Setting up a web hosting server

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 15:34

I am looking to start a Web Development business and as I am quite tech savvy, I would like a crack at setting up a web hosting server. Does anyone know where I could get help/advice from?

Would I be better off paying to hire a server from a hosting company?

What would be the limitations on my broadband connection?

daz · 23 May 2009 at 15:39

If you want to sell hosting as a value added service to your clients, then I would recommend either a reseller account or a managed dedicated server.

The limitation of hosting something on your broadband connection is your upload speed on your connection. It's likely to be <1mbit, and thus saturated by a single user downloading from your site.

Hosting is not an easy business.

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 15:49

Thanks daz. What are the main differences between the above?

My main requirement is the ability to be able to change configurations such as the PHP upload limits, etc.

Previously I have used one.com for my clients and while they are great as they allow me to change MX Records for the Email Servers, etc, they do not offer the ability to change the config files. My main reason for looking into doing my own hosting is I have 2 clients that have requested the ability to upload 20MB+ files using a PHP form - while I have managed to write the code for them, the server doesn't allow this and therefore I'm stuck.

Any other suggestions, such as better hosters would be fab.

Alex L · 23 May 2009 at 15:57

You have 4 options:

Buy a server and get it co-located in a datacentre
Rent a server
Get a reseller
Give up now

Don't expect to get rich quick. You will spend many months making a loss and answering the various stupid questions and looking after your clients. Although, you have to find them first.

Don't just jump into the mass market though. Try and find your niche.

Read this:

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=516601

If you want any help or constructive critism. Give me an email from my trust.

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 16:01

Ok, wow! Thanks Alex L. Will send you an email if you don't mind.

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 16:07

Ok, briefly skimming through the link from Alex_L, I feel way out of my depth.

Although I am fairly computer savvy (my full time job is an IT Technician), I don't really know a lot about servers. How much would I need to learn before hiring a dedicated server or reseller package?

If I went for a managed dedicated server, I am guessing I'd have less to learn....right? But how much flexibility would I lose? Would I still be able to remote access the server and change limits on stuff like the PHP Upload limits?

Thanks

daz · 23 May 2009 at 16:16

citycm said:
If I went for a managed dedicated server, I am guessing I'd have less to learn....right? But how much flexibility would I lose? Would I still be able to remote access the server and change limits on stuff like the PHP Upload limits?

Thanks

You can change php upload limits on a well setup shared hosting server. Most hosts these days run suPHP which means you can create your own php.ini and place it in the directory that you want to affect.

With a managed server though, you lose root access but you can usually tell the hosting company what you want and they'll do it for you.

Alex L · 23 May 2009 at 16:33

I'd say search for a reputable host. Depending on how quick you can pick things up, I'd say start with managed dedi.

Where will the majority of your clients be based? If mostly UK, try to find a provider in the UK.

As you are already hosting some clients, I'd stick with the same control panel.

The industry standard is cPanel although I quite like Direct Admin as it is less of a resource hog.

Will you be providing any extras to your customers? Fantasico, Installatron, RVSiteBuiler ect?

Do you have an uptime guarantee with your existing clients? If so, be careful when you make the move. Make sure you notify them a while in advance. You don't want unhappy customers or you will have no customers.

Have you already got a website to work from? If not, you need to think of your brand name ect. You also need a billing script. I would recommend WHMCS. It's pretty cheap and included billing and support. If you are offering live support, try livezilla. It's free and works pretty well.

Hope all goes well.

Beansprout · 23 May 2009 at 16:42

20Mb isn't a large number; I'd be surprised if most hosts wouldn't allow that

Wouldn't recommend getting your own server unless it's fully managed - it's also much cheaper to start out with a reseller account!

citycm · 23 May 2009 at 16:53

Thanks guys. Majority of my clients will be in the UK yes.

I will be doing all the admin stuff for my clients but would like to find a way of them setting up their own email accounts - with my clients who are hosted on one.com I have changed the MX Records and set up the mail accounts with google apps which also gives the flexibility of IMAP and an easy way for the client to set up email addresses. As for everything else, I sell my websites one a subscription bases so anything else that needs doing (apart from editing) is done by myself.

Live support would be good - not something I had thought about, but would set me apart from the rest of the companies in the area - thanks

I am currently working on my own website but it is taking longer than expected

I have just found out that one of the guys at church hires a web hosting server and charges £40 per year per account - may go with him as it will save a lot of hassle. My only concern is that if I lose touch with him or he decides to cancel his server account, I am back to square one.

Beansprout · 23 May 2009 at 17:13

citycm said:
I have just found out that one of the guys at church hires a web hosting server and charges £40 per year per account - may go with him as it will save a lot of hassle. My only concern is that if I lose touch with him or he decides to cancel his server account, I am back to square one.

Exactly - I'd advise against this for that reason. You could always start simply with buying a shared hosting account for each client that needs one and then passing the cost onto them, or recommending they sign up directly with a company and give you the login details (first option is probably easier, but second gives them more peace of mind should you disappear for any reason.)

citycm · 24 May 2009 at 14:40

Beansprout said:
Exactly - I'd advise against this for that reason. You could always start simply with buying a shared hosting account for each client that needs one and then passing the cost onto them, or recommending they sign up directly with a company and give you the login details (first option is probably easier, but second gives them more peace of mind should you disappear for any reason.)

Yeah I know what you mean. I would preferrably go with your advice and use a company such as one.com but it's this PHP Upload limit that's bugging me - I don't want to end up getting a customer saying they need to upload 20, 30, 40, 50MB files and having to turn around and say "sorry it's not possible". I have looked into the php.ini solution and I don't think one.com supports it

citycm · 24 May 2009 at 15:49

I've just found a company that offer a Reseller package (5GB disk space) for £40 per year. Would you advise going for something like this to try my hand?

daz · 24 May 2009 at 20:53

As a reseller, you're relying on the quality of your provider to be up to scratch. If its not, it's a lot harder for you to resell... just be sure to research whoever you go for.