cPanel-based Reseller Webspace Hosting
The cPanel reseller hosting operating model functions by chopping cPanel hosting server(s) into predefined reseller packages, which are then traded as individual reseller packages. Every single cPanel reseller website hosting package is managed by the WebHost Manager (WHM) admin GUI. WHM is the location where the reseller sets up the shared web hosting packages marketed on behalf of his own brand name. Here are the typical procedures an ordinary cPanel webspace hosting reseller has to pass through:
1. Select a billing/invoicing software platform
In order to accept money from their clients, the resellers need to acquire a billing software platform connected with the cPanel/WHM platform. The most famous invoicing systems for cPanel and WHM are ModernBill, WHMCS, ClientExec and AWBS.
2. Establish 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 sort 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 webspace hosting clients. This merchant account needs to be established inside the chosen billing platform by the passionate reseller.
3. Open a domain reseller account
If you are about to offer domain registration and transfer solutions to your clients, you have to create a domain reseller account with a given domain name registrar and to connect it inside the invoice system.
4. Create the shared site hosting packages
The cPanel reseller web page hosting business modus operandi allows the reseller to promote shared hosting plans exclusively. Availing of the WebHost Manager GUI, the wholesale site hosting supplies need to be cut into smaller packages.
5. Set the prices for the shared web hosting plans
Now is the time for the reseller to set the price tags for the offered shared web site hosting plans. While doing this, it's good to pay good heed to the fact that inside the payment platform (which is distinct from cPanel and WHM, in other words a 3rd login location for the reseller so far and second for the customers) the customers will be able to see their invoices (due or paid) and the earlier payments made, i.e. this is the Billing Manager for the fervent cPanel hosting clients as well. cPanel has almost 150 sections inside (the customer has to pick up quickly), but does not offer any Billing or Invoice Manager. Can you imagine that?
6. Set the price tags for the domain names
The customer interface provided by cPanel also does not support very important domain name manipulations, such as registrations, transfers, renewals, parking, DNS registrations, DNS record alterations, etc. So, this billing software system is also providing a place for the zealous cPanel web site hosting clients where they can perform some (still, not all) of the aforementioned key domain name administration and manipulation operations. So, now is the time for the reseller to choose which top-level domain names (TLDs) will be marketed and to select their respective registration, transfer and renewal price tags.
7. Include a client support system
Another thing that is unavailable in the client interface offered by cPanel is a customer support section (a trouble ticket platform). On the basis of the payment processor the reseller has picked already, a customer support platform is either present or not. If it is not present, the reseller has to find a technical support platform and to install it somewhere. Somehow the shared web site hosting clients should be informed of its presence.
8. Link the order wizard with the site
Finally, now is the time for the reseller hosting web site itself. There the shared website hosting plans and domain names can be purchased by the potential clients. The entire website must perform in perfect coordination with the billing platform. This implies, within the website, the order wizards and the order pages must be connected appropriately.
Let's sum up the login locations present with the cPanel-based site hosting reseller solutions. There are at least 2 and maximum four locations to log in to, which can be very perplexing for the resellers and notably for the customers.
For the reseller the login places are:(1) cPanel (for the reseller web site); (2) WebHost Manager; (3) the invoice software system; (4) the ticket system (this is if the invoice platform does not already include it - some do, others don't).
Login places for the enthusiastic cPanel webspace hosting clients:(1) cPanel; (2) the payment platform; (3) possibly the client support platform.