I'm wondering if anyone can share their experiences in regards to setting up domains and hosting accounts for design clients. What is standard practice? Do I register everything with my details, and then adjust them later? Or should I register with the clients name, and get them to send me any details that they get. This particular client hasn't been particularly regular in responding to my e-mails, and getting them to forward me e-mails that they receive from the web hosts/domain registrars is likely to prolong the process even more. I'd also feel a bit uncomfortable asking the client for their credit card details to purchase these services, but at the same time don't want the hassle of having to mess about with transfers and the like 12 months down the track. Having said that, I will have to invoice the client for these services, and then presumably pay tax on the money that they give me, which means I'll be losing money.

 

Am I missing a really simple solution? If anyone could offer their suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

Hi Chris get reseller hosting, I recommend peartreeuk, £10 per month.

Hi Chris get reseller hosting, I recommend peartreeuk, £10 per month.

 

 

Hi Vivoo. Thanks for your post. I've already got a hosting account with Dreamhost, which apparently has unlimited space and unlimited bandwidth. Is it common practice for freelancers to host websites too? Could you tell me where I could read up some more on this. Not really sure what's involved.

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

Hi Vivoo. Thanks for your post. I've already got a hosting account with Dreamhost, which apparently has unlimited space and unlimited bandwidth. Is it common practice for freelancers to host websites too? Could you tell me where I could read up some more on this. Not really sure what's involved.

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

 

 

Hi Chris,

 

You need a hosting account set up to handle multiple accounts, not just a single account with a quoted 'unlimitted' space. Most of the hosts that quote 'unlimitted' space/bandwidth are inferior in my experience (don't all slate me at once it's just my opinion lol).

 

 

In the example you gave Chris, you wouldn't loose money because the taxman only taxes you on your profit (not your turnover), theres a big difference. If you paid £30 a year to host the site and charged the client £30, you'd pay no tax. Likewise if you charged the client £40, theoretically yes you'd pay tax on £10. Eerything you use for businesses purposes is a legitimate business expense...laptop, pc, phone, desk, suits, lunch...etc etc.

 

For hosting purposes, we have a reseller account with clook internet, who have been amazing, I cannot recommend them highly enough, have a look at their reseller plans on their website. The key is to ensure that everything is set up correctly in the beginning and it will save you a lot of time in 12 months.

 

In addition, set up an account with a good domain registrar (we use domainmonster). Never use the same company to host your sites and domains, use a seperate domain registrar and this will give you flexibility to move around in the future if you need to.

 

I hope this helps, good luck with your venture.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Chris

I have a reseller account, which has several benefits:

 

- only 1 hosting bill for your to pay

- easier to keep track of multiple hosting accounts, since they are all in the same place

- no need to learn a new control panel: every account works identically

- no technical surprises

- it's fast to set up new accounts/domains

- only ever deal with one support team

 

But I would recommend shopping around. I used to be on an expensive reseller plan where I made aprox $0 profit! I've since switched to a larger hosting company with faster servers, superior features, a better control panel, and much much cheaper plans - I can now resell hosting to my clients at 500% markup!

 

I've already got a hosting account with Dreamhost, which apparently has unlimited space and unlimited bandwidth.

 

I have a DH account too, but I only use it for my own sites, and for client sites that require tons of bandwidth. To be honest I find DH servers slow from this end of the world (Australia), which is why I have a reseller account with Aus servers: much, much faster for local traffic.

 

Another big advantage of true reseller hosting is that it is "white label". You can give the client full control panel access, and they will never be aware who the real hosting company is, or that you are marking up the price. To the client it appears as if you have your own web server, and are running your own mini hosting company.

 

To answer your question about whose contact details to use when creating a hosting account: I tend to use the client's phone and postal address, but my email address. It makes more sense to me that I am sent any outage notifications etc which would baffle the client, but are actually useful to me. I have also found that clients tend to change email address and forget to update their domain/hosting billing details, and then complain when - surprise, surprise - their website disappears.

Can I jump on the OPs bandwagon here as its something I'm looking at also. Anyone recommend any Reseller Hosting, there seems to be so many around from http://www.resellerspanel.com/ to Heart Internet which is a sticky in the hosting forum I believe. I value people opinions on this forum so would deem their opinions credible and independent. Back to answer Chris' question now