I was wondering if anybody can recommend some outsourcing companies?

I would like to start a webhosting company but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to handle the support requests. I know a fair bit when it comes to the website setup and stuff. But, I'm a little lacking when it comes to server setup an such. I can tinker around with it for my own stuff, but I'm afraid that the answers wouldn't be fast enough for customer support.

I've found a couple of outsourcing companies from googlin' however, they're REALLY expensive... Either 100's or 1000's per month.

I'm looking for something fairly cheap in the beginning, maybe that I can send a request to on a case by case basis. Even easier if they would provide end user ticket support straight to my clients.

I don't mind paying for a lump sum of tickets. For example, I found one site that said they would provide support for $2.50/ticket but that the minimum was 50 per month. I don't need that many yet because I'd just be starting.

The other thing is... What type of questions are the most common??

I know that Resellerzoom has end user support. If try search from http://www.webhostingtalk.com/search.php when you maybe find more company. Also if you are looking for a reseller hosting when your hosting provider will help you. You don't need much knowledge. Good luck.

I used TouchSupport (http://www.touchsupport.com) for a few months and they weren't too bad.

If you're just starting up, you might indeed want to start as a reseller - some reseller hosts will support your end users.

Yeah, right. If you are only going to start, starting with a reseller account will be the best idea. And in that case, go with a host that offers end user support and you don't have to worry about the support requests from your customers.
There are mant hosts offering end user support now.

I used TouchSupport (http://www.touchsupport.com) for a few months and they weren't too bad.


couple of things:

1. Why did you stop using them?
2. I looked at their site, and I thought that they were one that said it had to be 100's per month.

If you're just starting up, you might indeed want to start as a reseller - some reseller hosts will support your end users.

I was thinking about going with a VPS for a few reasons.

1. I really like the DirectAdmin control panel as apposed to Cpanel.
2. I have a few projects in mind. Mainly, one will require a VPS to implement do to the type of software that will run.
3. The cost between a good reseller's account and a decent VPS is practically the same.

4. I've been with ResellerZoom for the last year. I haven't used their end-user support yet only because I haven't launched the webhosting company yet. But... I'm glad, because their service is aweful.

couple of things:

1. Why did you stop using them?
2. I looked at their site, and I thought that they were one that said it had to be 100's per month.

I stopped using them because we decided to get our own staff. Not for anything related to their service.

They have a plan starting from $59.95/month...

I stopped using them because we decided to get our own staff. Not for anything related to their service.

They have a plan starting from $59.95/month...
Did you notice any difference in customer happiness, or loyalty?

Did you notice any difference in customer happiness, or loyalty?

Well, my customers were always happy when they answered tickets. They (usually) always answered within 45 minutes and gave a response to the client that wasn't extremely detailed, but wasn't just "Fixed. Ticket Closed" either.

It's a shame we had to ditch them but they didn't have a cost effective option to support our dedicated server customers.

Did you notice any difference in customer happiness, or loyalty?

Often most outsourcing companies let you choose how you want the support staff to answer tickets, what names to use, response times, level of detail in answers, etc and if you stick with that even after the outsourcing arrangement is over, it is likely your customers would hardly notice the change.

Of course, it would depend on which provider you signed up with.

Thanks,
Mobin