I am considering starting a hosting company as a reseller. In addition to my technical skills, I believe I have strong Web design skills, so I would promote my site as a "one-stop" Web-building service with the emphasis on design. It would all be done by me; a one-man operation.

My question, as indicated in the subject, is can I start out doing this on a part-time basis? Has anyone else done it? At the outset, my main objective will be to build goodwill and strong word of mouth. I would initially take on only design customers for whom time is not the imperative. This would slow my business' initial growth (and probably quell profits) but allow me to build quality sites to enhance my portfolio. At least that's the plan. I know that doing this and my regular job to be equivalent to working two full-two jobs, but I can handle that. Hopefully, once the momentum gets going, I'll start generating enough revenue to quite my "day job".

Oh, and another question. If I'm working my regular hours during the day and designing sites at night, this would obviously limit how much contact I can have with clients during business hour. How big a deal can that be?

Anyway, I just wonder who else has done this...and if they can offer any insights into starting out the business as a "part-timer".

TIA!

It is possible and people have done it but I am not sure if it is such a good idea.

At the outset, my main objective will be to build goodwill and strong word of mouth

It would be quite difficult to get word of mouth going if you are only doing it part-time as your support and response times would not be on par with other companies therefore I see no reason why anybody would recommend you if your service is only average. :)

Anyway that's just my opinion I am sure things will work out fine for you!! :D :D

So most people who start reselling quit their "day job"?

I guess it depends on what your current job is. If you are able to break away on a regular basis and check and respond to support questions, then, yes you probably could manage this as a part-time business. As I recall, there are even several high-school entrepreneurs who run hosting businesses. They say they check their messages and make calls between classes.

best of luck,


Keith

Ummm.....If its a one man operation I think support will be difficult. Also you get sucked into this when doing it.

You really need to be dedicated to this.

Don't want to be a 1 month host do you? :D

I started a reselling business part time :) I now make enough a month to live off anyway so it's done me good :)

If you would like some friendly advice starting your reselling business email me ginga@farmwars.com, since I remember all the people that helped me :)

Originally posted by zuby84
So most people who start reselling quit their "day job"?

Well I was married to my e-mail software before I got into hosting a few years back so it wasn't much of an issue. As a web designer I had to field questions all day long anyway so I was a natural progression to hosting (instead of fighting with odd server setups). Now hosting is the prime directive and development has become a lot more enjoyable as I can pick my projects.

My desktop is half computer, half entertainment center as I spend over 14 hours a day in front of it. There are Atlec speakers set up, a CD 'diskman' on top of the modem, zip drives, CD roms, CD burners, scanners, a WinTV card, as well as nVidia GeForce MX card, digital camera cables here and there... as well as two operating systems and close to $2000 worth of design software, and over 300 music CD's within an arms reach.

The chair I sit on is a 100 year old antique (high back) made of silky oak with the 'seat' being around 6 inches think of padded spring - I've never seen a modern chair even close to as comfortable as this thing.

I actually watched the 9-11 disaster from where I'm sitting right now via a screen on the computer while I was browsing WHT.

Short of having a jack plug in the back of my skull and a drip in my arm this is all I do :)

Beats working for a living.

Greg Moore

..... "Short of having a jack plug in the back of my skull and a drip in my arm......"

=)