When you obtain a virtual or a dedicated server, you'll be able to use it not only to host your own sites, but, in addition to resell hosting plans to various other people. This will help you make good money, since the number of people who build their first site grows and the need for website hosting services is growing each and every year. Other than the server itself, you will need a merchant account with some payment processor, that will enable you to accept transactions on the web, and a billing application so as to link the two of them. To use your own server means to have extra control compared to the standard web hosting reseller programs. If, for example, a client needs to run some script that requires a certain application to be present on the server, there will not be any trouble to install it on a virtual or a dedicated machine, but it's impossible to do that on a shared server where all reseller accounts are generated. With minimum effort and investment, you will have the opportunity to start a successful hosting firm on your own and to become a part of the ever expanding web hosting market.