Hey,
I'm starting a web hosting company, I think i need to learn a little bit more about it first, Can anyone who has Experience with this, I need as much information as i can, Like Specs on the boxes needed, Best OS, Things i need,,, everything you think i will need,
I will be using WHMCS and Cpanel i would of thought,
Thanks

Well, You need a good stable budget. Knowledge of cPanel/WHM, WHMCS etc..
So errm untill then its not a good thing for you.

Well Ben, you seem to know very little. Do you have any experience with cPanel/WHM MySQL Linux(CentOS,Fedora). Do you have the proper funding, 400-500$ to get somewhat started(server,webdesign etc).
As for boxs, it depends if your going to start small and go big or try to go big the first time. Also depends on the budget, smaller boxs will help your save money at the start incase of any problems. And when needed expand to a bigger webhosting box.
Also do you plan on hiring support? If not, than I suggest you getting a Fully Managed Package regardless, as to my understanding you very little experience. Which is fine, we all learned somewhere.
Basicly, give me Budget and if you plan on going big. Perhaps contact me on Yahoo or MSN or send me a PM and i'll help you out the best I can.

Hi Ben,
Welcome to WHT!!
Well you are in the right place to find more help about running a hosting company. Have you got a plan for this company layout? Thats where i would start. Start reading here.
What do you know more about? Like OS, control panels, etc...
Mike.

Id recommend befriending someone in the hosting business already and asking them what its like and how they started.

Well, I have a little knowledge of Cpanel and whmcs, I worked for a Game Server Provider so i have a little knowledge with WHMCS and i have had a lot of domains, So i know a little about cpanel, i also helped my friend with his Web Hosting company, ealoo.net I didn't do a lot, So i don't know to much, But i do no the basics, and I am looking to Start Small and if it all goes good, Get Bigger.
Obviously i would like to have a big company, but it isn't going to happen straight away, So yeah i am going to start Small, Then grow.
Another big thing, I need a name :S I want a catchy name, not something like, "web-hosting.com" or whatever, I want a word that if people see they will think of my company, for example Ealoo is a word that if i heard i would only think of one company,
I also need a Web Template, I can make my own, but i think if i am going go try to get big, I might have to buy a Good one.
I have no clue about the Boxes, I don't know if i Buy the boxes or rent them, That's one thing i don't understand :P I don't want to spend a lot, If i can around or preferably less then £200 a month.

I would recommend using CentOS as your operating system, also check softlayer they have nice hardware for decent prices .

I would recommend not starting off with a dedicated server. Start out with a reseller plan and build yourself up from that. Later on when you do move into a server. CENTOS is great. Also, don't try to compete with company's larger than you. As in trying to offering "unlimited" bandwidth and disk space.
All the best,

I would recommend not starting off with a dedicated server. Start out with a reseller plan and build yourself up from that. Later on when you do move into a server. CENTOS is great. Also, don't try to compete with company's larger than you. As in trying to offering "unlimited" bandwidth and disk space.
All the best,
Yeh, My freind from ealoo said that i should not oversell by offering unlimited or what not, I just want some profit, or even none, but i just dont want to loose any money!
And were could i get a good reseller thing?

Yeh, My freind from ealoo said that i should not oversell by offering unlimited or what not, I just want some profit, or even none, but i just dont want to loose any money!
And were could i get a good reseller thing?
I would recommend getting a reseller package with InnoHosting. It includes WHMCS and everything you really need to open for business.
All the best,

I would recommend getting a reseller package with InnoHosting. It includes WHMCS and everything you really need to open for business.
All the best,
Thanks! Now i just need a name

Thanks! Now i just need a name
My suggestion on names is make it simple and short. Don't go with some really long nobody knows how to say. Good Luck!
All the best,

You've received some good advice already. A dedicated server would be overkill in this early stage. The key word in this business is endurance and you need to be able to sustain all the storms that come at you when you start. If you're not looking to sell VPS and/or dedicated, start with a reseller package with quality service.
Best

Thanks every one for your help, been so helpfull, do you reckon the Business package would be good, or the Professional one, I can afford the professional one, so i need to know whats best for the money.

Thanks every one for your help, been so helpfull, do you reckon the Business package would be good, or the Professional one, I can afford the professional one, so i need to know whats best for the money.
You can always upgrade. I would go with the business package if I were you.
All the best,

Hi,
Looks like you got things worked out. Give us a update later on on how things are going with your new company:)
Good Luck,
Mike.

ok right, I'm just about to order it, need a name then i'm going to get them to make me a template and the Legal Documents, as i don't know what they are lol

any idea's of names?

any idea's of names?
Names don't come easy, trust me. You may want to ask a few friends to help you with ideas.
All the best,

Names don't come easy, trust me. You may want to ask a few friends to help you with ideas.
All the best,
Ok thanks :)

Ok thanks :)
Yup, no problem :). I tried name generators but either the names they made sucked or were taken.
All the best,

Quick Start a Host Checklist
1.Get your businesses name
2.Register the domain
3.Get a Reseller plan (possibly check the resellers offers forum)
4.Buy a template from templatemonster.com
Profit :-P
This is the way to make a quick buck, but if you want to compete in the long term, you will have to do a lot better than this.
Some things you could do to improve:
An automated billing system
A Business Plan

Agree'd Reseller or VPS both are cheap and good.
I'd recommend a VPS with Fully Managed because hey, your in this for learning and Reseller doesn't give you access to SSH or even FireWall settings. Which my friend, you will need to learn.
Not to be a fanboy, but I have a VPS Through LiquidWeb and I pay 50$ monthly for excellent service 24/7 VIA phone and they help with everything!
Use the coupon WHT10OFF or something look it up on the net and they will double everything for you bandwith,diskspace etc and give you 10$ off so 50$ a month for a super high quality VPS.
Also this comes with cPanel/WHM/Fantastico && Server Security package.
Once again, I would super appreciate it if you'd contact me via Yahoo/MSN so I can share my knowledge with you if you have any questions because I want to help somebody go big and ya know I want to just help D:

Gahhh this is so annoying, I have found a good package, I just need a name, I've been thinking all night, couldn't think of anything :(

I have a slogan "We host, You boast" but i have no clue for a name :P

Boasthost?
Honestly, think of a name you would be proud of advertising. Others can't give you a name you'd love.

Boasthost?
Honestly, think of a name you would be proud of advertising. Others can't give you a name you'd love.
That isn't a bad name. Also available.
All the best,

hahaha, how weird, i didnt even look here, and i have already bought that domain :P I am not buying the reseller untill i have the template, a freind said he was making me one, Just hope it wont take long :P

Dont post. Just read! Read and think. This forum already has thousands of posts on how to run a web hosting business. Before I even made an account on this forum I had already been a guest for many years, just reading and watching quietly, absorbing all the knoladge. Then start your web hosting business.

It's better to know everything before you start. Have a browse through WHT as you will learn quite a bit from just reading threads on any particular subject which may interest you.

Thanks, atm i have only bought the domain, and i am getting everything ready, then i am going to get the package, instaid of wasting money getting it ready.

Thanks, atm i have only bought the domain, and i am getting everything ready, then i am going to get the package, instaid of wasting money getting it ready.
Nice to hear. Whatever you do, don't try to compete with larger company's by offering "unlimited" disk space and bandwidth. Good Luck!
All the best,

:) thanks for everyones help!

Well, You need a good stable budget. Knowledge of cPanel/WHM, WHMCS etc..
So errm untill then its not a good thing for you.
1. good stable budget
2. Knowledge of cPanel/WHM, WHMCS etc..

Hey,
I'm starting a web hosting company, I think i need to learn a little bit more about it first, Can anyone who has Experience with this, I need as much information as i can, Like Specs on the boxes needed, Best OS, Things i need,,, everything you think i will need,
I will be using WHMCS and Cpanel i would of thought,
Thanks
Goodluck
Hope you already have a stable budget, get a domain, think up a name, get a billing system, work on a business plan, get a web site design, put up the design, advertise, advertise, advertise...
I promise it's a lot harder than I just tried to make it sound.

I promise it's a lot harder than I just tried to make it sound.
----
wow..that sounds difficult. Thanks god I am more to website dev than website management

Yes, I have been up for 2 months and only a couple customers. I have a lot of people coming to my site and talking on my live chat, but, only a few sales yet. Look for anywhere up to 6 months without a single customer, and a year to 18 months before you break even. I'd recommend you get a live chat software as well. www.livezilla.com is free and great to use. If you need help setting it up, just PM me. It allows you to be proactive with your chats so you can initiate a chat with them.