So you’re looking to make a couple of extra bucks, and you’re wondering if getting into reseller hosting can be a lucrative option if you have a little bit of money to invest.
Let’s delve into this question a little bit in order to see what the investment entails (probably more than you think) and what your potential return might be on that investment.
1] Web Hosting
In today’s world, businesses cannot survive without a website. Whether the site is an e-commerce page or strictly informational, the first thing any potential client or partner will look at before doing business with a company is its website. They won’t just look at whether or not the company has one, either.
They’ll look at the domain, they’ll look at the content, they’ll look at the design, and they’ll even look at the speed it takes for the site to load. Shoddily-designed websites on cheap shared-hosting platforms will be a turn-off to potential business partners.
That’s where you come in.
2] Reseller Hosting
Reseller hosting works thus: A client purchases hard drive space and bandwidth from a hosting provider such as Greengeeks, who even offer accounts tailor-made for reselling. Once you purchase this bandwidth, you will, in essence, start to act as a mini hosting company.
At that point, you can give yourself a snazzy new business name, create your own website, and start selling hosting to potential clients. It is strongly recommended that you verify the companies you buy reseller hosting from. Do your research and read reviews online.
You’re making a significant investment. Shoddy speeds and non-existent customer service can sink your reseller hosting dreams faster than you can say “404 File Not Found.”
3] Qualifications
Purchasing reseller hosting and trying to sell it is easy enough, but that doesn’t mean everyone will be successful doing it. A dollop of that old entrepreneurial spirit is all well and good, but you won’t get anywhere unless you know how to do certain things.
Selling hosting plans to potential customers is like selling any product online. You need to know how to target and reach potential customers. The person most likely to succeed at reseller hosting is one that has already sold things on the web, be they physical products or services. Ideally, this is just something an online entrepreneur would add to his portfolio.
Novices looking to break into the world of online sales can try their hand at becoming a hosting reseller. Just be aware it requires more investment up-front than other potential options.
4] Choose Your Destiny
Clients will no longer be limited by the specific packages other hosts put together. You will be able to offer them a personalized hosting package to suit their specific needs. From a financial standpoint, this can be great for you, as well, since you’ll be able to charge for every feature you provide.
If you want to charge for e-mail or domain management, you’ll be able to do that. If you want to package everything together with a red bow, you can do that too. It’s entirely up to you.
5] One-Stop-Shop
Remember what I said above about adding reseller hosting to your portfolio? Well, doing so can create a synergy between your hosting plans and other products you may carry. For example, let’s say you design websites and have a client that knows absolutely nothing about building a website.
You can package your hosting plan with your design, allowing the client to have a completely hassle-free experience with the creation of their website. You’ve now become a one-stop shop, and can offer your customer good value, since they’re purchasing multiple products from you.
6] Scalability
One of the best things about reseller hosting is that it is easily scalable. If you’re doing something that works and earning $1000 a month, chances are, you can purchase more hosting space and scale it up. Just be ready to expand your operation when you do.
7] Get Yourself Out There
Of course, you will need to invest in order to get there. When you start a new online business, it’s like your store is in a basement collecting dust. You need to get traffic. You need to put yourself in a mall. As such, you will have to invest in Google Adwords, Facebook ads, SEO, and many more marketing initiatives.
Perhaps you already know how to target relevant customers. If you don’t, hiring someone that does will be an additional cost that eats into your profitability, so keep that in mind.
We hope the above information has helped you. In today’s world, there are tons of ways to make money online, but just as many ways to fail. Hopefully, the information we’ve given you will help you decide whether or not reseller hosting is for you.
