Setting up new accounts on reseller plan

[colin_thames]

Hi there
I'm a newbie to reseller hosting and need some help. I'm trying to work out what to tell new clients when I've set up a new account under my reseller plan for them
I sort of hoped that setting up a new account would send signup instructions to the listed email but it doesn't.

Let's say my account is xyz.com and I set up a domain for a new client called abc.com with an account name of abc:

1. Where should they upload their files? Do I need to set up a folder within my own directory or is there a seperate one created automatically?
2. What would their ftp and cpanel addresses be before their domain nameservers propogated?
3. Are their nameserver details the same as mine?
4. How can I ensure that their domain points to their index file in their directory and not mine?

Thanks

[Administrator]

Hi Colin,

I have answered all your questions as following :-

1. Where should they upload their files? Do I need to set up a folder within my own directory or is there a seperate one created automatically?
Ans :- Your customers will get separate cpanel account and they will need to upload their content in public_html directory when they connect through FTP or file manager in their cpanel control panel.

2. What would their ftp and cpanel addresses be before their domain nameservers propogated?
Ans :- Their FTP and cPanel login details will be shown to you when you add their new account from your WHM. You need to send same information to your customers.

3. Are their nameserver details the same as mine?
Ans :- Yes. They will use same servers as that of your main domain.

4. How can I ensure that their domain points to their index file in their directory and not mine?
Ans :- All they need to do is point their domains to your nameservers. Apache takes care of pointing respective domains to its own directory as httpd.conf entry is created at the time of account creation from WHM.


You can consider a billing system like WHMCS once you start getting good number of orders. WHMCS will help you with automation as it has inbuilt API to create accounts in your WHM automatically once your customers pay online for a specific hosting plan.

[colin_thames]

Many thanks Admin
That was all v useful. Got a couple more clarification q's to ask below.

Originally Posted by Administrator

1. Where should they upload their files? Do I need to set up a folder within my own directory or is there a seperate one created automatically?
Ans :- Your customers will get separate cpanel account and they will need to upload their content in public_html directory when they connect through FTP or file manager in their cpanel control panel.
Colin replies: great, just tried and this seems to work, is there a master/reseller level of FTP so I can navigate through all directories or do I need to set up a separate FTP logon for each account if I want to view or upload files for my clients?

2. What would their ftp and cpanel addresses be before their domain nameservers propogated?
Ans :- Their FTP and cPanel login details will be shown to you when you add their new account from your WHM. You need to send same information to your customers.
Colin adds: Is there a way of viewing this later, including passwords, or will I need to reset password if they lose it?

3. Are their nameserver details the same as mine?
Ans :- Yes. They will use same servers as that of your main domain.
Colin adds: thanks

4. How can I ensure that their domain points to their index file in their directory and not mine?
Ans :- All they need to do is point their domains to your nameservers. Apache takes care of pointing respective domains to its own directory as httpd.conf entry is created at the time of account creation from WHM.
Colin adds: thanks

You can consider a billing system like WHMCS once you start getting good number of orders. WHMCS will help you with automation as it has inbuilt API to create accounts in your WHM automatically once your customers pay online for a specific hosting plan.

Colin adds: where is WHCMS - I don't seem to have it as an add-on?

Cheers

[Dan]

WHMCS is an external billing system, you will need to purchase a monthly license at $15 / £7.50 - every penny is worth it!

WHMCS - The Complete Client Management, Billing & Support System for more info

[colin_thames]

Thanks Dan
Sounds good, though for my needs (only hosting a few design clients) it might not be cost effective.
What's the "Easy Billing Management" that's mentioned on the specs of the reseller account and where is it?
Cheers
Colin

[Dan]

I'm not sure any good free systems exist anymore, most are ridden with exploits. WHMCS is the only reliable one from my point of view

[colin_thames]

"Easy Billing Management" is on the features list of the reseller account. Does it not exist, or is it at extra cost?

If so, should it be removed from the list?

[Dan]

I'm not too sure on that. From a customers POV I think it's implying that all billing systems are compatible with it.. but I'm not too sure on that one.

[Nicolaus]

Originally Posted by colin_thames

"Easy Billing Management" is on the features list of the reseller account. Does it not exist, or is it at extra cost?

If so, should it be removed from the list?

Colin,

The "Easy Billing Management" listed under the "ACCOUNTING FEATURES" section means that customers would get a easy to manage members area . We were previously giving away a free billing software, but it was not worth even free of cost. It only increased the hassles.

Webhosting UK currently employs WHMCS as the billling management system and it does have an extremely user friendly GUI, which does fulfill the criteria of an easy billing management for the customer.

[jon123]

What was the free billing software Nicolaus?

We used to give clientexec. We dont do so anymore. However, you still can get free billing management systems in your fantastico. These are AccountLab Plus & phpCOIN.

[colin_thames]

Hi Nicolaus
I do't have either of these in my Fantastico installer even though I have a reseller account. Perhaps it's server specific?
Colin

[Administrator]

Hi Colin,

One of our staff member will upgrade Fantastico version on your server.

We will respond to this thread once upgrade is completed.

internal note : client ID #8271

[colin_thames]

Thanks Nicholaus
Colin

[AlexP]

Hi Colin,
The lastest Fantastico version (De Luxe 2.10.4 r22. ) has been upgraded on the server.

[colin_thames]

Brilliant, thanks. Will have a good look at phpCoin