Hello Friends,

I need some help. I am a student so I don't have huge amounts to sepnd on my hosting. I managed to get 400$ from my dad though. Now I thought I'll start with a Reseller from Site5 which includes ClientExec as the billing manager.

My first question is that if I get a professional template worth 225$, I only have 175$ left for my other neds. Is this the right move? Or should I get a cheap template for 60$ and concentrate on building my website with flash tutorials & stuff.

How should I invest my 400$? Its approximately for 4-5 months.

I need to invest in-

Reseller Hosting/VPS Hosting
Billing Manager
Layout
Helpdesk (I'll use a free one)
Domains (got 'em already)

Please guide me.

I wouldn't put that much into the template!

As for reseller account, remember, "you get what you pay for"

Honestly, you don't sound like you're in the right situation for starting a hosting business. What I say probably won't matter since you've got your mind made up I assume, but I wouldn't get into it. Honestly, you'll be making more flipping burgers VERY likely.

You can avoid things like flash tutorials for now.

Well, I am sorry I didn't post more about myself.

I have been working on a moonlight business, hosting fellow mates for a very small fee for an year. I have ben researching for an year and a half. I have a good knowledge of what I'm doing. I can easily run a VPS too, but I'm not on the server level yet.

I think I am ready to step into the industry as a proper business now. I have thought of Site5 cause its a great company, one of the top ones with HostGator.

Originally posted by Blue Blossom
My first question is that if I get a professional template worth 225$, I only have 175$ left for my other neds. Is this the right move? Or should I get a cheap template for 60$ and concentrate on building my website with flash tutorials & stuff.

How should I invest my 400$? Its approximately for 4-5 months.


Prioritize on creating a good web site. If this involves obtaining a $200+ template, then so be it. Your web site is your business, so you want to make it look as best as possible within the budget that you have.

I would recommend setting a good chunk of money aside for advertising. Design the site yourself from scratch if you're tight on money and once you make a few sales, buy a template for around $100 - $150.

Honestly, a template is a great idea for starters.They're usually nicer that hand coding yourself, and the vast majority of people won't know it's a template.

Spend the rest on advertising your business.

I would say a template from template monster would be a good way to start with a limited budget, not everyone can code a site themselves and even fewer can actually design one that looks good. The majority of the public will not know its a template and some might not care. You can always get a custom design down the road.

www.templatemonster.com templates are actually coded very poorly and when the whole design stretches out a lot of things will start to look incorrect as far as alignment. I have seen good templates sell on this forum and www.yaxay.com for $120 or under. Be sure to shop wisely!

Cheers

I need some advice. I am buying a unique design. (I thought that a lot of people judge the company by its design) I want to ask you guys is this (http://img80.echo.cx/my.php?image=template17ts.gif) design is worth 225$. Should I bargain?

Thanks.

If its fully coded then yes it would be worth it, if it is just the picture file and you have to code it then I would say you could probably find something cheaper, unless you love that one and really want it. Don't forget you can always bargain with them.

Is your signature a statement that YOU need a design or a question that YOU will design one for $200?

Need a design. And yes it is fuly coded. Does it look like a design for hosting.

Hi,

You can have nice hosting templates for $60 here:

http://www.monstertemplates.com

Choose an established and reputable company to open a reseller account with. Some companies open and close in matter of months. That would be stupid if you loose all your customers... I already happened to many resellers I know.

Mate, get yourself a job, get yourself some money - then you won't be so restricted. I'd wait until your studies are complete.

Jord

Ideally a new web host would get a professional looking unique template; but given your very tight budget I would settle for a professional looking non-unique template. You're going to need to conserve every penny you can to pay for limited highly-focused advertising and to cover at least several months of your reseller account while your fledgling business is still in the red.

Some advise:

1. First, on a $400 starting budget I would spend as little as possible on a hosting/reseller package. But make sure it's good and easy to use for your clients. Find a reliable provider that’s willing to work with you as you grow.

2. Second, Get a basic site up that’s professional, clean and simple.

3. Third, get some pricing together. You should have simple plans and optional plans for developers and more technical people.

4. Forth, go get some fliers and business cards printed up that are professional and clean looking. Hand them out to everyone in your local market. People on the street, people at school, any place that doesn't have "no soliciting on the door".

You should do this till you have a decent client base and are making a profit.

Thanks for your opinion Jord, edel & you advices poorboy & Kiamori. They are much appreciated. :)

Here's what I though -

1. I'll invest in a good template. I think that my website, is my business' face and most people go by your face. :)

2. I've worked out my plans, they are a bit higher as my focus is on my local market. They might not please everyone here at WHT, but that's how it is.

3. Besides my template, I've got hosting from HostGator. I got a free billing manager, so that saves some money. :) Also, I've invested in a 2CO account for processing my CCs. :) Now my recurring expenses will be the ones for the HG reseller, thats all (as of now).

So what do you guys say?