Want to Be a Web Host?

If you're interesting in starting a Web hosting business, you don't have to run out right away and invest thousands of dollars in high-end Web servers, software and infrastructure. Your start in the business can come more quickly and inexpensively if you sign up as a reseller an established Web hosting company.

What's a Web host reseller? Just like the term suggests, it's a business that resells the services of another hosting company under its own brand name. As a reseller, you can offer hosting services at prices of your own choosing, target specific markets that interest you most and add other options or services that the Web host you buy from doesn't offer. Your customers don't even have to know that you're a reseller (although some resellers choose to be upfront about their status as a way to build customer trust).

Why would anyone choose to host with a reseller instead of a "real" Web host that operates its own hosting facility? Some people prefer hosting their Website with a one- or few-person operation where they know they can call up and ask for the owner by name. Others appreciate a reseller who can offer add-on services other hosts might not have; for example, writing services, custom Web graphics or public-relations services. And some customers like having a reseller host that understands their particular niche - whether it's hosting for educational sites, women's groups, not-for-profits, etc. - better than a regular hosting company might.

So what does it take to get started as a Web host reseller? Understanding the basics of hosting technology - knowing the difference between Windows 2000 and Unix, for example, feeling comfortable with FTP (file transfer protocol) programs, and having a grasp of concepts like bandwidth, megabytes of storage and POP email - is essential. After all, you don't want your top answer to customers to be, "I don't know," whenever they have a technical problem with their Websites (and, sooner or later, they all will).

You can learn a lot by becoming a regular visitor to online Web hosting industry forums, where hosts, resellers and customers discuss everything from pricing, marketing and Web design to database scripting, bandwidth management and Internet security. Check out sites like ResellerForums.com (http://www.resellerforums.com), WebHostingTalk (http://www.webhostingtalk.com) and Web Host Directory Forums (http://forums.webhostdir.com), and don't be afraid to ask questions after you've made sure the answer isn't already on the forum somewhere.

Once you're comfortable with the ABCs of the hosting biz, make sure you develop a business plan so your reselling venture starts off with a solid foundation. Web host reselling is as real a business as any other, not a get-rich-quick or get-rich-easy scheme, so the more research and work you put into it before launching, the better your odds of success.