Hello everyone, I'm a long time lurker in the forums and a new registered user and first time poster.
First, I'd like to say that I think this is one of the best forum structures I have ever found regarding a single business concept.
Second, I'd like to apologize up front since this post probably has several questions that might be better suited in their own forum topic so I'm hoping everyone will chime in on any individual experience with what amounts to an overall webhosting top-to-bottom Q&A post.
1. The Business plan targets small town businesses and their desire to have a web presence above and beyond a text or banner ad on the local chamber of commerce site or some generic "townname".biz site.
So obviously, I'm going with a reseller model; but given what I have seen in researching my targets, there are some POORLY designed sites out there so I want to offer them some pre-built templates to work from their own cpanel, but not get wrapped up in their own design work.
2. Webhost requirements - FFMPEG and Adult content. I previously webmastered an adult site built on Boonex Dolphin community software that will be the first client. Without a string of details from me nor hearing any bashing of Dolphin, the site was up and working and making money.
Technical restrictions of the owner's host (no php.ini or full .htaccess editing) limited the video uploads. But I digress...Suffice it to say, the owner learned a lesson on trusting his business partners and in my effort to find a new host, the business plan above emerged!
So I am down to these 3 - Innohosting, Infrenion and Glowhost (Glowhost is confusing my selection)
3. Billing software and "instant" account creation - My questions around this are two-fold: Should I lean toward a package offering it (presenting that "professional" hosting company appearance) OR allow myself an opportunity to review the order (possibly killing the sale before it is made)?
Having been a postmaster at an ISP, I know the headaches of SPAM...watching the amount of crap that hits my 10+ year old Yahoo account, I can easily make a case for these SPAM artists landing a domain on my account with instant setup and suddenly my IP is blacklisted in Spamhaus, etc...
Back to the business plan, I'd like to hope that in the future, an existing client tells another about the service and they want to jump right on it but have to wait...is it a marketing point to state we review all applications to avoid 'bad clients" or did I kill the sale?
On a technical note, WHM, WHMCS, WHMAutoPilot, ClientExec...any exclude (or don't include) auto-setup and what the heck is the difference between the three WHMs?
4. SSL - Yes, I know I need one period.
Innohosting appears to lead the pack with Free (with resell options), then Infrenion (if I prepay annual, resell ?) and Glowhost charges install anyway I buy.
And yes, I ran Commercial Service accounts at that ISP, so I know what is it takes to generate CSRs and install certificates; seems to be more technical crap to avoid in setting up.
An additonal question for the forum...is it worth it to go "Wildcard" SSL for the additional expense in setting up?
5. Merchant account, Ecommerce software and gateway - my gut instinct says I should not tie it to my host in any way. This is my biggest confusion surrounding Glowhost in their offers to carte blanche me right into e-onlinedata which I have seen mixed review of here at best.
In my reviews in the forums, I think CDG Commerce and Quantum Gateway will work well for me as well as being good with WHM or ClientExec...any opposing thoughts welcome.
Keep in mind that I will want to steer my clients into something I am familiar with and it appears that Quantum is also good with Oscommerce or Zencart
6. Domain names - I think the most important question is "who owns it?" Once again, Glowhose lead the confusion in "buy from our reseller, get credit, blah..."
With Innohosting or Infrenion, I can't seem to nail down if I own the domain or are they the owner?
7. Support - Can't seem to find resell client support on Glowhost.
Infrenion is ticket based after the client contacts me;
Innohosting can interface with my client for me...nice!
Experiences or thoughts?
OK I guess I have blasted everyone with enough for now...and thanks to all that respond.
Tony

Mods might wanna move this to the "running a business" thread

Mods might wanna move this to the "running a business" thread Good suggestion!
what the heck is the difference between the three WHMs WHM is the "reseller" part of the cPanel control panel. The other two WHMs are billing software, just like ClientExec is as well. That doesn't make them identical, and the question of choice remains a very valid one.

To clarify, my question is there a difference between WHMCS (in not having auto-setup) versus WHMautopilot?

They both pretty much do exactly the same thing, just with a slight difference of features.
Since it's been a long time since I looked at WHMAP, you'd be best comparing the features on their site.
http://www.whmautopilot.com/features.php
http://whmcs.com/features.php
Having used both of them, I can say that I personally prefer WHMCS with one of the major reasons for my preference being that I perceived WHMAP to be pretty slow with updating their software.

I have only used WHMCS, not the others. But, I have to say, its nice having servers integrated with WHMCS. When an order comes in, its not automatically created. I manually check the orders before creating the account. If something looks fishy I will just cancel the order and refund the payment. But if it looks good I just go to the clients details and create the package with one click :D
Kudos to you for researching the industry. There are a lot of people that come on here and want everyone to tell them every little thing about the hosting industry without them lifting a finger.

Do you really want a third party who is unfamiliar with your internal policies and procedures answering your helpdesk tickets and responding to your end-users/clients directly?
I suppose if it is your only option it might be a good idea but I have found outsourcing support to be more of a problem than it is worth. Best to try their support staff directly on your own support issues before deciding to let them deal with your customers directly.