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How to Install WHMCS

To install WHMCS, please follow the directions below:

1. Obtain a WHMCS License

Your HostGator Reseller Account or Linux Dedicated Server includes a FREE license for WHMCS, which can be obtained at: www.whmcs.com/hostgator

Note: Your domain name must resolve to (be pointed to) your hosting account before it will let you request your license.  Usually this means changing the name servers for your domain to our name servers at the registrar.

VPS customers can obtain a WHMCS license from HostGator for $5 per month, which can be requested via the VPS WHMCS Request Form.

Note: The WHMCS license offered from HostGator is only valid if WHMCS is installed on your HostGator reseller account, VPS or Linux dedicated server. You may also purchase a license directly from WHMCS if you do not have a reseller plan, VPS or dedicated server.

2. Download WHMCS

Once you've requested your license from WHMCS, you may download it by logging into your WHMCS client area at www.whmcs.com/members and following these steps:

  1. Click on the My Licenses & Services link
  2. Select one of your active license keys to view its details
  3. Choose the latest stable version to download from the downloads listed at the bottom of the page

3. Install WHMCS

Follow these steps to install WHMCS:

Step 1: Upload the WHMCS Files

  1. Unzip the contents of the compressed (zip) file to a folder on your computer
  2. Rename the file configuration.php.new to configuration.php
  3. Upload the entire whmcs folder to your website - if you experience problems, try uploading in binary mode
  4. Next you may rename the folder to whatever you prefer (billing, clients, etc...)
  5. Change the permissions for configuration.php to be 755 (CHMOD 755).

Step 2: Create the Database

  1. Login to your cPanel for the domain you are installing WHMCS on (typically http://yourdomain.com/cpanel) to setup a database for WHMCS.
  2. Click on "MySQL Databases" in the Databases section.
  3. Enter a database name and click "Create Database" then click "Go Back" to return to the MySQL Databases page. (We suggest calling it whmcs but you may call it whatever you desire.)
  4. Create a user for the database by entering a username and a password twice in the Add New User section and clicking "Create User."  Be sure to remember or write down the username and password because you will need them for a later step.  Click on "Go Back" to return to the MySQL Databases page.
  5. To add the user you just created to the database you just created, select the database and user from the dropdown lists, and click "Add."
  6. Check the box for "All Privileges" and then click "Make Changes."

Step 3: Run the Installation Script

  1. Visit the installation script at http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcs/install/install.php to run the installation process. (Replace "whmcs" with the directory you placed WHMCS in.)
  2. Follow the instructions on the screen to install, which will involve setting the database, entering your license key and setting up your primary admin account
  3. When completed, delete the installation folder "install" from your web server and CHMOD the configuration.php file back to 644.

Congratulations!  WHMCS is now setup.

Related Articles

WHMCS WHMCS allows you to manage your online business, and includes client management, billing & support functionality.

A WHMCS license is included FREE with HostGator Reseller Packages and Linux Dedicated Servers.
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Article Comments

Anthony
These instructions are excellent! However, they did cause me to get burned and forced me to have to go through the setup process for WHMCS twice.

The problem was caused by one tiny error in #5 of Step 1. That step instructs people to do the following:

Change the permissions for configuration.php to be 755 (CHMOD 755)

The problem with that is the instructions from WHMCS instruct users to set the permissions for the configuration.php file to 777. However, their instructions give the added, and helpful, caution, which tells people to set the permission to 755 only if: (unless your php is suPHP or PHPSuExec).

I think the order in which Host Gator outlines their instructions is much better than the instructions at WHMCS. This very simple detail just needs to be added, to make everything perfect.

The permissions for the following three directories need to be set to 777 also:
/attachments CHMOD 777 Writeable
/downloads CHMOD 777 Writeable
/templates_c CHMOD 777 Writeable

Link to WHMCS instructions, for additional reference:
http://docs.whmcs.com/Installing_WHMCS#Post_Installation_Suggested_Steps


WHMCS link:


Posted: September 21, 2011
HostGator
All of HostGator's shared and dedicated servers have both PHPsuExec and suPHP. Only dedicated has the option to remove these. This secure environment makes 777 file permissions unacceptable, which is why the directions state to use 755 instead. On HostGator servers, if someone's directions say to set it to 777, then you should use 755 instead, because 777 won't work.

Also, HostGator has certain prerequisites for WHMCS pre-installed for you, like Inocube. So we omitted installation instructions for ioncube, since you don't need to install it yourself.
Posted: December 6, 2011
Shoeb
As you said in the comment:
" if someone's directions say to set it to 777, then you should use 755 instead, because 777 won't work."

So, if the downloaded whmcs folder is already having 777 permissions for multiple folders (as in my case), then we need to first change permissions of all such folders to 755 ???
Posted: January 18, 2012
HostGator
Yes, on HostGator servers, any instance of 777 permissions need to be changed to 755 for the script to work as intended.
Posted: January 19, 2012
HostGator
Thank you for your comments. Just a quick reminder that the comments on this page are not monitored by technical support staff, and that for support issues, it is best to contact us by live chat, phone or email so we can assist you right away.

Although comments are not monitored by technical support staff, they are moderated and read by technical writers. Comments will need to be approved by a moderator before appearing.

Our technical writers do read the comments periodically for the purposes of updating the articles, and do appreciate your feedback, suggestions and corrections to the articles themselves, as well as any suggestions or tips for readers of this article. However, support questions posted here are not guaranteed to be replied to in a timely manner or at all. For support issues, it is best to contact our support staff instead by live chat, email or phone.

Posted: December 13, 2011 (Global Reply)
Your comments help us keep the knowledge base updated. This is not a medium for support. If you have questions or need help, please contact us via email, phone or live chat for fast assistance.

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