Scalability I suppose

[DanMiller268]

Not sure what other forum to put this in so I apologize ahead of time if this isn't the correct one.

I had a couple questions that I guess could be summed up as 'scalability.' What I was wondering was if anyone had an article or any good insights into moving from a beginning reseller plan (specifically a DR-1) on up through to a VPS.

I understand this is not something with a concrete answer but I was hoping anyone with some good experience (Aussie Bob by way of HTTPme perhaps) could help me out with this.

I have been doing Freelance Web development work as a side job to being a Java developer (primarily) and am to the point where I need to be hosting these sites myself. I would eventually like to do this fulltime while gaining clients and moving on up to a VPS.

Now, I was wondering if anyone has been in my shoes before or at least understands where I am coming from and can provide some insight into some practical considerations when it comes to scalability.

I hope this wasn't too long-winded but I do appreciate any responses and opinions at all.

Thank you.

[Josh]

When you decide to upgrade, whether it be to a larger reseller account or to a VPS (or even dedicated server when/if they become available), Dotable will handle everything for you and there should be no downtime.

[DanMiller268]

Thanks for the reply. I was actually more meaning in terms of when to upgrade, how many clients do people have at each stage, how much space/bandwidth do people usually allow each client, etc.

[Aussie Bob]

Hi Dan

Regarding your question of "when to upgrade", that's more down to the revenue that you're generating from your client base. Look at the Reseller account as step 1 inventory supply. It will get you started and get the ball rolling, but will only take you so far. You can source supply from multiple reseller accounts, on different servers - and that's a pretty good strategy, if you didn't want to upgrade to the VPS/Ded path. I've supplied some hosts who have done this, and they do very nicely indeed. They then went to dedicateds when they had used 10+ reseller accounts, and had a comfortable revenue base to do so.

The goal is to upgrade that reseller plan as your client base expands, thus expanding your inventory supply capacity. Part of this upgrade process could be multiple reseller accounts or a VPS or your own dedicated server. Again, this comes down to your revenues that you are generating and your business model and your individual circumstances.

After your 1st server is generating your target revenue/mth, you add another server, thus further expanding your inventory capacity. Then you just keep adding more inventory as your client base expands.

Hope that sheds a little light on "when to upgrade".

[DanMiller268]

Thanks Aussie Bob. I suppose it might be an idea to have multiple reseller accounts rather than upgrade to a VPS or Dedicated. However, at Dotable it looks like the VPS Account (When they're available) will equal out to be a better deal.

Any other thoughts?

[Empire]

Consider that multiple reseller accounts also provides lessening of the blow to your clients when one of the servers goes down. When all clients are on a single VPS or ded, no matter how nicely maintained, when it goes down all clients are down.

[Aussie Bob]

If I was starting out again at the reseller level, I'd be using multiple reseller accounts on different servers, before I went VPS or dedicated. Start with 1 reseller account, get that half populated and open another reseller account on another server. I would probably look to fill 10 reseller accounts, on different servers, and then convert that into 2 VPS accounts. Then when I have 10 VPS accounts full, I'd probably look to convert that inventory into 3 dedicateds.

It's all about creating and managing inventory, and that inventory can start with reseller accounts, as you work your way up. Slow and steady wins the race in this game.

[DanMiller268]

Thanks! Both of those posts was the kind of answer I was looking for.

Question though. When you say X number of reseller accounts & X number of vps's etc., do you mean using the highest level of each.

For example, here at Dotable the DR-5 instead of another reseller account at a lower level.

Thanks again!

[Aussie Bob]

Originally Posted by DanMiller268

Thanks! Both of those posts was the kind of answer I was looking for.

Question though. When you say X number of reseller accounts & X number of vps's etc., do you mean using the highest level of each.

Yeah, you can start with DR-1 and upgrade your way to the DR-5, and then when you need more inventory, get another DR-1, on another server and repeat the process. You could then have a few DR-5s and it might then be a good time to look at a VPS. When you purchase a DR, VPS account, you're stocking inventory, that you use to sell to your clients, so it's a matter of managing and selling from your inventory.

Hope that makes sense.