cPanel-based Reseller Web Site Hosting

The cPanel reseller hosting mode of operation functions by cutting cPanel server(s) into predefined reseller packages, which are afterwards sold as individual reseller plans. Each and every single cPanel-based reseller hosting package is managed by the WebHost Manager (WHM) administration GUI. WebHost Manager is the place where the reseller sets up the shared web hosting packages traded under his own brand name. Here are the standard steps a regular cPanel-based web space hosting reseller must undergo:

1. Pick a billing/invoicing software system

So as to collect money from their customers, the resellers must add a billing platform connected to the cPanel/WHM module. The most famous billing systems for cPanel and WHM are ModernBill, WHMCS, ClientExec and AWBS.

2. Create a merchant account

A merchant account for credit/debit card payments is required. Preferably issued by a bank (Bank of America, HSBC, Barclays, etc.) or some kind of a payment gateway (PayPal, WorldPay, 2CheckOut, etc.). Without the merchant account, the reseller will not be able to collect any credit/debit card payments from his site hosting customers. This merchant account has to be created inside the desired invoicing system by the earnest reseller.

3. Create a domain reseller account

If you are about to offer domain registration and transfer solutions to your clients, you have to open a domain reseller account with a given domain registrar and to link it inside the billing system.

4. Create the shared website hosting accounts

The cPanel-based reseller web site hosting business operating model enables the reseller to resell shared hosting accounts exclusively. Utilizing the WebHost Manager GUI, the wholesale website hosting supplies must be cut into smaller accounts.

5. Select the prices for the shared web space hosting plans

Now is the time for the reseller to choose the prices for the promoted shared web space hosting packages. While accomplishing this, it's advisable to pay good attention to the fact that inside the payment software system (which is distinct from cPanel and WebHost Manager, i.e. a 3rd login place for the reseller so far and second for the customers) the clients will be able to review their invoices (due or paid) and the earlier payments made, i.e. this is the Billing Manager for the eager cPanel hosting clients as well. cPanel has approximately one hundred and fifty sections inside (the customer must pick up fast), but does not include any Billing or Invoice Manager. Can you believe that?

6. Choose the prices for the domain names

The user interface offered by cPanel also does not support quite essential domain manipulations, such as registrations, transfers, renewals, parking, DNS registrations, Domain Name System record alterations, etc. So, this invoice system is also providing a place for the enthusiastic cPanel website hosting clients where they can perform some (yet, not all) of the abovementioned critical domain name management and handling operations. So, now is the time for the reseller to pick which Top-Level Domains (TLDs) will be offered and to choose their corresponding registration, transfer and renewal price tags.

7. Add a technical support platform

Another thing that is absent in the client interface offered by cPanel is a customer support section (a trouble ticket platform). Depending on the payment gateway the reseller has chosen already, a technical support platform is either available or not. If it is not present, the reseller has to provide a trouble ticket platform and to install it somewhere. Somehow the shared web space hosting customers should be aware of its availability.

8. Link the order wizard with the web site

Finally, now is the time for the reseller hosting site itself. There the shared web space hosting packages and domains can be bought by the potential customers. The whole web site must work in perfect correspondence with the billing system. This suggests, within the web site, the order wizards and the order pages need to be linked properly.

Let's sum up the login locations present with the cPanel-based web space hosting reseller accounts. There are minimum two and maximum 4 locations to log in to, which can be quite confusing for the resellers and especially for the customers.

For the reseller the login locations are:

(1) cPanel (for the reseller site); (2) WHM; (3) the invoice processor; (4) the trouble ticket system (this is in the event that the billing software platform does not already include it - some do, others don't).

Login locations for the earnest cPanel webspace hosting customers:

(1) cPanel; (2) the invoice platform; (3) ultimately the customer support system.