I am new to this forum. I am a webdesigner and currently have 4 sites of my own, running off small W2K server out of my office. I am able to FTP my uploads, and add email accounts as well. Using free FTP Server and Email software. Running off my DSL line. Worked great so far.
I have gotten request to host site for others, but I have no interface for them to manage there accounts. So I would like to start off small hosting service to host my sites and other clients as well who are looking for hosting there sites.

So what is the major difference for me to go with reseller or dedicated?

The biggest difference is that a reseller account is managed by the hosting provider, whereas **most** dedicated boxes are up to you to manage. Reseller accounts cost much less than dedicated boxes, especially for Windows.

-Steven

Hello, first let me say that I am not presently a host... not yet at least, but it'll happen in the near future.

My reading of the boards and what experience I do have, gives me somewhat of an insight. IMHO :)

The biggest 2 differences are with a reseller account, you do not have root access to the server (which is not mission critical - IMO), and the biggest factor is cost. You could host several sites (depending on what kind of resources they will require) with your basic reseller package which will run you 30 bucks a month - give or take. With a dedicated server, about the cheapest you can get by with is right at 100-150 bucks a month (I think that goes up if you want to run a windows platform, for the most obvious of reason being cost of software).

It all boils down to the fact of how much bandwidth and space you think you will be able to survive with. Unless the people that are requesting your services, already have established sites (and are pulling some serious bandwidth), a reseller account should do you just fine.

It will be in your favor to research around WHT (here) and check out some of the resellers. See what others have to say about them before you make a decision (same applies for going dedicated right out of the gate, too).

Key points that you should look for in a reseller host are:

1- Can you upgrade your hosting package with no penalty.
2- Do they provide you with complete confidentiality (eg... private nameservers)
3- What is their support staff (response times) like.
(most host that resell packages to smaller resellers require that you support your customers, but they do provide you with support should you run into trouble which you can not fix, or solve. It is the rare exception that your provider will support your customers, and naturally the packages will cost a bit more)
4- Could you speak to a real, live warm body... should then need ever arise to need them in a dire urgency.

There are other key points, but its late... and my eyes are crossing now. Surely some of the more seasoned professionals will stop by and offer you better, more comprehensive advice.

Hope this helps, somewhat! :)

Also, being a reseller means you share the server with other resellers and their customers.. While with Dedicated it is just you and your customers.