Hi!

I am very interested in the web hosting market.

I want to know what do we need to start a hosting business??

I am not talking about reseller or something, but I mean "REAL"/own hosting??


Thanks a lot!! :cool:

Hello,

You need the following:

1.) Devotion/Dedication/Support Staff/Server Admin
2.) A server with good speeds=]
3.) Advertisement (locally or worldwide via ads)
4.) Way of accepting money (merchant account)
I am sure there are alot of posts on WHT with more info. Hope this helped a little. I am sure someone else will post a more detailed list and descriptions for each.

I don't think anyone is going to write a 4 page summery of what you need :eek:

if you dont know what you need, then maybe you shouldn't be starting a hosting company

Modihost, there is nothing wrong with asking for info on starting a web hosting biz. But I am sure he will do research before he gets into anything=]

Originally posted by modihost
I don't think anyone is going to write a 4 page summery of what you need :eek:

if you dont know what you need, then maybe you shouldn't be starting a hosting company
You are ABSOLUTELY WRONG. He may just be getting advice. I think it would be smarter to ask for tips and advice rather than going ahead without any idea of what your doing.

Start with a solid business plan. After that, go with what SHosts said.

Yes, you will need a solid, sound business plan. Let the business plan sort of guide you through everything. You should set goals for your web hosting business, such as when you want to be ready for business, and also set limitations, like how much you are willing to spend on advertising, etc... After that, do what sHosts said! :stickout:

Originally posted by Wholesale
I am very interested in the web hosting market.

I want to know what do we need to start a hosting business??

I am not talking about reseller or something, but I mean "REAL"/own hosting??
At the same time, "What do we need...?" could cover an aweful lot. I thin khe/she needs to give us some background on where they need the details filled in. If they know absolutely nothing about hosting then that's one thing. Having an interest in the web hosting market is wonderful, however having a lack of understanding about *everything* is another.

So my question is, where are you (Wholesale) in all of this?

Agreed!

At least he/she knows enough to come to WebHostingTalk.com for information! ;)

Originally posted by sHosts
Hello,

You need the following:

1.) Devotion/Dedication/Support Staff/Server Admin
2.) A server with good speeds=]
3.) Advertisement (locally or worldwide via ads)
4.) Way of accepting money (merchant account)
I am sure there are alot of posts on WHT with more info. Hope this helped a little. I am sure someone else will post a more detailed list and descriptions for each.



For #2, a server, how do we setup a server??


Or are there any websites that talk more about this??


Thanks anyways! You guys are great! ;)

There's a really valuable source for all the information you should need here (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/search.php?s=).

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
There's a really valuable source for all the information you should need here (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/search.php?s=).



The link is...........???

Originally posted by Wholesale




The link is...........???

It's right here (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/search.php?s=) :D

Originally posted by Wholesale
For #2, a server, how do we setup a server??
What is more important than actually knowing how to do everything, is being able to find the information yourself. Use this site, use google, get some links together, some resources. I know that's what you seem to be attempting to do, however a discussion forum is great to fill in the gaps when you have a specific question, are confused, stuck, or have a problem. It isn't the place where people tell you from the very beginning how to set up web servers.

Search google: http://www.3street.org/Linux/linux-httpd.html

This is old, and I'm sure there are more current resources, however the point is that the information is out there. You need to get the basics and then come back with specific problems.

I really don't want to duplicate a search engine's findings here in this post, so best to just go to google and start looking. I found many in a couple of simple searches.

Well... I'm agree with other guys but there are too many companies on this market. Why do you think you'll build a profitable one?

Regards :stickout:
webmaster

Originally posted by sHosts
Modihost, there is nothing wrong with asking for info on starting a web hosting biz. But I am sure he will do research before he gets into anything=]

How sure are you? anyone who asks such a question is bound to have done very little or NO research whatsoever.

Have you seen the number of new hosts that popped up recently? Were they here asking questions before? Maybe they were, but definately not questions such as those posed by the thread starter.

Someone should really write a book on how to start an online biz, then we can all direct them there.

Originally posted by net-trend


How sure are you? anyone who asks such a question is bound to have done very little or NO research whatsoever.

Have you seen the number of new hosts that popped up recently? Were they here asking questions before? Maybe they were, but definately not questions such as those posed by the thread starter.

Someone should really write a book on how to start an online biz, then we can all direct them there.




Calm down net-trend......

I want to get some ideas here first, then I will do my research OF COURSE!!!!
:mad:

I NEVER KNOW this forum is not allowed to ask this type of questions!! omfg

I elect you to write the "business on the net" book!

(IT'll be really easy... take any standard business book, and add in chapters at the end about the net and combining business with it---as the general principles are the same, just delivery billing and content could be different.

actually, if you don't have a lot of customers already, then reselling is probably as 'real' as you should get right now. there is so much to learn about the marketing, security and such that you'd be paying for space and services that you don't need yet. you can always migrate your customers to a dedicated server when you need it. reselling accounts will hold you for a while.

There are some books you should look into in the meantime, like http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0072132795/qid=1034652687/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/002-6476240-3707222?v=glance&n=507846 (web hosting by carl burnham).

I think you really need to either start really small like this, or hire people to do this for you.

The number one thing you need to run a webhosting business is pants! everyone always forgets them! you cant run it without pants!

not true! i'm not wearing any pants!

Originally posted by Wholesale

Calm down net-trend......

I want to get some ideas here first, then I will do my research OF COURSE!!!!
:mad:

I NEVER KNOW this forum is not allowed to ask this type of questions!! omfg

Mind you, i'm calm and relaxed 99.9% of the time guaranteed.

Also, asking questions in this forum is very much allowed and recommended. However, of late there have been a lot of people who are asking questions like yours who have done no research whatsoever.

If one were serious about the webhosting industry, they would have done their research before attempting to ask any questions seeking for help.

This principle applies the same as well to numerous other industries in the world, you just don't walk into a shoe shop and say, "I want to be like Nike, how do i go about doing that?"

Originally posted by skelley1
not true! i'm not wearing any pants!

Try to go to a bank tellar to make a withdrawl now, or better yet, a "deposit", see how far you get :D :laugh:

so THAT's what they meant when they handcuffed me *slaps forehead*

Originally posted by net-trend


Mind you, i'm calm and relaxed 99.9% of the time guaranteed.

Also, asking questions in this forum is very much allowed and recommended. However, of late there have been a lot of people who are asking questions like yours who have done no research whatsoever.

If one were serious about the webhosting industry, they would have done their research before attempting to ask any questions seeking for help.

This principle applies the same as well to numerous other industries in the world, you just don't walk into a shoe shop and say, "I want to be like Nike, how do i go about doing that?"



I told you already. I will do research... I just want to get some ideas here first.....ok??

Anyways, don't reply me as I don't want to talk to you anymore...

Thanks for your co-operation....

I am in the midst of researching the concept of web hosting myself and have been doing that for the past 2 years however at this time I do not find myself adequate enough to begin operations. I am only at the stage of running my own dedicated server with tons of help and learning along the way. I am pretty sure that at this time, I do not want anyone to trust me to host their sites.

Providing web hosting services requires expertises in several fields :-

a) Technical - How to set up and configure the necessary hardware and software and connections stuffs. You could begin by probably acquiring a server and practise on it. If not, 'rent' a dedicated server from a web host and probably host your website on it, probably a test site to being with.

Of course, as for the software end, it would mean familiarizing with the web server, email and ftp software including the operating system which you plan to run under.

A good host would be able to have the knowledge to tweak, debug and configure them to optimum performance.

b) Marketing skills - This would involve pricing of plans, coming out with innovative plans for the general or niche market. It would also mean the knowledge of the web hosting industry and that of your customers so as to provide the necessary product at the price point with the required feature to be attractive to your target audience.

The web hosting business is busy saturated now and the profit margin is getting thinner with lower prices that some hosts are offering. But there are new avenues to make money if you are innovative and know your niche market.

c) Support and People. Technical support is essential in this industry when downtime although is an unavoidable evil, it should be minimize. To counter that, you would probably require dedicated expert staffs who can handle people and technical issues and to provide 24/7 support.

Actually, you could start off with a reseller's account, this way you could take on building your clientele while you learn the issue of handling web clients. By using a reseller's account, it not only minimize initial cost outlay but it shields you from the technical aspect of the business to a certain level.

You could acquire a server with the necessary tools for web hosting and experiment on it. Once you have the sufficient clientele and upgrade your technical skills, you might want to move your clients onto your own server box. Either by dedicated hosting, colocation or setting up your own datacenter.

Of course, there are tons of other associated cost involved in the last but if your business is huge, it might provide you with a nice price advantage and greater control.

Hope that helps and good luck in your research.

Edwin

^^ good post, edwin

yah.... good post Edwin...... Thanks!! :blush: