Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Running a Web Hosting Business : how to start a hosting bussiness

[gr8leonine]

Hello Everybody,

I am new user to this site as i am BTECH student i have left my service and want to start a software and web hosting business now so please tell me the requirements for web hosting business and how i will get a place in server or purchase server for my use and about purchasing domains etc. etc. Awaiting for your replies please help me. Now i am purchasing server space from other hosters which is becoming costlier and i could not able to compite in the market so please help me. Remained wih hope.

[boonchuan]

I think your thread will be better in Running a Hosting Business Forum. Moved.

[mpope]

So you want to start a webhosting business. I would suggest first search for anything you're wondering on this forum. Make a business plan. Circle it to this forum. (Don't worry, most people will help with you plan, most webhosting plans are so out of context of most people anyway they dont care).

Last step is go for it man.

Before you launch make sure you are a 1.) Customer service agent 2.) Server admin that can fix anything (really) 3.) Business person that can crunch numbers. 4.) Have a lot of time and money to invest.

I think 3.) is what really kills people, they rush in with no plan. Then they use up all of 4.) trying to figure out WTF to do....

[j450n5u]

I think this is a good forum to start from. Get some ideas, all these things you need to know are on this site, just take some time to look around,

[dazmanultra]

The popular/mainstream web site hosting industry is becoming increasingly consolidated between large companies, with monthly marketing budgets bigger than most hosts' entire yearly turnovers. This means starting a web hosting company with little to no start-up capital is an uphill struggle - that is, if you intend to compete with the big companies.

What is better, is to not compete with these companies where they are strongest: price and "numbers". One idea If you're intending to start a business in this arena at this stage with a low budget would be to offer "value added services". Web site design and development for local businesses can be very profitable if you have the skills. Offering a web hosting service, as well as extras such as updating their web site for them when required or setting up emails is one way to increase your profit margin further.

Either way, good luck with your venture but make sure you do your research. Starting a business is *always* hard work, no matter what industry it is in and it will probably be quite some time before your hard work is rewarded.

One more thing: Make sure you approach your business in the correct way. Clients will be relying on you and your services for their livelihoods.

[HostGamma]

Spend time on Google searching about everything related to reseller hosting...

[IH-Rameen]

It's important to note that there is no guide. Web hosting is a very diverse industry which requires a lot of time and dedication. It's a 24x7 operation, so make sure you can provide 24x7 dedication..

Since you are a student, I would suggest you complete your studies before venturing into businesses. You never know what better ideas more suited for you can arise.

[tlsuess]

If you want to start a web host with a shared hosting plan (no root access) you can use HostBuilder to start it: http://scripts.datacomponents.net/index.php/hostbuilder . There's a free edition and a paid version (with way more features).

All I can say is when I was younger, I wanted to start a web host but didn't feel like paying $100/month for a server so I wrote some small tools to help start a web host on a shared web hosting plan with 1&1.

Let me know if you have any questions about HostBuilder or starting your web host.

[JMele]

First of all i would first look for a cheaper end server or a reseller plan. i would get a enom reseller account and of course WHM/Cpanel server. Along with a nice billing system like WHMCS which intergrated with kayako supportsuite. And intergrate everything. You could also get kayako for support and get a PDA and it can check your e-mail automaticly and check for tickets etc. you can also get virtual 1800 numbers etc.

[spacehosting]

Read on this forum in running a webhosting bussiness, I MEAN READ, READ AND READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.

The do a basic bussiness plan and as much research as you can for months,

If you start without knowing everything u'll fail. ( Speaking from experince )

[endoffice]

First and foremost: Find out how much people usually pay for the service you provide, and find out how much it will cost to start providing that service. Some people get started and then realize they have to wait 6 or 7 months to start making a profit. Theres nothing worse then having to cancel customer contracts because you didn't have enough startup capital to ride through the beginning.

[BillBrown]

Offer services that you know how to support. You will get requests for technical support for every service offering you provide and you will need to know how to fix such related problems, be they code or configuration. And these requests may not always come to you during normal busiess, daytime hours. A 3:00AM call may be more frequent than your sleep requirements may appreciate. :-P

[dabHosts.co.uk]

I would say that putting aside the products and price the most important thing to consider is "Customer Service"

Never promise what you can't deliver and always be honest in your dealing with customers.

Managing the customers expections is paramount in my opinion.

It takes effort to build a good reputation and seconds for it to be destroyed.

[boggle]

I am also starting my first proper hosting buisness everyone say do a business plan but what needs to be in it?

[Lewcy]

Originally Posted by boggle

I am also starting my first proper hosting buisness everyone say do a business plan but what needs to be in it?

I dont mean to be cynical but if you are asking questions like this you need to seriously consider whether you are cut out to run any type of business. This is basic business knowledge.

Back to the OP, yes concentrate on customer service, offereings etc but dont forget that however great you think your website/customer service / products are if you dont have any customers its not much use Put a lot of thought into how you are going to market yourself.