Who is hosting?

[keshe]

With their reseller account. I'm really not sure I want the headaches, but it seems to good of op to pass up. Who is hosting and how are you doing? Worth the trouble? Pros and Cons? Could I look at your host page? TIA

[stratplan]

I do mine a little different, I suppose, from most hosts.

Since people who want a web site can get one anywhere now it seems for not much money, I tend to offer 'value-added' services.

Depending on the level of ability, and need, I offer the full amount of services: securing the domain (I use DirectNic.com), designing the site, and Search Engine Optimization. Then maintain the site with changes and upgrades.

IMO, you can't make money by just reselling hosting. The smarter person can get it themselves. and the margin, therefore is too slim, even with huge volume, which of course increases headaches.

I am trying out the Cpanel approach for a couple of gifted clients. That gives them more control, which they like and appreciate, even tho it cuts into my income. For the others, I do the Cpanel for them (they don't even know about it). It is dangerous if they got too rambunctious.

I've been hosting since '94, and have been with a quality host - however, they have sold out from their small start and their successors are now pretty high $ for the market I sell to - even though for commercial business sites, their reliability is needed and worth it.

So I guess my answer is, depending on your market, and your business plan, you can make money (I do) but if you are in it to sit back and sell only hosting - probably not.

[keshe]

Yes considering how cheap basic hosting has become I'm skeptical about giving it a go. Not really sure the numbers are there. So many people are making .......unreal promises. Unlimited transfer. If that was the case you, me, yahoo and ebay with be with them. I don't want to open up pandora's box, but it fits with my plans. It really would take a great deal of users to make it a ....source of income and as you say there comes all the problems. Tough call.

[s_mack]

like stratplan, i make my money on the value added side. Sure, I resell this hosting to my customers at $30.00 / month, but I provide a lot for that. That includes the domain fees, i add/remove/change their email accounts for them (and all other c-panel stuff), I manage their domain name (updating DNS should the need arise). Hard things? no, but there are certainly businesses out there that don't have the knowledge nor the time to bother with it. THey are running their own businesses.

So I call it "fully managed hosting" and charge a premium price. Of course, say page-zone were to fold/sell/get hit by an earthquake... its me that has to move all the account, blah blah blah. I've allready had to do it twice (one fold and one sell) so I know it happens.

Then the rest of my business has stemmed from this. Since I'm their "one-call" for hosting needs, it became a logical extension for them to call me for their web site work, and then for their office computing needs, etc. *ALL* my clients are local mind you. I'm of the mind that if you are going after clients around the world just looking for hosting, then you are competing with the Page-Zone's of the world, and why would they choose us when they can go direct to the source... we did? (or did we... for all I know page-zone is a reseller... hmmmmm). So I hit the yellowpages and newspapers and I call people and ask for their business.

Its a lot of work, but then again... it should be. Economics 101 - if its easy money, some one will take it from you who's willing to work harder for it.

Good luck