WHMCS is to hosting service providers what WordPress is to bloggers - a prominent go-to option. Yes, WHMCS has evolved as a big market player in its domain covering over 50,000 customers globally.
To answer in one-line, WHMCS is a fast, flexible, and most dynamic web hosting automation platform that can incorporate multiple businesses’ needs. However, it is more than just a control panel.
What is WHMCS?
WHMCS stands for Web Host Manager Complete Solution. It initially kicked off as a control panel for web hosting providers which provided automated provisioning of hosting accounts.
However, it gradually evolved into an all-inclusive web hosting client management panel. It is primarily used by web hosting businesses to enable website visitors to buy web hosting services through its unique cart system integration.
Unlike a regular cart system, WHMCS collects the payment, automatically creates a user account, and provisions the hosting account on the server.
This simple yet efficient system helps save hours of manual work all the while making the customer onboarding easier. This undoubtedly led to the popularity that it enjoys today.
Features and Uses of WHMCS
WHMCS offers a wealth of benefits that ease the work of the hosting provider. It includes:
- Customer support
- Billing management
- Order Management
- Domain Registration
- Third-party Add-ons Integration
- …and more
As said above, it is more than just a control panel. It can also be used for automatic provisioning for the following:
- VPN Accounts
- VPS Hosting
- Domains
- Game Servers
- …and more
WHMCS recently released its latest version 8.0. Let’s take a look at some of its major updates.
WHMCS Version 8.0 - An Overview
Since version 7 in October 2016, version 8.0 is the major release by WHMCS this year. It has created quite a buzz within the community and for all the right reasons.
With the revolutionary new user management system feature, the platform has expanded the business possibilities to the next level.
Here are some of the major updates that made v 8.0 worth the wait.
- Users and Client Accounts
- A Refined Admin Experience
- Email Campaign Tool
- Minimum PHP Requirements
- Others
It provides more control to the end-users with unique and powerful end-user login management.
A hosting provider with multiple client accounts can create users with permission-based controls. Moreover, it is now easier for the service provider to manage multiple accounts with a single login.
The new look of the admin area enhances the functionality as well as the visual appeal all the while eliminating the distractions. The design is easy to access through mobile devices too.
The mass mail is replaced by the email campaign tool. It is the new bulk email tool in WHMCS 8.0, which in addition to a set of powerful tools, also renders the ability to create and schedule emails.
Streamline the performance of WHMCS modules, reduce the risk of a coding mistake, and bring more innovation and advancement to your PHP designs with the new PHP requirements of WHMCS. It will compel remove all the obsolete PHP versions and bring more dynamism and flexibility to the system.
Besides the above-mentioned updates, others include transaction reporting, a simplified cron set up and automation management, improved IDN and currency support, and so much more.
Final Words
If you are a web hosting provider or are planning to start your hosting business, WHMCS will help give you a headstart with its automated functionalities ensuring you don’t have to overlook every small task.
With a WHMCS developer, you can easily customize the modules as well as installation to fit your budget and business needs. At iWeb Synthesis, we can help manage your diverse needs and contribute to streamlining your business operations.
