TL;DR
Reseller Hosting drums to a completely different beat compared to regular shared hosting plans. In looking out for these specific special features, top brands have come to our attention with the most notable among them being ScalaHosting for its innovative technologies
Cloudways
Cloudways Review (2024)
Cloudways is a top pick for website owners who prioritize premium support and high-performance hosting across various cloud platforms. While the platform is more suited for experienced users, it remains a top option for anyone looking to scale their online presence effectively.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
Cloudways Pros
- Topnotch server uptime and speed performance
- Good abstration over complex cloud server setups with integrated dashboard
- Outstanding customer support
- High scalability; Autonomous plan supports auto-scaling
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 25% discount for first two months with coupon “HOSTSCORE”
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive – Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
LiquidWeb
LiquidWeb Review (2024)
LiquidWeb has built a reputation as a premium web hosting provider. While their focus on high-end services often made them less accessible, they now offer a budget-friendly $5 Cloud VPS plan, opening the door for smaller businesses. Despite the shift, LiquidWeb’s core strength remains in delivering top-notch managed hosting services with exceptional support.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
HostScore
LiquidWeb Pros
- Powerful enterprise hosting solutions with great scalability
- 100% network uptime, backed by detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- Excellent customer support – 59-Second support response guarantee
- Self-operated data centres – Higher degree of security and data integrity compared to providers renting space from third-parties
- PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant hosting servers available
- Cheaper cloud VPS plan (starts at $5/mo) now available
LiquidWeb Cons
- Does not provide low-cost shared hosting plans
- No Asia-based data center
Verpex
Verpex Review (2024)
As a newcomer in the hosting industry, Verpex shows promise with feature-rich, affordable plans and solid customer support. Sadly, however, their premium hosting plans fall short in value compared to top-tier providers.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
HostScore
Verpex Pros
- Budget-friendly shared and VPS hosting plans
- 45-day money back guarantee
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Unlimited free site migrations
- Choice of 12 distributed data centers across five continents
- Wide hosting selections including Windows and dedicated hosting
Verpex Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Kamatera
Kamatera Review (2024)
Kamatera offers highly flexible cloud hosting – even their “standard” plans require you to customize the server configurations. Perfect for developers who love to customize without draining their wallets. But for beginners or the tech-timid? It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. Great for the tech-savvy, a puzzle for everyone else.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
Kamatera Pros
- Excellent server speed performance
- Highly flexible hosting plans
- Wide range of support and use cases
- Affordable pricing at bare server unit
- Choice of 24 distributed data centers
- Free to create a $100 worth server during the first 30 days
Kamatera Cons
- Confusing pay-as-you-go pricing model
- Many vital add-ons require extra cost
Ultahost
Ultahost Review (2024)
Being the new kid in town Ultahost hosting offers are tempting. That’s especially true for their cheaper plans like Shared Hosting or WordPress Hosting. The cost is meager, and the company doesn’t overly penalize those that don’t want extended contracts. There’s no harm in taking them for a spin at just $3 per month with 99.99% uptime guarantee and free website migrations.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
HostScore
Ultahost Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Highly competitive pricing
- Easy-to-use user dashboard
- NVMe SSD storage in all shared hosting plans
- Free malware scan & web applications firewall (WAF) in all shared hosting plans
- Choice of 5 server locations in four continents
Ultahost Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited disk space.
NameCheap
NameCheap Review (2024)
While NameCheap hosting plans may not boast the top-tier features, they deliver sufficient functionality at very competitive pricing. Overall – not flashy, but solid. Budget-savvy webmasters, this one’s for you.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
HostScore
NameCheap Pros
- Budget-friendly shared hosting plans
- Excellent domain name prices with free lifetime privacy protection
- Free site migration
- Perl, Ruby, and Python support in shared hosting plan
NameCheap Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited VPS plans
- Only US and UK-based servers
- Pay extra to choose UK-data center
Webempresa
Webempresa Review (2024)
From what we can see, Webempresa offers robust services and excellent customer support. Whether you are a beginner launching your first website, an established business with niche requirements or even a web dev, you’ll find a solution here.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
HostScore
Webempresa Pros
- Optimized servers
- Responsive customer support
- Broad range of hosting plans
- Self-developed tools
- Dominant in the Spanish market
Webempresa Cons
- Low storage space on cheaper plans
- No Asia-region data centers
- No phone support
InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting Review (2024)
Backed by excellent performance and customer support, InMotion Hosting is easily one of the top web hosting choices in the market. There are extensive plans available for website to scale up with. And for those with an already existing site, free migration services for easy transfer.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
HostScore
InMotion Hosting Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Lowest shared hosting plan supports Python, Node.JS, Ruby and GIT version control
- Choice of data center locations in the United States and Europe
- Free AutoSSL
- Built-in hack, DDoS, and malware protection
- 90-day money back guarantee
- Free website migration services
InMotion Hosting Cons
- Lower shared hosting plans lack speed optimization
- Price increase during the renewal
GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks Review (2024)
With their eco-friendly vision GreenGeeks has positioned themselves in a unique spot to offer hosting that some companies have bylaws mandating them to take advantage of – green hosting. Combined with above-average performance and a good spread of supporting technologies, they are an attractive option for many.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
Key Features for Hosting Resellers
Customer Support Channels
Data Center Locations
HostScore
GreenGeeks Pros
- Returns 3x power consumed with renewable energy credits
- Affordable pricing
- Free daily backup for all shared hosting plans
- All plans support Perl, Python and Git
- Free website migration assistance
- Root access, control panel and cPanel/WHM included in reseller hosting plans
GreenGeeks Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Slightly lacklustre customer service
- Non refundable setup fees
How Reseller Hosting Works?
The reseller hosting business isn’t difficult to understand. Basically, the concept is the same as if you were to buy wholesale goods from an OEM manufacturer – then rebrand and sell them as your own. Along the way you mark up the price and that’s how you make your profit.
However, as with the regular reseller business, profit margins aren’t terribly high. You also have to pay for the hosting account in advance – irrespective of whether you have customers or not. This means that reseller hosting isn’t necessarily suitable for everyone.
Reseller hosting can be suitable if you:
- Need web hosting and want to earn a little extra for selling excess resources
- Are looking for a small boost to your main income
- Intend to work towards becoming a full web host eventually
Although not terribly complex, it would be better if you were familiar with web hosting in order to work a reseller account. This will give you a broader knowledge base to start your business on.
What to Look for in Reseller Hosting Plans?
Reseller hosting is when you buy web hosting space (and the corresponding features) to partition out and sell to your own customers. This allows you to take advantage of existing resources and run your own web hosting business, in a sense.
Because of this nature, there is a specific set of features out of the norm that you need to consider in reseller hosting. Some of these include storage space (nowadays it’s mostly SSD reseller hosting), whitelabelling, control panel licensing, account configuration tools, and more.
Although reseller plans may look like regular types of web hosting, there are some differentiators that you need to be aware of.
Server Resources
These include elements like memory (RAM), storage space, and CPU. The reason you need to pay more attention in this area is that you need to keep in mind that the resources have to be partitioned out among your potential customers.
Customer Support
Resellers have to provide their own support (albeit indirectly from the web host). This means even greater emphasis is needed in the service provider’s customer service. Spend some time talking to your potential host and gauging their speed and knowledgeability before signing up for a plan.
Control Panel Licensing
As a reseller, you get a limited number of licenses you can share out among your customers. Make sure you assess the plans available and see if the licenses provided are enough to cover how you intend to partition out your plans.
Speed and Reliability
This is usually among the top complaints of web hosting buyers. Make sure the host you choose has a good track record (follow their performance tracks on HostScore). If their servers go down – all your customers will be affected! The effect, in essence, is multiplied manyfold.
Cost versus Functionality
Rather than focus on the price of the plans available on a host, make sure you assess price against features provided. There’s no point buying the cheapest if it won’t support what you want to do in your reseller business.
Final Thoughts
The reseller business is very different from buying a web hosting plan for your personal use. Not only is the assessment criteria different, but you’ll require additional skills to manage the master control panel as well.
All of this contributes to a relatively large investment in both time and money. If you’re considering reseller hosting as a business, make sure you build a proper business plan that not only covers hosting fees, but your complete business.
You’ll need to look towards other elements such as technical work, outlay in time, business environment factors, and of course sales and marketing. Remember, the web hosting market is highly competitive – consider what it takes for you to have the competitive edge.
