be a kid and have some fun!!! Go on a date, hang out. Computers are definitely changing the world.

Just my 2 cents.

Your right but if you live in a boring nabourhood that sucks. I got a girlfriend where i spent much time with and i got money for servers because i got a job next to my school. Whats the problem?

No problem my man. Just so that you know, the hosting business is very huge and there are allot of, well young people doing it b/c they have some spare time. but it's not all fun and games. Be ready for the leagal aspects of things. There are many "hosting" business that aren't even business. Not registered and don't really have any legal representation.

If you piss one customer off and they decide to sue you, be ready. There may be the one time that a customer may want to sue you because your server went down and they lost thousands of money due to his site being down.

Anyway good luck to you. I just know that this business has gotten a bad rep because young people who do this for the wrong reasons has made the hosting world hard for others. One day they have a site, made lots of money and just disappeared the next day. Why, the fund ended quickly. Then we deal with them because now, they don't trust any host. That's my only problem.

Other than that, anyone can start a hosting business. Hope you do the right thing.

Thanks for the information. I know what i'm doing this is not only for the money but for other aspects. I can unstand your oppinion about this plan but i will try to prove the different.

Marv.

Good to hear. I really wish you luck.

MarvinJ-

I wish you all the luck in the world with your business, a lot of people don't undertand how a young person can run a suceeful business...I started my first business at 16, my age was a roadblock, its tough, im the youngest in my company (and the big boss:D ) but hard work and determination got me here today...People will always have a problem with it, i've fired people before that were 35. 40 simply because they won't listen to a younger person (my advice to thoes people...don't P*** Off the guy that writes your pay check)...so you will encounter a lot of people that will tell you bad storys and get angry with your success...but as a business owner who started at 16 maybe even 15...i applaud you! i hope that everthing you are working hard for becomes a huge success......the only thing that i don't like is the 8 yo kid that started a web design company and make llike a billion dollars...thats a true story....but i think young people should be doing this stuff, i mean...we are the "internet age" who esle to run it better!!! :D

Now that i went completely off topic :rolleyes: ..we can get back to business...


WEB BUSINESS ANYONE? COME ON SPEAK UP!! :cool:

I think your boys should drop before you start running a business that could potentially effect the earning ability of a potential several thousand clients

I know what you talk about. You need to start when you think for your self the time is oke. A kid of the age 8 needs te play with his friends not running a web biz and make money.

For now please stay ontopic.

Would a business license be an absolute requirement when starting a hosting company? And can someone who is 16 do that himself or would you need to get someone 18 to do it?

Well, If you call yourself a business then yes a Business License is a requirement and NO, you can't get one when you're 16. At least not here i my state.

I can't even register a business unless I'm 21 over here!

Oh, I had done trading on eBay as a minor. (Please don't report me :D) Personally, I don't see any problems with us younger ones starting out at 16 or 18. It's those hosts that come out offering unlimited this and that, not understanding the repercussions of it, lose a fortune, and then disappear overnight with all the money that leaves their clients a bad impression of web hosts in general.

Let's face it - at this time and age, your age isn't going to be a good measure of your business abilities and such.

Marvin, do like what the pros are suggesting. The most important thing, I feel, is a business plan. You've got to do a decent bit of planning to understand if you can really afford the time in the long run. You haven't gone to college or the U yet - they will take up more time than you know!

Or you can be like me - just sit around and listen, and eventually, pick up some ropes of the trade.

Good luck! ;)

I understand what you mean. I'm still in school after this one i just need 4 years. And i allready looked into the future the things i'm going to do will not take all my time and i will have lots of spare time for my biz. I know you all heared some bad things about young ones beginning and running away with the money.
Suggestions will be fine thanks ( the biz. plan is allready in the make )

Grtz.

I think what a lot of these people are missing out on is commitment. Sure you need the skills, the business plans, yadiyadiya.. but if you don't have to commitment to stick it out.. esp in the first few months, you're not going to make it. Getting that web site up and your first customer is in my mind, the biggest step. And be prepared to spend lots of time!

I think you should work on the spelling, customers require professional approach :)


Good luck

I think I recall, he said english isn't his primary language and is just learning to speak/type/write it. So hopefully it will get better before he starts his business.

Tetraboy thanks and my biz. wil be in my main langues..

what language?


(just out of interest :) )

Hello! How old am I? I thought young people were the ageists against old people. And now old people are ageist against young people! :( So sad... I don't understand why you must be at least 18 years old to sign up for stuff!

I'm hearing a lot of, "As long as the person is responsible, knows how the business works, etc. - there shouldn't be too much a problem.".

The fact of the matter is, is that a lot of these young people DON'T grasp the concepts, and don't really have the knowledge to create a successful, legitamite business. Don't get me wrong. A lot of intelligent young people DO, and are good at it. But, a lot don't. And if they do know what they're doing, and have a firm, unique business plan - then all the power to them!

As for kids claiming that they live in a boring neighborhood, or have nothing better to do - get a job in the spare time. :) And if you don't work enough, expand your hours! :)

Is the solution to restrict ANY minor's ability to start up a business like this? Probably not, but I do think an age limit (ie. 15/16 years of age.) SHOULD be implemented. *BUT*, if younger people have a legitamite, unique business plan and can actually contribute to the industry - then I believe that they should have a chance to do it.

That is just one side to my opinion. On the other hand, I know a lot of young people who get involved in the same industry as some middle-aged people I know, where I'd trust the younger person more so, than the middle-aged person.

MarvinJ, My advice to you is do some research. If this is what you want to do, and can do it responsibly and put a LOT of time into it - then try it! :D But, I reccomend brushing up on your English, even if it isn't your first language. I strongly emphasize that.

- Brandon
------

Getting a job is hard when you're 13. Starting you're own business is about the only way.

Good point.

What’s interesting is I see some of my friends looking at me making money on the Internet, and they say, "Wow, he's making money! I'm going to start an Internet company too!" When the fact of the matter is, they don't know what they're doing, and they're not nearly serious enough to do it. They just see the opportunity to make money without looking at all of the aspects involved.

Brian

Tetraboy,
Last year (when I was 13) I was doing websites and programming online applications for them (product order, search, tracking) etc. That then led me to a job working at a speaker company for the summer and more and more work for clients. Once you do quality work and show that you're responsible, meet deadlines and stuff like that, people will trust you more and give you more work. I'm not saying people don't trust you, I'm just saying that's what happened to me. I guess you just have to know the right people.

Brian

I was talking about LOCAL jobs. McDonalds, and the like.

This was my next-door neighbor... can't get much more local than that!

Brian

Tetraboy,

Don't look at franchises. Look at privatized places.

Places like a golf course, for example always have a younger staff on hand for the many, small labour duties that are needed to help make these places run.

There's always lawns to mow, and the like!

If you're interested in computers, you could always repair computers. That doesn't require too much of a commitment, because you can always tell people that you're on a break for a while. You can't shut down a hosting company for a while. Plus, if people see that you're a kid - some are likely to be pretty generous.

- Brandon
-----

Maybe so, but I plan on starting a hosting business soon.

Here's a mini dictionary to help some of you out: ;)

1. noob = newbie

2. wanne = want to

3. expirians = experience

4. hir = here

5. busniss = business

6. nabourhood = neighborhood

7. unstand = understand

8. langues = languages

Typing is not a language, it is a skill. Sorry if I've offended you in any way MarvinJ, but some of these words are a little, well, odd. And if English is not your primary language then you can use this as a spelling reference.

Tetraboy - Good luck.... I guess.

- Brandon
----

Man that sound like the red neck dictionary my uncle steve used to try to teach me ya'll

if you got money, u can do anything, u can hire a consultant, he'll do everything, and u just put the money in, considering u have that money intial investment covered...

I've been a close follower of some of these posts relating to starting web hosting companies and how age plays a part.

Here in the US, you have to be 18 to register a business. You have to be 18 to enter into a contract with someone (either another business or an individual). You have to be 18 to get a merchant account. You have to be 18 to start a business checking account.

Yes there are ways to get around this by using certain services or by having a cosigner.. but my question is Why?

If the law has been set to keep children from starting businesses, why do all of these kids want to start one? They should get the hint that they are to young. Wait until you grow up and enjoy your childhood while you can.

laterz..

Maybe some of them are more mature than they look.

Maybe because some of us can't find jobs in the offline world...?

I've recently applied for a part-time job at my mum's office, but was declined. Why? Because they said I freaking look 14! :D

The facelessness of the internet therefore has its charms... ;)

For all you who are wanting to know from which country Marvin is: The Netherlands. So his language is dutch.

Marvin, my advice is not to start a webhosting business, especially in the Netherlands. There are hunderds of webhostingcompany's in Holland, with a population of only 16 million. And trust me, a new company is not profitable.

But if you really want it, here's a little list:

* First, you need to register yourself at the Chamber of Commerce (trade register) (around €60-$50).
* Get yourself a tax-id number (free).
* Get a server, or a reseller plan (dependable on you needs).
* Register yourself at the SIDN (the only dutch organization where you can register .nl domainnames). That will cost you €600 ($500) a year.

But please keep in mind that you're customers are dutch, and you know that dutch people are always going for the cheapest way, even if they got less uptime and almost no support.