Starting a web hosting company?

So basiaclly I would like to start a bit of a web hosting service in my spare time.
You know when people pay you money to for you to host their stuff. I am pretty unexpierienced about this subject for the most part. I'm expiereinced at the internet itself and have worked on webpages in the past, etc.

I was hoping maybe you guys could give me a little info or direct me to where I should be looking. Searching on google is kind of tough because I'm not exactly sure what I should be searching for.

What type of stuff do I need? I need to purchase a server/ space holding thingy. I want to start this up in perhaps the next 4 months so I have time to research. Any help is appreciated.

Anyone here have a company like this or anything?

Cheers.

Too Dee

Jam it back in, in the dark.

What you are describing sounds an aweful lot like a business. I hope you have at least some kind of a business plan/strategy beyond "pay me money so I can host your files".

As a sidenote, a lot of people host their FTPs around here - might want to look for them in the My Stuff forum.

How ya doing, buddy?

I suppose you're right. Well I AM planning on taking a business course as well as some web building courses in the next few months. Just I'd like to start to do some research on how much something like this would cost to start up.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

You might as well take some TCP/IP and computing courses or just hire someone who's well prepared. You'd also need to know how to run a business...

Sounds like you're in for some learning.

Also, depending on the popularity of your server, you will need more and more bandwidth, as well as higher-end equipment. I'd say a line of AT LEAST 2Megabits to start with, and then make it faster as you get popular. A starting machine would be a P4 3.0+ with 512/1Gb. of Ram.

You'd need to analyze the options first. It isn't easy to start a hosting company.

Why do your posts have a different avatar?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

TCP/IP and computing courses. Hmm. Gotcha. I have a lot of free time for the next few months, so I plan on tackling this with my full attention.

"A starting machine would be a P4 3.0+ with 512/1Gb. of Ram."

What kinda GB HD space should I be looking at??

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Depends on your scope, but chances are if you want success, your business would ideally get a lot of traffic, therefore you should be shooting for a lot of space. Many hosting companies will have several terrabytes of storage, and realistically, a hosting company that gets large uses a lot of bandwidth... it's something you need to research a LOT before considering.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I don't think you can pull it off, to be honest.

While I hate to crush dreams, I must say there are enough web hosts in the world. For example, I doubt you could match the prices/services of a popular host such as Dreamhost.

What can you give that no one else can? What will make your hosting unique?

FELIPE NO

Eleo. A very valid point. Dreamhost is indeed quite an intimidating company to hope to contend with. I just figured I'd give something like this a shot since I currently have some extra time and money.

I was really serious about it years ago. Guess I really should have started sooner then later but the interest has returned so it's now or never.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Three classmates and I have started our own web hosting business and, for just starting out, I think we're doing alright. Let me tell you, you'll need a lot more than just a TCP/IP course. You'd better know your way around Windows Server 2003 like the back of your hand. You should know a lot about DNS, DNS record, and patching DNS holes too. As for the Linux side of things, Apache is probably what you're gonna be using, so that's what you'll need to know.

Since we also do game hosting, PHP and My SQL are absolute essentials. We program control panels for people's servers and we use it to offer a CMS to client's websites. It's also needed for bandwidth monitoring. You really need to keep your eye on that.

As for your clients, you're gonna have to give them something else large hosting sites don't. Usually start with low price deals. You'll definitely need a professional web site designed. I would hope that you can do that yourself, because it will cost you big if you don't know how.

Basically, that's all I have to say at 1AM.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Much as Eleo has said you'll be hard pushed to take on the plethora of web-hosts that already exist out there unless you have some clear idea of a USP to offer, which I'll guess you don't.

Unfortunately what you're saying sounds a bit like someone saying "I've driven a car before, I reckon I can build one from scratch". Until you get experience in the area you're not going to know what you can and can not offer, you'll also be woeful unprepared for the number of things out there that you'd need to protect yourself, and your clients, from. If you're serious about this then get yourself on some networking courses and get good quickly.

Also, to rendr above, Windows Server 2003... er, no. I wouldn't trust my hosting to someone running on Windows, I'll go for the Linux hosts any day.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by OmagnusPrime

Much as Eleo has said you'll be hard pushed to take on the plethora of web-hosts that already exist out there unless you have some clear idea of a USP to offer, which I'll guess you don't.

Unfortunately what you're saying sounds a bit like someone saying "I've driven a car before, I reckon I can build one from scratch". Until you get experience in the area you're not going to know what you can and can not offer, you'll also be woeful unprepared for the number of things out there that you'd need to protect yourself, and your clients, from. If you're serious about this then get yourself on some networking courses and get good quickly.

Also, to rendr above, Windows Server 2003... er, no. I wouldn't trust my hosting to someone running on Windows, I'll go for the Linux hosts any day.

For game hosting, Server03 is essential. Certain games don't have a Linux server application. There's also some issues with server FPS with Linux that requires a kernel recompile (not great if you don't have physical access to the computer.) But Linux for web hosting is a definite yes. Trust me, it doesn't hurt to know both.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.