Starting a web hosting company is very difficult, and requires lots of technical skill and management skill. For beginner that look forward to run own web hosting company, many other smart people can consider setting up a reseller hosting and start selling own brand of web hosting. With proper web hosting reseller plan, these people will only require just a little knowledge in maintaining user accounts, and focus on marketing work to sell more hosting account and generate good revenue from it. HostGator makes this job yet easier with its reseller plans. Here are mentioned some easy steps to start up any reseller web site with HostGator. HostGator suggests its customer to keep all the following steps in mind before proceeding.
Step 1: To determine the need
To start with one’s first web hosting account is not complicated if the person has a clear mindset. Initially, one should know its needs or requirements. There may be a case where the users want to start a new website. And in some other cases, they may be interested to transfer their existing website from some other host to HostGator. If the users want to transfer their web site(s) from some other host to HostGator then HostGator helps them in it. The clients just need to fill out the form at: http://www.hostgator.com/resellertransfer.php. HostGator transfers the files for up to 30 domains for free within 30 days of signing up.
Step 2: Change the DNS
Clients, in order to get their web site working, must change their name servers. This is first and foremost requirement to get started. This is an easy, but two necessary step as required are as mentioned below:
1. If the client registers his domain name with HostGator during sign-up, HostGator would take care of this step for the user’s requirements fulfillment.
2. If the client has registered their domain name with another company (e.g. GoDaddy, NameCheap, etc.), the client must follow the following:
* Changing DNS: One can change his DNS (domain name server) at any point of time and it does not take more than 48 hours to complete the entire process. During this time period, routers situated all over the world update their cache. That is why the site constantly goes up and down randomly during the first 48 hours for different people at different times and one should always know where and what the server has to request for. If it takes longer than two days for their web site to start working, please contact their support team.
* Making the Changes: Every registrar has a different way to change the domains DNS, however they are all done basically the same way. It is through the welcome email that client receives from HostGator which provides them with the name servers they require to change their domain. The client then needs to pick those name servers and fill them in for their domain name.
* Managing the Domain with another Registrar: The HostGator manages to issue a domain name by the help of other registrars. Some of the examples of sites that help in updating, registering, changing and transferring the DNS would include the names like Enom.com, GoDaddy.com, NetworkSolutions.com, Register.com, Yahoo.com, Dotster.com, and NameCheap.com, etc.
3. If the client needs to setup private name servers (i.e. ns1.clientdomain.com and ns2.clientdomain.com), then they should know what a private name server is, what its benefits are, and how to go for a private name server. Once the DNS changes have been made for a customer, it takes roughly 24 to 48 hours for its web site to start resolving to HostGator’s servers. If it takes longer than two days for the web site to start working, the customer is advised to get in touch with the support team of HostGator. If the client cannot figure out how to change their sites DNS contact, they should contact their domain name providers. They ought to assist the client in making the changes or will direct it to their FAQs on how it is to be done. Here is a few text to help them out with a initial knowledge about private name servers:
* Private Name Server: Private name servers would be mentioned as ns1.clientdomain.com and ns2.clientdomain.com
* Knowledge of IP address of Private Name Server: Know clients private name servers IP’s. HostGator provides IP for ns1.clientdomain.com in client’s welcome email. For ns2.clientdomain.com the IP would exactly be the same except the change in the last number in the IP which would be one digit higher. Example: If the IP listed by HostGator in client’s welcome email is 69.93.193.74 then client’s ns2.domain.com name servers IP would be 69.93.193.75
* Benefits of Private Name Server: Many resellers choose to have their own name servers for appearance reasons. At HostGator, using their anonymous name servers of ns1.websitewelcome.com and ns2.websitewelcome.com can be less professional looking for a hosting company. Other than the “look” of using private name servers, when the customer moves from one server to another, it will not need to contact all of its clients and request that they change to new name servers. The clients will begin propagating to the new server as soon as the customer updates its name server IP addresses. This is extremely helpful if the customer outgrow its reseller account and need to upgrade to a VPS or dedicated server.
Step 3: Create Packages
Client’s primary domain name pre-setup comes with almost no space and bandwidth. After the creation of clients hosting packages, the user must upgrade his site to one of his newly created packages. HostGator has developed video tutorials which walk one through the processes. Client can view the tutorial for his reference.
To create a package, one has to go to his WHM and click on Create Package on the left hand navigation bar. Once client has successfully created a package, he can go to Upgrade / Downgrade account and change the account according to his requirement. One should keep in mind that 01 GB of space or bandwidth is equal to 1024 MB. So it is very important to be fair while allotting space and bandwidth. A personal Word Press Blog approximately needs 100 MB of bandwidth and 20 MB of space. If user’s clients are creating large sites, or multiple sites, they may desire more space and bandwidth.
It is also very important to note that do not delete main site with HostGator as it would result in automatic deletion of account and no such reseller account will no longer work.
Step 4: Uploading Web Site
One can begin uploading to his account now by using an FTP Client or cPanel’s File Manager. In case user is using an FTP client, put in his site’s IP address under the “FTP address” field. Use the username and password sent to user in his welcome email. FTP always runs on Port 21. Once user’s FTP is connected, he should go into the “public_html” folder and begin uploading his site. To replace the default place holder page, one must upload an index.html in all lowercase lettering or delete the page and replace it with his/her very own index page. It is also worth noting that by default neither user nor his clients have an email address setup with HostGator. They need to configure these themselves in cPanel.
Step 5: Noting some Useful Links
* “Before propagation” as it is defined below is the point between when client sign up and when the changes to his name servers take effect (usually about 24 hours after user change his name servers).
* “After propagation” is once user’s site is up and running normally.
* During propagation, one should use the “Before propagation” format.
Place: Before Propagation: Then: After Propagation:
* cPanel:
- Before Propagation: http://12.23.345.67/cpanel
- After Propagation: http://clientdomain.com/cpanel
* WHM:
- Before Propagation: http://12.23.345.67/whm
- After Propagation: http://clientdomain.com/whm
* Webmail:
- Before Propagation: http://12.23.345.67/webmail
- After Propagation: http://clientdomain.com/webmail
* Web Site:
- Before Propagation: http://12.23.345.67/~username/
- After Propagation: http://clientdomain.com
Note about Demo Accounts: One should never give access to a demo account. They are insecure and can lead to server downtime. If someone wishes to use or link to a demo, he should do so in secure demo of HostGator, which can be found at http://67.18.39.34/cpanel. The user name is demo and the password is demo.
Step 6: Getting More from the Hosting Account
With a hosting account with HostGator, one has a variety of options to choose from. It can request a web site builder with the form as provided at the URL: http://hostgator.com/sitestudio.php for SiteStudio or http://hostgator.com/sitebuilder.php for SiteBuilder. One can see a demo of SiteStudio at the URL: http://sitestudio.websitewelcome.com:8080/demo/psoft.masonry.Builder and a demo of SiteBuilder at the URL: http://sitebuilder.websitewelcome.com/Wizard
One can manage the accounts and billing using WHMCS or WHM AutoPilot. The customers may use either one as they are both free to HostGator customers. They can go and get WHMCS from: http://www.whmcs.com/hostgator/ and get WHMAP from the URL: https://secure.hostgator.com/autopilot.php.
Client can use some of the free templates included with their account which are available at the URL: http://templates.hostgator.com/
HostGator resellers can request an Enom account (https://secure.hostgator.com/enom.php) to manage and sell domains. Taking payments online can sometimes be very confusing. HostGator recommend its users to read its comparison page for both prices and information on the many different ways to collect payments online. One gets paid for refer his/her friends to HostGator with their Hosting Affiliate Program.
Step 7: Get Help
HostGator support team is available to its customers round the clock and in case any questions or query or difficulty, the customers are free to consult this team of customer service representatives, server administrators, and sales professionals staff in their Houston, Texas office at all times. HostGator also provides their customers, who are looking for immediate answers over 765 articles which address commonly asked questions and issues, including useful tutorials and video tours of some of its most popular features. HostGator also helps those customers who want help from fellow customers. It is the Hosting Forum that comes as a great resource for such customers. With almost 38,000 members ready and willing to provide support and help on everything ranging from site promotion to Linux, the forum acts as a great resource of information. Apart from this, HostGator also offers the customer support in the following manners:
Using chat support
Chat is a great method to use if one is looking for quick answers to simple questions and problems. HostGator’s chat technicians are more than happy to help its customers troubleshoot and understand issues relating to email, user’s control panel, FTP, etc. They can also help the customers with many sales and billing questions and explain most HostGator policies and procedures.
Using ticket support
If any of the HostGator customers feels that some issue is more complicated and more technical than an average question, HostGator suggests its customers to email such queries to its support team at support@hostgator.com. Immediately after receiving email HostGator’s support team will send an email confirming that they have received clients email and that the issue has been placed in their 24/7 support queue. If one does not receive this email, it is clear cut indication that HostGator did not receive client’s support ticket. HostGator’s team of the best administrators works on their ticket system all the time. It is the best place to go to get one’s complicated issues resolved in a timely manner. HostGator suggests the following major points to its customers for using its ticket system:
1. Only submit one ticket per issue. If one submits multiple tickets for the same issue, it actually slows down the support process.
2. It is always recommended to make sure to include one’s primary domain name, username, and as much detail as possible. If a login or URL is needed to duplicate the problem, please include that as well. The more detail client provides to their administrators, the faster they can resolve the issue.
Using phone support
HostGator is available 24 / 7 / 365 over the phone. Just like in chats, its phone support representatives can address most of customer’s basic issues and concerns. The most complicated issues will require a support ticket to be submitted.
Step 8: Managing the Bills
One gets billed automatically for his web hosting on the appropriate date after the purchase has been completed (i.e. if someone pay monthly, he will be billed monthly on the day of the month that he signed up). It is also recommended by HostGator to ensure that client has an updated credit card or PayPal subscription on file. If the bills are not paid in a timely manner, the service may get interrupted.
If one wish to cancel, upgrade, update information, get SSL certificates, IP addresses, or anything else related to billing, must be aware of following:
* General Account Functions
* Upgrade Account –– One can upgrade his hosting package for free
* Downgrade Account –– Hosting package can be downgraded by paying an amount of $10.
* Update Billing Information –– Billing Information can easily be updated through a simple login.
* Register / Transfer Domains –– Register or transfer a domain’s registration to HostGator.
* Merchant Account Providers –– Information is provided regarding various Merchant Accounts.
* Free Domain Name Transfer –– Transfer registration of client’s domain to HostGator is absolutely free.
* Restore Account –– Clients account can be easily restored from one of HostGator’s backups At $15 per year.
* Termination of Account –– Client can cancel his HostGator account.
* Shared Account Add-ons
* Free Private SSL –– Redeem their free Private SSL / Dedicated IP (Business Account Only).
* Update Primary Domain –– Clients can update their primary domain (at $5) on file with HostGator.
* Purchase Domain Validated SSL Certificate –– Clients can purchase Validated SSL Certificate and the amount is $50 per year including installation charges.
* Purchase Company Validated Instant SSL Certificate –– This further includes a warranty of $10,000 & Trust logo at $150 per year.
* SSL Installation –– HostGator install an SSL at $10.
* Site Builder –– Clients can build free sites from Site Builder just by signing up for their Site Builder account.
* Site Studio –– This application is absolutely free and sign up is all it takes for client’s Site Studio account.
* Request ASP –– Clients need to move to a Chilisoft ASP server.
* Purchase Dedicated IP –– Clients can purchase a dedicated IP address just by paying a small fee of $2 per month.
* Transfer Account – HostGator moves up to one account from client’s previous host for the client.
* Generate CSR –– Clients need to have a certificated signing request generated.
* SSH Activation Request –– User needs to enable SSH for their account.
* Reseller Account Add-ons
* Web Hosting Book –– Free eBook guide for web hosts is provided by HostGator.
* WHMCS Billing System –– Free WHM Complete Solution is provided by HostGator.
* WHMAP Billing System –– Free, WHM AutoPilot is provided by HostGator.
* Update Primary Domain –– Client’s primary domain is updated on file with HostGator at $5.
* Purchase Domain Validated SSL Certificate –– $50 per year, includes installation.
* Purchase Company Validated Instant SSL Certificate –– $150 per year, includes $10,000 warranty & Trust logo.
* SSL Installation –– Clients can have HostGator install an SSL at $10 from elsewhere.
* eNom Account –– Free, resell domains.
* Site Builder –– Clients can build free sites from Site Builder just by signing up for their Site Builder account.
* Site Studio –– This application is absolutely free and sign up is all it takes for client’s Site Studio account.
* Request ASP –– Clients need to move to a Chilisoft ASP server without paying at all.
* Purchase Dedicated IP –– Clients can purchase a dedicated IP address just by paying a small fee of $2 per month.
* Transfer Account –– HostGator moves up to one account from client’s previous host for the client.
* Generate CSR –– Clients need to have a certificated signing request generated.
* SSH Activation Request –– User need to enable SSH for their account.
* Dedicated Server Add-ons
* MSSQL Server Upgrade –– Windows Dedicated Servers ONLY.
* Smarter Tools Upgrade –– Windows Dedicated Servers ONLY.
* WHMCS Billing System –– Free WHM: Complete Solution is provided by HostGator.
* WHMAP Billing System –– Free, WHM: AutoPilot is provided by HostGator.
* Other features are:
* Additional RAM –– $25 per GB per month.
* Additional Hard Drive –– $20 for 250GB monthly.
* Purchase Domain Validated SSL Certificate –– $50 per year, includes installation.
* Purchase Company Validated Instant SSL Certificate –– $150 per year, includes $10,000 warranty & Trust logo.
* eNom Account –– Free, resell domains.
* rvSkin –– $60 per year, includes installation
* Site Builder –– Free, sign up for the Site Builder account.
* Site Studio –– Free, sign up for the Site Studio account.
* MS Expression Web –– Free, Windows customers only.
* Purchase Dedicated IP –– $16 per month for 8 dedicated IPs.
* Transfer Account –– We will move all accounts from their previous host for him.
* Reboot Request –– Have HostGator physically reboot client’ server for the client.