For the past few years, I've been envisioning the creation of a hosting company and recently, I've taken the plunge into the process of web hosting organization. Currently, we are in the midst of the technical implementation phase, which is slated to launch within three weeks according to plan. Our primary products include hosting, domains, website builders (with five additional products in the pipeline), virtual hosting, VDS and dedicated hosting.
Although I am not an IT specialist, I have a lifelong passion for computers and the internet. As such, I have learned through experience that the most important aspect of hosting is support. With that being said, I would like to request your advice or tips on the following topics:
1. What is the best way to find highly qualified server administrators? How many admins should work per client (based on average experience)? Can they work remotely or is it necessary to work at the office? We have multiple offices, so what is the optimal approach?
2. Should we install our own server right from the outset? We are currently adopting a model where we offer discounted overbooking tariffs compared to other hosting providers. The aim is to gather sufficient clients before setting up our servers. Is this a viable strategy?
3. I have only come across site.pro as a designer for customers. Are there any alternative products you could recommend?
To ensure smooth operations, it is recommended to have at least one intelligent admin and six level 1-2 support specialists working 24/7 in shifts. However, this is a theoretical number and it is difficult to determine the exact number of staff required given the uncertainty surrounding the number of customers, load, infrastructure state, etc.
It's hard to define an exact number of support staff needed per customer since there is a need to have someone constantly monitoring and responding to queries and customer requests. Initially, you may appoint fewer employees or even provide support yourself, but once the workload exceeds capacity, additional support staff will be necessary.
In terms of hiring, you can use various methods such as freelancing platforms or connections.
When starting, it is advisable to begin with rented dedicated servers and consider colocation when necessary.
It is better to offer pre-installed CMS instead of selling a website builder. Alternatively, investing in maintaining your own designer may be an option as relying on third-party builders may pose risks should they cease operations.
To provide VPS services, it is recommended to rent a dedicated server with hardware virtualization support and an IPv4 address subnet from a provider. Additionally, it is necessary to enter into agreements with payment systems and domain registrars.
Equipment specifications include having one dedicated server with hardware virtualization support, such as the Intel Xeon E5 processor. For example, the E5-2630v2 \64GB RAM server can host up to 55 VPS depending on the amount of allocated RAM. It is also essential to have a certain number of IP addresses allocated for each VPS and rent additional addresses if necessary.
It is important to determine the rates for your VPS services carefully. Customers consider both the technical characteristics and cost of services when choosing a VPS provider. The price and quality of services should align with their needs. Consider the target audience, study competitors' offers, and take into account expenses when creating tariff plans during the initial software setup.
I'd be happy to provide detailed answers to your inquiries.
1. When it comes to finding highly qualified server administrators, there are a few approaches you can take. Firstly, you can utilize professional networks and platforms such as LinkedIn and specialized job boards to attract experienced server administrators. Additionally, reaching out to technical universities or institutions that offer relevant courses could be beneficial in finding potential talent.
In terms of the ideal administrator-to-client ratio, this can vary depending on the complexity of the hosting services you provide and the number of clients you anticipate. As a general guideline, you may consider one administrator per 100-150 clients for standard hosting services. If you offer more advanced or specialized hosting solutions, the ratio may need adjustment.
Remote work is becoming increasingly common in the IT industry, and many server administrators can efficiently carry out their duties from a remote location. However, it's essential to establish clear communication channels and protocols to ensure seamless collaboration. Given that you have multiple offices, you may want to consider a hybrid approach where some administrators work remotely, while others are based in specific office locations. This can provide flexibility while also allowing for localized support and coordination.
2. The decision to install your own servers from the outset or opt for a discounted overbooking model depends on various factors, including your long-term business goals, financial resources, and risk tolerance. Setting up your own servers can provide greater control and customization options, which may be advantageous as your hosting company grows. However, the initial investment and operational overheads should be carefully evaluated.
The discounted overbooking strategy can be a viable approach to attract clients and generate initial cash flow without significant capital outlay. It's important to conduct thorough capacity planning and risk analysis to ensure that the overbooking model does not compromise the quality of service for your clients.
3. While site.pro is a reputable website builder, exploring alternative products in the market is prudent. Platforms such as Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress offer robust website building capabilities with diverse templates and customization options. Evaluating the features, pricing, and compatibility of these alternatives can help you identify the best fit for your hosting company and its clients.
Finding top-tier server admins starts with leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, Stack Overflow, or specialized job boards such as Remote.co for remote sysadmins skilled in uptime optimization, bandwidth management, and SSD migrations.
For client ratios, aim for 1 admin per 50-100 clients, but this scales with server load—never skimp on redundancy to avoid downtime disasters. Remote work is gold for talent pools in emerging markets, ensuring 24/7 coverage via time zones; your multi-office setup allows a hybrid model for quick on-site escalations.
Ditch overbooking strategies as they lead to SLA breaches and churn—invest in your own servers early to build trust with dedicated resources, not vaporware promises. Alternatives to site.pro include Wix for drag-and-drop wizards, Squarespace for polished templates with e-commerce integrations, or WordPress.com for customizable themes that handle scalability without vendor lock-in.