Hi,

Since reseller hosting package is so cheap now a day, I am thinking to start my free hosting business. Do you think there are still have room to develop? What do you think?

Free hosting, yes.
I know of a script that lets users automaticly sign up.

But paid hosting is very overcrowded at the moment.

Hi,

Running a free host requires a lot of work, you have got to think about what you can offer, how you can offer it. Also as well you have got to be able to give what you offer and I would not run a free hosting provider without at least a dedicated server.

Another issue you have go to look at, is how you are going to make a profit from it? As you would need to make profit so that you can pay the bills etc.

Also looking at if you get it off the ground you will need TOS and privacy policy put in place as well!

Hope some of it helps

-MGS-

Originally Posted by MGS

Hi,

Running a free host requires a lot of work, you have got to think about what you can offer, how you can offer it. Also as well you have got to be able to give what you offer and I would not run a free hosting provider without at least a dedicated server.

Another issue you have go to look at, is how you are going to make a profit from it? As you would need to make profit so that you can pay the bills etc.

Also looking at if you get it off the ground you will need TOS and privacy policy put in place as well!

Hope some of it helps

-MGS-

Thanks for your advice. I will think about it.


Hi Masahiro,
May I know what script are you talking about? I tried http://www.amfrservices.com/index.php?page=3, but I got an error. I will join their support forum later.

I was thinking about doing the same thing as well tansks. In addition to your TOS and Privacy Policy, make sure to check the company that is hosting your reseller account on allows you to do this.

On a few of the hosts I checked, even with the reseller account that I had, they did not allow any one to run a free host. One of the main things they are worried about is you keeping track of those who you're hosting on your reseller account, and how well you keep track of your customers(ie. if you are giving out accounts indiscriminately).

Also, too much restrictions if you use a reseller. No streaming and stuff like that. If you get dedicated servers, you'll avoid a lot of that!

If I had the funds... One of my personal Goals is to run a Free Hosting Company. So I am trying to make the most money I can this Spring, to set up a free host in the summer. As I see it, here are the advantages and disadvantages of being a free host:

ADVANTAGES:
More Likely To Get More Signups, due to more people out for a freebie.
Many Google Type-ins, so a good traffic prediction.
Advertisements can pay well nowadays.
Market is popular.

DISADVANTAGES:
If signup is automated, you may give out more space and bandwidth than your hosting account has.
Ads may not cover Reseller Host costs every month.
There are thousands of Hosts on the market, theres no guarantee a new one will turn over a profit.
You have to be willing to provide 24/7 support.

I would give it a go!
JB

There are far too many problems with free hosting to even think about it in a profit sense. The server is always expensive, and you do need a dedicated if you wish to be serious. Also if you get some runamuck customers [trust me, you do] it deteriates your good will, and you end up limiting what resources you have available and getting abuse in webhost directories.

Stick with cheap as nails, ad-free reselling and you could at least get by.