Okay guys, I just wrote one of the largest blog posts I've ever encountered (Maybe that's because I really don't read any blogs : P). But seriously, it's well over 7000 words, and quite a few pages long!

Basically it's a detailed Guide on how to go about in starting your own web hosting Company. I know, I haven't covered everything ... but it would be a great place to start! Other web hosts, can also take a look at it and consider what they might be doing wrong, or how to maybe look at things differently.

I'm going to drop a link, as I Really don't want to copy, paste, reformat, and add all those pictures allllll over again. I hope that's okay with the mods, and the community.

Here it is:
http://www.bldhosting.net/blog/?p=143

Thanks Andrei, but no one can determine if I'm doing something wrong....

I can not say I read every thing in it but just went through that. It will be helpful for newbies starting hosting. Thanks for the link.

Yeah that is a hell of a guide, nice one mate.

--Stream

I think that before start doing anything or providing anything demand must be learned. Because start just to start that is not right strategy. IMO

Is self promotion allowed here??

Are you forwarding that at me?

And by the way, thanks for all the comments guys. It took me a really long while to actually write that up!

It actually is written for those new to web hosting. Could prove to be a handy guide!

The big question is not how to run a hosting company but why would anyone want to open one. You better be ready to be on the job 24/7 from the start. Thats the biggest problem from the start is being able to respond 24/7.

Why wouldn't anyone want to? Why would anyone want to start a SEO company, an online computer store, a search engine submitter, or an internet speed checker?

I'm hoping it's because they're interested in the field? Or else, things won't work out in their favor!

24/7 is not necessary. It's more about quality not quantity.

Why wouldn't anyone want to? Why would anyone want to start a SEO company, an online computer store, a search engine submitter, or an internet speed checker?

Andrei, I think because that is easy to start and easy to leave. Maybe that area is less competitive. Have no idea.

Originally Posted by dbinto

The big question is not how to run a hosting company but why would anyone want to open one. You better be ready to be on the job 24/7 from the start. Thats the biggest problem from the start is being able to respond 24/7.

When I started my hosting company (which I had to give to someone because of a car accident) I used to sleep with a laptop in my bed, and my body automatically trained itself to wake up when it heard a blip from my support software...

It was horrible, I'd get woken up at 3AM to answer a ticket!

I think what Andrei is trying to achieve here is to give people who are thinking about becoming a web host some ideas of where to start and what you'll need to accomplish this.

Even once you've learned what the current demand is you still need to understand what you have to do to become successful.

--Stream

Yeah, I read it my self, and it is a good detailed article. People new to the field could learn a thing or two off this. Nice work man.

It was interesting to read about that all. Thanks.

Just my two cents, although I didn't read the article (sorry no time ) is save up your money and do it properly. I would recommend getting a 30U rack with a company and start running off two servers, one server to host your support/billing/email/website, etc, and the other server for the accounts themselves and grow from there. DO NOT, I stress DO NOT place both client accounts and your site on the same server because when (not if) your client's server goes down or gets hacked they need a way to contact you and if your site is down clients will just walk.

And the reason for starting off with a rack from the start is that it's such a pain to switch into a rack afterwards (or move accounts between servers alltogether) so if you do it at once then your set. Sure it's expensive but if you are serious it's the way to go.

I was able to get a 30U rack lease with three dual-5130 servers and 18,000GB of bandwidth, plus a dedicated backend switch, for just over $1900 a month for someone that asked. Normally that should have cost over $4,000... They were basically getting all their hardware for free and just paying the bandwidth costs (or vice-versa). Also with a rack you can properly pool bandwidth.

Cody - That's getting into the specifics. This is a more of a what to do - what not do, how to handle clients, and what really happens server side. It goes as far as to mention that a reseller account may be an appropriate place to start. Seriously, the article would be endless if I started getting into such specifics!

Originally Posted by andrei155

Cody - That's getting into the specifics. This is a more of a what to do - what not do, how to handle clients, and what really happens server side. It goes as far as to mention that a reseller account may be an appropriate place to start. Seriously, the article would be endless if I started getting into such specifics!

lol I know but it's my two cents on one of my biggest mistakes I made that's all :/

Originally Posted by CodyLoco

When I started my hosting company (which I had to give to someone because of a car accident) I used to sleep with a laptop in my bed, and my body automatically trained itself to wake up when it heard a blip from my support software...

It was horrible, I'd get woken up at 3AM to answer a ticket!

OH GOD! I know your pain!

I used to do the same thing, ever notice how you could go all day and not get a single chat request, but as soon as you roll over to go to sleep, BANG 5-10 in one night, every hour.

Although it was a pain some time, it was more than worth it. I noticed that every client i had, i only had because i had an opportunity to talk to them on live chat.

It may be fun running your own hosting company but a one-man show its kind of tough to handle correctly.

@Andrei: I liked the over selling part, pays to be honest.

I don't know what you guys are complaining about! I rather enjoy having a chat with my customers. Although I can understand the odd timing, and the fact that it's depriving you of your sleep - it's wonderful having a chat with the very people that make up your business. It's not the CEO that makes the company - it's the clients!

Also, while I can see that 24/7 "Live Help" is starting to catch on in the market - and that it may, in fact, look better than a sometimes offline support team - you have to remember the quality of your work! The article goes on to mention that you should focus more on quality rather than quantity.

@cbnz: Thanks for the compliment and the read!