Overselling Is It Worth Taking The Risk

Overselling has emerged as a very popular trend in the world of web hosting. This is catching on fast because one is able to derive a whole lot of benefits out of a single server. Basically, the idea behind this intelligent concept of overselling is that a major proportion of the clients are only utilizing a minimal proportion of the space allotted to them. The amount of unutilized bandwidth is then allotted to other webmasters. The notion of overselling just involves taking some amount of risk and attempting to make some money out of it.

Web hosts are not going to reveal the fact that they are overselling the space, because it is likely to turn customers away. But, it cannot necessary be a bad idea if the host is able to make all the ends meet. There should just be no problems that one should face because of unwarranted overselling, like low technical support, frequent server downtimes etc. Therefore, the web host should keep this fact in mind that they are not overselling the disk space in order to just make money. Webmasters can find out about a host overselling if they realize that the service provider is providing them inordinate amounts of bandwidth at amazingly low prices. The advantage that webmasters can attempt to get out of overselling is that they are able to get the hosting packages at very cheap rates. But, these packages come with their share of benefits and disadvantages.

Few of the users in the overselling deal can make use of their entire disk space without any problems, while others cannot use their capacity to the maximum. If all the customers start making use of their full capacity all at once, then the host will not be able to cope with the sudden surge in demand. They will have to add features like more bandwidth and additional number of hard drives. Most of the times when adequate disk space is not available, the website may experience a large number of down times. There can also be associated problems like frequent instabilities in the server connections with slow customer service. The number of email addresses provided might be lower than what the customers actually need.

Now, when does the service provider decide to sell just enough or to oversell? Ideally, it is observed that they do it when it is noticed that most of the web masters are not making use of their allotted disk spaces. Regular customers of a web hosting service are seen as source of income to meet running costs and customers made through overselling are seen as source of profits. Overselling will work when the web hosting service provider is able to hire appropriate technical personnel to ensure that the customer service levels are maintained and all customers are provided with facilities as promised.

Overselling is really not bad from a web hosting company’s point of view as long as it is able to balance the resources well and meet customer expectations on time and with the desired competence.