Web Hosting 101

Reseller web hosting is like subletting your rented apartment.  In a nut shell, a web designer or anyone wanting to sell web hosting buys web  hosting and domain name registration services from a web host and then re-markets these services for resale under their own company name.  Obviously, this would not fly with just any web host but there are a number of web hosts who gladly promote and work with resellers. Furthermore, keep in mind that free web hosting providers generally don’t offer reseller web hosting options.

The upside for the web host is the unpaid marketing and sales staff in the form of the reseller who provides paying customers.  For the reseller, it provides an opportunity to make a profit on each end of the process from web design to hosting.  In many instances, designers would make recommendations or have a basic understanding of which web host will work in cooperation best with their site requirements.  This way they receive compensation for promoting web hosting services without incurring the cost of becoming a full-fledged web hosting business and maintaining their own servers and equipment.

Be cautious in the contractual arrangements you make with a web host as a reseller.   There are several server set-ups you may encounter from having a virtual dedicated server to cohabitating with your own server in the host’s space and under their watchful eye.  In the latter arrangement, the web host typically provides technical support and/or server maintenance.

Either way have a firm understanding of the degree of control you will maintain in factors regarding the number of accounts available to you for resell, languages and applications the server can accommodate, extras available to your clients (like POP3 accounts, free domain names, technical support), and a user-friendly and effective site administrator.

And always, always, go with a reputable reseller web hosting company even if it means paying a little more.  Beat the message boards for feedback, ask about money-back guarantees, get an overview of the operation and capabilities, look for straight forward pricing, and get an itemized quote for set-up, operation, overages, and when necessary expansion, to avoid hidden fees or unexpected charges.

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