How to Setup WHMCS

If you’ve recently installed WHMCS, congratulations—you’re one step closer to automating your web hosting business. But installation is just the beginning. To get the most out of WHMCS, you must configure it properly to suit your business needs.

This blog post walks you through the key steps to set up WHMCS, from configuring your company details and integrating payment gateways to creating hosting plans and automating server management.

Whether setting up WHMCS for the first time or revisiting your configuration, this guide will help ensure you get it right.

Before configuring WHMCS, ensure you have the following ready:

1. WHMCS is installed on your server. If you haven't installed WHMCS yet, check out our installation guide for step-by-step instructions. A working installation is essential before proceeding.

2. Access to WHMCS admin dashboard. Ensure you have your admin credentials ready and can log in without issues.

3. Server credentials for integration: If you’re using WHMCS to manage hosting services, ensure you have the necessary credentials, such as the username, API token, and server address for cPanel/WHM, the username, password, and API URL for Plesk, or the required API keys and credentials for other platforms.

4. Payment gateway details. To accept payments, gather the credentials for your chosen gateway(s). For PayPal, ensure you have a business account and its API credentials. If you're using Stripe, you'll need the API keys. For other gateways, have the necessary configuration details ready.

With these prerequisites in place, you're ready to configure WHMCS and unlock its full potential.

If you have already installed WHMCS, navigate to your admin URL (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/cart/admin) and log in. On your first login, WHMCS will automatically display the Getting Started Wizard to guide you through the essential configurations.

If the Getting Started Wizard doesn’t appear, you can manually access it by going to the Help menu and selecting Setup Wizard from the drop-down.

Once you’ve accessed the Setup Wizard, follow these steps to complete the configuration. You can skip a particular step by clicking the Skip Step button in the bottom left corner of each step.

Step 1: Company Setup

The first step in the WHMCS Getting Started Wizard is to configure your company details. This information forms the foundation of your WHMCS system and will appear on invoices, emails, and other client-facing materials.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Enter your company name: Provide the name of your business as you want it displayed to clients.
2. Add your logo: Upload your company logo, which will appear on client invoices and the client area.
3. Set the default email address: This email address will be used for all system communications, such as invoices and support notifications.
4. Fill in address details: Enter your business address, as this would appear on invoices.
5. Set your primary country: Select the country where your business is based.
6. Set the default language: Choose the default language that users will see in the client area.

Once you've filled out these details, click Next to proceed to the payment gateway configuration.

Step 2: Payment Gateways

Payment gateways are the backbone of your WHMCS billing system, enabling you to process client payments for your products and services securely. Configuring them correctly ensures a seamless checkout experience for your customers and a smooth cash flow for your business.

WHMCS supports a wide range of payment gateways, with additional integrations available via modules from the WHMCS Marketplace. Three popular options are available when configuring your payment gateways, so you can decide to add other payment gateways later:

1. PayPal: PayPal is a widely trusted online payment gateway known for its security and convenience. If you already have a business account, provide the email address associated with it. For brand consistency, it is advisable to use the same email as your WHMCS company email to make payments that are easily recognizable to your clients.
2. Credit Card payments: Credit Card payments are perhaps the most used method for online purchases. This simple integration will allow you to easily accept credit card payments and give you access to the best possible rates. If you select this method, you must create a merchant account at the next step.
3. Mail-In Payment (Optional): This option allows clients to print invoices and mail their payments. While available, it’s not recommended due to its complexity and the delays it introduces compared to online payments. Once you have selected and configured your preferred payment gateways. Click the Next button.

Step 3: Domain Registration

If you plan to offer domain registration services, enabling the domain feature is crucial. This step allows you to select popular TLDs (Top-Level Domains), set initial pricing, and configure registrar integrations.

Here’s what to do:

1. Select popular TLDs: You'll see a list of checkboxes for various TLDs, such as .com, .net, and .org. Tick the boxes for the extensions you want to offer. If you plan to sell domains broadly, consider enabling all available TLDs.
2. Set pricing: Use the provided text fields to enter competitive prices for each TLD. Choose reasonable rates that balance profitability with customer appeal.
3. Configure a registrar: By default, WHMCS offers integration with Enom, the leading reseller registrar. If you plan to use a different registrar, you can deselect this option and configure another registrar later in the admin area. Unless you’re certain about using Enom, it’s recommended to research other options before enabling this integration.

Once you’ve completed your domain configuration, click Next to proceed to the product and services setup.

Step 4: Web Hosting Configuration

In this step, you’ll set up a cPanel server in WHMCS to start selling web hosting services. While cPanel is the default option in the Setup Wizard, you can add other control panels later.

The required information for this step should have been sent to your email when you signed up for your reseller hosting plan.

Make sure you have the following information for the server you want to connect:

• Hostname/IP: Enter the server’s IP address or hostname.
• Username: Provide your cPanel reseller or root username.
• Password: Enter the corresponding password for the username.
• Name: Assign a recognizable name for the server (e.g., "server1" or "euserver1" for a Europe-based server).
• Primary IP: Enter the server’s primary IP address.
• Primary Nameserver: Provide the server’s primary nameserver.
• Secondary Nameserver: Enter the secondary nameserver details.

Next, click the Verify Connection button beneath the password field. WHMCS will confirm if it successfully connects to your cPanel server. Once the connection is verified, click Next to save your settings and proceed to the final setup step.

If you need to add more servers or control panels later, this can be done in the WHMCS admin area after completing the wizard.

Step 5: Add-ons and Extras (Optional)

The final step of the WHMCS Setup Wizard allows you to explore optional third-party services that you can resell alongside your web hosting or domain services. These add-ons are designed to enhance your offerings and provide additional value to your clients.

Here are some popular options:

• Weebly: A drag-and-drop website builder that lets customers create responsive websites with ease.
• SiteLock: Offers malware detection and removal, a content delivery network (CDN), and a Web Application Firewall (WAF) for enhanced security.
• CodeGuard: Provides automated website backups, one-click restores, a WordPress management dashboard, and malware detection/removal.
• Digicert: A leading SSL certificate provider, perfect for clients needing secure online stores or websites.
• SpamExperts: Specializes in spam prevention, virus protection, and email archiving for incoming and outgoing emails.

If you want to explore more options, click the "Learn More" button to visit the WHMCS marketplace, where you can browse additional third-party integrations.

Once you’ve reviewed these add-ons, click "Next" to complete the wizard if you’ve chosen any add-ons.

After completing this step, WHMCS will confirm that your setup is finished. To exit the wizard, click the "Finish" button.

Setting up WHMCS is more than just a technical task—it’s about creating a system that works seamlessly for both you and your customers.

With your WHMCS setup complete, you’re ready to offer a better experience to your clients while saving time through automation.

To ensure continued success, keep your WHMCS updated, test your setup regularly, and explore advanced features to stay ahead in the competitive hosting market.