cPanel-based Reseller Web Hosting

The cPanel reseller hosting mode of operating functions by dividing cPanel-based web server(s) into predefined reseller packages, which are then promoted as individual reseller accounts. Each and every single cPanel-based reseller web page hosting package is administered by the WebHost Manager (WHM) administration device. WebHost Manager is the place where the reseller creates the shared web hosting packages sold on behalf of his own brand. Here are the common steps a regular cPanel hosting reseller has to pass through:

1. Choose a billing/invoicing software system

So as to gather money from their clients, the resellers have to obtain a billing platform linked with the cPanel/WHM platform. The most popular invoicing platforms for cPanel and WHM are ModernBill, WHMCS, ClientExec and AWBS.

2. Establish a merchant account

A merchant account for credit/debit card transactions is required. Preferably issued by a bank (Bank of America, HSBC, Barclays, etc.) or some kind of an invoicing system (PayPal, WorldPay, 2CheckOut, etc.). Without the merchant account, the reseller will not be able to collect any credit/debit card payments from his web space hosting clients. This merchant account has to be set up inside the desired billing system by the exalted reseller.

3. Open a domain reseller account

If you will be offering domain name registration and transfer services to your clients, you have to establish a domain reseller account with some domain registrar and to connect it inside the payment platform.

4. Create the shared hosting plans

The cPanel-based reseller web site hosting business modus operandi allows the reseller to sell shared hosting plans only. Availing of the WHM user interface, the wholesale web site hosting reserves have to be divided into smaller accounts.

5. Choose the price tags for the shared web hosting plans

Now is the time for the reseller to set the price tags for the promoted shared site hosting plans. While performing this, it's advisable to pay good attention to the circumstance that inside the invoicing gateway (which is independent from cPanel and WHM, in other words a 3rd login location for the reseller so far and 2nd for the customers) the customers will be able to have a look at their invoices (due or paid) and the previous transactions made, i.e. this is the Billing Manager for the avid cPanel hosting clients too. cPanel has more or less 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. Set the price tags for the domains

The user interface provided by cPanel also does not support quite essential domain manipulations, such as registrations, transfers, renewals, parking, DNS registrations, DNS record changes, etc. So, this billing system is also offering a location for the zealous cPanel webspace hosting clients where they can execute some (still, not all) of the aforestated important domain name administration and manipulation procedures. So, now is the time for the reseller to choose which top-level domain names (TLDs) will be promoted and to select their corresponding registration, transfer and renewal price tags.

7. Add a technical support system

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

8. Link the order wizard with the site

At last, now is the time for the reseller hosting web site itself. There the shared web page hosting accounts and domains can be purchased by the prospective customers. The entire web site must operate in perfect coordination with the invoice platform. This suggests, within the site, the order wizards and the order pages must be linked correctly.

Let's summarize the login places available with the cPanel-based hosting reseller plans. There are minimum two and maximum 4 locations to log in to, which can be very disconcerting for the resellers and particularly for the clients.

For the reseller the login places are:

(1) cPanel (for the reseller site); (2) WHM; (3) the invoice system; (4) the ticket system (this is if the invoice software system does not already comprise it - some do, others don't).

Login locations for the avid cPanel webspace hosting customers:

(1) cPanel; (2) the invoicing software; (3) ultimately the client support ticket system.