Reseller VPS Hosting
One particular type of virtual private server hosting that is popular is reseller VPS hosting. Though this hosting arrangement relies on the same kind of virtual private servers that many people use for regular web hosting, there are a few important differences between reseller hosting and regular VPS hosting arrangements.
To start with, reseller VPS hosting is not intended to be used by the primary account holder alone. Regular virtual private servers generally have one account attached to them, and that account can manage and monitor the server, upload files to it, and create web pages to be hosted on it. In order for anyone else to be able to host their site on that particular VPS, they would need access to the server via reseller account. A reseller VPS hosting account allows users to create additional users with reseller privileges to manage their server, upload files to it, create web pages, and create end user accounts that are able to host their own sites on top on the reseller's acccount assigned resources (disc space, bandwidth, and other resources). For those reading these and asking themselves how this will be implemented, they need not to worry about, because today most of the VPS hosts offer Web Host Manager (for VPS and Resellers) with cPanel (for end users) bundled with Apache web server, PHP and MySQL all working together to create the perfect hosting environment.
Web Host Manager for VPS accounts allows VPS users (those that own the virtual private server) to manage every aspect of the server (restart, stop VPS, add new software, delete software, edit configurations and many other things, check the video here) including reseller accounts and end user accounts.
Web Host Manager for Reseller accounts allows resellers to manage their accounts only and end user accounts.
Finally cPanel allows end users to manage their sites only.
Becoming a hosting reseller is a petty easy way to make some money on the internet. Unlike becoming an actual hosting provider (which requires that businesses purchase a physical server, pay for the software to install on it, the electricity to run it, etc), reseller VPS hosting arrangements allow people to use an existing host's hardware for their own hosting business. Hosting resellers pay for a virtual private server reseller account, and then use software like Web Host Manager to create hosting packages for sale. Customers purchase these hosting packages from the reseller, and they are then given their own accounts to host their web sites on the reseller's VPS.
Though becoming a hosting reseller is easier than becoming an actual web host, it still requires that resellers have a good bit of knowledge of server management and web hosting. Resellers are often responsible for all aspects of their virtual private server's maintenance, including creating regular backups and monitoring their server. While some control panels like Web Host Manager and cPanel make monitoring and maintaining a server easy, it will still most likely be very difficult for someone with no server management experience to become a reseller without any training. Some VPS hosting plans include full server management, but it is still a good idea that the reseller have a good grasp of server management before getting into this business.
Resellers also need to create a brand identity for their hosting, and advertise it accordingly. Since they are selling the original host's hosting space, they need to charge a bit more in order to turn a profit. Things like private name servers help resellers keep their customers from finding out where their hosting is really coming from, so they won't be tempted to go to the original host for a cheaper deal.
It's also important that a hosting reseller remember where their customers are coming from. As far as their customers know, the reseller actually owns the physical server that their sites are hosted on. So, when the server is having hardware problems, or there's a lot of downtime, these customers are going to turn to the reseller with their complaints, not the original host. For this reason, it's very important that the reseller choose to work with a host that is known for having reliable servers, and enough redundancy to help avoid hardware problems and unnecessary downtime.
Reseller VPS hosting is a good way to start a business with relatively little capital. As long as resellers can afford the cost of their reseller hosting plan and advertising, they can go into selling hosting space on their virtual server.
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