Steps To Becoming A Web Host Reseller
By Staff, WebsiteSource.com, Fri Dec 9th
b>Steps to becoming a web host reseller
You’ve decided to get a reseller web hosting account toresell 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 thanfor Windows, which makes Linux less expensive. While mostprograms (Perl, PHP, Flash, etc.) run on both platforms, a fewrun on only Windows or Linux. A site that requires ASP or MSAccess, for example, requires a Windows platform. 2. Choosethe control panel you want to use.
Control panels for websites range from very basic to loadedwith features. As a reseller, you’ll also have a control panelfor you to set up and control hosting accounts.
In Choosing Your Hosting Automation Software, we compareseveral control panels, all of which offer good features for webhost resellers. 3. Choose your web host.
The web host company that you choose for your reseller accountis a key decision — your business success depends on the qualityof your host. Factors to consider when choosing a web host for areseller account:
- The platform and control panel
- Account features
- The company’s reputation — search for online reviews byclients
- The record of server uptime
- The level of support — how fast does tech support respond tosupport requests, especially time-sensitive ones?
- Flexibility — does the web host have packages that allow youto upgrade when your needs increase? Will they customize plansif necessary?
- How long the web host has been in business — while a new webhost may be very good, many web hosting businesses fail withinthe first year
- Price — consider what is included in the price
- Get Started with reseller hosting.http://www.websitesource.com
4. Set up your hosting plans and prices
Divide your bandwidth by your disk space to find out the ratioof bandwidth to disk space that you can offer. Take into accountany ratios that differ if you upgrade to a larger package, andthen base your packages on that ratio.
For pricing, consider what competitors charge, but also factorin any additional services you’ll be offering. 5. Develop abusiness website
You have three main choices for website development:
- Create a website using an
existing website templatehttp://www.websitesource.com/clientarea/reseller_website_templates.shtml
- Hire a designer or a design company to design your site foryouhttp://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 knowabout your services and company. 6. Make your site e-commerceready
To be able to accept payments for hosting accounts, you’ll toset up:
- An SSL certificate
- A merchant account
- A payment gateway
7. Set up a helpdesk
A helpdesk allows clients to contact you with support requestsand you to track and respond to those requests. 8. Set upbilling
With an automated system, clients are billed andpayments are registered with little effort on your part. Mostbilling software licenses are priced per month or per year, withsome software companies offering prices for lifetimelicenses.
Some popular and payment processing systems:
- Modernbill http://www.modernbill.com/
- ClientExec http://www.clientexec.com/
- WHM.Autopilot http://www.whmautopilot.com/
- Whois.Cart http://www.whoiscart.net/
When you choose a software program, check if it’scompatible 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 needto 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 toit in your signature line in outgoing emails. But don’t stopthere — market your website http://www.marketingcontrolpanel.comvia incoming links, advertising, newsletters, and specialoffers.
About the author:Lois S. is a Technical Executive Writer for http://www.websitesource.com and http://www.lowpricedomains.com withexperience in the website hosting industry.
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