I've been contemplating this question for a while now. I have an extra server sitting by going virtually unused as I have it setup and ready as a backup and for when my current server starts to get crowded. I've been considering offering reseller accounts and utilizing this server to keep the shared and reseller account seperate but is the demand there?
Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?

Is it worth offering reseller accounts?

I've been contemplating this question for a while now. I have an extra server sitting by going virtually unused as I have it setup and ready as a backup and for when my current server starts to get crowded. I've been considering offering reseller accounts and utilizing this server to keep the shared and reseller account seperate but is the demand there?
Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?





__________________-Joe

I've been contemplating this question for a while now. I have an extra server sitting by going virtually unused as I have it setup and ready as a backup and for when my current server starts to get crowded. I've been considering offering reseller accounts and utilizing this server to keep the shared and reseller account seperate but is the demand there?
Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?

Is it worth offering reseller accounts?

I've been contemplating this question for a while now. I have an extra server sitting by going virtually unused as I have it setup and ready as a backup and for when my current server starts to get crowded. I've been considering offering reseller accounts and utilizing this server to keep the shared and reseller account seperate but is the demand there?
Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?





__________________-Joe

Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?
It can be worth it depending on your business plan and price structure.

Quote:



Originally Posted by ZKuJoe


Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?


It can be worth it depending on your business plan and price structure.





__________________HostPenguin - Separate Yourself ● A Christian Owned and Operated Hosting Provider!● Shared, Reseller, Virtual Private Server Hosting and Website Integrationshttp://www.HostPenguin.net - http://Integration.HostPenguin.net - Sales@HostPenguin.net

Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?
It can be worth it depending on your business plan and price structure.

Quote:



Originally Posted by ZKuJoe


Am I right in thinking that resellers require more support than shared? On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server... so is it worth offering reseller accounts if your main focus isn't resellers?


It can be worth it depending on your business plan and price structure.





__________________HostPenguin - Separate Yourself ● A Christian Owned and Operated Hosting Provider!● Shared, Reseller, Virtual Private Server Hosting and Website Integrationshttp://www.HostPenguin.net - http://Integration.HostPenguin.net - Sales@HostPenguin.net

I think the problem starts to be how much control do you want to give over to people who could over crowd your servers... Thats might be a little negative but you have to think of all the problems that could come.
The question would be would this be good for business?

I think the problem starts to be how much control do you want to give over to people who could over crowd your servers... Thats might be a little negative but you have to think of all the problems that could come.
The question would be would this be good for business?

I think the problem starts to be how much control do you want to give over to people who could over crowd your servers... Thats might be a little negative but you have to think of all the problems that could come.
The question would be would this be good for business?

I think the problem starts to be how much control do you want to give over to people who could over crowd your servers... Thats might be a little negative but you have to think of all the problems that could come.
The question would be would this be good for business?

That's exactly what I'm looking for. The negative things that can arise with resellers that you don't expect from shared hosting. The added costs involved are also in question. I'm pretty sure that I won't be offering reseller accounts anytime soon but it's something I may tackle in the future so I'll try to get as much information as I can now. :D

That's exactly what I'm looking for. The negative things that can arise with resellers that you don't expect from shared hosting. The added costs involved are also in question. I'm pretty sure that I won't be offering reseller accounts anytime soon but it's something I may tackle in the future so I'll try to get as much information as I can now.





__________________-Joe

That's exactly what I'm looking for. The negative things that can arise with resellers that you don't expect from shared hosting. The added costs involved are also in question. I'm pretty sure that I won't be offering reseller accounts anytime soon but it's something I may tackle in the future so I'll try to get as much information as I can now. :D

That's exactly what I'm looking for. The negative things that can arise with resellers that you don't expect from shared hosting. The added costs involved are also in question. I'm pretty sure that I won't be offering reseller accounts anytime soon but it's something I may tackle in the future so I'll try to get as much information as I can now.





__________________-Joe

All the issues you of course listed are true (support, amount of accounts that reseller may have, extra features such as WHMCS, and etc). The thing you have to remember is it can be profitable. I am sure not every single reseller is going to be ringing the support desk and i'm sure not all of them are going to have 100+ accounts under their reseller package. The way to counter this is to not sell yourself cheap and anticipate the cost for the extra clients, billing licenses, support, diskspace, bandwidth, and etc.

All the issues you of course listed are true (support, amount of accounts that reseller may have, extra features such as WHMCS, and etc). The thing you have to remember is it can be profitable. I am sure not every single reseller is going to be ringing the support desk and i'm sure not all of them are going to have 100+ accounts under their reseller package. The way to counter this is to not sell yourself cheap and anticipate the cost for the extra clients, billing licenses, support, diskspace, bandwidth, and etc.





__________________HostPenguin - Separate Yourself ● A Christian Owned and Operated Hosting Provider!● Shared, Reseller, Virtual Private Server Hosting and Website Integrationshttp://www.HostPenguin.net - http://Integration.HostPenguin.net - Sales@HostPenguin.net

All the issues you of course listed are true (support, amount of accounts that reseller may have, extra features such as WHMCS, and etc). The thing you have to remember is it can be profitable. I am sure not every single reseller is going to be ringing the support desk and i'm sure not all of them are going to have 100+ accounts under their reseller package. The way to counter this is to not sell yourself cheap and anticipate the cost for the extra clients, billing licenses, support, diskspace, bandwidth, and etc.

All the issues you of course listed are true (support, amount of accounts that reseller may have, extra features such as WHMCS, and etc). The thing you have to remember is it can be profitable. I am sure not every single reseller is going to be ringing the support desk and i'm sure not all of them are going to have 100+ accounts under their reseller package. The way to counter this is to not sell yourself cheap and anticipate the cost for the extra clients, billing licenses, support, diskspace, bandwidth, and etc.





__________________HostPenguin - Separate Yourself ● A Christian Owned and Operated Hosting Provider!● Shared, Reseller, Virtual Private Server Hosting and Website Integrationshttp://www.HostPenguin.net - http://Integration.HostPenguin.net - Sales@HostPenguin.net

Yes, it can be worth it. Even if reseller accounts is not your "main" focus, having multiple revenue streams is always a plus especially during these tougher economic times.
You are right, more things are generally needed for resellers like all those things you have already mentioned. If you price your plans well to best fit to what you offer then it can be worth it. However just like anything else, money doesn't come free.
Good luck to you!

Yes, it can be worth it. Even if reseller accounts is not your "main" focus, having multiple revenue streams is always a plus especially during these tougher economic times.
You are right, more things are generally needed for resellers like all those things you have already mentioned. If you price your plans well to best fit to what you offer then it can be worth it. However just like anything else, money doesn't come free.
Good luck to you!





__________________LaneHost Solutions, Inc. | Certified WHMCS ResellerUS Based High Redundancy RAID-10 Affordable Shared

Yes, it can be worth it. Even if reseller accounts is not your "main" focus, having multiple revenue streams is always a plus especially during these tougher economic times.
You are right, more things are generally needed for resellers like all those things you have already mentioned. If you price your plans well to best fit to what you offer then it can be worth it. However just like anything else, money doesn't come free.
Good luck to you!

Yes, it can be worth it. Even if reseller accounts is not your "main" focus, having multiple revenue streams is always a plus especially during these tougher economic times.
You are right, more things are generally needed for resellers like all those things you have already mentioned. If you price your plans well to best fit to what you offer then it can be worth it. However just like anything else, money doesn't come free.
Good luck to you!





__________________LaneHost Solutions, Inc. | Certified WHMCS ResellerUS Based High Redundancy RAID-10 Affordable Shared

If you have the money

If you have the money

If you have the money

If you have the money

Nevermind, it's not worth the time replying to.

Nevermind, it's not worth the time replying to.





__________________-Joe

Nevermind, it's not worth the time replying to.

Nevermind, it's not worth the time replying to.





__________________-Joe

Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice

Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice





__________________MicroVPS.com - Virtuozzo VPS
Move to the better place !

Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice

Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice





__________________MicroVPS.com - Virtuozzo VPS
Move to the better place !

Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice
I don't know if it's because I'm tired or not but... what? :confused:

Quote:



Originally Posted by microvps


Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice


I don't know if it's because I'm tired or not but... what?





__________________-Joe

Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice
I don't know if it's because I'm tired or not but... what? :confused:

Quote:



Originally Posted by microvps


Reseller web hosting is different to the shared and reseller comes arule with hands on support. I assume that in this situation the most important thing is company choice


I don't know if it's because I'm tired or not but... what?





__________________-Joe

Resellers can provide excellent, constant revenue streams. Some reseller clients are time-intensive (e.g. a lot of tickets), while others take up minimal time.
I would argue for pursuing resellers.
Whichever way you go, good luck!
-mike

Resellers can provide excellent, constant revenue streams. Some reseller clients are time-intensive (e.g. a lot of tickets), while others take up minimal time.
I would argue for pursuing resellers.
Whichever way you go, good luck!
-mike





__________________Limestone Networks - Dedicated Server Hosting
Premium Network - 24/7/365 Support
Dallas Datacenter - Fully Routed Backend Networkhttp://www.limestonenetworks.com 1-877-586-0555

Resellers can provide excellent, constant revenue streams. Some reseller clients are time-intensive (e.g. a lot of tickets), while others take up minimal time.
I would argue for pursuing resellers.
Whichever way you go, good luck!
-mike

Resellers can provide excellent, constant revenue streams. Some reseller clients are time-intensive (e.g. a lot of tickets), while others take up minimal time.
I would argue for pursuing resellers.
Whichever way you go, good luck!
-mike





__________________Limestone Networks - Dedicated Server Hosting
Premium Network - 24/7/365 Support
Dallas Datacenter - Fully Routed Backend Networkhttp://www.limestonenetworks.com 1-877-586-0555

Why not split that unused server and make some virtual machines on it? Sell the virtual machines :)

Why not split that unused server and make some virtual machines on it? Sell the virtual machines





__________________

Why not split that unused server and make some virtual machines on it? Sell the virtual machines :)

Why not split that unused server and make some virtual machines on it? Sell the virtual machines





__________________

VPSs are to much for me right now (both cost and effort wise), I don't have the staff to support them and frankly I personally don't have the knowledge needed to offer them. I figured resellers would be the next logical step and as I learn more I can expand more. I have to sit down with my team and we'll talk it out. Thanks everybody for their help and advice. :D

VPSs are to much for me right now (both cost and effort wise), I don't have the staff to support them and frankly I personally don't have the knowledge needed to offer them. I figured resellers would be the next logical step and as I learn more I can expand more. I have to sit down with my team and we'll talk it out. Thanks everybody for their help and advice. :D

Why not split that unused server and make some virtual machines on it? Sell the virtual machines :)
The problem with making virtual machines is that you'll require a very high end server. I'm assuming that not everyone has that high end of a server because they are extremely pricy. Also, there is a lot of work involved and it takes a long time to setup as well.
If you have other people working together with you, then I would definitely recommend reseller accounts. It's a decent business and some people like to be able to resell web hosting or manage multiple websites on 1 account. However, if your working alone, then I would not recommend reselling reseller accounts as there is a lot of high demand in support in resellers compared to shared.

Why not split that unused server and make some virtual machines on it? Sell the virtual machines :)
The problem with making virtual machines is that you'll require a very high end server. I'm assuming that not everyone has that high end of a server because they are extremely pricy. Also, there is a lot of work involved and it takes a long time to setup as well.
If you have other people working together with you, then I would definitely recommend reseller accounts. It's a decent business and some people like to be able to resell web hosting or manage multiple websites on 1 account. However, if your working alone, then I would not recommend reselling reseller accounts as there is a lot of high demand in support in resellers compared to shared.

I debated allowing reseller accounts... but I just worry too much about them adding too many clients and the server getting stressed or something worse.

I debated allowing reseller accounts... but I just worry too much about them adding too many clients and the server getting stressed or something worse.

Well right now my team and I are probably going to setup the unused server for a limited amount of resellers and are going to increase our support budget to see what we can expect if we start offering reseller accounts. Thanks again everyone. :D

Well right now my team and I are probably going to setup the unused server for a limited amount of resellers and are going to increase our support budget to see what we can expect if we start offering reseller accounts. Thanks again everyone. :D

Instead of offering "unlimited domain hosting" reseller plans, what we offer if "resellable" white labeled plans which one can sell to others.
This allows us to limit the number of sites getting hosted on our servers. And with our pricing much lower than competitors, resellers are able to make a good profit selling them.

Instead of offering "unlimited domain hosting" reseller plans, what we offer if "resellable" white labeled plans which one can sell to others.
This allows us to limit the number of sites getting hosted on our servers. And with our pricing much lower than competitors, resellers are able to make a good profit selling them.

unless you have unbeatable prices, not really.
been there done that.

unless you have unbeatable prices, not really.
been there done that.

It is not worth it now.

It is not worth it now.

it`s worth.

it`s worth.

I debated it for a while. Most of my customers were web designers giving me their customers. thern the web designers decided to get reseller accounts and started pulling my customers away onto their reseller accounts. i amde the decision then to allow resellers and all my resellers came back. I now make more money but i have more sites. From your first post..."On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server"...I do not offer free billing system, you only provide support to them, not their customers, dedicated ips, why, you dont have too, I do not offer domain reseller accounts yet, but I am working on it, it could potentially be an increase security risk, abnd less account sofr you yse, but more accounts for them. You said the swerver was just sitting there, i do not think it would be that much of an investment for you. I have had resellers for about 3 years now and yes there is more support needed, especially when my resellers are new and never did reselleing so they ask a lot of questions.

I debated it for a while. Most of my customers were web designers giving me their customers. thern the web designers decided to get reseller accounts and started pulling my customers away onto their reseller accounts. i amde the decision then to allow resellers and all my resellers came back. I now make more money but i have more sites. From your first post..."On top of the extra support, there's the free billing system, end user support, dedicated IPs, domain resellers, increased security risk, and less accounts per server"...I do not offer free billing system, you only provide support to them, not their customers, dedicated ips, why, you dont have too, I do not offer domain reseller accounts yet, but I am working on it, it could potentially be an increase security risk, abnd less account sofr you yse, but more accounts for them. You said the swerver was just sitting there, i do not think it would be that much of an investment for you. I have had resellers for about 3 years now and yes there is more support needed, especially when my resellers are new and never did reselleing so they ask a lot of questions.

Thanks Jesse, we're still undecided of the direction to take, we're currently evaluting Windows hosting to see if it's a possible venture to take in addition or in place of reseller hosting.

Thanks Jesse, we're still undecided of the direction to take, we're currently evaluting Windows hosting to see if it's a possible venture to take in addition or in place of reseller hosting.

Reseller accounts are a great 'gateway' product between your shared and VPS/dedicated servers. And, if you aren't offering it then you might find your customers going to your competitors.

Reseller accounts are a great 'gateway' product between your shared and VPS/dedicated servers. And, if you aren't offering it then you might find your customers going to your competitors.

All we offer are reseller accounts - but customers are welcome to only host 1 domain on it if they wish. So, basically, its a "reseller if you want it to be" type situation and it works very, very well for us. Resellers actually require far less support than those who host only 1 or 2 domains. They tend to have a higher level of technical knowledge, since its not exactly a hobby for them.
--Tina

All we offer are reseller accounts - but customers are welcome to only host 1 domain on it if they wish. So, basically, its a "reseller if you want it to be" type situation and it works very, very well for us. Resellers actually require far less support than those who host only 1 or 2 domains. They tend to have a higher level of technical knowledge, since its not exactly a hobby for them.
--Tina