hi,

I am a freelance web designer and have been wondering - in my deep ignorance- if it might make sense to get a small reseller account. Not sure how it works, I need schooling!

Say I resell to only my clients (no hosing biz site) and maybe add 5-10 a year on. what are my responsibilities to support them? is support handled by the host or me as the reseller at this level? If its me is not worth the trouble at my scale, but if its not it could build over time and bee a good seed to plant now. I work with artists, so generally low resource folks who want one stop simplicity.

and if I do this, is it a bad idea to host my sites in the same account?

these are things I have always wanted to ask but as its not my main biz I never got to it.

thanks! - kurt

Greetings,
What you are wanting to do is a great idea and a standard reseller account is a GREAT option. This would allow you to offer more value to your desiging packages. To answer your questions:

1) Who provides support to your customers?
Generally it is done by the reseller, however most hosts are willing to help you if needed. Some hosts offer "end user support" but it is normally an extra cost.

2) Is it a bad idea to host my sites in the same account?
As a reseller, you should give the client access to their own cPanel so they can perfom some of the basics (Adding e-mail accounts and Backups)

hi,

I am a freelance web designer and have been wondering - in my deep ignorance- if it might make sense to get a small reseller account. Not sure how it works, I need schooling!

Say I resell to only my clients (no hosing biz site) and maybe add 5-10 a year on. what are my responsibilities to support them? is support handled by the host or me as the reseller at this level? If its me is not worth the trouble at my scale, but if its not it could build over time and bee a good seed to plant now. I work with artists, so generally low resource folks who want one stop simplicity.

and if I do this, is it a bad idea to host my sites in the same account?

these are things I have always wanted to ask but as its not my main biz I never got to it.

thanks! - kurt

With most reseller packages you are responsible for providing support to your clients, but you can ask your host for help if you ever run into problems providing support for your clients. Some hosts also provide end user support, which means they take care of your clients' support problems directly. This option is usually more expensive, and maybe a bit overkill if you're hosting low resource, low maintenance clients.

I do not see a problem with you hosting your sites on the same reseller account, unless your sites themselves use a lot of resources, leaving little for your clients.

also there is another option

go to that hosting company and ask them for 1 - 2 month free hosting coupons

then you can simply use that

<<snipped>>

Some of the better-known reseller companies do include end-user support at no extra charge. You can find them pretty easily in the Reseller offers. :)

Some of the better-known reseller companies do include end-user support at no extra charge. You can find them pretty easily in the Reseller offers. :)


but they are very expensive and offer very less space and bandwidth

but they are very expensive and offer very less space and bandwidth
Hello,
You are correct, there is never a such thing as free end user support, the costs are offset by the host in the cost of the plans. However most hosts do not mind providing 2nd level support to the end user via the reseller.

Thanks everyone! this is great info. Its good to know having support is an option, and it makes sense I would pay for it. I mean people pay me for my time as well. Interesting to hear it might be overkill. While probably true what I am really thinking is while - yes I can throw an email account on if someone can't figure out cPanel etc- I would rather have someone else handle real support issues like backup restores, maintenance outages etc. and I guess that is what you mean by level 2.

So for me a host who offers a support ticket system to my users would be better if I could afford it. I would be looking at a starter plan for say 5-8 sites now in the $20 range I would think. Would that cut it? I have noticed some plans specify the number of sites you can host, and if that means they are managing resources responsibly that appeals to me. I am not going to be selling people on overrated stats, they would buy for quality and simplicity.

thanks for all the responses so far!

- kurt

I think that will certainly cut it.

KDisk is righton.

Hosting your customers and giving them access is a good move. Do it properly and you should benefit from it. Theres alot of good reseller packages accross the net, Just do your research and select the best choice for you and your business.

I assume you need to do the search and do not stop untill you find the solution. I'm certain the one exists and you will need to do your best with the search

Yes, you can have reseller account and host sites on it. While providing support make sure that the company who provides end-user support give your clients white label support (by your name).

So for me a host who offers a support ticket system to my users would be better if I could afford it. I would be looking at a starter plan for say 5-8 sites now in the $20 range I would think. Would that cut it? I have noticed some plans specify the number of sites you can host, and if that means they are managing resources responsibly that appeals to me. I am not going to be selling people on overrated stats, they would buy for quality and simplicity.

thanks for all the responses so far!

- kurt

You have a good budget to start reselling, search a hosting provider allow you to host on different platform like windows/ linux/ coldfusion with the same reseller hosting package, in this way you will not have to search for another account, when you work with php /asp or any free scripts while developing your client websites.

Multiple control panels allow, you to create your hosting account (which you want to use to host your client website) with MAX limit, with this you can apply strict restrictions if you donot want your client to use beyond your plan resources.

I would be happy to help you with any further clarification need.

Good luck !

thanks keserhosting & gineey, yes "white label support" sounds like what I would want, appreciate the term, now I know what to search for.

rumsfo your right, I do need to start the search now that I know what I am looking for. once I know a bit more perhaps I'll post some ideas to the forum in a new thread.

thanks - kurt

You can ether have it 2 ways, you offer support or your privider offers the support. But for your provider to offer it you need to pay him for it.

With the budget you have specified, you can definitely find a decent reseller plan with a host who also offers end user support at no additional fees.