Differences Between Reseller Hosting and Affiliate Programs
Both reseller hosting and affiliate programs offer ways to earn money through web hosting in India, although they work very differently. With reseller hosting, it is more of a technical aspect, whereas, with the affiliate program, you drive clients for the web host.
In this blog, we will understand the key differences between reseller web hosting in India and affiliate programs. This will help you understand which path works best for you.
What is Reseller Web Hosting?
Reseller web hosting is a business model. In this model, the user or business purchases web hosting resources in bulk from the web host to customise and sell them. One can start with minimal capital, and the model has a compelling opportunity to grow. Some of the advantages of reseller hosting in India include:
- Flexibility Control and freedom for creating a pricing structure targeting the profit margins
- White-label hosting allows you to rebrand the resources under your brand name for reselling.
- Customising Packaging allows you to customise your reseller plans based on your client’s needs. It means you can customise your reseller web hosting package based on your target audience, adding various value-added services to ensure customer satisfaction.
What is a Hosting Affiliate Program?
Hosting affiliate programs are more like partnerships where you get a commission on referring the web hosting service to your customer. It means the role here is more on the marketing side, which is a very different hosting reseller business model.
You can make use of different blogs, email marketing, and social media marketing to market the web hosting. Some of the advantages of affiliate programs include:
- Affiliate programs have a wide scope of getting started due to the low entry barrier.
- With affiliate programs, the technical aspect, like customer support, is not your responsibility.
- Passive income can be made with minimal effort and investment.
Key Difference Between Hosting Reseller Business and Affiliate Program
| Aspects | Hosting Reseller Business | Affiliate Program |
| Resources | When running a reseller business, the reseller purchases and handles the resources. | Affiliate programmers don’t have to deal with resources. |
| Pricing | Resellers have the freedom to strategically set their own pricing model. | With an affiliate program, the merchant or web host usually sets prices, and affiliates get discounts. |
| Customer Support | With reseller web hosting service, both web host and reseller handle customers. | Customer support with affiliate programs is limited to their targeted service, such as purchase. |
| Marketing And Sales | When hosting a reseller business, the reseller is responsible for marketing and sales. | With an affiliate program, the affiliate manages marketing, but the merchant carries out sales. |
Reseller Web Hosting Vs Affiliate Program: Which One is Right For You?
The choice of reseller web hosting vs an affiliate program depends on your goals and your business nature. Both programs have benefits, but they are different.
Developers or designers are more benefited by reseller web hosting services to upscale and bundle their present service. An influencer or blogger is more suitable for an affiliate program as they already promote products and services.
Conclusion
The choice between a reseller web hosting business and affiliate programs depends on what approach you prefer, your commitment, and the control you need. Reseller web hosting plans are more of an independent program offering more control, responsibility and risk.
In contrast, affiliate programs have more to do with less control, risk, and responsibility, which are limited to marketing. So, weigh what you need and choose the best web hosting reseller program or affiliate program accordingly.
