View Full Version : Becoming a reseller and something else unrelated
Is it worth it? With the downturn, I'm not exactly flush for cash. My job is (relatively) secure and cash flow is healthy, but with the high cost of living, predictions of rising fuel prices again, it can be a little disheartening to be working just as hard as last year, but seeing less floating cash at the end of each month. So, how to make up that new shortfall with a little extra cash? That's the plan anyway. I've been told reselling hosting is an easy way to make a little extra cash. Nothing huge, but just a trickle of revenue to add the to the stream.
So, how easy is it actually? What's actually involved? I've read some host websites who offer reselling, like Vidahost and UK2, but I wasn't entirely sure on what would be *their* responsibility, and what would be *mine* They just used words like "support" and "responsibility" on my behalf, but then said that they "cover everything with the hosting" So, what's "everything" entail? Surely not literally everything, otherwise it would be a little too easy.
Those in the know, let me know. :)
Now for the unrelated part, after further discussing with a friend on how to pick up cash on the side, he recommended that I should get into copywriting/reviewing. Apparently I have a way with words (new to me) so I might do ok with it. The odd website or advert here and there from people who know what they want to say, but not quite how to say it, if you know what I mean?
Thoughts? Anybody tried it? :)
Blighter
23-02-2009, 20:00
How about building a massive hole under your house, storing petrol, then selling it when the prices rise? :p
On topic though... Both me and someone I know have tried being resellers before and unless you have the cash up front for advertising etc then it isn't worth it. There are SO many other people out there doing it. You also need to think about your prices; too low and it'll put people off as they'll think its crap, too high and you won't get the custom or profit.
Chuckles
23-02-2009, 20:28
I think it's too saturated to get into dedicated reselling.
However, you are a webdev IIRC? Couldn't you just offer to host the site at £x per month when it's completed? That way, you'd get custom without having to spend money on advertising.
I am, but I'll be careful where I tread with that one. Can't go undercutting the company and poaching clients.
A sideline in my own time is a different story though. Would be nice to offer an actual package to totally seperate people. Probably individuals, wouldn't have the time to handle e-commerce, web app projects.
I've got a reseller account simply because it allows me to host a few different domains that I need. It's pretty easy to set up and you can chop and change the way the accounts are run. You'll get a total HDD space and bandwidth and you can allow different amounts for different accounts if you wish. Each customer has their own cPanel and any support issues are sent to you. If you can fix them, great. If not, you can get your host to sort the issue if it's out of your hands.
Beansprout
24-02-2009, 00:05
As a reseller you have the ability to create your own cPanel accounts as if you were signing up for multiple hosting accounts. You get access to a separate interface which easily lets you manage them all (set disk quotas, passwords, feature limits etc), but you're still on a shared hosting server which we look after.
The other alternative is to become an affiliate, whereby we pay you 25% of the order value of anyone you send our way for hosting :)
Now for the unrelated part, after further discussing with a friend on how to pick up cash on the side, he recommended that I should get into copywriting/reviewing. Apparently I have a way with words (new to me) so I might do ok with it. The odd website or advert here and there from people who know what they want to say, but not quite how to say it, if you know what I mean?
Thoughts? Anybody tried it? :)
I'm not sure that would be ideal for you. You'd have to resist the urge to argue the toss with all the opinions you didn't agree with:
"Hi. I've completed the review of your latest content and while the spelling, punctuation and grammar are all flawless, I have to say that I completely disagree with..."
:evil:
As Chuckles says, reselling is over-saturated as is hosting in general. The real benefit is that it allows you to offer a more complete solution to your clients so perhaps you should concentrate on developing web sites for people and offering them the necessary hosting alongside your primary deliverable. Offer solutions rather than specific technology, etc.
I'm not sure that would be ideal for you. You'd have to resist the urge to argue the toss with all the opinions you didn't agree with:
"Hi. I've completed the review of your latest content and while the spelling, punctuation and grammar are all flawless, I have to say that I completely disagree with..."
:evil:
To be honest that's just professionalism, personal opinion doesn't come into it. Hence why I didn't say a single word about designing/developing a website about a religious book, promoting religious preaching etc. :)
...just professionalism...
"Just"?
In years to come you'll understand professionalism is actually in very short supply. Generally speaking, the more experience you gain, and the more organisations you work with, the more unprofessionalism and general ineptness you'll see.
Beansprout
24-02-2009, 19:03
It's interesting hearing people say that hosting is oversaturated....I suppose it is but only in the area of low-budget or run-of-the-mill hosting. No USP, no history, no reason for anyone to choose you.
However I started only a few years ago with just a bit of cash, some experience, and an idea of what I wanted to provide, and I think most of you know my company now :)
There's always a market for innovative or low-cost solutions - as an example, large dedicated server providers are now rolling out VDS hosting services which you wouldn't have thought they'd bother with a year or so ago.
There's a huge market of people needing a website, needing an easier-to-understand service however to supply this you need to do it full time and have the necessary tools and experience. You also need an advertising budget, or a network of folk who'll advertise for you which is why we created our affiliate program, for people like iCraig who could do with the extra cash but don't want to setup their own business :)
After all - reselling or not - it's still a business you're running, and usually our resellers are web developers / website owners who have no interest in selling hosting, but have to give it to their clients as part of their products.
I'd advise against trying to do part-time hosting - recently took over a hosting company run by a guy who was essentially doing just that (which is why he was selling off), and in just a couple of weeks or so I could tell how it was just frustrating him and his clients - he'd get home at 7 and have to resolve queries his clients sent in at 9, then chased up at 12, and 3, and 6....
Slinwagh
24-02-2009, 20:07
I used to run an auction site a few years ago.
It was the time eBay banned the sale of paintball guns. Myself and a couple of mates who played paintball decided to setup a dedicated paintball auction site.
It cost £110 for the software plus about £50 for hosting, domain and SSL certificate. We cover all our costs pretty much straight away and then all the subsequent money then paid for our paintball trips.
I still have a full license for the software now and have mulled over the idea of getting something up and running again.
Blighter
25-02-2009, 00:28
I used to run an auction site a few years ago.
It was the time eBay banned the sale of paintball guns. Myself and a couple of mates who played paintball decided to setup a dedicated paintball auction site.
It cost £110 for the software plus about £50 for hosting, domain and SSL certificate. We cover all our costs pretty much straight away and then all the subsequent money then paid for our paintball trips.
I still have a full license for the software now and have mulled over the idea of getting something up and running again.
Cool. Which software?
Slinwagh
25-02-2009, 00:29
Cool. Which software?
http://www.phpprobid.com/
I still get the updates if I ever want to download them.
iCraig, I don't know about your specific capabilities but I'm guessing if you're a web designer, you're pretty artistic with the various paint packages? If so, perhaps this place?
http://www.designcontest.net
You can join their design team and submit designs for which you'll be paid if you win. My place has used it to source designs rather than submit them and we're really pleased with the results.
Just as an example, there's a guy who paid out $650 for the design that won :cool:
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