How does one become a Host?

[romanntiko]

I'm relatively new when it comes to hosting etc. I wanted to know how one can becomes their own hosting provider/service. What's needed?

~R~

[phuckedup]

well if you're starting off, get a reseller account.

[HeadBuilder]

You can pay for a cheap reseller account to provide basic webhosting services. Reseller accounts allow you to create hosting accounts on a server that is managed by another party so all you have to do is to manage the support of your own clients.
Alternatively, if you are conversant with server administration, you can get a dedicated server (or virtual server) and take care of all matters on the server and also create hosting accounts for your clients in the same manner as a reseller account.

[Bruce]

There's already too many; don't waste your time.

[GregT]

Money + Skillz.

[Robert]

if you have to ask how to become one, then don't.

[romanntiko]

Its not that I want to become one, I just want to know how the process is done.
Isn't there a way to become a host with your own equipment so that you don't have to rely on anyone else other than yourself.

~R~

[PixelHosting]

Its not that I want to become one, I just want to know how the process is done.
Isn't there a way to become a host with your own equipment so that you don't have to rely on anyone else other than yourself.

~R~

Yes, that's possible. You need the following for that:
- A server (home-hosted, dedicated or Virtual Private Server)
- Software (I suggest: Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP. Also called LAMP)
- Linux Experience (if you want it to run good)

Offcourse you can also host on Windows machines, it requires IIS and stuff, but I don't recommend it...

[VerticalHost]

If you have a broadband connection with a dedicated IP, then you can host. Just install IIS and that would give you the basics to use your windows machine as a server. If your worried about money, there are plenty of hosts around that will be able to make you a great deal.

[romanntiko]

If you have a broadband connection with a dedicated IP, then you can host. Just install IIS and that would give you the basics to use your windows machine as a server. If your worried about money, there are plenty of hosts around that will be able to make you a great deal.

That's what I was wondering, I had a friend who would host sites and all he had was a T1 line and the Windows server software.

Thank you guys

~R~

[PixelHosting]

all he had was a T1 line and the Windows server software.

Well keep in mind that those T1 lines (and up) are expensive

[Howard K]

To become a host you should have a good resellers plan and then can host the web sites of your own clients and become a host.

For best and the most challenging rate RESELLERS PLANS visit http://www.accuwebhosting.com.

Best Regards,

[GregT]

Please don't poison the world with more windows servers.

[RBooth]

I'm starting a hosting company, if you want to do it the right way it will cost some money, Right now i have about $700 invested im mine and i still don't have my site online yet here are some things that you will need to start

Your Own Server: These start at about $55/month for linux with out cPanel (cPanel is about $25 extra per month)

A Good Web design (don't use templates these are over used): you can get a good site made up from designer starting at about $150, im paying $399 for mine

software to control the billing: you can get a leased option's for most of them for about $20/month, i suggest ModernBill since it since it seams like it will grow with the company

You will need a Domain Name: im paying $7.00/year for mine

you will need to accept credit cards: try starting out with 2checkout.com for now it cost only $47 to setup an account with them

For Support: most costumers will want 24/7 support for there hosting you can do this really cheap by going through an outsource support company i have seen some for as little as $35/month per server, when you get bigger u might want to move to in house support

and if you get cPanel you will want to get Fantastico. that starts out at $90 for the first server

then you will want to do a lot of research, at first you will be paying for every thing out of your pocket, it will take some time to build up some costumers

[mattsoft]

If you have a broadband connection with a dedicated IP, then you can host. Just install IIS and that would give you the basics to use your windows machine as a server. If your worried about money, there are plenty of hosts around that will be able to make you a great deal.

I would never use or have someone use IIS. apache is the most used web server in the world. last I heard, it was around 60%. http://www.apache.org . you just edit a text file to change settings. it works right out of the box, but has many many features and settings you can use. I would never consider using anything else for my hosting or developing needs.

[Robert]

Well keep in mind that those T1 lines (and up) are expensive
T1 lines (1.5/1.5) are $380+/mo. - Not that bad.

However, it's only 1.5 upload. That's nothing now-a-days.

[mattsoft]

a T1 would be ok to start off 1 or 2 servers on, but it only gets a max of 187.5 kb/s. my cable internet downloads at double that.

[aki]

lol here in sweden 10mb for less than 40$/month