Get Started with WHMCS

Thank you for choosing WHMCS! Our simple setup process will help you get up and running fast.

After you complete installation, we recommend completing your configuration by setting up the products you’ll sell, the way you’ll receive payments, and how you’ll offer quality support to your customers.

Go through the list of steps below to get everything set up quickly and easily.

Installing WHMCS

The first step toward using WHMCS is installing the software on the server that will host it. You can use several different methods to do this, and it’s quick and easy regardless of the method you choose.

You will need to purchase a WHMCS license, either directly from WHMCS or through a reseller.

As you install WHMCS, you’ll also need to take steps to properly configure your system.

To get started setting up your system, see Install WHMCS.

Security

Your WHMCS installation will store sensitive information for you and your customers. We take steps as we develop each WHMCS version to help ensure a secure system.

To go even further in protecting against security issues, we recommend taking a series of additional steps to secure your installation.

To learn more about the steps you can take, see Enhancing Security.

Log In to the Admin Area

After installation, you can begin configuring WHMCS through the WHMCS Admin Area.

To log in and get started, visit the URL at which you installed the software (for example, https://www.example.com/whmcs/admin) using the username and password you created during the installation process.

When you log in, you will immediately see the Setup Wizard. This easy-to-use tool helps you configure some of the most important settings in WHMCS.

The Setup Wizard in the Admin Area

After you complete the Setup Wizard, clicking Finish takes you to the Admin Area Dashboard, where you can access all of the needed tools and settings.

Using WHMCS

Servers

Adding a cPanel server to WHMCS

Servers host the domains and hosting packages that you sell to your customers.

If you plan to offer hosting packages, you will need to add at least one server to WHMCS.
Most WHMCS users will configure several servers for the products they offer.
WHMCS includes server modules for many popular hosting control panels.

To set up your first server, choose the hosting control panel your server runs:

Products

Products for sale in the WHMCS Client Area

Products are the offerings you sell to your customers through WHMCS.

Your products can include hosting accounts, domains, software licenses, design services, support plans, MarketConnect services, or even physical goods.

When you configure products, you can choose your provisioning settings, the details that display in your store, the associated addons, and more.

To get started creating your product offerings, see Create a Product.

Domain Registrations

Domain registration in the WHMCS Client Area

Domain registrations are easy to set up once you sign up with one of our many supported domain registrars.

In WHMCS, you can choose which TLDs you want to offer, set up pricing, and fine-tune the domain suggestions your customers see when they check for availability.

To start selling domain registrations, choose your domain registrar and set up your extensions and pricing:

Payment Gateways

Payment gateway integrations

Payment gateways like PayPal®® and Stripe™ process payments for you. Many of our supported payment gateways can also handle recurring payments, refunds, or unique checkout methods.

You need to set up at least one payment gateway before you can start selling in WHMCS. Even if you don’t want to process payments, we recommend setting up one of our manual gateways to use for automation.

To configure your payment options, see Configure a Payment Gateway.

Support Departments

The support ticket list in the Admin Area

Support departments are the first step to setting up your support system in WHMCS. You will need to configure at least one, and most WHMCS users have several departments to separate ticket types.

After you set up your departments, you can configure WHMCS to handle emailed ticket replies, transition ticket statuses, and perform other automated tasks.

To set up your first support department, see Add a Support Department.

System Configuration

WHMCS has many available settings to configure your installation for your business’s needs.

The General Settings include configuration for the system’s mail provider, how it handles invoices, how it applies credit to user accounts, system localization, the customer ordering experience, and more.

To get started configuring your installation, go to Configuration () > System Settings > General Settings.

Automation Settings

The Automation Settings allow you to configure all of WHMCS’s automated processes. This includes suspensions, unsuspensions, terminations, how far in advance the system generates invoices, and when the system sends overdue notices.

The system cron, which you set up during installation, performs these tasks, but WHMCS offers many options for how it runs.

To start setting up your automation, go to Configuration () > System Settings > Automation Settings.

Next Steps

The steps above will produce a WHMCS system that’s ready to accept and provision your sales and help you meet your customers’ needs.

WHMCS has many more features that can help you fine-tune your system, making day-to-day operations easier and helping you grow your business. We encourage you to explore the many additional options available.

To start, try these next steps:

If you run into problems, WHMCS Support can help.

Last modified: October 30, 2024