How do you start a host?

[Sergio7889]

Hey, i was just wondering, and maybe would wanna try it out. But how do you start a host? Please give links, information here, i don't care, just please show me or tell me how to start a host.

Thanks.

[Decker]

"Hey, i was just wondering, and maybe would wanna try it out."

I'd feel sorry for your poor clients if you do. You dont try it out you do or you don't. What if you get fed up and think it's not worth it - they're the ones that are screwed. If it fails and becomes unsustainable be prepared to keep it going a bit til you've let everyone have a chance to move, not just hit a dead site.

First thing to know is are you prepared to put he work required in the rest of the info is easy to come by.

Study some stuff on servers/utilisation (visit the forums of things you may want to allow like BB's, Blogs, etc.), web server software, bandwidth/usage implications, available server/hosting tools, work out how much time you 'can' not want to spend each day on supporting your customers and look at tools to help you do it like messaging clients and scripts.

Should keep you going for a bit - google is probably the best tool at the moment, read at least a bit on each subject.

I'm sure some of the folks here will have some good specific links too.

[UnitHosting]

To become a professional reseller isn't hard.

1) You need to register a WebHostingDomain.com
2) Get a reseller account.
3) Build your web hosting website.
Basic sections of a web hosting website:
- About (Breif description about your company. Found in 2003.. etc)
- Network (What Datacenter do you use? Location etc.)
- Hosting Plans (Full description of your plans, prices etc.)
- Support (Ticket System, Forum, Online Live Support, MSN, ICQ Phone etc.)
- Contact Information (Emails, Phone, Address, Online Email Form, etc.)

The following scripts/program is used for billing, support and client management.
- http://www.modernbill.com (Recommended)
- http://www.clientexec.com (Recommended)
- http://www.perlbill.com
- http://www.phpmanager.com
- http://www.whnbilling.com
- http://www.whmautopilot.com
- http://www.ubersmith.com
- http://www.dreamcost.com
- http://www.aplusbill.com
There are some "FREE" scripts available from HotScripts.com:
http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Script...esk/index.html

How does customers pay you? via the Credit Card processors below:
- http://www.paypal.com (Recommended)
- http://www.paysystems.com (Recommended)
- http://www.2checkout.com
- http://www.payquake.com
- http://www.authorize.net
- http://www.charge.com
- http://www.revecom.com
- http://www.ccnow.com
- http://www.worldpay.com
- http://www.paybycheck.com
- http://www.paymentech.net
- http://www.secpay.com
- http://www.propay.com
- http://www.hostcharge.com
- http://www.ibill.com
- http://www.planetpos.com.au
- http://www.clickbank.com
- http://www.digibuy.com
- http://www.planetpayment.com
- http://www.cardserviceinternational.com
- http://www.emscorporate.com
- http://www.onlinedatacorp.com
- http://www.ecount.com
- http://www.c2it.com
- http://www.billpoint.com

That should get you started.
More questions, post here let us know.

[darkcurves]

Get a small reseller package. Maybe offer paid hosting to frens and family?

[bozley05]

Originally posted by darkcurves
Get a small reseller package. Maybe offer paid hosting to frens and family?

totally agreed.. its the only way your gonna learn if you don't know, once you get the hang of it then move onto finding proper clients.

A couple of cheap reseller options to get you started:
http://www.vespacious.com/ ($5.99/month - 500mb/5GB)
http://www.leamhost.com/ ($9.95/month - 800mb/8GB)

Won't break the bank to test it out for a couple of months.

[darkcurves]

http://www.newzpixels.com/ is even more cheaper.

[naturesfury]

wow thanks for all those payment method links. They will come in handy because im not yet willing to fork out $200 a month for a merchant account or watever.

anyway, once you have got a few clients on your reseller acount and are willing to pay more and go into proper hosting you need to get in contact with a dtatcetner or someone who owns a server. the way it works is: server --> main --> reseller --> reseller --> normal hosting. The reseller you will have got was the 2nd one, so you want to get the first one and then you can start selling reseller plans aswell and you get alot more for your money.

Does anyone know a cheap datacenter or someone that ones a server and is willing to sell resellers?

[Decker]

Loads of options there - work how much you 'can' pay then look and see what you can get for it, beware though you'll end up trading off on server specs for uptime/support and the rest so try and hit in the middle and then as about specific suppliers and see what reviews you get