Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Running a Web Hosting Business : Running a Web Hosting Business Tutorials : Part 1: Domain+Reseller+Billing software.

[CX.Eric]

Well this is my first tutorial so please bare with me here...


If you are new at this then you would definetly need a reseller from a reputable company, i have used and been satisfied with Cpanel/WHM so ill be explaining that.

First go to your domain and go to the NAMESERVERS REGISTRATION form/panel and get ready to begin == Now tell your Reseller provider to setup your nameserver ips for your reseller ** Remember UNIQUE nameservers are very very profitable ** Get the IPs for the two nameservers and register them.
( If you have your own server then you would know how to do this )

For example:

I have a domain: domain.com

setup:

ns1.domain.com
ns2.domain.com

Then i go to my WHM Root Panel and add those ns and assigned them IPs, THEN i ADD an 'A' Entry for the assigned ip, now the ns is available for registration and it can be added via the DOMAIN PANEL at your Domain Registrar.


Now do remember you will need a dedicated ip to put all the shared customers on, its better because by doing this no one can look up sites on your server (on main server ip).

Now setup a subdomain for your billing software, as subdomains are much easier to access and give a little bit of that pro look.

And now for the billing software, DO NOT BUY any software at your first try, go for a TRIAL for 30 days and if not satisfied just get anything else , i learned that the hard way...buying a billing system on your first run si not a good choice no matter how much research you do working with the software is totally different.

Ive used ModernBill 30 day FREE Trial and have been learning it alot, and after you have the billing software ready you can work on the template.

Now the reason i save the template for the main site for last is because im not sure what the billing page will be like and now that i know i have a clear vision of what i want..


** Some pointers if you are getting a reseller from a company**

• Always get a reseller WITH FANTASTICO + RVSKins
• Always get unique nameservers
• Only on Dual or Quad processor servers
• Check for server load
• Look them up for any bad records
• Look for blacklisted servers
• ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK
• Check their TOS for restrictions on content
• Also check TOS for server RESOURCE USAGE
• Go with established companies only
• BUT new comers have empty servers so keep an open mind .

Hope that helped.

Regards

[RobinLD]

Thanks Dluzion, Nice Guide : Not bad for a first one

Is there a part 2 coming ?

[jerett]

Not to shabby for the first one. Im learning alot from all the input from everyone.

[CX.Eric]

RobinLD yes there will be a part 2, this tutorial was just to test the waters and see if i get any warnings on what i can and cannot say here.

Ive learned alot in a year alotta goods and bads.

[Jonaid]

Thanks. Some good pointers on there. Can forward alot of the ppl on the other boards to this thread

[CX.Eric]

Thanks Jonaid!
I left out some points on there because i wasnt sure if they can be discussed here.
Next tutorial will be much better!

[Anky]

Only on Dual or Quad processor servers

Why do you say that should be a requirement? I don't think that's a necessity even if it is a common trait among certain groups of hosts. I think that the kind of hardware can say something about a company, but as long as the loads are kept under control, why does it matter?

[layer0]

Originally Posted by Anky

Only on Dual or Quad processor servers

Why do you say that should be a requirement? I don't think that's a necessity even if it is a common trait among certain groups of hosts. I think that the kind of hardware can say something about a company, but as long as the loads are kept under control, why does it matter?

Exactly. It's not the hardware used but rather the performance on the hardware. A quad processor / dual proc dual core system will be bogged down if thousands of dynamic sites are placed on it. In that case, a Celeron with 20 dynamic sites will perform better.

[Aussie Bob]

I agree. Although the more server grunt the better, imo, but it's not a prerequisate to maintaining low load and responsive servers. Like layer0 said, that can be achieved with Celeron servers, although the cost efficiencies of such (extra colo space, more licensing etc) might be a tad tight.

[Anky]

Agreed, that's why I mentioned it can say something about the company

[Shock Hosts]

Good job on your first guide, nice read. I liked Part 2 as well.

[Greenlush]

Dluzion, quily tutorial mate

[NextGeneration]

Excellent well-written guide. Had a very easy flow to it.

[tomyknoker]

Hi Eric... What is the billing software for exactly? If you have a merchant account with your bank do you still need it? Can you use Plesk for everything?

[CX.Eric]

Hey tomy, I have no experience with plesk but i have heard some good things about it, and billing systems are a compliation of files that make account creation and payment handling much easier, standard hosts use clientexec modernbill...etc

The better your billing software the more attractive you are to your clients, it shows that you are committed to your business.

Large scale hosts have custom billing softwares made for them for better look.

Hope that helps