I've been an independent Web designer for about 6 six months now, and I'm beginning to realize that I should get into the reselling game. But I don't really know where to begin. The way I have been handling it so far is organizing and handling the Web hosting for the client, but having the client be the owner of the hosting plan and having the client pay the hosting company directly. I'd like to do the same with e-commerce, although I have only had one e-commerce client I do plan to have more.

What kind of options are out there? Do I call the hosting company I usually work with (fatcow) or are there companies that specialize in this? I'm looking for some ideas on how other Web designers handle this in general. I don't necessarily want to be saddled with all of the hosting companies responsibilities. Although I think it is attractive to clients to pay for the whole deal through me, than to have to deal with another company and something they usually don't understand. Is there any middle ground? Just starting to feel out this option.

Thank in advance to anyone that can offer advice, recommendations and ideas. -- Beth

There are 2 different kinds of reseller plans.

1. You host all your clients' accounts under the same space and bandwidth - one large account - and you basically control how much disk space and bandwidth, pop3 accounts, ftp accounts, etc. you give each client.

2. You purchase a reseller hosting account for your company and then buy each account separately for each of your clients with a pre-defined amount of space, bandwidth, pop3 accounts, etc.

Some hosts offer you to resell their plans while other companies specialize in providing reseller plans only. Most hosts with the style 1. mentioned aboved give you access to an online control panel where you can add/edit/remove client accounts.

You will also need a payment processor to accept payments from clients - unless you wish them to pay by cheque. In that case, i would recommend either http://www.hostcharge.com , http://www.2checkout.com or http://www.revecom.com/ .

I hope this helps :)

I'm also doing webdesign, and now thinking of jumping into a reseller boat.
I already have a prospective reseller provider.

I'm in the US...
If I have to start a webhosting,
do I need to register a business name?

Can I apply a merchant account as an individual? or it must be
under business name?

I know IRS sux. especially their paperwork....

Input needed please, espcially to those who are in the US

For a merchant account without too much paperwork, i would recommend https://www.onlinedatacorp.com/

Originally posted by Kiwi
Most hosts with the style 1. mentioned aboved give you access to an online control panel where you can add/edit/remove client accounts.

Agreed...but, so do hosts with style 2, with regard to adding and removing client accounts.:)

{edit: Now that I think about it, they are given "Modify" privileges of certain aspects of the resold accounts, also.}

-Lamar

<< please read the forum rules... -kunal >>

any suggestions on reseller hosting?
please suggest a company , i am a total newbie