For those of you who do web design, would you recommend getting a hosting reseller account or do you create new normal accounts for customers (with referral code) each time? pros/cons? thanks
I would suggest you to get yourself a affordable reseller account. You'll have control over your accounts and can easily manage your clients. You can set your own margins on pricing and don't have to go threw another company. In the end it will pay off. If you have to learn about resellers and the equipment needed to make shared accounts for your clients then look into it and hear what others have to say.
Reseller account is the best choice in my opinion. You can then charge your clients what you want for hosting, or provide it for free (figure cost into you other service costs). You get control over things this way and your client doesn't have to deal with another company (convenience). With a decent reseller account, you have the option of just doing everything in the backend for them (when they don't want to get involved in "tech stuff") but can also set up a simple site with a billing system where they can order their own hosting package right on your reseller account. It provides a good option for both the hands-off clients and the do-it-yourself clients.
Two replies that are applicable to this situation. -People are always looking for a company that will deliver a competitively priced product and do it with a better level of customer service. -While a company can have a monopoly in their industry, it never has a monopoly on marketing, and people respond to marketing. (US market share numbers for Bing since the re-branding, and upping their marketing game, might be of interest)