Manual billing, endless domain transfers, and overloaded support tickets: every web hoster knows the struggle.
WHMCS (Web Host Manager Complete Solution) is the leader platform to automate critical operations like billing and domain management, for web hosting providers.
At Openprovider, we’ve gone a step further with our custom WHMCS module.
Designed specifically for domain resellers, it helps you save time, reduce manual work, and focus on serving your customers well.
Curious about how it works? We sat down with Sarath, our WHMCS lead, to discuss how this module works, the problems it solves, and what’s next for this powerful tool.
What is WHMCS, and how does it help web hosters?
Sarath: WHMCS (standing for Web Host Manager Complete Solution) is a software platform built for web hosting businesses to automate and manage their routine operations. It handles tasks like billing, domain registration, customer support, and client management, covering the entire customer life cycle – from account setup to termination.
Founded in 2003 to simplify hosting operations, WHMCS began as a one-stop platform for client management, recurring billing, and integrated support for web hosting businesses. Today, 5K+ companies use that as, within the hosting control panels category, Datanyze reports WHMCS at 2.53% market share (5,353 companies)..
For web hosters, WHMCS saves time and reduces manual work. It helps consolidate client accounts, invoices, payments, and support tickets into one platform, which makes your daily operations more efficient.
This level of automation improves the customer experience and supports business growth without requiring significant additional resources.
How does WHMCS solve key customer problems?
The Openprovider WHMCS module addresses common challenges faced by hosting businesses:
- Manual domain registration and management: WHMCS automates domain registration, renewals, and transfers directly within one place, helping you save time and resources.
- Manual billing operations: Our module integrates with WHMCS’s billing system to automate and simplify invoicing for domain-related services, keeping everything accurate and on schedule.
- Availability checks: WHMCS helps you access up-to-date domain availability information without needing to check external systems, making it faster to manage your domain portfolio.
- Workload management: Automation reduces the risk of human error and cuts down on operational complexity, freeing up your team to focus on other priorities.
- Customer experience: A seamless, efficient workflow benefits both your team and your clients, improving satisfaction and reducing the risk of disruptions.
What are the key features of the Openprovider WHMCS module?
Our module integrates seamlessly with WHMCS to automate a wide range of domain-related operations, including:
- Automated domain registrations, renewals, and transfers
Execute end-to-end domain actions from WHMCS with Openprovider handling the registry calls. Save time, reduce errors, and keep expiries under control. - Domain updates
Apply contact and nameserver changes once in WHMCS and push them to the registry in real time. Keep records consistent without hopping between portals. - TLD price synchronization
Pull current Openprovider pricing and promos into your WHMCS catalog automatically. Protect margins and prevent outdated prices at checkout. - Domain availability lookup service
Search domain availability directly in WHMCS with real-time results. Check single names or batches across multiple TLDs to speed up quoting. - Domain name spinning service
Get smart alternatives when a preferred name is taken. Convert more searches into sales with on-brand, keyword-based suggestions. - Domain synchronization using WHMCS native cron
Use WHMCS cron to align expiry dates, statuses, and next-due dates with the registry. Keep billing and renewals accurate without manual reconciliation. - Domain status synchronization reports
See what synced, what failed, and what needs review after each run. Act on issues fast with clear, actionable summaries. - DNS management (for Openprovider Standard DNS)
Create, edit, and delete A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and other records from WHMCS. Changes apply on Openprovider’s Standard DNS instantly. - DNSSEC management
Enable and manage DS records for supported TLDs from the same panel. Strengthen domain security and meet customer compliance expectations. - Nameserver management (for domains registered through Openprovider)
Set or update nameservers per domain or in bulk. Changes propagate to the registry via Openprovider without extra steps. - Balance widget with account balance and number of active domains
See your Openprovider balance and active domains at a glance inside WHMCS. Avoid failed orders and plan top-ups before renewal peaks. - Support for additional fields required by some registries
Capture registry-specific data such as identification numbers or contact types during checkout. Prevent order rejects and speed up first-time registrations. - Scheduled domain transfers
Schedule transfers to run automatically at a set time. Simplify bulk moves and reduce manual oversight. - Client tag management
Tag clients to segment portfolios and workflows. Filter, report, and target renewals or promotions by segment. - Authorization code and transfer lock management
Retrieve authorization codes when needed and manage the transfer-lock state from WHMCS. Protect domains from unwanted moves while keeping legitimate transfers smooth. - Support for premium domains with real-time pricing
Detect premium labels and fetch live buy, renew, and transfer fees. Avoid surprises and preserve margins at checkout.
Our module is fully compatible with PHP 8.1, and our team is constantly working on adding more features and improvements!
What are WHMCS modules and themes?
WHMCS modules are plug-ins that extend the platform’s functionality, connecting your installation to external services like domain registrars, payment gateways, and provisioning systems. Registrar modules, such as Openprovider’s, automate domains end to end inside WHMCS, including registration, transfers, renewals, DNS, and pricing sync. Themes, on the other hand, control the look and feel of the client area and order forms so you can align the experience with your brand without touching core logic. In short, modules power what WHMCS can do, while themes shape how customers see and use it.
What are the most common use cases for the WHMCS module?
The most common use cases for the Openprovider WHMCS module among our customers include:
- Domain registration and management.
- Domain reselling.
- Domain transfers.
- DNS and nameserver management.
- Automated billing.
How to install WHMCS with Openprovider
To install the Openprovider WHMCS domains module into your registrar modules directory, activate it in WHMCS, and add an Openprovider API user with API access as your credentials.
Set Openprovider as the registrar for the TLDs you sell and run the registrar TLD sync to pull current prices.
For a smoother search experience, set Openprovider as the lookup provider and enable name suggestions. If you sell premium domains, switch on premium pricing. Turn on DNS, DNSSEC, and nameserver management as needed. Finally, rely on WHMCS’s native cron-based domain sync to keep statuses and renewals aligned.
For a completetutorial, access this WHMCS guide.
We renew the attention on a past major release, featuring some exciting features and improvements. The updated version of the module is currently available in beta for testing. You can check it out here.
We strongly welcome your feedback and testing to help us ensure a smooth and successful release!
How do you see the WHMCS module evolving to meet future customer needs?
We are committed to continuously improving the module by adding new features and addressing any issues or bugs. For example, in the current quarter, we will be adding Plesk and SSL modules for WHMCS. Feedback and feature requests from our customers are very important in helping us identify areas for enhancement.
Looking ahead, our goal is to make it even easier for customers to resell domains through WHMCS!
For the coming quarters, we’re also considering setting up meetings with WHMCS users to learn more about how our customers experience the module and which features they would like us to add in future releases.
Can customers suggest features or improvements for the module?
Yes, and we really appreciate this! Customers can suggest features or improvements via GitHub or via our support team.
What is the one thing you’d like every potential customer to know about the WHMCS module?
I believe that the one thing every potential customer should know about our WHMCS module is how much easier it makes domain management. By automating processes like registration, renewal, billing, and transfers, it saves time and reduces operational complexity. This means you can focus on growth and delivering great customer service instead of dealing with manual tasks. Seamlessly integrated with WHMCS, our module is an all-in-one solution designed to help make domain portfolio management effortless.
Conclusion –
The Openprovider WHMCS module is a game-changer for web hosters looking to simplify domain management. From automating registrations and billing to offering real-time availability checks, it helps you save time, reduce errors, and improve customer satisfaction.
With new features and updates on the horizon, our WHMCS module continues to evolve to meet customer needs. As Sarath highlighted, we’re dedicated to making domain reselling as seamless as possible.
If you’re ready to streamline your processes and grow your business, there’s no better time to explore what the Openprovider WHMCS module can do for you.
Got questions? Check our documentation in the Knowledge Base or Github, or talk to our support team!
