I'm currently in the process of trying to build a web design business. As part of this, I'm trying to put together a plan on how to handle hosting issues. Most of my local competitors offer hosting as well, so I thought I should offer the same through a reseller account. My original idea was to do reselling for both domains and hosting, and offering a year of free service included in my web design packages.

I'm also interested in the extra revenue stream that a hosting service can add to my business. This business will be my only source of income, as I'm living on a pension right now and that's likely to go away the instant I start earning money. So, a steady source of income like hosting service subscriptions could be a big help in slower months.

However, there's a few problems that have occurred to me.

First, it'll just be me at first, as there's no way I'll be able to afford to hire someone unless I make more sales than I expect. This causes an issue in time, as I won't be able to dedicate myself 24 hours a day to managing sites. Most of my time will be dedicated to designing and building them. This could probably at least partially be solved by making sure my provider (whatever I end up picking) offers end-user support, but it's still likely an issue.

Second, I have no experience dealing with web hosting, cPanel, or any other issues on the technical side. I have no doubt I can learn it, as I rarely ever have too much problem learning anything technical, but that will likely take experimenting and experience, which means my first few clients may not get top service. I'd also have to learn how to setup the e-commerce stuff for selling the accounts, but learning that would probably be beneficial to me as a web designer anyway.

Finally, there's the legal issue. To put it plainly, I don't want to lose everything by being sued. That's an issue for the business as a whole, (which I'll be hiring a lawyer for a few hours to help figure out once I get funding), but I've heard more horror stories of hosting providers being sued than I have web designers.

So, my question is to those who run reseller businesses and who have experience, do you think it's worth it? Or do you suggest that I try to go another route?

Since your primary business is web designing, I would suggest you go for a good domain and hosting reseller who provides phone,chat and email support as well as automated billing and all other services and you can concentrate on web designing while all other services are taken care of by the master reseller (like GoDaddy or Hostgator)

I would also suggest you go through the hosting review section before you choose your hosting reseller. Plenty of good reviews are available there.

Wish you all the best for your new business!

Maybe you can read on and follow this thread (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=919012) to encourage you as a starter in Web hosting business :)

You can always combine your talent in web design with your web hosting service. As a start try to provide free web design service and free domain registration to your clients if they sign up hosting account with you in 1 year or so.

Usually reseller hosting comes up with free end-user support, so you don't have to worry about any technical support your clients may have. The hosting company would take care of that. Check for the reviews if you find a hosting company that meets your needs.

Thank you for all the answers! I'll definitely check out the review section, and that thread agustan pointed me to. Thanks again!

Second, I have no experience dealing with web hosting, cPanel, or any other issues on the technical side.

I don't think this a big issues because as reseller, if you have any problem with your client..just open the ticket to your hosting provider and "Copy & Paste" the question from your client and forwarded to your hosting provider..so your hosting will takes care and give you a feedback as soon as then can..so I don't see a problem on reseller part..:D