Web Hosting Information

Steps to Becoming a Web Host Reseller


You've decided to get a reseller web hosting account to resell web space. What now? Here's a step-by-step guide.

1. Choose the platform you want to use.

More open source software programs are available for Linux than for Windows, which makes Linux less expensive. While most programs (Perl, PHP, Flash, etc.) run on both platforms, a few run on only Windows or Linux. A site that requires ASP or MS Access, for example, requires a Windows platform.

2. Choose the control panel you want to use.

Control panels for websites range from very basic to loaded with features. As a reseller, you'll also have a control panel for you to set up and control hosting accounts.

In Choosing Your Hosting Automation Software, we compare several control panels, all of which offer good features for web host resellers.

3. Choose your web host.

The web host company that you choose for your reseller account is a key decision - your business success depends on the quality of your host. Factors to consider when choosing a web host for a reseller account:

  • The platform and control panel
  • Account features
  • The company's reputation - search for online reviews by clients
  • The record of server uptime
  • The level of support - how fast does tech support respond to support requests, especially time-sensitive ones?
  • Flexibility - does the web host have packages that allow you to upgrade when your needs increase? Will they customize plans if necessary?
  • How long the web host has been in business - while a new web host may be very good, many web hosting businesses fail within the first year
  • Price - consider what is included in the price
  • Get Started with reseller hosting.

4. Set up your hosting plans and prices

Divide your bandwidth by your disk space to find out the ratio of bandwidth to disk space that you can offer. Take into account any ratios that differ if you upgrade to a larger package, and then base your packages on that ratio.

For pricing, consider what competitors charge, but also factor in any additional services you'll be offering.

5. Develop a business website

You have three main choices for website development:

  • Create a website using an existing website template http://www.websitesource.com/clientarea/reseller_website_templates.shtml
  • Hire a designer or a design company to design your site for you http://design.websitesource.com/design/elements_custom-work.php
  • If you have web design skills, design your site yourself

Include all the information that clients will want to know about your services and company.

6. Make your site e-commerce ready

To be able to accept payments for hosting accounts, you'll to set up:

  • An SSL certificate
  • A merchant account
  • A payment gateway

7. Set up a helpdesk

A helpdesk allows clients to contact you with support requests and you to track and respond to those requests.

8. Set up billing

With an automated billing system, clients are billed and payments are registered with little effort on your part. Most billing software licenses are priced per month or per year, with some billing software companies offering prices for lifetime licenses.

Some popular billing and payment processing systems:

When you choose a billing software program, check if it's compatible with your server platform and if support is included.

9. Create a welcome email

After you set up hosting accounts for your clients, you'll need to send them a welcome email. Include in this email:

  • A confirmation of the plan details
  • The nameserver names
  • A username and temporary password
  • A link to the control panel
  • Links to your knowledge base / FAQ and to your helpdesk

10. Market your website

Submit your site to search engines. Tell your family, friends, and business acquaintances about your website. Include a link to it in your signature line in outgoing emails. But don't stop there - market your website http://www.marketingcontrolpanel.com via incoming links, advertising, newsletters, and special offers.

About the author: Technical Executive Writer for Website Source, Inc. http://www.websitesource.com whose established writing skills coupled with experience in the website hosting industry have provided internet professionals with marketing, product and service ideas for many years.


MORE RESOURCES:

Web Hosting Resource Firm, iNET Interactive, Acquires Search ...
TheHostingNews.com (press release), OR - 3 hours ago
West Chester, Ohio - (The Hosting News) - August 20, 2008 - Web hosting industry resource firm, iNET Interactive, has acquired print publication serving the ...


Web Hosting Provider, MidPhase, Debuts New Web Design, After UK2 ...
WebSite Host Directory (press release), OR - 2 hours ago
midPhase provides budget, shared, advanced and other types of web hosting services to a wide range of clients ranging from small business to individuals, ...


Tips on Web Hosting
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - 2 hours ago
It is the web hosting that allows you to tell about your services and goals to the world. A properly hosted website has the potentials to make your business ...


Dedicated Server Web Hosting Award, Garnered by Alentus
TheHostingNews.com (press release), OR - 4 hours ago
Laguna Niguel, California - (The Hosting News) - August 20, 2008 - Shared and dedicated web hosting services firm, Alentus Corporation, has been awarded the ...


Web Hosting Server Liquid Cooling for ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 ...
TheHostingNews.com (press release), OR - 3 hours ago
Alberta, Canada - (The Hosting News) - August 20, 2008 - Web hosting server cooling facilitator, CoolIT, has released its Dual Drive Bay VGA Cooler, ...


Finding a cheaper web hosting
Corsavoo.com, France - 7 hours ago
Budget web hosting in the simple sense is that which offers its services with charge of minimum $10 per month. But the important consideration is not that ...


MYOB gobbles up another web hosting business
SmartCompany.com.au, Australia - 16 hours ago
Financial software firm MYOB has advanced its expansion into the web services market with the acquisition of Melbourne-based web hosting business SmartyHost ...


Web Hosting Demo Player, Enhances Got Web Host Service Portfolio
TheHostingNews.com (press release), OR - Aug 19, 2008
Valparaiso, Indiana - (The Hosting News) - August 19, 2008 - Web hosting provider, Got Web Host, has released its SEO and Web Hosting Demo Player, ...


Fasthosts Internet Ltd, web hosting company, has announced a new ...
ClickPress (press release), UK - Aug 19, 2008
[ClickPress, Mon Aug 18 2008] Fasthosts Internet Ltd, the UK's number one web hosting company, has announced a new offer roll out that provides ‘Buy One, ...


MYOB buys SmartyHost
Australian IT, Australia - 13 hours ago
The buy is part of MYOB’s plan to expand its web hosting and internet marketing services, the company said. "This follows our entry into the web hosting ...
MYOB buys SmartyHost for $7m ZDNet.com.au
MYOB books 27% NPAT growth LIVENEWS.com.au
MYOB snaps up SmartyHost Australian Techworld
The Age - Sydney Morning Herald
all 21 news articles

Web-Hosting - Google News

home | site map
© 2006