Lets say if i were to start any one of them..which one should i go for? Which one is more profitable in the long term?

if you have good idea, it does not matter

if you have good idea, it does not matter

Actually i have ideas for both of them. I just want to know if a hosting directory would be a good choice over a hosting company set up...

I am talking in terms of profit and sales etc///

Why not start them both? You could advertise your own hosting company on your directory.

Originally posted by brn2h8
Why not start them both? You could advertise your own hosting company on your directory.

Sounds like a plan.

Why not start them both? You could advertise your own hosting company on your directory.
Very sheisty when hosting companies do that!

Originally posted by Michael M
Very sheisty when hosting companies do that!
*GASP*....*SHOCKED*....:eek: :D

I think both are flooded markets...

start both! :stickout:

Which one is more profitable in the long term?

Depends on you.

Be aware though that running a web hosting business is a very serious long term commitment ... and it requires $, expertise, manpower, equipment, etc.

Yep HostAZ 100% correct.:agree:

I think both are flooded markets...

I don't believe the web host directory market is flooded. There is certainly enough room for a few more directories (I'd say there are about 10 or so 'actual' directories. I'm not speaking about the poorly-constructed web host dirs with just simple affiliate links), it's just that the trouble is trying to overcome the already streaming and stable web host dirs (webhostdir.com, tophosts.com, findsp.com, etc.).

Also, managing and constructing a web host dir would be more easier as opposed to handling customer issues, server admin, etc. as a web host. Most of the managing of a web host dir would most likely be run by scripts (CMS scripts), so it wouldn't too much of a hassle-- But it will still run you up to a few hours a day if you're committed to handling news articles, client ad issues, web host articles, etc.

In the long run, it all depends on the marketing and promotion of the website you own. This is probably the main factor of how much your income will be from the business, obviously.

Hmm..tough decision but i think i may go for a hosting company or then may be a directory...:confused: hard to make a decision but then i will find something out....

For hosting directories, i agree that it has to be full of information, because only then one can make it a success in terms of search engine rankings e-g FindMyHosting.com or WebHostingRatings.com

How about starting a hosting related forum also along with a Directory and a hosting service !

You can leverage the benefits of each other a lot !
But yes, lots of effort will go in to popularise the forums and the hosting directory..but once that is done, you'll see the benefits in ur hosting service.

So, what u cud do is : work on the dir and the forums, after which ... once you popularise both, start ur hosting service also, untill then try to make some revenue off both the forums and dir, that may not matter much...but popularising is most important.

Just my $.02 !

Cheers

More input:

From your sig, I take it you own a hosting forum. Erm well, starting a hosting company and owning the forum simultaneously is crooked. And creates a bias. Better off starting a directory, don't overstep your boundaries.

From your sig, I take it you own a hosting forum. Erm well, starting a hosting company and owning the forum simultaneously is crooked. And creates a bias. Better off starting a directory, don't overstep your boundaries.


That thought keeps me away from starting one...so i may be opting for a directory instead...

Originally posted by HostAZ
Be aware though that running a web hosting business is a very serious long term commitment ... and it requires $, expertise, manpower, equipment, etc.

I think starting a small one man hosting company is no different in terms of start up capital to running a dir. Its only you the scale of your own expansion plans that will warrant different levels of resourcing. There are several well resourced dirs out there as well as hosts.