I'm looking at starting off a web hosting company, I've already found a reseller host that will offer end user support for tickets and phone.
I have a few questions, are there any outsourcing support companies that offer only live chat support?

Legal department, what do I need to legally cover myself? Do I need to be an LLC? Where would I find some standard web hosting terms of service?

If I end up running the live chat myself, what is the best software for the price?


Thanks guys :agree:

Hello!

not sure of to many people that offer just live support but im sure if you look their are tons of people. I would check into bobcares.com. As to legally protect you, please check within your local state, as they are all different. You probobly wouldnt have to go straight to a LLC and you could probobly start with some sort of individual license. As for the live support program, I would check into Kayako, Live help messanger, and php live. Those are some of the bigger name ones that I personally like.

If I end up running the live chat myself, what is the best software for the price?

providesupport or kayako (which comes with the support system).

ClickChatSold.Com is also good software for live chat

are there any outsourcing support companies that offer only live chat support?

http://www.hostechsupport.com/

There is a discussion about them here http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=671840

Depending on your state, you may be able to register a 'fictitious name'. This essentially allows you to receive payment and operate using the name of the company. You, as an individual, are the legal entity and it would be formally know as 'Bob Smith, DBA (Doing Business As) company name. In general it's very inexpensive to register.

A better solution is to register an LLC (Limited Liability Company) which makes the business it's own legal entity. Typically, IRS wise, profit and loss will flow through to your personal income just as a DBA using a schedule C. One of it's main features is reducing or eliminating your personal liability with regard to debts incurred by the LLC. This solution is typically more expensive, but less so than incorporating and the yearly reporting requirements are significantly less.

Regarding a standard TOS, there's thousands in use by different companies. Since you're with a host, ask if you can copy theirs since they'll already have the do's and donts that your clients must follow.

You probably won't need to offer live chat support at the beginning of your company. By the time you really need it, you will probably have inhouse staff who can handle that :)