Legal Option for Hosting Others' Websites?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by FuzX, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. #1
    I'm interested in starting a web design business, where I will offer services such as designing websites and website upkeep. I already started a website for this, but when it came to upkeep services, I reached a dilemma. I don't own a server, and I don't plan to; personally I host my websites on GoDaddy. So I was thinking of running sites through GoDaddy for anyone who was interested in paying me a monthly fee for me to keep their website online. But I realized that to do that I would have to set up their domain and hosting in their name, and would have to have access to both. Would it be legal for me to do it in their name? And if not, do you guys have any ideas as to what I should do instead? The biggest thing I'm thinking about are domains. I'm not sure I can register them under someone else's name, even if they give me permission. I'm thinking now that keeping the domain ownership to myself might be the only safe way, but I really don't want to do that.
     
    FuzX, Feb 23, 2010 IP
  2. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #2
    Stay away from godaddy hosting - it is horrible. Use another host such as hostgator or similar and become a reseller. You can the set up individual accounts and bill the client for hosting. Just remember, if any of your clients violate the hosts tos, your account will likely be terminated and this will take down all the sites you have hosted for yourself and your clients.
     
    mjewel, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  3. FuzX

    FuzX Peon

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    #3
    I've heard that Godaddy hosting is bad but I just use it because I've been using it for a long time. I just checked out the Hostgator reselling plan and it does look interesting. But won't they be understanding if a customer violates the TOS provided that I remove them? Hopefully they warn resellers before banning. In any case, I may try the reseller plan. Especially since I found a coupon that lets me get the first month free without paying for anything else, hehe.
     
    FuzX, Feb 26, 2010 IP
  4. abhijit

    abhijit Notable Member

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    #4
    What is your budget...........for this type of hosting........
     
    abhijit, Feb 26, 2010 IP
  5. FuzX

    FuzX Peon

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    #5
    I don't know for certain yet. And for now, I'd like to stick with publicly known reselling services.
     
    FuzX, Feb 26, 2010 IP
  6. abhijit

    abhijit Notable Member

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    #6
    mostly people are using directi domain reseller....................so you can use that but there is some minimum deposit..........amount to open an account
     
    abhijit, Feb 26, 2010 IP
  7. joebert

    joebert Well-Known Member

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    #7
    Help them with signing up for an account at Godaddy for themselves. Then help them appoint you as an "Account Executive" I believe they call it. This will keep everything legal and still give you access to the account.
     
    joebert, Mar 1, 2010 IP