Thread: Starting out....

Originally Posted by Flashster

(i) How would you start off? i.e. renting web space, renting a server, renting rackspace and putting your own server in it. I need to think of ease of migration as I will ultimately want to have my own rackspace and server. The likely technology I will be using will be Windows 2003 and mySQL.

(ii) If the option was to use my own server in a rented 1u space, do I generally need to install my own firewall or do the collocation companies currently do this? Clearly it would need to be a software one if I only had 1u of space.

(iii) Any recommendations for hosting/colocation companies in Birmingham/Midlands?

(iv) Do the collocation companies allow you access to the rackspace or do they just get you to send the server to them and you never actually see it again?

Welcome to forum2

(i) Real Hosts started as a reseller account in Nov 01'... And now, it runs its own BGP4 network and rack space. Getting a reseller account is maybe where you want to be at, I would definetly spend time checking out the companies and what they can offer. "You get for what you pay for"

If you have the capital, perhaps buy a server (or build one) then colocate it. Making expansion so much easier, but you will have the upfront server cost, but your monthlies will be less - you will also have to manage your own hardware/software - unless you pay for managed colocation.

(ii) Depending on the provider you will be behind a firewall or not, best to ask when you ask for quotes. Firewall software/needs will depend on your OS really and software environment.

(iii) All my hosting company buddies are here in London. If you post a request in the appropiate section, you'll get a good range of responses.

(iv) Depends on the company. We are happy to meet and greet you on-drop off, a small tour of the datacentre is included. You then can wave good bye to your server, and if you ever need to come back to work on it (install hardware, upgrade it, do your own OS re-install etc) then it's escorted access by appointment. As you can't be given full unescorted access to a rack which contains other user kit, big security issues.

Hope that helps.
Good luck on your search.

Originally Posted by Flashster

I am thinking about taking the big leap and start up a web design consultancy. As a back end to that I want to offer hosting. I see this as the real money maker over the longer term.

While you get a residual income from webhosting, you're going to have to differentiate yourself if you want to make any real money on webhosting as there's too many providers in the market already all doing the same stuff.

You'll actually find that if you're good at design and consultancy that that'll easily make you the most money compared to off the peg webhosting solutions. Obviously, if you have captive corporate customers (who you've built a site for etc) who generally think £200 or so a year for hosting is a bargain, then you're in with a shout of making a decent residual.

Don't forget to keep on top of invoicing customers for alterations to their site (or sell them a "maintenance contract" for it), otherwise you'll find yourself doing loads of work for no money in the long term.

Dedicated Servers will almost have an AUP - but more often than not you can use it as you wish with the software you require for the purpose. So I would expect for your situation - indeed the software you require would be okay to run and install.

If your proficient in running and maintaining a server, make life easier on yourself and get a low to medium spec dedicated server. No upfront investment is required unlike colocating a server but you’ve still got the flexibility to install your own software (etc). Too many people end up stuck on a hosts shared / reseller hosting which is a pig to migrate from.