Becoming a reseller and something else unrelated

iCraig · 23-02-2009, 19:49

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?

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.

iCraig · 23-02-2009, 20:35

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.

Desmo · 23-02-2009, 22:46

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

phykell · 24-02-2009, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by iCraig

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..."

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.

iCraig · 24-02-2009, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by phykell

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..."

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.

phykell · 24-02-2009, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by iCraig

...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....

23-02-2009, 19:49	#1
iCraig iCustom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,250	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? __________________

23-02-2009, 20:00	#2
Blighter Dubious Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,571	How about building a massive hole under your house, storing petrol, then selling it when the prices rise? 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. __________________ Look at your signature, now back to mine, now back to yours, now back to mine. Sadly, yours isn't mine. But if you stopped writing about other things and made this your signature, yours could be like mine. Look down, back up. Where are you? You're on Boat Drinks, reading the signature your signature could be like. I'm on a computer. My Blog \| More Outdoors \| MSN \| Email \| Call Me

23-02-2009, 20:28	#3
Chuckles '09 sexual conquests: 4.5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,075	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. __________________

23-02-2009, 20:35	#4
iCraig iCustom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,250	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. __________________

23-02-2009, 22:46	#5
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	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. __________________

24-02-2009, 00:05	#6
Beansprout Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 488	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 __________________ Uploader Cartoons World Wind

24-02-2009, 19:03	#10
Beansprout Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 488	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.... __________________ Uploader Cartoons World Wind

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