hello, this is my first time here and i really need some info fast. my dad wants to start a small web hosting and dial up company, 'bout 100 customers is all he wants he says. anyway, he knows nothing about networking, he doesn't even know how to get around in the internet. he wants to put his server in his...ok, don't laugh too hard, his closet. lol, yeah i know. i told him that's dumb, it doesn't work that way. anyway, what all does he need to buy to get this going, i know a little, but not enough to have a conversation with him about the dos and don'ts. i told him though that he should do resell first and learn a little as he goes, like what i'm doing, but he's hardheaded. i know all of you know alot, please be patient with me, again i'm learning and i do learn fast. thanks alot

you're right, he should start as a reseller....especially since he doesn't know too much

jumping straight into offering dialup accounts isn't a good idea as the startup costs (that i've seen) are very high and customers will expect 24x7 phone support.

putting the server in you closet is ok, as long as it has a good connection(s) and isn't down too often.....colocation or getting a dedicated server would be a cheaper alternative....

Reselling is a better start. :)

Start with reselling, then move to a dedicated server or co-location. It'll save you time and money.

Originally posted by spiderfine
my dad wants to start a small web hosting and dial up company [...] he doesn't even know how to get around in the internet.With your dad as my inspiration, I've decided to open a small dentistry practice. Since I know almost nothing about dentistry, it seems to be a logical choice.

My serious advice: he should do something else. He should do something he knows about and enjoys doing. If he has some idea that a small isp/hosting company will be easy money he should put that idea out of his head. It won't be. He should read some of the threads here where people are surveyed about how much profit their companies are making, or how many hours they put in, etc... he should watch here over a period of months and count the number of small companies that disappear over that time, and read the posts by their abandoned customers. He should consider how many struggling and failing small hosting companies (as well as the successful ones, certainly there are those!) are run by people who have a strong knowledge of the industry.

Starting a small business is a great idea, but starting one you know nothing about seems pretty silly.

I have to agree totally there JayC.
The one exception (like me) to that is if you are a business minded person, and a true entreprenuer, you can find a way to make any business work. If you don't know about the industry its harder though. You just find/hire the people that know.

I have to hurry up, there is a big storm, my lights are dimming and I don't have a UPS... Darn good thing I am not running a server in my closet!
lmao

Originally posted by spiderfine
anyway, what all does he need to buy to get this going...

He needs to buy a partner who knows what he's (or she) is doing. A web hosting / ISP company isn't something you just go down to the cornerstore and buy.

Wish him luck, and get your inheritance now before he blows it all away. :(

I too believe that starting as a reseller is the only way to go. He needs to get his feet wet first. This will give him a chance to learn about his customers needs, handling support issues as well as server issues.

Being a reseller allows him the opportunity to turn to someone else when he doesn't have the answer. Then when he has accumulated enough customers go to a dedicated server.

There is more to this business then just collecting customers payments. He will spend many many hours handling support issues, promoting his business, designing and redesigning his web site, etc.

I too suggest starting from a reliable Reseller plan is the best way to proceed your business.

Good luck!

seriously, If he can barley navigate the web, I'd hate to see his reply to a support ticket, in which a customer needs help installing a cgi script, or vbulletin (for example.)

Tell your Father I wish him the best of luck :)

I agree! BEST OF LUCK!

Originally posted by JayC
With your dad as my inspiration, I've decided to open a small dentistry practice... Gee, JayC, will you offer laser teeth whitening by email? :D

Seriously, spiderfine, you should show your dad this thread and then try to get him involved with WHT so he can learn about this industry.

The idea he has is possible. But that does not mean that it is the best route for him to go. For $30 or $35 he can get himself a nice reseller account. Then he can concentrate on his customers while someone with much more experience worries about server load and security patches.

That's what I'm doing while I try to learn linux, apache, bind, ibuprofen, etc.... ;)


Just my two cents...

Not to sound mean, but according to what you say, your dad doesn't know enough to be getting into this business. It would not be fair to him OR his customers. He is destined to fail with his present lack of knowledge in this area. Tell him kindly that this is not the right business for him.

I recently started my first hosting company. It took a lot longer to get it on its feet then I thought. I suggest getting a rackshack server to start for hosting. Dialup isnt really a good market to compete in considering the Aols and Msns carry a lot of the market... and thats not mentioning those free ISPs like Netzero. With web hosting you can easily get started through rackshack. Also if you want to use your own equipment you can colo them in a data center. Hosting out of your home is probably the worst move someone can make when starting up.

Also you can always go for a reseller plan like previously stated above.
mchost.com can help for linux
splashhost.com can help for linux
voxtreme.com for linux
and some that even offer linux AND windows ;)

Best of luck.

man, you all are too funny. i knew some of you would say something that would make me lol. i'm not gonna show my dad this thread, because it says that i called him a bonehead or was it stupid or no it was...hardheaded. no way will i let him read this, but i will still talk to him about reselling. thanx. yeah, i wish good luck too.