I am searching for a reselling package, and I had a few questions:

1) If I chose an Alabanza host, is it possible to make packages different than the one the main host has listed? For example, HostMatters (looking at their reseller plan) has a 75MB & 125 MB package. What if you wanted to do a 25, 50, 100MB package? If it were not for the control panel, you could do it, but I believe the CP states the disk space, right? VDI control panels do not give out that info, do they?

2) How much will it hurt you if you say you are a reseller? Wouldn't it be very simple for a client to figure out you are a reseller by the control panels...they can't be the same (some features would have to be disabled, like billing history).

3) How many people started off reselling for more than one company? Like in the example I gave above, I love the Alabanza control panel and HostMatters is a good company, but if I want to offer smaller packages, I would have to go with something like VDI (if I am right about VDI's control panel).

4) How difficult is it to move your clients from a reseller package to a dedicated server (if I went with HostMatters, built up my client base, then moved to a Alabanza server)? Since they are on the same server, it should be a smooth transition, right?

I am trying to iron all of this out before I leap.

Hi Alex!

I've done my best to answer your questions. If anyone has anything to add, please feel free!

1) If I chose an Alabanza host, is it possible to make packages different than the one the main host has listed? For example, HostMatters (looking at their reseller plan) has a 75MB & 125 MB package. What if you wanted to do a 25, 50, 100MB package? If it were not for the control panel, you could do it, but I believe the CP states the disk space, right? VDI control panels do not give out that info, do they?

I am not very familiar with the Alabanza control panel, however I would expect that it would be possible for the host to provide these accounts for you to setup.

However... it's hard to "fake" the disk limit, since it is a hard limit on the disk. The person will be able to exceed their allotted space. The only way to catch it would be to actively monitor their usage.

2) How much will it hurt you if you say you are a reseller? Wouldn't it be very simple for a client to figure out you are a reseller by the control panels...they can't be the same (some features would have to be disabled, like billing history).

For a client that is web hosting savvy, they might be able to catch the resemblence in the control panel. Most customers do not spend much time researching the different major providers (Alabanza, VDI, etc). For example, I would probably be able to tell you which control panel you're using... just from the way the URL looks. However, I am not your average hosting customer. ;)

3) How many people started off reselling for more than one company? Like in the example I gave above, I love the Alabanza control panel and HostMatters is a good company, but if I want to offer smaller packages, I would have to go with something like VDI (if I am right about VDI's control panel).

I think that if you do this, you will eventually end up choosing one provider over the other. Maintaining two separate systems would be quite a challenge. My advice is to choose one system and stick to it.

4) How difficult is it to move your clients from a reseller package to a dedicated server (if I went with HostMatters, built up my client base, then moved to a Alabanza server)? Since they are on the same server, it should be a smooth transition, right?

Moving up within the same platform should be rather simple. The system layout is generally an exact mirror of the server that the customer is currently on. However... moving between platforms (I.E. Alabanza server to a VDI server) is not quite as simple. The systems will generally have some major differences that you will need to account for when switching... and even then it may not be a smooth transfer.

There are many VDI vs. Alabanza debates on the board. You might consider reading some of these threads, as it is a hot topic of discussion.

Hope that helps!

Matt
mlightner@site5.com