What are the steps to starting a hosting company?

I have already thought of:
Designing A Web Site
Getting The Server
Billing Software
Support
Buy Domain

what else is there? Or is that all that you really need to start?

Thanks,
dbzgod

patience, time, a lot of spare money, preparedness for failure, a lot of coffee. You will probably want a staff member or two and some linux knowledge.

I am working on a few staff members. As for the paitnece time and spare money and all that other stuff you mentioned I have plenty. Except I HATE coffee. So something more like a lot of soda or something.

A business plan usually helps.
And no, in your head doesn't count ;)

Why does a business plan you have in you head not count?

Make sure that you know whichever control panel you're using inside out.

You hate coffee? Well, you need at least some type of caffeine. Try looking through ThinkGeek's selection. (http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/caffeine/)

Caffeine is good for you! It screws with your brain and lets your body get the sleep it needs. ( People who sleep less live longer.. Reported by some magazine )

Why does a business plan you have in you head not count?
Because of a potential client wants to see a copy you'd need to clone yourself, and that's illegal using current technology.

Seriously, a good, well-written business plan will make your site, your goals, and your profits much more realistic.

Sincerely,

-Matt

Because of a potential client wants to see a copy


Whay would I want to show a potential client my business plan?

Caffeine would be through Mountain Dew. Ill look through that site and see if there is anything good.

I am now learning the control panel im going to use very well.

Anything else?

You might want to think about becoming a domain name reseller from someone like eNom (http://www.enom.com/) so that you can register domains for customers who don't have their own.

Depending on how your planning on "running your business", you might want to consider...business permits, tax numbers, federal ID numbers, etc.

I would say the most important thing to have is patience. In the begining you will not see alot of growth. Once you start going time will go by alot faster! :)

when did you guys start to see growth pick up? .

Originally posted by dbzgod

Anything else?

1. State Business Licence
2. Local Business Licence
3. DBA = "Doing Business As" (for fictious name)
4. Small Business Banking Account.
5. Business Plan

ciao :D

p.s. I'm sure most resellers never do any of the above. ;)

Originally posted by jizz
1. State Business Licence
2. Local Business Licence
3. DBA = "Doing Business As" (for fictious name)
4. Small Business Banking Account.
5. Business Plan
p.s. I'm sure most resellers never do any of the above. ;)

1. Done
2. Done
3. Not needed in my area
4. Done
5. Done

Guess I'm ahead of the game then (we haven't even launched yet) :D

You'll also need some way to accept payment, such as Revecom, WorldPay or a merchant account... unless you think they'll send you a check :laugh:

Originally posted by WoodShedd
patience, time,
Agreed. ;)

a lot of spare money,
Not always true. Starting out small and slow growth means you shouldn't need a LOT of spare money. In fact, with the software and cheap tech support around these days you could start a company with very little money.
But, as the quote goes, you get what you pay for.

preparedness for failure,
Agreed again. Unfortunately most businesses don't plan on failing (nor do most ego's). But you have to ask yourself what happens if you do fail, what are you going to do with clients etc.

a lot of coffee.
When I first started I thought Dr. Pepper & Associates as well as PepsiCo were going to start calling and offering me a bulk rate discount.

You will probably want a staff member or two
When you first start out I think you can survive without a staff. Just prepare for an SMS cell phone, and a lot of nights of waking up to stupid theme songs.

and some linux knowledge.
I think this is something that is seriously looked over. I don't think you have to know what is on page 78 of Linux Complete by heart, but at least knowing some basic information is good.


Sorry to pick on your post WoodShedd but it looked like a pretty good summary, so I had to borrow it ;).

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Hey It's Me

Anything else?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. State Business Licence
2. Local Business Licence
3. DBA = "Doing Business As" (for fictious name)
4. Small Business Banking Account.
5. Business Plan

ciao

p.s. I'm sure most resellers never do any of the above.









I never posted that...


Please get your quotes straight...

But you have to ask yourself what happens if you do fail

I disagree.

Failure is just not an option when you start a business.

If you fail, you're not going to have to wonder "what are you going to do with clients" the clients will make those decisions for you.

What you should really think about is success.