Just a few questions...

[Art]

Hey there, I'm planning on becoming a reseller and have a few questions:

1) Once I've sold enough hosting space via one reseller account, can I expand that space by purchasing more reseller accounts? i.e. can they be linked under one admin login to provide more space? Is there any limit to this?

I know I can upgrade, but what if I hit that upgrade limit? (i.e. your largest plan?) Can I then purchase a dedicated server and transfer my customers over and use the existing server space there? Also, if I were to upgrade, would I incur a cancellation cost for my plan?

2) Do you provide a preset ordering/signup script for customers that I can just place on my hosting site or am I required to script one of my own? I know that H-sphere has that great signup process, but does WHM support anything similar? I prefer Cpanel over H-sphere simply because it seems to be crazily feature packed and especially simple to use, except WHM doesn't have the automated signup. Do you guys provide this?

3) Should I choose H-sphere, is there any way to place 128 bit encryption or the SSL Lock during the credit card entering on the H-sphere signup process?

4) Do you guys support automated credit card transactions and site activation (when people are signing up at my website)?

Basically, I'm loving H-sphere because of its signup process (although the c/c screen doesn't seem to have the SSL Lock (?)), though I'd prefer to let customers use Cpanel and I know of people who won't use hosting unless if it is Cpanel. I'm can't select WHM/Cpanel because it doesn't seem to offer any automated signup, so I'm basically hoping that you guys provide something of the like.

I'm on the brink of purchasing, now I just can't choose which plan.

Thanks a lot guys, I'm eagerly awaiting a response.

EDIT: Does Hsphere/WHM support accepting different currencies? I want to charge AUD on my hosting. Thanks again

[Brangwyn]

1) Yes and No. Yes you can purchase a second account at any time, but they're not linked, its actually a bit of a pain in the bum. Myself and others have written custom scripts which help a little (they let your customers logon from a single link) but you as the reseller still have to manage the multiple reseller control panel logons that you yourself will need to use to manage your customers.

2) HSphere creates a signup page(s) for you, when you signup at Vortech here you'll be using the HSphere created signup pages so you can see for yourself how they work.

3) Nothing wrong with choosing HSphere, if you want to be able to offer your customers both unix and windows hosting then it's your only choice really. You should be able to load an SSL certificate onto your service domain to secure your signup pages (I've never tried this though so don't quote me on it, I use 3rd party CC processors so it redirects to their secure pages when it comes time to enter payment info). You can definitely add SSL to your Control Panel pages anyway.

4) The control panel supports many merchant components you can find more detail at www.psoft.net in their HSphere documentation. Vortech also has an arrangement with e-onlinedata.com https://www.e-onlinedata.com/vortech which may assist you in obtaining a merchant account (US Customers only though I believe).

Multiple currencies in HSphere isn't really available I'm afraid, can't speak for what cPanel may or may not support though.

Hope that helps a little.

[Art]

Thanks a LOT for that. I couldn't find these answers anywhere! Haha, though you've brought up a few more questions.

1) Although you said multiple currencies in Hsphere wasn't available, can I still use one SINGLE currency, i.e. AUD?

2) Couldn't I just avoid the multiple Admin panel issues by purchasing a dedicated server and using the 36GBs of space as webspace?

3) As you said, there's nothing wrong with choosing Hsphere. You said that it provided a signup procedure (which I've seen), does WHM support anything similar? or am I going to need to manually script one?

4) Are there any particularly useful 3rd party CC processors? I've thought of PayPal, except it's often too much of a hassle for users to create new accounts, and PayPal eats up a portion of any deposits.

5) If I want to set up Hsphere signups, would I require a merchant account in order to receive payments?

Thanks once again.

[Brangwyn]

1) Probably depends on what Payment routine you end up using, many don't support currencies other than US, so find out what your going to use. As far as HSpheres concerned the price is just a number .. I have plans in "two" currencies and just direct my customers to different payment avenues depending on the plan they choose (I just call my plans $USD, $NZD etc).

2) Your call, if you can justify the cost of a dedicated server then sure, Vortech have some plans at www.rapidcolo.com for dedicated servers, and dedicated HSphere servers http://www.rapidcolo.com/extended.htm

3) Dunno sorry, don't and have never used cPanel but I'm sure it has some sort of built in signup script.

4) Paypal works fine imo, 80% of my customers prefer to use it and they're from all around the world, signup takes seconds with Paypal. I use 2Checkout.com for the remainder of my overseas and credit card payments.

5) Again depends on what processor you choose to use .. I'm assuming your not from the US so your choices are immediately quite limited e.g places such like Paypal, 2checkout, Worldpay are some of the few you could use as a non US resident.

[Art]

Thanks a lot once again, you've been an awesome help. Is there any simple way to set it up in Hsphere to accept PayPal payments directly? or am I going to have to mess around with crazy scripting?

That should be my last question. Thanks

[Silverbug]

Yes Paypal works directly with hsphere, and you shouldnt have to script anything afaik.

Originally Posted by Art

Thanks a lot once again, you've been an awesome help. Is there any simple way to set it up in Hsphere to accept PayPal payments directly? or am I going to have to mess around with crazy scripting?

That should be my last question. Thanks

The only caveat of using Paypal is that you need to add the IPN URL (Which is just a single URL that Hsphere provides). And that each month, your customers will need to go to the link in their invoice which will take them to Paypal's site to make their payment. Paypal does not automatically deduct funds.

[Art]

Thanks for the replies, you guys are great at support. Isn't there a PayPal subscription service? If there isn't any specific PayPal autobilling method, are there any that you guys would recommend?

[Brangwyn]

Paypal does support recurring transactions, it's just HSphere doesn't support it for the paypal gateway so you'd have too set them up manually, same goes for 2Checkout.com they can do recurring but the control panel can't via that payment gateway.

[Art]

Hrm... how do you suggest I alleviate that problem then? Could I just get my customers to pay for a years worth if they choose to pay via PayPal? I could resolve this problem by making a manual purchasing script correct? I'm fluent with PHP although I'm unsure how hsphere/WHM handles variables.

[Brangwyn]

I've found it's not much of a problem, I have a few "slow" paying customers, but most seem to pay eventually so that lack of recurring payments hasn't really effected me much. The control panel sends customers an email when their bill is due with a link to pay it. Just send them a polite warning a week after it's due (you can do this via the control panel automatically) and tell them they risk having their account suspended if payment isn't received. Amazing how quickly people pay when they think their account might get closed on 'em

[Art]

Thanks a lot for that, you've been such a great help ^_^

[Silverbug]

definatly on of the best things about here Like you said before support is great.

[Brangwyn]

Though it's quite rare for us to have stayed on topic so long in a single post

Anything else you need to know just ask away Art.

[cambodia]

yeah just ask super reply brangwyn