Steps to Becoming a Web Host Reseller

You've decided to get a reseller web hosting account to resell web space. What now? Here's a step-by-step guide.

1. Choose the platform you want to use.

More open source software programs are available for Linux than for Windows, which makes Linux less expensive. While most programs (Perl, PHP, Flash, etc.) run on both platforms, a few run on only Windows or Linux. A site that requires ASP or MS Access, for example, requires a Windows platform.

2. Choose the control panel you want to use.

Control panels for websites range from very basic to loaded with features. As a reseller, you'll also have a control panel for you to set up and control hosting accounts.

In Choosing Your Hosting Automation Software, we compare several control panels, all of which offer good features for web host resellers.

3. Choose your web host.

The web host company that you choose for your reseller account is a key decision - your business success depends on the quality of your host. Factors to consider when choosing a web host for a reseller account:

  • The platform and control panel

  • Account features

  • The company's reputation - search for online reviews by clients

  • The record of server uptime

  • The level of support - how fast does tech support respond to support requests, especially time-sensitive ones?

  • Flexibility - does the web host have packages that allow you to upgrade when your needs increase? Will they customize plans if necessary?

  • How long the web host has been in business - while a new web host may be very good, many web hosting businesses fail within the first year

  • Price - consider what is included in the price

  • Get Started with reseller hosting.

4. Set up your hosting plans and prices

Divide your bandwidth by your disk space to find out the ratio of bandwidth to disk space that you can offer. Take into account any ratios that differ if you upgrade to a larger package, and then base your packages on that ratio.

For pricing, consider what competitors charge, but also factor in any additional services you'll be offering.

5. Develop a business website

You have three main choices for website development:

  • Create a website using an existing website template http://www.websitesource.com/clientarea/reseller_website_templates.shtml

  • Hire a designer or a design company to design your site for you http://design.websitesource.com/design/elements_custom-work.php

  • If you have web design skills, design your site yourself

Include all the information that clients will want to know about your services and company.

6. Make your site e-commerce ready

To be able to accept payments for hosting accounts, you'll to set up:

  • An SSL certificate

  • A merchant account

  • A payment gateway

7. Set up a helpdesk

A helpdesk allows clients to contact you with support requests and you to track and respond to those requests.

8. Set up billing

With an automated billing system, clients are billed and payments are registered with little effort on your part. Most billing software licenses are priced per month or per year, with some billing software companies offering prices for lifetime licenses.

Some popular billing and payment processing systems:

When you choose a billing software program, check if it's compatible with your server platform and if support is included.

9. Create a welcome email

After you set up hosting accounts for your clients, you'll need to send them a welcome email. Include in this email:

  • A confirmation of the plan details

  • The nameserver names

  • A username and temporary password

  • A link to the control panel

  • Links to your knowledge base / FAQ and to your helpdesk

10. Market your website

Submit your site to search engines. Tell your family, friends, and business acquaintances about your website. Include a link to it in your signature line in outgoing emails. But don't stop there - market your website http://www.marketingcontrolpanel.com via incoming links, advertising, newsletters, and special offers.

About the author: Technical Executive Writer for Website Source, Inc. http://www.websitesource.com whose established writing skills coupled with experience in the website hosting industry have provided internet professionals with marketing, product and service ideas for many years.

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How to Move Your Domain Without Any Downtime

With a little advanced planning, moving your domain to a... Read More

Reseller Web Hosting - A Cheaper Alternative?

There comes a time when the internet bug hits us... Read More

Is Free Hosting Really Free?

Sooner or later, as everyone finds out, nothing in this... Read More

How to Choose a Web Host - Frequently Asked Questions

In this article you'll be provided with helpful information about... Read More

Bound To Your Old Expensive Web Host by Fear?

You're not alone! Many people are bound to the old... Read More

Dedicated Web Hosting : The Executive Summary

What is Dedicated Web Hosting? Dedicated web hosting can alleviate... Read More

Fun with DNS: Three Useful Commands

The DNS is a distributed, hierarchical database where authority flows... Read More

Web Hosting Woes for Beginners

Every individual when it starts surfing the net for choosing... Read More

7 Key Ingredients for Rock Solid Website Hosting

Every website needs a great web host, however when you... Read More

Server Host: Where Does My Web Page Go?

For those of you who don't really understand where or... Read More

Cheap Hosting Packages and Low Cost Web Hosting - Watch For Hidden Costs

If you're shopping around for an affordable web hosting plan,... Read More

Useful Tips When Applying For A Web Host Provider

Once you have considered the design for your website and... Read More

How To Find The Best Web Hosting For You

Deciding on the best web hosting company for a web... Read More

Steps to Becoming a Web Host Reseller

You've decided to get a reseller web hosting account to... Read More

Adult Web Hosting: The All You Need To Know

What sort of web hosting options should you go for... Read More

Who Should Become a Web Host Reseller?

You're the webmaster of more than one website. You design... Read More

Webhosting for Blogs - Free or Paid Service

Blogging is an abbreviation of "web-logging". The simplest definition of... Read More

UNIX vs. Windows- What Server Operating System Should You Use for Your Web Hosting?

So you've decided to create a website? The most obvious... Read More

Handling Your Email Addresses

--Company Email Addresses--Web hosting companies should provide company email accounts... Read More

Free or Paid Web Hosting?

Just finished your first website? So it's the time to... Read More

Five Quick Ways to Determine One Hosting Company From Another

These days, web hosting companies are popping up faster than... Read More

How VOIP Has Helped Change Web Hosting

There is really no stopping VOIP (voice over internet protocol)... Read More

What is a Web Host Reseller Account?

A web host reseller account is a web hosting account... Read More

The Top 10 Essential Ingredients of Every Linux Hosting Plan (Package)

Any website comprises the following ? Domain name, Webspace, Webpages.Lets... Read More

Choosing the Right Web Host

So you've decided about your website design and now you... Read More

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) ? How to use it to Fight Email Forgery

Spam is a real problem today. Forged email is a... Read More

Low Cost Web Hosting Services ? Dont Forget About Uptime

Once you have your company's web site up and running,... Read More

Choosing a Hosting Service: A Checklist for Business Owners

For a website to appear on the Internet, you require... Read More

Finding a reliable hosting provider

The website hosting business is very competitive these days with... Read More

Reseller Hosting Explained

Reseller Defined:The term Reseller according to the dictionary means to... Read More

Web Hosting Service ? What you Need to Know to Change Web Hosting Providers

When service at your web hosting company is lacking, or... Read More

Demand Unlimited Auto-Responders with Your Hosting Accounting

AutoResponders are nifty scripts that run in your web server... Read More

Budget Web Hosting - Dirty Secrets That Can Squash Your Websites Chance of Success

When it comes to budget web hosting, there are a... Read More