Before starting up and jumping into the deep end of the pool, I thought it would be a good idea to gather as much information as I possibly could.

Basically, I am thinking of starting off small. I don't see the point in starting off with huge fancy servers, but having no clients and no reputation. I understand there are two kinds of web-hosts, one that concentrates on affordable hosting, and one that specifies in good customer care. I would like to have a good balance of both.

I was thinking of starting off on a re-seller account, and then getting some help with support tickets.
I would like to pay support staff per ticket, but how much would be a respectable rate per ticket?
How many tickets could I expect to have per day? (tickets will only be available to customers and not to sales enquiries)
How many staff personal should I expect to hire? (I will only be able to manage accounts and tickets for about 4 hours a day)

As I stated before we will start off slow, and hopefully be able to grow at a steady rate once we get a good client database, and good reputation.

Anyways any light would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Fynnx

Before starting up and jumping into the deep end of the pool, I thought it would be a good idea to gather as much information as I possibly could.

Basically, I am thinking of starting off small. I don't see the point in starting off with huge fancy servers, but having no clients and no reputation. I understand there are two kinds of web-hosts, one that concentrates on affordable hosting, and one that specifies in good customer care. I would like to have a good balance of both.

I was thinking of starting off on a re-seller account, and then getting some help with support tickets.
I would like to pay support staff per ticket, but how much would be a respectable rate per ticket?
How many tickets could I expect to have per day? (tickets will only be available to customers and not to sales enquiries)
How many staff personal should I expect to hire? (I will only be able to manage accounts and tickets for about 4 hours a day)

As I stated before we will start off slow, and hopefully be able to grow at a steady rate once we get a good client database, and good reputation.

Anyways any light would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Fynnx

Definitely start with a reseller account. If you have 4 hours each day to spend, and you have a reseller account, IMO you will be fine to start. You can focus on getting new clients and management instead of the technical details of running servers. Just find a reliable host to partner with.



Best Regards,

Starting with resellers are the way to go. I see many companies starting out with resellers.

1) I would like to pay support staff per ticket, but how much would be a respectable rate per ticket?
Respectable pay rate would be between $2.50 to $3.50 per ticket, that's what most companies pay.
2) How many tickets could I expect to have per day?
Since you are just starting out, don't except much. Maybe once you start getting about 15 to 20 clients then maybe 1 support ticket a day if that.
3) How many staff personal should I expect to hire?
I wouldn't worry to much about the staff, in till you get some clients, but once you start getting more and more clients start hiring staff as you feel needed. Depends how much your work load will be.

Ok, I have only really worked with free web hosts, and we used to get about 20 tickets a day, and there was only about 100 members. Maybe free clients are just needy :P

What would be a good way to market my Web Host?
Should I offer a couple special introductory offers to try and help me just build up some sort of client database, even if it means running at a loss in the first few months?

Thanks

Start without any staff and get a blackberry or equivalent. Probably good to have some sales people working on commission.

After all how to start online sale? Any startegy?

Fynnx I may be able to help you get started if you get intouch with me, if you just send me an email to smidgin_uk[at]hotmail.com

Start without any staff and get a blackberry or equivalent. Probably good to have some sales people working on commission.

I like what you said about the blackberry, they cost a lot, but they are very handy. I also agree that a few sales staff wouldn't hurt.

It is a rather up hill battle at the beginning. My advise is definitely to be dedicated and devoted.

I just launched this week. I expected it to be difficult and I was right. But that's half the fun, right? It is a true challenge.

I am starting in the next couple of weeks it is a lot of work to dig up all the background information you need and write a good business plan. The Small Business Association and several other websites have a lot of good information on writing plans and what all you need to get started as a legal company. Make sure you have a good AUP and TOS there are several companies out there that provide these as well. I would suggest reading everything you can get your hands on if you don't have alot of experience in management of servers get someone else to do it for you, or start with a reseller account.

John

Blackberry is not costly at all these days. Especially if you're in The US. For $60/month, you can get 1000 anytime minutes and Unlimited Data with T-Mobile (Blackerry Internet Service - has realtime push with Yahoo e-mail) Or you can wait upto 15 minutes for push with any other e-mail service. $60 is damn good with 1000 anytime minutes.

I'm in Canada, and for the same plan I would have to pay close to $300/month (I won't get unlimited data, I will get only 1024 MB of data.)