Three questions you might be able to answer. Please explain why you think the way you think.

1. Is it really easy to compete with the hosts on dedicated servers as a reseller?

2. What is the point at which you should move to a dedicated server?

3. How easy is it to move accounts from one server to another if they both have the same CP?

4. If I am just starting out, with a small amount of cash (i.e. not $500), how should I go about starting?

5. Should you oversell bandwidth, and, if so, by how much?

Thanks,

- James

My answers will be vague and of little help. Add in your own facts and make them useful.

1. You can compete with them, if you have good plans, good service, and a good website. And while you should tell people you're a reseller if asked, don't post it on your website.

2. Hmm... when you think you're ready? When you can pay for it and still make a profit? When you've outgrown your host's largest plan? You need to know how to work the server...

3. Shouldn't be all that difficult.

4. Get a reseller account and get customers. :rolleyes: Make sure it's a good company. Search these forums, ask questions about them here, look at hosting directory reviews, etc.

5. Well, you'll probably have to if you choose a bulk reseller plan. But don't go overboard with it, and make sure that if you need to, you can upgrade your plan/buy extra resources to give your customers what they need.

thx :)

Another question, that just came to mind...

Would offering custom solutions be a good idea? Let people choose exactly what they want?

- James

Originally posted by zRedDice
thx :)

Another question, that just came to mind...

Would offering custom solutions be a good idea? Let people choose exactly what they want?

- James

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I would make up 4 different plans and then if those don't work for a client and you want to offer a custom plan go ahead. Just remember you have to bill 'em

[QUOTE]Originally posted by zRedDice
[B]Three questions you might be able to answer. Please explain why you think the way you think.

1. Is it really easy to compete with the hosts on dedicated servers as a reseller?

Yes you can compete with single hosting accounts - If you resold reseller plans that might be hard.

2. What is the point at which you should move to a dedicated server?

When you need more control and have enough clients to pay for it. If you think long term when you can afford one, that would in my view be the best thing to do - Get your own server that is.

3. How easy is it to move accounts from one server to another if they both have the same CP?

It's very easy, just login via shell, tar everything up, login to the new server via shell and wget the tar files to your new server.
Untarr and away you go.

4. If I am just starting out, with a small amount of cash (i.e. not $500), how should I go about starting?

Sign up for a reseller plan and go month to month. No outlay and you know eaxctly what it will cost you each month.

5. Should you oversell bandwidth, and, if so, by how much?

I think most people do, you could get caught, but most sites do not use anywhere near their quota. It's swings and roundabouts.
Personal choice that will be made easier with experience.

PM or email me if you need help with transferring any sites.

James, you have received good advice, so far. I will not re-hash the points they covered, as it was done well. There are a couple of things about transferring sites, which you need to know.

The only issues we have seen with tranferring sites has to do with:
1) Databases - we usually have to manually reset the database users and passwords.

2) MT (Movable Type/Text) - sometimes does not like to be moved between servers. This is script used by bloggers.

3) If the site being moved had strange, or complex, DNS/MX settings on the old server, we sometimes have to reset them.

Good luck to you.

-Lamar

You can find the database user names and passwords from your clients scripts, that what I do when we transfer a site - that way they stay the same and the transfer is more seemless.

Does take a little extra work but is generally worth the time.

Valid points all round.

Best of luck with your decisions.

Thanks a bunch guys (and gals)!

The help is much appreciated.

I think I've decided on a lot of things based on these responses.

I hope you are ready for some competition. :P

- James

No Worries! :)

NP