What is DirectAdmin reseller hosting?

Reseller hosting allows you to purchase hosting resources from 0724 Hosting and resell hosting accounts to your own clients. You act as a hosting provider, creating and managing accounts, setting prices, and providing support while we handle the servers, infrastructure, and backend administration.

Key reseller capabilities:

  • Create unlimited user accounts within your allocated resources
  • Create custom hosting packages with different disk, bandwidth, and feature limits
  • Manage client accounts including suspension, password resets, and modifications
  • Brand your hosting service with your company name and logo
  • Set your own pricing and payment terms for clients
  • Provide first-level support to your clients

Accessing DirectAdmin reseller panel

Log in to DirectAdmin:

  1. Visit https://ca.0724.co.za
  2. Log in to the client area
  3. Go to Services → My Services
  4. Click your reseller hosting service
  5. Click Log in to DirectAdmin
  6. You will be logged in as a reseller-level account

DirectAdmin reseller interface:

The reseller interface includes sections for:

  • Account Manager: Create, modify, list, suspend, and delete user accounts
  • Account Management: Manage packages, IPs, and reseller settings
  • Your Account: Manage your own reseller account settings
  • Statistics: View resource usage and account activity

Understanding reseller resource allocation

Your reseller limits:

Your reseller account has total resource allocations you divide among your clients:

  • Disk space: Total storage across all user accounts (e.g., 100 GB)
  • Bandwidth: Total monthly data transfer for all users (e.g., 1000 GB or unlimited)
  • Domains: Number of domains you can host across all accounts
  • Email accounts: Usually unlimited
  • Databases: Usually unlimited
  • FTP accounts: Usually unlimited

Check your reseller usage:

  1. DirectAdmin dashboard shows total usage
  2. View disk space used / available
  3. View bandwidth used this month / available
  4. See how many user accounts you have created

Resource math example:

If your reseller plan includes 100 GB disk space:

  • You could create 10 accounts with 10 GB each
  • Or 50 accounts with 2 GB each
  • Or a mix: 5 × 10 GB + 25 × 2 GB = 100 GB total
  • Keep 20-30% buffer for overhead and growth

Creating hosting packages

Packages are templates that define resource limits for user accounts. See our detailed guide: Creating Hosting Packages in DirectAdmin.

Quick package setup:

  1. Go to Account Manager → Manage User Packages
  2. Click Add Package
  3. Set package name (e.g., "Basic", "Pro", "Premium")
  4. Configure:
    • Disk space quota (in MB)
    • Bandwidth quota (in MB or unlimited)
    • Email accounts limit
    • Database limit
    • Domain limits (addon domains, subdomains, pointers)
    • FTP accounts
    • Inodes (file count) limit
    • Feature access (PHP, CGI, SSL, SSH, cron jobs)
  5. Click Create

Recommended package structure:

Basic Package (Starter/Entry):

  • 2-5 GB disk space
  • 20-50 GB bandwidth
  • 10-25 email accounts
  • 5-10 databases
  • 1-5 addon domains
  • Price: R50-R100/month

Professional Package (Small Business):

  • 10-20 GB disk space
  • 100-200 GB bandwidth
  • 50-100 email accounts
  • 25 databases
  • 10 addon domains
  • Price: R150-R300/month

Premium Package (Enterprise):

  • 50+ GB disk space or unlimited
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Unlimited email accounts
  • Unlimited databases
  • Unlimited addon domains
  • Price: R400-R800/month

Managing user accounts

See our detailed guide: Managing Reseller User Accounts.

Create a user account:

  1. Go to Account Manager → Add New User
  2. Enter username (lowercase, no spaces)
  3. Enter email address (client contact email)
  4. Set password (provide to client securely)
  5. Enter primary domain name
  6. Select package from dropdown
  7. Select IP address (shared or dedicated)
  8. Click Create
  9. Account is created instantly

List and manage users:

  1. Go to Account Manager → List Users
  2. View all accounts with usage statistics
  3. Options for each user:
    • Modify: Change limits, package, email
    • Suspend: Disable account (non-payment, abuse)
    • Unsuspend: Reactivate suspended account
    • Delete: Permanently remove account
    • Login as User: Access their DirectAdmin to help troubleshoot
    • Change Password: Reset DirectAdmin password

IP address management

Shared vs dedicated IPs:

Shared IP (default):

  • Multiple user accounts share one IP address
  • Standard for most hosting accounts
  • Works fine for websites and email
  • SSL certificates work via SNI (Server Name Indication)
  • No extra cost

Dedicated IP:

  • User account gets unique IP address
  • Required for some legacy SSL scenarios
  • Allows access via IP address directly
  • Additional cost (purchase from 0724 Hosting)
  • Useful for email reputation management

Assign IP to user:

  1. When creating account, select Shared or Dedicated IP
  2. For existing accounts, go to Modify User and change IP assignment
  3. Dedicated IPs must be purchased and assigned to your reseller account first

Request dedicated IPs:

Contact 0724 Hosting support to purchase additional dedicated IPs for your reseller account. Costs typically R25-R50/month per IP.

Branding your reseller hosting

Custom branding options:

  • Company name: Display your business name in DirectAdmin
  • Support email: Set your support email for client notifications
  • Custom nameservers: Use your own branded nameservers (requires DNS setup)
  • Logo: Some DirectAdmin skins support custom logos

Set reseller branding:

  1. Go to Account Manager → Reseller Settings (if available)
  2. Or contact 0724 Hosting support to configure:
    • Your company name
    • Support email address
    • Custom nameserver hostnames (if desired)

Custom nameservers:

Instead of using ns1.practiwebs.co.za and ns2.practiwebs.co.za, you can brand nameservers:

  • ns1.yourdomain.co.za
  • ns2.yourdomain.co.za

Setup requirements:

  1. Register nameserver hostnames with your domain registrar
  2. Point them to 0724 Hosting nameserver IPs (provided by support)
  3. Contact 0724 Hosting to configure DNS zone

Managing backups

Backup types available:

0724 Hosting provides JetBackup for all reseller and user accounts:

  • Daily backups: Automatic daily backups of all accounts
  • Retention: Typically 7-30 days (depending on your reseller plan)
  • Full account backups: Website files, databases, email, and configuration
  • Selective restore: Restore individual files, databases, or email accounts

Access backups:

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin
  2. Click JetBackup in the main menu
  3. View available backup dates
  4. Restore full account or individual components

User backups:

  • Your clients can access JetBackup from their DirectAdmin
  • They can restore their own websites, databases, and email
  • Backups are automatic - no configuration needed

Create manual backup:

  1. Go to Account Manager → List Users
  2. Select user
  3. Click Create Backup (if available)
  4. Or instruct user to create backup from their DirectAdmin

Security and access control

Reseller security best practices:

  • Strong reseller password: Use complex password for your reseller account
  • Secure user passwords: Require clients to use strong passwords
  • Disable SSH by default: Only enable for users who need it
  • Monitor account activity: Check for unusual disk/bandwidth usage
  • Update client software: Encourage clients to keep WordPress and plugins updated
  • Enable two-factor authentication: If available in DirectAdmin

Handling compromised accounts:

If a user account is hacked or compromised:

  1. Suspend account immediately to stop malicious activity
  2. Scan for malware using DirectAdmin file manager or SSH
  3. Change all passwords (DirectAdmin, FTP, database, email)
  4. Review file changes and remove malicious files
  5. Update software (WordPress, plugins, themes)
  6. Restore from backup if necessary
  7. Unsuspend once cleaned

Preventing abuse:

  • Set appropriate inode limits (100k-500k) to prevent excessive files
  • Monitor bandwidth for sudden spikes (may indicate spam or malware)
  • Suspend accounts immediately if receiving abuse complaints
  • Review Acceptable Use Policy with clients

Monitoring resource usage

Monitor reseller resources:

  1. DirectAdmin dashboard shows:
    • Total disk space used / available
    • Bandwidth used this month / available
    • Number of user accounts created
  2. Check weekly to avoid overselling

Monitor individual user usage:

  1. Go to Account Manager → List Users
  2. View disk and bandwidth columns
  3. Identify users approaching limits
  4. Contact users to upgrade or optimise

Usage warnings:

  • When user approaches 80% of disk/bandwidth: Notify them to upgrade
  • At 90%: Send urgent warning
  • At 100%: Website and email stop working until cleanup or upgrade

Integrating with WHMCS or billing software

WHMCS integration:

WHMCS is billing and client management software popular with resellers. It can:

  • Automatically create DirectAdmin accounts when clients order
  • Provision packages based on WHMCS products
  • Suspend accounts for non-payment automatically
  • Send invoices and payment reminders
  • Provide client portal for viewing services
  • Integrate with payment gateways (PayFast, Stripe, PayPal)

Setup WHMCS with DirectAdmin:

  1. Purchase WHMCS licence (or use WHMCS.com hosted version)
  2. Add DirectAdmin server in WHMCS:
    • Server hostname
    • Your reseller username
    • Your reseller password
    • DirectAdmin API port (2222)
  3. Create products in WHMCS mapped to DirectAdmin packages
  4. Test account creation

Contact 0724 Hosting support for assistance setting up WHMCS with your reseller account.

Alternative billing solutions:

  • Blesta: Similar to WHMCS, lower cost
  • HostBill: Feature-rich billing platform
  • ClientExec: Client management and billing
  • Manual billing: Use invoicing software (Xero, QuickBooks) and create accounts manually

Supporting your clients

First-level support responsibilities:

As a reseller, you provide support to your clients for:

  • DirectAdmin usage questions (email setup, file uploads, databases)
  • Account login issues
  • Domain DNS configuration
  • Email client setup
  • WordPress and application installation
  • Website troubleshooting

When to escalate to 0724 Hosting:

Contact 0724 Hosting support for:

  • Server-level issues (downtime, performance)
  • DirectAdmin software issues or errors
  • IP address assignments
  • Reseller account upgrades or modifications
  • Advanced technical issues beyond your expertise

Support resources for your clients:

  • Share links to 0724 Hosting knowledge base articles
  • Use DirectAdmin official documentation
  • Create your own FAQ or knowledge base
  • Provide email setup guides with your branded information

Upgrading your reseller plan

When to upgrade:

  • You have allocated 80% of disk space or bandwidth
  • You want to create more user accounts
  • Clients need more resources than current packages allow
  • You want dedicated IPs or additional features

How to upgrade:

  1. Log in to https://ca.0724.co.za
  2. Go to Services → My Services
  3. Click your reseller hosting service
  4. Click Upgrade/Downgrade
  5. Select new reseller plan
  6. Pay prorated difference
  7. Resources updated instantly

Or contact 0724 Hosting support to discuss custom reseller plans for larger operations.

Pricing your hosting packages

Pricing strategy:

Set pricing based on your costs and target margin:

  1. Calculate your cost per account:
    • Monthly reseller plan cost ÷ number of accounts you plan to host
    • Example: R500/month reseller ÷ 20 accounts = R25/account cost
  2. Add margin:
    • Multiply by 2-4× for profit margin
    • Example: R25 cost × 3 = R75 selling price minimum
  3. Consider market rates:
    • South African hosting: R50-R800/month depending on features
    • Position your packages competitively
  4. Tiered pricing:
    • Basic: R50-R100/month
    • Pro: R150-R300/month
    • Premium: R400-R800/month

Additional revenue streams:

  • Charge for website migrations (R300-R1000 per site)
  • Offer email setup service (R200-R500)
  • Provide website development or maintenance contracts
  • Sell domains with markup
  • Offer dedicated IPs (R25-R100/month markup)

Growing your reseller business

Tips for success:

  • Focus on a niche: Target specific industries (restaurants, legal firms, e-commerce)
  • Provide excellent support: Fast responses build loyalty and referrals
  • Bundle services: Offer hosting + domain + email + website development
  • White-label everything: Brand all touchpoints with your company name
  • Automate billing: Use WHMCS to reduce manual work
  • Offer migrations: Make switching to your hosting easy and free
  • Network locally: South African businesses prefer local providers
  • Create content: Blog about hosting, SEO, and website tips

Marketing your reseller hosting:

  • Website with clear pricing and features
  • Google Ads targeting local searches (e.g., "web hosting South Africa", "hosting Johannesburg")
  • Social media presence (Facebook, LinkedIn)
  • Partner with web designers and agencies
  • Offer referral incentives to existing clients
  • Attend local business networking events

Common reseller challenges and solutions

Challenge: Overselling resources

Solution:

  • Monitor usage weekly
  • Keep 20-30% buffer room
  • Upgrade reseller plan proactively when at 70-80% capacity
  • Set realistic package limits

Challenge: Client support taking too much time

Solution:

  • Create knowledge base articles for common questions
  • Use email templates for frequent responses
  • Implement ticketing system or use WHMCS support desk
  • Set support hours (e.g., weekdays 9-5 SAST)
  • Charge premium for after-hours support

Challenge: Clients not paying invoices

Solution:

  • Use automated billing (WHMCS) with payment reminders
  • Suspend accounts automatically at 7 days overdue
  • Delete accounts at 30 days overdue (after backup and warning)
  • Require upfront payment for new clients
  • Offer discounts for annual prepayment

Challenge: Low profit margins

Solution:

  • Increase prices gradually (5-10% annually)
  • Upsell additional services (domains, SSL, email, backups)
  • Focus on higher-tier packages with better margins
  • Reduce support load with better documentation
  • Bundle services for higher perceived value

Getting help from 0724 Hosting

As a reseller, you have access to 0724 Hosting support for:

  • Technical server issues
  • DirectAdmin configuration assistance
  • Reseller account upgrades
  • IP address allocation
  • WHMCS integration help
  • Migration assistance for large accounts
  • Advice on reseller best practices

Contact 0724 Hosting support for reseller assistance. We are here to help your reseller business succeed.

Reseller resources