Web Hosting for Profit
For successfully being able to run a good reseller web hosting company, you need to have a sound knowledge of the science of computers, besides patience in abundance. After the innovation of the Control Panel, many people may think that a sound technical knowledge is no more the necessity, as the Control Panel makes the job of getting a pre-built server, and thus hosting a site, very easy. But things are a bit complex. Though you can get a dedicated server on lease and after having a good knowledge of Control Panel, you actually can commence hosting of sites, but always keep in mind that certain limitations are associated with the Control Panel.
For a successful run of your web hosting company in the long run, consider the ten steps that are mentioned below:
Step 1: Select a platform which you wish to use
You can think of using UNIX over Windows as the former is an open source program, and therefore cheaper, besides having a stable environment for web hosting. Although most of the programs can run on both of them, ASP, MS-SQL, .NET, etc. are supported by Windows only. If you are not sure about which host you want to use, you can choose a web host that will offer both the operating systems under one plan.
Step 2: Decide on the Control Panel of your choice
Control Panels differ from the easy ones that are extremely accessible and have essential characteristics together with the organizational ones and also the multifaceted ones for example the H-Sphere System.
Step 3: Choose the reseller-hosting contributor
To start a web hosting company, this is a very significant decision. You have to remember that your web hosting company will command equal status as your preferred reseller hosting company. Customers do not think that the companies which offer cheap packages are better. A few areas where the company should score are:
* Customer support: Ensure that the company has round-the-clock telephone support for the customers. If not, they should have a good email support with quick response to queries. These factors will give the customers a fair idea of how the company will be able to help them when they need them.
* Control Panel and the platform: Ensure that your Control Panel has several features which you can use.
* Flexibility and features: Make sure that the initial cost that you charge to the customers includes enough bandwidth, not only for them to begin smoothly, but even be sufficient when their business expands.
* Reputation of the company: A good company always has customer forum where prospective customers can check out the forum and talk to other members about what their experience with the company has been like.
* Experience of the company in this field: The longer the company has been in the business of providing web hosting services, the better it will be.
Step 4: Prepare the hosting policies and settle the costs
Although you may want to offer a host of plans to your customers, do not burden them with too many to choose from. To begin with, offering them three to five plans will be enough. You should also have a close look at your competition and keep a check on what they are doing. You should also attempt to find a niche of the customers that is still left unsatisfied. It is fine if you oversell your resources if you can compensate for it by charging the individuals with services such as domain registrations, IP addresses, web stats, etc.
Step 5: Get a business website developed
Make sure to keep your website as simple as possible, and also ensure that it is user-friendly. Customers always look for something which they want, so make sure that you satisfy their needs. So it would be a better option not to waste time on telling the prospective customers about you. Rather, you can use the space to tell them how you will be able to solve their needs with affordable price and good service. You might want to use as little words as possible, but make sure that the main page has a minimum of 500 words. This would be very crucial for getting results in search engines. You can either design a website by yourself, or hire the services of a professional.
Step 6: Prepare the site for E-Commerce
You will need a payment entry, a trade account and a SSL certificate to get payments online. These are some characteristics of online trade you have to get used to.
Step 7: Offer the customers good support
Getting the backup of your clients is essential as far as web-hosting plans are concerned. You can get either a policy or a Control Panel with a ready helpdesk, like H-Sphere. For starters you can use these service system that you will be producing, but after that its your choice. You can have a column of Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] that will solve some preliminary troubles of the clients. Ensure an efficient email system and a fast phone backing to solve the clients problems in a short time.
Step 8: Setting up the billing of your client
You will need a billing software with a merchant gateway for this purpose, principally the one which integrates with your Control Panel like the H-Sphere. A few examples are:
* H-Sphere: It includes a complete billing system which will give you total control over all resources and allow you to plan prices which you will charge from the customers.
* PayPal: This system is a moderately easier one that is well matched with many Control Panels.
* Authorize Net: It is an adaptable entry method that is well matched with the foremost credit card sellers, and many of the Control Panels.
Step 9: Design a welcome email
A welcome email for your new clients is compulsory. You can include the following:
* Complete details of the plan the customer has selected
* the registrar and the DNS changes
* An username and a provisional password
* a direct link to the Control Panel
* Connections to the significant topics like client support, FAQs and so on.
Step 10: Marketing the website
Marketing is important as it will make sure that customers keep visiting your site all the time even though marketing a site is expensive and time-consuming also. Remember that website marketing is not a one-time matter, but an ongoing process. The following aspects should be considered:
* attracting search engine results
* affiliate programs and paid advertising
* Information sheets
These tips are the very fundamental ones and are exemplary not comprehensive. Making a web-hosting site is demanding, but not unattainable if you are dedicated to the matter. Several fresh businesses are forthcoming every day but it has not yet reached the level of completeness, as efficient corporations are still absent. Keep in mind the customer demands and then of course, unconfirmed reports can do a lot! Bear in mind, the client is the master!
