I am counting down 21 days of when I will be ready to launch my hosting biz. <---who cares right?

Anyway am I out of line for asking these questions? And if possible for them to provide proof to the ones such as how long you been in business?

1. How long you been in business?
2. Any hidden fees
3. How often you switch providers if you dont own your own server
4. Why should I do business with you
5. Is there penalty for wanting to upgrade or downgrade


These are some of the questions that I plan asking, like I said do I have this right to know where my money is going?

If you post in the Ads & Offers forums (I think), you will be able to ask those questions as hosts will be allowed their sales pitch there, and I don't think they are here.

Originally posted by Jacynthe
If you post in the Ads & Offers forums (I think), you will be able to ask those questions as hosts will be allowed their sales pitch there, and I don't think they are here.

i just wanna know if its out of line to ask those questions

I don't think it's out of line.

Originally posted by leec
Anyway am I out of line for asking these questions? And if possible for them to provide proof to the ones such as how long you been in business?
No. You're not out of line. You're bang on the money.

Add 2 more questions in there too -

6. Are you over the age of 21?
7. Are you a legally incorporated business?

Do you 'need' to be over 21?
Do you 'need' to be a legally incorporated business?

Anywho. . . . . I think it's fine for you to ask anything you think needs answering.

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
Do you 'need' to be over 21?
IMO, yes. We're dealing with folks supplying resellers their supply for their business. This takes a certian amount of maturity. There's a worrying trend of 14yr olds selling dedicated servers and such.
Do you 'need' to be a legally incorporated business?
IMO, yes. This means your business is not some "we registered domain and we'll see how it goes" type business. If you take the time and commitment to register your business in your local town/government, then there's a good chance that you're serious about your business.

Just my $1500.00 worth. ;)

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
Just my $1500.00 worth. ;) [/B]

Is that US or AU dollars? :D

Originally posted by Aussie Bob
Just my $1500.00 worth. ;) [/B]

Do I have to report this as income? :D

Originally posted by reseller
Is that US or AU dollars? :D
That's US dollars baby!!! :D

although the aussie dollar is fighting on the back of a weakening US economy :eek3:

8. What kind of support / customer service can I expect to receive.

I think thats one of the most important ones.

9)Are you under 30?

Web Hosting is a competitive and stressful business, if the owner is too old they might not be able to cope with the stress and that could bring on a heart attack.

Originally posted by SplashHost.com
9)Are you under 30?

Web Hosting is a competitive and stressful business, if the owner is too old they might not be able to cope with the stress and that could bring on a heart attack.

take it easy a bit :)

Perhaps I feel a bit insulted by what Mr Bob said earlier in this thread.

Originally posted by SplashHost.com
Perhaps I feel a bit insulted by what Mr Bob said earlier in this thread.
Wasn't meant to insult anyone. Just an opinion. I take my hat off to you Alan. Not for your age, but for being running a good business. Don't see any complaints for your business here.

You should ask questions pertaining to their connectivity, eg, "how many phat pipes do you have?" :D

As for these two:
Originally posted by Aussie Bob
6. Are you over the age of 21?
7. Are you a legally incorporated business?

In Australia, being over 18 (ie an adult) qualifies you to drink, drive and vote, so I don't understand the 21 cutoff. Anyway, there are plenty of adults who act like idiots. Enron and Worldcom were incorporated business entities. Ask these questions if you like, but don't put too much weight on the answers, because often in webhosting you can't really tell until you try.

Originally posted by jojobot
In Australia, being over 18 (ie an adult) qualifies you to drink, drive and vote, so I don't understand the 21 cutoff. Anyway, there are plenty of adults who act like idiots. Enron and Worldcom were incorporated business entities. Ask these questions if you like, but don't put too much weight on the answers, because often in webhosting you can't really tell until you try.
Maybe I should have said 18 then. There, ya happy?? :D

Just watch out for the 13 to 15 yr old hosts :eek3:

Why not seventeen then?


Hmmm . . . . Doubt we're helping the thread starter with this. I think we've had these discussions around here somewhere. :D

I think instead of asking age maybe ask them if they have any other commitments as well as their company.

Originally posted by SplashHost.com
I think instead of asking age maybe ask them if they have any other commitments as well as their company.
Yeah, like school for one thing....:D :blush: