Hello guys. I am 19 years old, and am very new to this field. However, I do have experience in running servers, etc. I mean, I've never actually run a web hosting company before. But I do know my way around SSH, root access and WHM. As I have worked for a few small web hosting companies before. I have always been interested in starting my own web hosting business. I have always been fascinated by the world wide web and by creating websites. Don't ask me why, as I don't know. I have just always been fascinated. But I am a little skeptical now. I have been doing a lot of research lately. I cannot believe how much competiton I will be going up against. I'm actually kind of nervous, I want to succeed, but how can I fight for dominance amongst all these competitors? I would like to be able to provide shared, reseller, master reseller, and VPS hosting. There is a good dedicated server deal from Kimsufi for £43.99 a month. This server would enable me to run VPSes, have a really good processor, huge RAM, and a gigantic hard drive. However, £43.99 is a lot of money to spend a month when you're just starting out. So I started looking at the reseller plans, but they only allow you to sell shared hosting. The master reseller plans are better as you can then sell resellers as well, but I dunno....I just don't trust them. Sorry guys, I'm talking my thoughts now. How would I go about starting this new business venture?
If you don't have big budget, try find some partner then buy alpha master reseller from reputed hosting provide. How much your budget/month? Â
I could possibly say around £50 a month. But I would like to get customers with that. Mhmmm...any ideas?
That's the key to success or failure; you have to find a way into the market. Web hosting is highly competitive since the idea of reseller hosting started. Now, you see hundreds of reseller host going out of business because they have the “build it and they will come†mentality. With any market you have to wiggle yourself in. The best way to have success in web hosting is find a niche within the demand. For example, you would start off at a local level serving businesses from your home town then move up to a national level or you could provide hosting to only a niche of clients (dentists, lawyers). Once you have an income and a recognized brand that’s when you go national. I would even suggest setting up multiple sites for different niches and creating a completely different site for a national audience. Bottom line – it all depends on the work your willing to put into it.
Then we've struck a problem. Because I live in a remote little country village in the middle of some tucked up moorland in the UK. LOL! Providing web hosting to the locals, who average between 70-80 years of age, will not get me anywhere. There has to be another way.
I suggested two avenues. Local level or niche based hosting. If you can’t work at a local level, then, market your services to different types of clients. You will be surprised by the demand that is within the market. For example, dentists aren’t traditionally web savvy. A lot of them don’t realize that any web host will work. They may believe they need special hosting just for dentist. So, you create a niche based site focused only on hosting dentist. You can provide hosting, design and other services that they may need. Most dentists will prefer using you, because you “specialize†in dealing with only dentist. If you use this method with other types of clients (lawyers, painters, etc…), it works just as well. It's all about coming up with creative solutions.
Right, and how would I market the site? I am not prepared to pay for advertising just yet. And certainly not before I've started generating some income. Buying a server would be enough as it is, never mind advertising costs. And I can't advertise here on DP or on Web Hosting Talk (the two best forums) until I have been registered for 14 days. So, I've pretty much dug myself a hole, I admit that. But good job I'm asking these questions BEFORE I think about starting. Any ideas though guys? On how I can sneak into the market without being caught up by all those annoying costs?!
Well, more people ever year are using Google to find businesses. I would suggest you find what your audience is searching for and how they are typing it in. For example, if you're creating a web hosting company for dentist. Find out what dentist are searching for when they're looking to make a web site. Once you have that information focus your site around that keyword phrase. For example, if they’re typing in “hosting for dentistâ€, then get the domain hostingfordentist.com. It’s a fairly simple method. Get a targeted domain, write content around that domain, then get links from other sites relating to your target domain and hopefully you generate you some organic traffic, then use traditional methods of marketing to get even more clients.
Let me give you the heads up you need : - fast dedi with 1gbps (clients go for fast) - cpanel + addons and hostbill license - 5 support staff for 24/7 support - aged domain to show that you're not a newb - no social life If you are very lucky you might get a decent income (22k/year) after 3 years or more . Chances of failure ? Over 99% . Friendly advice - don't bother .
I've personally seen the worst little hosting companies grow and evolve into 5 figure per month businesses in pretty fast timeframes, but it is all about finding your niche in the market. You can't just take on the market at large, you'll lose to the multimillion dollar companies who were there first.
Never think of Kimsufi if you are newbie. There is really 0 management. You have to do everything. The only support they provide to you is hardware replacement in case of failure, and it takes long. And yeah! Kimsufi has crappy networks to US though they have best network in EU.
Mind sound blunt, but regardless to the response you get from people in regards to starting your own web hosting business, it'll only be as good as the service and effort you put in. Work hard, Have competitive prices and excellent service you'll probably build up your site well, A good idea would be to contact local businesses first
I would start out with a reseller plan or master reseller plan. Then go to hostingdiscussions.com webhostingchat.com webhostingtalk.com and advertise. Look for people who are asking/looking for web host and help then. They will in turn be your client. If you know how to do web design promote your local community and deisng website for local business and then charge for web hosting like $25 a month. That's what I did for 2 years. Like people said before me try and find a niche in the web hosting market(games, local etc..) Best of luck
Most people don't know how to sell (market a product). Which a reason for failure. Other being lack of cash, experience in dealing and closing a sale. Take for example Network solution, sends some firm out to webdeveloper asking for partnerships. They go where the market is. Yahoo for example works with some internet company in australia. If you are into webhosting, I suggest you find a partner (a portal is more like it). Find a few partners (advertise on their network) and pay for pay to click adsense via google or bing to get visitors. Google and bing is more expensive, you'll likely get 1 customer in 100 clicks if your product is good in terms of pricing. If you price above market you will get clicks but no sales. Believe me, pricing a product is also very important. -Pricing -Sales channel -Sales method Etc., If you are just buying equipments and stack it up, not even a fly will find you.