start web hosting company?

Question

ok, im 17 and id like to start my own web hosting company, i have quite a good knowledge of IT and the internet, but i have a realitivly small knowledge on business and running one, also is it at all possible to get some sort of grant to get me started.
any help would be great, thank you for your time.

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

I also posted some links relevant to your finance question.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* The Web Hosting Manager by Christoph Puetz
* Strategies for Web Hosting and Managed Services by Doug Kaye
* Setting up a Web Server by Simon Collin

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

Here are some websites and web documents on how to start a web hosting business. These websites give you information on how to set up your own web hosting business:

HostingResolve.com's Starting a Web Hosting Business
http://www.hostingresolve.com/book/ch01.pdf

Becoming a Web Host Company
http://www.dedicated-servers-seek.com/?articles/hosting_company

HostLibrary.com's Starting a Web Hosting Business
http://www.hostlibrary.com/node/print/65

Another way of course is to simply become a reseller of a web hosting company, which is easier to start. Many hosting companies offer private label programs where you use their infrastructure but you can brand the business with your company name. An example of how this goes is Hostway's Private Label program http://www.hostway.com/resellers/private_label_program.html

As for grants, it is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Answer 3

Use a cobweb as your design logo.

Think of yourself as a spider spinning a "web" of success all over the net! For yourself and for the folks that come to you for your ideas!

Maybe call it " Web of Success"
for Fun and Profit
or
"The Successful Web"

I'd suggest you get in touch with the Federal Government for a small business loan. They will send you a bunch of information that will truly inform you as to what it takes to get a loan or grant. It isn't easy but you CAN do it. There are tons of government grants available (where you don't have to pay them back), check with the information desk of your local Public library! You are going to be overloaded this summer getting your business structured and all the paperwork done. You'll have to think about employees and Federal taxes and Medicare/disability/L&I matches you have to pay for? List equipment and all the costs covering a years time. You want to ask for whatever it takes to pay your way for at least one year! Business Office or home? Do you still live at home, or are you going to rent an apartment. You have to consider getting a grant or loan that will cover this cost, plus food, electricity, TV Cable, High speed Internet access, money money money! You'll need a business PLAN!

You're on a good start with the name first. Good luck!

It takes money to make money is soooooooooo true. Plan on being single for a while. Dating may drain a fresh pocket that is trying to start a business! Vacations, have you thought about when you'll EVER take a vacation during the first 3-5 years of your operating a 24 hour business? Or your car? What, or who would pay should anything happen, major breakdown or a car accident. What about health insurance.

Its been done before. Look at Bill Gates of Microsoft!

YOU CAN DO IT!

Answer 4

Hello jonlewi5,

Starting a business is a large undertaking no matter what type of business you desire to start. I would say that if you have a good firm knowledge of the IT field you have a good start for success.

I would recommend that you start off with hosting your own website if you have not done so yet. If you have already hosted or currently host your own website I would suggest that you get a reseller web hosting account and get familiar with setting up plans, features, and everything that comes along with running a web hosting business.

There are many great hosting companies that sell reseller plans and doing a quick search on yahoo.com for the keyword [reseller hosting] will render you a vast assortment to choose from.

I would suggest visiting websites that promote entrepreneurs and teach lessons, articles and high quality information regarding running a business. I would suggest using the keyword [Entrepreneur] in a yahoo.com search.

I would also suggest taking to your local chamber of commence or local library about starting a business they can sometimes give you leads, and they can point you into the right direction for information about obtaining local grants and scholarships for young business owners.

Make sure to have your parents or guardian help you check into all federal, state or local laws that may apply to your starting a business.

I would strongly suggest that you sit down and create a detailed business plan. A good strong detailed business plan will help guide you in the process of making sure you are reaching your goals in the process of starting and running your new business.

When setting your goals make sure they are real obtainable goals and that you’re frequently refer back to your business plan to make sure your achieving your goals and meeting deadlines.

Good Luck,

Webhosting

Answer 5

Hi

Starting a web hosting company doesnt cost you more. You can get private labeled program where you can brand in your own name. You can set up the entire thing in few minutes. Its easy and instant. Users cannot find where your hosting. You can get your own branded name server. So this gives you max branding capability. Private label program gives you a online shopping cart with instant activation, your own branded control panel, branded billing etc. So you dont need any special skills to start the business. Basically I am using private lable program from www.netandhost.com. I started by paying few dollars and now I have got more sites and earning in thousands. Its better you email them and ask the details.

Thanks
Webmaster 4 India

Answer 6

As you're 17 and have No business knowledge, you can give try by using Private Labelling, Co-Branding, or something like that. Related to webhosting, you can start your own hosting company with just a domain name registered and becoming an affiliate at http://www.resellerspanel.com/

So, you have no loads of work to do. Just customize the plans, sell and get the commissions. As you gain confidence of handling customers, you can start your OWN company.

All The Best.

Answer 7

There may be loans available from the SBA, I am sure there are also grants, but I don't know where to find them.