Ok...Here's the deal. I got a biz plan together and a basic idea of what i need to do. I had a business consultant who is a friend help me out. But i still have a few questions cause he is not 100% familliar with hosting businesses.

1) I know all the things i need such as: merchant account and that but who do u guys recommend for these services?

2) Do i need to automate the site? For example have a new customer be able to buy online and have the system setup their account automatically based on their needs and purchased package?

3) Does it make more sense for me to become a reseller first or to get a dedicated server? Im not to crazy about the idea of a reseller account cause then i will have to move all the sites to the dedicated server when i get it.

4) How much startup capitol would you all estimate i will need in order to start a competative hosting biz?

Just to give some background on myself I'm 26 I have a bachelors in computer science and one in engineering. Multiple certs and have been working in the computer field for 5 years now. I also own a few sites. I have 2 vbulletin forums, a supplements store and a hunting and fishing supply store. (These will not affect my ability to run the hosting biz as i have people who work for me to help with order and that sort of thing.

Spend a little time reading these forums. The startup question gets asked almost weekly, and in the replies there are tons of good information, especially the pros/cons of starting out with a reseller, etc.

There are just so many variables in web hosting that it takes some time to really see what you need and where you want to go with it. So spend a lot of time reading others experiences here, that will help tremendously.

As for startup.. if you aren't going reseller, expect anywhere from 1,000-$5,000.

I have been reading the info on here for a while now just never registered to post till i needed to post. Have pulled a lot of good info from here i just like to be well informed before i jump into somthing.

1) I know all the things i need such as: merchant account and that but who do u guys recommend for these services?

2) Do i need to automate the site? For example have a new customer be able to buy online and have the system setup their account automatically based on their needs and purchased package?

3) Does it make more sense for me to become a reseller first or to get a dedicated server? Im not to crazy about the idea of a reseller account cause then i will have to move all the sites to the dedicated server when i get it.

4) How much startup capitol would you all estimate i will need in order to start a competative hosting biz?


1) I use hostcharge, but they aren't currently accepting new signups
2)You don't need automative signups. It's better to manually check your clients information before you charge their card.
3)Starting out as a reseller is a good idea. As long as your reseller account is controlled by whm/cpanel, it will be very easy to transfer your accounts over to a dedicated server.
4)It cost me alittle over $1000 to start my business. The server costs were nothing compared to advertising costs. In one week I spent $250 dollars on advertising.

1) I know all the things i need such as: merchant account and that but who do u guys recommend for these services?

2) Do i need to automate the site? For example have a new customer be able to buy online and have the system setup their account automatically based on their needs and purchased package?
>>> I wouldn't reccommend. You then need to putup with fraud, etc, etc, etc.

3) Does it make more sense for me to become a reseller first or to get a dedicated server? Im not to crazy about the idea of a reseller account cause then i will have to move all the sites to the dedicated server when i get it.
>>> If you have the money, the knowledge, and the dedication then get a dedicated server.

4) How much startup capitol would you all estimate i will need in order to start a competative hosting biz?
>>> A few thousand

Just my $0.02 :D

i second that - YOU MUST HAVE THE DEDICATION AND DRIVE.

dedication and drive is not an issue for me. i'm plenty dedicated to all the internet biz i have. it started as a hobby cause i enjoy it and turned into a profitable bunch of businesses now i wanna expand to somthing new.

great! welcome