cPanel Reseller Hosting

The cPanel reseller hosting mode of operating functions by segmenting cPanel server(s) into predefined reseller accounts, which are then traded as individual reseller packages. Each and every single cPanel-based reseller webspace hosting package is administered by the WebHost Manager (WHM) administration user interface.

WebHost Manager is the place where the reseller sets up the shared web hosting packages promoted on behalf of his own brand. Here are the standard stages an ordinary cPanel web hosting reseller must pass through:

1. Pick a billing/invoicing gateway

So as to accept payments from their customers, the resellers need to acquire an invoicing software system connected to the cPanel/WHM software. The best known billing platforms for cPanel and WHM are ModernBill, WHMCS, ClientExec and AWBS.

2. Open a merchant account

A merchant account for credit/debit card transactions is needed. Preferably issued by a bank (Bank of America, HSBC, Barclays, etc.) or some kind of an invoicing processor (PayPal, WorldPay, 2CheckOut, etc.). Without the merchant account, the reseller cannot collect any credit/debit card payments from his web page hosting customers. This merchant account needs to be created inside the preferred invoice system by the excited reseller.

3. Set up a domain name reseller account

If you are about to offer domain name registration and transfer services to your clients, you need to create a domain reseller account with a given domain registrar and to connect it inside the invoice software system.

4. Create the shared web site hosting accounts

The cPanel-based reseller web hosting business modus operandi permits the reseller to sell shared hosting accounts exclusively. Using the WHM GUI, the wholesale webspace hosting reserves need to be chopped into smaller plans.

5. Choose the prices for the shared web space hosting packages

Now is the time for the reseller to select the price tags for the promoted shared web space hosting packages. While doing this, it’s preferable to pay good attention to the fact that inside the invoice software platform (which is separate from cPanel and WHM, i.e. a 3rd login location for the reseller so far and second for the customers) the clients will be able to have a peek at their invoices (due or paid) and the previous transactions made, i.e. this is the Billing Manager for the eager cPanel hosting clients as well. cPanel has nearly 150 sections inside (the client needs to learn swiftly), but does not have any Billing or Invoice Manager. Can you imagine that?

6. Choose the price tags for the domains

The user interface offered by cPanel also does not support quite crucial domain operations, such as registrations, transfers, renewals, parking, DNS registrations, Domain Name System record changes, etc. So, this invoice software platform is also providing a location for the enthusiastic cPanel hosting clients where they can perform some (albeit, not all) of the aforestated vital domain administration and handling operations. So, now is the time for the reseller to decide which Top-Level Domains (TLDs) are going to be promoted and to select their corresponding registration, transfer and renewal prices.

7. Add a trouble ticket system

Another thing that lacks in the customer interface offered by cPanel is a trouble ticket section (a trouble ticket platform). Based on the invoicing software system the reseller has chosen already, a trouble ticket platform is either available or not. If it is not present, the reseller has to find a ticket system and to install it somewhere. Somehow the shared web hosting customers should be informed of its existence.

8. Link the order wizard with the web site

Finally, now is the time for the reseller hosting web site itself. There the shared webspace hosting plans and domains can be obtained by the potential clients. The whole website must perform in perfect accord with the billing gateway. This implies, within the website, the order wizards and the order pages need to be linked properly.
Let’s summarize the login locations present with the cPanel webspace hosting reseller plans. There are at least 2 and maximum four locations to log in to, which can be very perplexing for the resellers and especially for the customers.
For the reseller the login locations are:
(1) cPanel (for the reseller website); (2) WHM; (3) the invoicing platform; (4) the customer support platform (this is in case the invoicing gateway does not already comprise it – some do, others don’t).
Login locations for the fervent cPanel website hosting clients:
(1) cPanel; (2) the billing software system; (3) ultimately the customer support system.