Shared Reseller Account vs VPS?

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Posted by arminds, 08-13-2013, 04:32 AM
Hello, We need to tailor great packages for our customers, we found out that VPS provides better performance, reliability and control for our reseller customers. However, some other customers prefer more affordable solution and look for a regular shared hosting reseller account on a shared server, which we don't provide at the moment. Should we stick with VPS?
Posted by mzpzhosting, 08-13-2013, 05:10 AM
You should consider your business plan and the reason why your business exist. If you think it is great time to expand , to cater new demand , why not?
Posted by web-project, 08-13-2013, 06:48 AM
Shared Reseller Account - you don't need to maintain server, as someone else does it for you as part of shared reseller hosting account service. The disadvantage is limitation of resources. VPS - better compare reseller account, as no one is limiting the account, you can install anything you wish to have on server, but the disadvantage: you need to have management of VPS service (if you can't manage server) or unmanaged (in this case you will need to maintain and manage VPS server).
Posted by arminds, 08-13-2013, 09:59 AM
Thanks for the feedback. How if we provide a managed VPS solution? Do you think customers will prefer Managed VPS over Shared reseller account? Considering that VPS will cost them double per month.
Posted by net, 08-13-2013, 10:15 AM
Some people will still prefer reseller hosting and mainly because of their budget.
Posted by LankapartnerHost, 08-13-2013, 10:19 AM
Yes true, and they worrying about vps management too.
Posted by arminds, 08-13-2013, 10:49 AM
But As I mentioned, it is a managed VPS. They will only use cPanel/WHM as a shared reseller but with dedicated hardware resources although has full root access.
Posted by ServerSam, 08-13-2013, 12:28 PM
If you use a VPS, you might have extra prices not just on managing it, but on things like more rams when your client base grows etc. In reseller hosting, you dont have to worry anything about that.
Posted by WebHostDog, 08-16-2013, 12:51 PM
Try again. Reseller/Shared hosting is most of the time limited to 512MB RAM per client etc. CPU is limited too, number of connections, number of inodes and so on and so on. It is almost impossible to use a reseller package and grow a big hosting business VPS is a must. Last edited by WebHostDog; 08-16-2013 at 12:51 PM. Reason: edit
Posted by arminds, 08-18-2013, 03:40 AM
Totally agree
Posted by HelgeSverre, 08-18-2013, 01:48 PM
The gist of the Shared vs VPS is this: If you NEED more control, and the ability to control everything that happens on your hosting, go with a VPS, but keep in mind this will be more expensive once you scale up. If you don't need that and are planning on offering generic hosting packages, and want the reseller provider to take care of most of the work, then a shared reseller solution would be for you.
Posted by DWS2006, 08-18-2013, 02:58 PM
ARMiNDS your best option is probably to offer both. Typical reseller accounts are perfect for a lot of users, especially web designers. Most managed VPS packages still entail more responsibilities for the end user, and if they don't the cost is generally considerably higher.
Posted by Forward Web, 08-18-2013, 05:34 PM
As a business are you currently offering any type of shared services other than VPS? I think that would be a big determining factor (if I were in your shoes).
Posted by Webhostpython, 08-18-2013, 05:37 PM
I agree. Reseller hosting doesn't just attract other host looking to host shared accounts. Many web designers, programmers, bloggers still use reseller hosting because it allows them to host all of their websites under one control panel. They don't need all of the overhead and extra features of a VPS. They just want a place to host their websites.
Posted by arminds, 08-19-2013, 04:22 AM
Yes I provide shared hosting, and I used to provide shared reseller account. But I have to adjust packages and pricing because it was very low. I am asking to know is VPS is enough for resellers or should I turn shared reseller accounts back on?
Posted by arminds, 08-19-2013, 04:24 AM
Great input that I shall consider.
Posted by LDHosting, 08-19-2013, 06:43 AM
While it is true that shared accounts are usually restricted in terms of RAM/CPU etc, with shared / reseller accounts you don't need to account for the RAM usage by stuff like MySQL / cPanel&WHM / DNS Servers / Apache processes etc etc. With a VPS, these kind of processes eat away at your RAM allocation before you host a single customer. Depending on the circumstances, a shared/reseller account can have access to a larger resource pool and outperform the same site hosted on a VPS. Both options certainly have their pros and cons.
Posted by BestServerSupport, 08-23-2013, 11:46 AM
Shared hosting is like living in an apartment where you share a common space with your neighbors. You cannot customize anything but you share maintenance cost and responsibility with your neighbors. Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting is like living in a simplex or halfplex where you can customize everything to your own tastes.
Posted by Webhostpython, 08-23-2013, 11:47 AM
That is actually a very good analogy of the two.
Posted by IHSL, 08-23-2013, 12:47 PM
I posted this quite a while back, but it stands as true today as when these types of questions started popping up @ WHT eight years ago: Here's the key point: VPS is, in effect, a scaled down dedicated server. It is not, and never will be, a competitive alternative to reseller hosting, in its truest form. Reseller hosting, by very definition, is meant to enable the end user to resell services without having to do all the grunt work. A good reseller hosting provider will provide such a smooth environment (not just space and bandwidth) that the line between reseller and provider becomes blurry. That environment includes tools to help you build your business; domain accounts, advanced support, business training/assistance/advice, end user support, etc. Some people think reseller hosting is merely multi-domain hosting with separate logins. That is a common misconception about the reseller hosting market, caused by some reseller hosting "providers" marketing them as such. There are actually very few genuine reseller hosting companies out there, believe it or not. If the head of a new company with a small budget and a single-man staff roster wanted to genuinely get a good start for his/her business, I'd advise them to research very carefully, and choose the best reseller hosting provider available. That would be one that does not just say "here's some disk space, bandwidth, and a control panel license". Simon
Posted by IHSL, 08-23-2013, 12:49 PM
I think you'll find Reseller Hosting is far more customizable than you give it credit for. Infact, I'd say it's a darn site more customizable than a VPS service, especially a managed one. I find it utterly bizarre that as a RESELLER HOSTING provider, you are so damning about reseller hosting as a service. I think you'll find that a LOT of good sized companies started out as a reseller. I assure you, it is VERY possible. Simon Last edited by IHSL; 08-23-2013 at 12:54 PM. Reason: Multi quote
Posted by IntellyHost, 08-23-2013, 03:05 PM
I guess always the VPS is one step ahead of shared reseller plans. Because in reseller hosting you are taking any shared package and then you are selling to your customer. And if you take VPS then you can easily shared the same to the client. So here 2nd time definitely the performance will be more high than the reseller shared VPS.
Posted by IHSL, 08-23-2013, 03:14 PM
VPS is a sideways step, not a step upward from Reseller Hosting. The two services can not be compared (fairly anyway). Simon
Posted by PhillF, 08-23-2013, 06:45 PM
First off you have to ask yourself whether you anticipate a rapid growth at startup. If you do then future proofing yourself by getting a small to mid sized VPS but if you don't anticipate a rapid growth right out of the gate then a shared reseller account will do you just fine. For VPSs I would suggest looking at KnownHost or FutureHosting.
Posted by Shinjiru Technology, 08-28-2013, 04:04 PM
Exactly. So if you want to expand your target market to include customers who are looking for cheaper solutions, you should probably start provisioning shared reseller accounts.

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