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I'm thinking of starting a webhosting business. Advise?

Discussion in 'Web Hosting' started by D_C, Nov 30, 2009.

  1. #1
    I'm thinking of starting a web hosting business with my own equipment. Starting with one server, and working my way up. I would like to run this from home, I am wondering what I would need.

    So far I think I need:

    A High Quality Server (I'll build it)
    Static IP Address
    Fast Internet (How fast?)
    cPanel/WHM
    Website & Advertising
    Payment Processor
    Firewall

    So far the investment to get it started will be about 2 grand. I personally think it would be a great investment to make. Any words from the wise?

    Thanks!
     
    D_C, Nov 30, 2009 IP
  2. arimmer

    arimmer Peon

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    #2
    You need to start thingking of.
    1. resseler services. or
    2. VPS/dedicated.

    For above that you said its good. But actually its just back to what you need. Every bussiness need money to invest @ the first. But for me, i would be thing for VPS/Dedicated @ first.

    Thats all must be from a good company. I hope its usefull for you.
     
    arimmer, Nov 30, 2009 IP
  3. D_C

    D_C Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Well I'm going to build and use my own server.
     
    D_C, Nov 30, 2009 IP
  4. alex288288

    alex288288 Well-Known Member

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    #4
    if your new to Webhosting, you might be better off renting a nice VPS with Cpanel/WHM. will save you alot of hassle if your new to this, also if you get your own dedicated box. you will need to know how to load software on it and fix any problems that could arise, and since your using Cpanel, you iwll be using Linux. so you iwll need to know a good understanding of that too. just my advise and "words of the wise"

    :p best of luck!
     
    alex288288, Nov 30, 2009 IP
  5. Findurhost

    Findurhost Active Member

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    #5
    You will need vps or dedicated server and billing management system script same whmcs or clientexec and nice design.
     
    Findurhost, Nov 30, 2009 IP
  6. D_C

    D_C Well-Known Member

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    #6
    Thanks! I'm very computer literate and have used Linux operating systems frequently. The issue with renting a VPS is they cost more than it seems possible to get a profit from.
     
    D_C, Nov 30, 2009 IP
  7. mentos

    mentos Prominent Member

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    #7
    Not to say its impossible to host it at your home.
    But in customer point of view,they will not go with such company due to several reason mainly due to limited bandwidth issue and security issue.
     
    mentos, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  8. D_C

    D_C Well-Known Member

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    #8
    Personally since I'm certified in network and computer administration I can't really see a security issue with me hosting the server =p

    Anyway, with hostgator as an example. You get 24GB for $25. For a decent price of $5 a month for 5GB... you wouldn't even break even.
     
    D_C, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  9. JamesKPowers

    JamesKPowers Peon

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    #9
    You need alot of guts to get that started. Hosting is a brutal business with companies undercutting each other on price almost daily.

    It's hard for a new comer to compete with all the big companies such as Hostgator as so on who have litreally hundreds of thousands of clients and can afford to make money on the mass number where you are going to have to charge alot more to break even.

    On top of that they'll have full time staff answering support and affiliate managers making sure they're selling their accounts. If you want to compete with that Kudos, but make sure you have a very specific niche and go out there marketing strong!
     
    JamesKPowers, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  10. D_C

    D_C Well-Known Member

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    #10
    It is all about providing something no one else does, and providing it (and everything else) at a high quality.
     
    D_C, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  11. 2hr.info

    2hr.info Guest

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    #11
    It's cheaper, professional and better to go for cheap reseller web hosting which provides WHMCS. It's to complicated to install it at your home.
     
    2hr.info, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  12. hostwebdata

    hostwebdata Peon

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    #12
    to start going with a reseller account it cheaper then vps or dedicated server
     
    hostwebdata, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  13. Stroh

    Stroh Notable Member

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    #13
    One thing I would never do... never host it in your own house. Find a facility close to you that you can colocate at or go abroad and do remote stuff with a KVM over IP line.

    Oh and don't forget a SSL certificate. You want your client's info secure.
     
    Stroh, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  14. HOD-Jardin

    HOD-Jardin Peon

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    #14
    If you want to keep expenses down at the beginning your best bet would be to buy a Reseller account from a reliable host or a vps server.

    When the time is right, make the switch.

    Please don't offer unlimited packages, too many hosts think It = $$$
     
    HOD-Jardin, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  15. HOD-Jardin

    HOD-Jardin Peon

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    #15
    Yes as Stroh mentioned about SSL, make a point of adding SSL to your billing system.

    I am sure Godaddy are selling SSL Certs @ $8/9

    Assure your clients that there data is safe
     
    HOD-Jardin, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  16. Vinsar

    Vinsar Active Member

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    #16
    You will need lot more than what you think and have listed here.

    Redundant power spply
    Redundant Connectivity (BGP)
    Lots of IPs
    Redundant Cooling
    Firewall/Routers/Racks/Raised Flooring
    Backup System
    Support Staff
    And what not

    Those million dollar data centers are not there just for nothing.

    If you calculate the investment involved in setting up the whole facility just for one server, you will see it is better to rent a server from a reputed DC or colo your server with them.

    Technically you may be sound as you said, but running a business needs lot more than that.

    Visit http://www.webhostingtalk.com and see what is going around in the hosting world.
     
    Vinsar, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  17. taminder

    taminder Peon

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    #17
    collocate. one of the funniest things I see is some web hosting providers that offer dedicated hosting, but the people that host them offer cheaper prices.
     
    taminder, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  18. HOD-Jardin

    HOD-Jardin Peon

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    #18
    The things you will need to invest in if just starting off is finding a reliable hosting company.

    Buy a Reseller Account or VPS

    Get a nice website designed

    Stuff like Redundant power supply's are really good to have but you are starting off.... You want to keep a budget.

    BGP Connectivity is provided by the Transit (don't really need to worry unless you are buying a rack or colocating your server)
     
    HOD-Jardin, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  19. D_C

    D_C Well-Known Member

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    #19
    I will try out a reseller account as suggested by everyone. Thanks for the advice guys! I'll start at reseller, work my way up to VPS and go on from there. Thanks!
     
    D_C, Dec 1, 2009 IP
  20. Vinsar

    Vinsar Active Member

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    #20
    Congratulations, that's a wise decision.

    Try to get a reseller account that allows overselling. That way you will be able to sell more than what you have.
     
    Vinsar, Dec 1, 2009 IP