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electric

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  1. Sad
    electric got a reaction from activa in is time to talk about domains ?   
    The lack of a proper domain sales and management feature is what keeps us from switching to Blesta.  
  2. Like
    electric got a reaction from Blesta Addons in eNom integration?   
    Thanks.  We need full integration with all of eNom's domain management functionality in order to use Blesta.

    (We use awbs.com right now, so if we switch to Blesta it would be a step backwards with regard to allowing our customer's to fully manage their domain names and related services.   And since domain registration is a big part of what we sell (after all, who sells hosting without domain's, too?)... we are waiting patiently until Blesta catches up.)

    As soon as Blesta includes full eNom domain name management (for all domains, including ability to transfer/update .ca domains), then we'll start using Blesta for our customer management solution, as well as recommend it to all our resellers (over 450 of them).   Hopefully it will be soon.
  3. Like
    electric got a reaction from Michael in eNom integration?   
    Thanks.  We need full integration with all of eNom's domain management functionality in order to use Blesta.

    (We use awbs.com right now, so if we switch to Blesta it would be a step backwards with regard to allowing our customer's to fully manage their domain names and related services.   And since domain registration is a big part of what we sell (after all, who sells hosting without domain's, too?)... we are waiting patiently until Blesta catches up.)

    As soon as Blesta includes full eNom domain name management (for all domains, including ability to transfer/update .ca domains), then we'll start using Blesta for our customer management solution, as well as recommend it to all our resellers (over 450 of them).   Hopefully it will be soon.
  4. Like
    electric got a reaction from serge in Enom Module - What Is Missing?   
    Sure, I understand what you're saying... but hosting requires a domain name.   It's not an option.  You have to have one.  Every single customer also has to purchase/transfer/renew a domain name.

    And if they don't do their domains through us.. then they'll do it through godaddy, namecheap or some other popular company that also offers hosting along with domain stuff.
     
    In other words... if you're a hosting provider and you also aren't offering domain names to your customers... you're basically pushing them into the arms of another company who is practically guaranteed to be constantly trying to upsell hosting to your customer.
     
    Why would you do that?
     
    It's a little bit like an oil change place for cars.   Sure, you can create a business that sells ONLY oil change.  Nothing else.  But why?  Not only can you make extra money selling things like transmission oil change, light bulb replacement, engine cleaning, etc... but if you don't.. the potential customer is forced to go somewhere else... and that other place is also going to sell oil changes.  Pretty soon your customer will decide it's simpler/easier to just bring their car to one place instead of two.
     
    I do not view hosting and domain management as two different services.  They are two essential services in the same industry that go together.  We don't just sell "hosting"...  We sell hosting "service".  And that includes domain name stuff, since it's absolutely required for every hosting customer.
     
    I have the same opinion about SSL certificates....   Any "hosting" billing app that doesn't include full featured SSL sales/management is not designed well.  Why would you purposely not sell a service that will force your customer to find the arms of a different lover?
  5. Like
    electric got a reaction from Max in Enom Module - What Is Missing?   
    Sure, I understand what you're saying... but hosting requires a domain name.   It's not an option.  You have to have one.  Every single customer also has to purchase/transfer/renew a domain name.

    And if they don't do their domains through us.. then they'll do it through godaddy, namecheap or some other popular company that also offers hosting along with domain stuff.
     
    In other words... if you're a hosting provider and you also aren't offering domain names to your customers... you're basically pushing them into the arms of another company who is practically guaranteed to be constantly trying to upsell hosting to your customer.
     
    Why would you do that?
     
    It's a little bit like an oil change place for cars.   Sure, you can create a business that sells ONLY oil change.  Nothing else.  But why?  Not only can you make extra money selling things like transmission oil change, light bulb replacement, engine cleaning, etc... but if you don't.. the potential customer is forced to go somewhere else... and that other place is also going to sell oil changes.  Pretty soon your customer will decide it's simpler/easier to just bring their car to one place instead of two.
     
    I do not view hosting and domain management as two different services.  They are two essential services in the same industry that go together.  We don't just sell "hosting"...  We sell hosting "service".  And that includes domain name stuff, since it's absolutely required for every hosting customer.
     
    I have the same opinion about SSL certificates....   Any "hosting" billing app that doesn't include full featured SSL sales/management is not designed well.  Why would you purposely not sell a service that will force your customer to find the arms of a different lover?
  6. Like
    electric got a reaction from Bloory in Enom Module - What Is Missing?   
    Sure, I understand what you're saying... but hosting requires a domain name.   It's not an option.  You have to have one.  Every single customer also has to purchase/transfer/renew a domain name.

    And if they don't do their domains through us.. then they'll do it through godaddy, namecheap or some other popular company that also offers hosting along with domain stuff.
     
    In other words... if you're a hosting provider and you also aren't offering domain names to your customers... you're basically pushing them into the arms of another company who is practically guaranteed to be constantly trying to upsell hosting to your customer.
     
    Why would you do that?
     
    It's a little bit like an oil change place for cars.   Sure, you can create a business that sells ONLY oil change.  Nothing else.  But why?  Not only can you make extra money selling things like transmission oil change, light bulb replacement, engine cleaning, etc... but if you don't.. the potential customer is forced to go somewhere else... and that other place is also going to sell oil changes.  Pretty soon your customer will decide it's simpler/easier to just bring their car to one place instead of two.
     
    I do not view hosting and domain management as two different services.  They are two essential services in the same industry that go together.  We don't just sell "hosting"...  We sell hosting "service".  And that includes domain name stuff, since it's absolutely required for every hosting customer.
     
    I have the same opinion about SSL certificates....   Any "hosting" billing app that doesn't include full featured SSL sales/management is not designed well.  Why would you purposely not sell a service that will force your customer to find the arms of a different lover?
  7. Like
    electric got a reaction from PauloV in Forcibly Generate Service's Next Invoice   
    +1
     
    Customer should be able to renew their service early (at any time) if desired. 
     
    For example, if customer knows they'll be away on holiday when their package normally renews.. then they must contact us to manually create an invoice and modify their package expiry, etc.  It would be better if they can just click a simple "renew now" button and do it themselves.
  8. Like
    electric got a reaction from PauloV in Blesta Vs Whmcs   
    Licensecart, that is a good overview of the various billing systems.  Here's some more:
     
    AWBS:  Launched in 2001 (or maybe ealier) as DRAMS (Domain Registration And Management System).  Later split into DRAMS "Regular" and DRAMS "Hosting Edition".  Eventually combined into AWBS (Advanced Webhosting Billing System).  Completely closed/encrypted code. Has tons of features and functionality, mostly bug free, and is very well supported.  Sadly, there have been no updates or new releases since early 2013, and is considered abandoned by many license-holders.  (Although support is still fast and excellent.)
     
    WHSuite:  As of Sept 2014 it is still in Alpha status.  It is about 95% unencoded, and is created by experienced developers and is built around a modular framework API that is open to everyone. (Similar setup as Blesta.)
  9. Like
    electric got a reaction from Shyuan in Easier Order Forms   
    It's difficult, because the developers surely want to create an order system that works with lots of different scenarios.

    However, for us, that vast majority of our customers have very very basic needs and so something that is extremely simple is necessary (critical).
     
    1. Customer searches for domain name. 
     
    2. If new domain name, then choose the big "BUY NOW" button.  If domain exists, then ask if they own it and want to transfer it.  Otherwise, redisplay the search box, and also maybe show suggested names.    Repeat as necessary until eventually they have selected a domain name, and we continue. 
     
    3. Show all the hosting plans and ask the customer to pick the one they want.  Customer chooses the plan, and we continue.
     
    4. Ask the customer what billing cycle they want for the hosting plan.  (Monthly, bi-annual, yearly, etc)
     
    5. Done. Press "Pay Now", and complete payment process.

    NOTES
     
    A. All of this should be on ONE page that uses basic AJAX to refresh, and has tally in the top-right area.  Each "section" of the order process (domain selection, hosting selection, billing term selection) is displayed as a new area below the previous section. 
     
    B. If you want to allow addons to be ordered during initial order process, then they can be displayed as part of step 3, depending on the plan they select.  Again, keep it all on the same page. Simple is better.  (We actually don't even allow customers to pick addons during their intial order, because it was way too confusing for them to see so much stuff they had no idea if they needed or not.  It often prevented them from completing the order, which is against basic good business, right?  So now, we simply let them pick their domain and hosting plan and that is it. AFTER they complete their order, they can then add addons from within their customer account client area.  By then, they already paid, and are "invested" into things, as opposed to being overwhelmed and not completing the order.
     
    I hope that helps.  If you are looking for some good examples, check out Hostbill's order pages.  They have some amazing order screens and processes that we found to be very nice. 
  10. Like
    electric got a reaction from PauloV in Blesta Vs Whmcs   
    Having lots of modules, plugins, and features is only nice if you actually need them.  If WHMCS does something that Blesta doesn't, and you actually *need* that feature... then go for it.  Use WHMCS.  (And be sure to let the Blesta developers know about the feature you needed, so they can be aware of it.)
     
    Otherwise... if you don't actually need all those features and functions that WHMCS has... it is just software bloat and adds no real value to your business.  In that case, then you should choose the software that meets your needs, and gives you the best sense of trust and partnership. 
    Do you trust the WHMCS company?  Do they seem like the kind of company you want to rely on for the most important and critical part of your business?  (Billing, customer management, etc...)
     
    Software features is just one part of making the decision.  If you don't actually *need* the many features included with WHMCS, then why include those features in your decision?
     
     
  11. Like
    electric got a reaction from shazde in Roadmap   
    Perhaps.  The point I am making is that having a public roadmap that shows what features will be added (in what order) will be beneficial to potential Blesta customers such as myself who are evaluating and comparing the software against various other alternatives.
     
    For example, I have a list of basic features I need to support my business.  When I research the various software possibilities, I have ruled out Blesta because it does not have some of those features.  If I can see that those features are on the list to be added... then I will be much more likely to re-consider Blesta as a possible match for my needs.
     
    Without the roadmap, I am limited to spending a lot of time digging through old posts in the forums to see what Blesta management might have posted in response to someone else asking about that feature... and it's likely that info is outdated, irrelevant and possibly misleading at best. 
  12. Like
    electric got a reaction from interfasys in Roadmap   
    Perhaps.  The point I am making is that having a public roadmap that shows what features will be added (in what order) will be beneficial to potential Blesta customers such as myself who are evaluating and comparing the software against various other alternatives.
     
    For example, I have a list of basic features I need to support my business.  When I research the various software possibilities, I have ruled out Blesta because it does not have some of those features.  If I can see that those features are on the list to be added... then I will be much more likely to re-consider Blesta as a possible match for my needs.
     
    Without the roadmap, I am limited to spending a lot of time digging through old posts in the forums to see what Blesta management might have posted in response to someone else asking about that feature... and it's likely that info is outdated, irrelevant and possibly misleading at best. 
  13. Like
    electric got a reaction from interfasys in Roadmap   
    In all honesty, a roadmap would be a great "feature" for Blesta to have when prospecting for new license sales.  It would certainly allow people like me to make a more informed decision on whether we want to use Blesta or some other billing system.
     
    If I know that needed "feature x" and "feature y" are in the queue (and what order in the queue), then I'm much more likely to consider Blesta.
     
    Furthermore, I would argue there are few features so secret they can't be added to a public roadmap.  Of course, if there's some radical new feature that no other billing system has, then it could be left out.  However, I see no reason why any feature that exists in other billing systems shouldn't be included in a public roadmap.  It would only serve to show Blesta management is serious and knowledgeable about the direction of their software, in order to make it fully competitive with the others available.
     
    Thanks.
  14. Like
    electric got a reaction from Ken in Upsell / Add-Ons   
    What a second guys.  This is a great idea, in theory, but... please take a step back and think about this a bit.
     
    In our experience, we've found it is better (more completed sales) to initially sell the customer on the most basic services and just get them signed up.  Presenting them with various "upselling" offers at the time of initial signup will slow the order process and make it more potentially difficult for the typical non-techy customer, who just wants basic hosting and a domain, to understand. 
     
    There's a reason why you see the largest web hosting providers have a very simple and basic order system.  You normally can't add anything except hosting and a domain name.  Upselling is something they do later... once the customer has become a customer. 
     
    The idea behind this is to completely remove all possible barriers to completing the initial signup process.  Giving the new customer too many options and choices makes their signup confusing, and increases the likelihood they will abandon the process.  It is better to upsell *after* they have bought something and have already become emotionally and financially committed to your company.  Now you can sell them all the other stuff.
     
    So it is MUCH better, in my opinion, to have a system where the initial order is very basic.  Then after they order.. wait 24 hours and your system then starts sending them applicable product upselling offers.
     
    So for example, I think the best sort of order and upselling system is like this:
     
    1. Customer uses super simple order system to purchase a domain name (or transfer) and web hosting.  (See the other current thread about simplifying the order process to just those basic steps.  One single simple order page.  Done.)
     
    2. Now customer has paid and is committed to your company financially. They are emotionally invested.    So your system can look at what they purchased and send out an email offer with discount codes or whatever to upsell them on other stuff.   You can run these "offers" at any time at the push of a button.
     
    I hope that makes sense?  I'd rather see Blesta be able to handle step #2 above, which we can then run at any time, then to integrate this into the initial order system, which would likely do nothing but confuse most of our customers (who are non-technical).
     
    So... Step #2 would be settings in Blesta where we can specify things like IF the customer has X product AND NOT Y product, THEN send them a sales email offering Y product with Z discount code.  This will be much more effective, and will result in more initial signups *and* more purchases of the upsell item.
     

  15. Like
    electric got a reaction from Evaske in Easier Order Forms   
    It's difficult, because the developers surely want to create an order system that works with lots of different scenarios.

    However, for us, that vast majority of our customers have very very basic needs and so something that is extremely simple is necessary (critical).
     
    1. Customer searches for domain name. 
     
    2. If new domain name, then choose the big "BUY NOW" button.  If domain exists, then ask if they own it and want to transfer it.  Otherwise, redisplay the search box, and also maybe show suggested names.    Repeat as necessary until eventually they have selected a domain name, and we continue. 
     
    3. Show all the hosting plans and ask the customer to pick the one they want.  Customer chooses the plan, and we continue.
     
    4. Ask the customer what billing cycle they want for the hosting plan.  (Monthly, bi-annual, yearly, etc)
     
    5. Done. Press "Pay Now", and complete payment process.

    NOTES
     
    A. All of this should be on ONE page that uses basic AJAX to refresh, and has tally in the top-right area.  Each "section" of the order process (domain selection, hosting selection, billing term selection) is displayed as a new area below the previous section. 
     
    B. If you want to allow addons to be ordered during initial order process, then they can be displayed as part of step 3, depending on the plan they select.  Again, keep it all on the same page. Simple is better.  (We actually don't even allow customers to pick addons during their intial order, because it was way too confusing for them to see so much stuff they had no idea if they needed or not.  It often prevented them from completing the order, which is against basic good business, right?  So now, we simply let them pick their domain and hosting plan and that is it. AFTER they complete their order, they can then add addons from within their customer account client area.  By then, they already paid, and are "invested" into things, as opposed to being overwhelmed and not completing the order.
     
    I hope that helps.  If you are looking for some good examples, check out Hostbill's order pages.  They have some amazing order screens and processes that we found to be very nice. 
  16. Like
    electric got a reaction from morfargekko in Easier Order Forms   
    It's difficult, because the developers surely want to create an order system that works with lots of different scenarios.

    However, for us, that vast majority of our customers have very very basic needs and so something that is extremely simple is necessary (critical).
     
    1. Customer searches for domain name. 
     
    2. If new domain name, then choose the big "BUY NOW" button.  If domain exists, then ask if they own it and want to transfer it.  Otherwise, redisplay the search box, and also maybe show suggested names.    Repeat as necessary until eventually they have selected a domain name, and we continue. 
     
    3. Show all the hosting plans and ask the customer to pick the one they want.  Customer chooses the plan, and we continue.
     
    4. Ask the customer what billing cycle they want for the hosting plan.  (Monthly, bi-annual, yearly, etc)
     
    5. Done. Press "Pay Now", and complete payment process.

    NOTES
     
    A. All of this should be on ONE page that uses basic AJAX to refresh, and has tally in the top-right area.  Each "section" of the order process (domain selection, hosting selection, billing term selection) is displayed as a new area below the previous section. 
     
    B. If you want to allow addons to be ordered during initial order process, then they can be displayed as part of step 3, depending on the plan they select.  Again, keep it all on the same page. Simple is better.  (We actually don't even allow customers to pick addons during their intial order, because it was way too confusing for them to see so much stuff they had no idea if they needed or not.  It often prevented them from completing the order, which is against basic good business, right?  So now, we simply let them pick their domain and hosting plan and that is it. AFTER they complete their order, they can then add addons from within their customer account client area.  By then, they already paid, and are "invested" into things, as opposed to being overwhelmed and not completing the order.
     
    I hope that helps.  If you are looking for some good examples, check out Hostbill's order pages.  They have some amazing order screens and processes that we found to be very nice. 
  17. Like
    electric got a reaction from Michael in Easier Order Forms   
    It's difficult, because the developers surely want to create an order system that works with lots of different scenarios.

    However, for us, that vast majority of our customers have very very basic needs and so something that is extremely simple is necessary (critical).
     
    1. Customer searches for domain name. 
     
    2. If new domain name, then choose the big "BUY NOW" button.  If domain exists, then ask if they own it and want to transfer it.  Otherwise, redisplay the search box, and also maybe show suggested names.    Repeat as necessary until eventually they have selected a domain name, and we continue. 
     
    3. Show all the hosting plans and ask the customer to pick the one they want.  Customer chooses the plan, and we continue.
     
    4. Ask the customer what billing cycle they want for the hosting plan.  (Monthly, bi-annual, yearly, etc)
     
    5. Done. Press "Pay Now", and complete payment process.

    NOTES
     
    A. All of this should be on ONE page that uses basic AJAX to refresh, and has tally in the top-right area.  Each "section" of the order process (domain selection, hosting selection, billing term selection) is displayed as a new area below the previous section. 
     
    B. If you want to allow addons to be ordered during initial order process, then they can be displayed as part of step 3, depending on the plan they select.  Again, keep it all on the same page. Simple is better.  (We actually don't even allow customers to pick addons during their intial order, because it was way too confusing for them to see so much stuff they had no idea if they needed or not.  It often prevented them from completing the order, which is against basic good business, right?  So now, we simply let them pick their domain and hosting plan and that is it. AFTER they complete their order, they can then add addons from within their customer account client area.  By then, they already paid, and are "invested" into things, as opposed to being overwhelmed and not completing the order.
     
    I hope that helps.  If you are looking for some good examples, check out Hostbill's order pages.  They have some amazing order screens and processes that we found to be very nice. 
  18. Like
    electric got a reaction from Bloory in Easier Order Forms   
    It's difficult, because the developers surely want to create an order system that works with lots of different scenarios.

    However, for us, that vast majority of our customers have very very basic needs and so something that is extremely simple is necessary (critical).
     
    1. Customer searches for domain name. 
     
    2. If new domain name, then choose the big "BUY NOW" button.  If domain exists, then ask if they own it and want to transfer it.  Otherwise, redisplay the search box, and also maybe show suggested names.    Repeat as necessary until eventually they have selected a domain name, and we continue. 
     
    3. Show all the hosting plans and ask the customer to pick the one they want.  Customer chooses the plan, and we continue.
     
    4. Ask the customer what billing cycle they want for the hosting plan.  (Monthly, bi-annual, yearly, etc)
     
    5. Done. Press "Pay Now", and complete payment process.

    NOTES
     
    A. All of this should be on ONE page that uses basic AJAX to refresh, and has tally in the top-right area.  Each "section" of the order process (domain selection, hosting selection, billing term selection) is displayed as a new area below the previous section. 
     
    B. If you want to allow addons to be ordered during initial order process, then they can be displayed as part of step 3, depending on the plan they select.  Again, keep it all on the same page. Simple is better.  (We actually don't even allow customers to pick addons during their intial order, because it was way too confusing for them to see so much stuff they had no idea if they needed or not.  It often prevented them from completing the order, which is against basic good business, right?  So now, we simply let them pick their domain and hosting plan and that is it. AFTER they complete their order, they can then add addons from within their customer account client area.  By then, they already paid, and are "invested" into things, as opposed to being overwhelmed and not completing the order.
     
    I hope that helps.  If you are looking for some good examples, check out Hostbill's order pages.  They have some amazing order screens and processes that we found to be very nice. 
  19. Like
    electric got a reaction from Paul in Using Blesta For Things Other Than Domain/ssl Etc   
    Not yet, because we are still waiting for Blesta to mature into a stable product with the features we need.  (eNom module, migration path from AWBS.com, license management module, and a few critical features still missing.)
     
    Once Blesta if fully mature and has the features we need, then we'll probably move all our brands and company's into it.  This includes:
     
    four hosting websites (two low-cost brands and two high-cost brands) a domain-registration-only website, an ssl-sales-only website three different PHP software applications (which will use the license management module) a web design website (so invoice-only). a VoIP sales/billing website  
    We're currently using a combination of AWBS.com, phpaudit.com, whmcs.com, and excel.  Needless to say, we are very much looking forward to when we can eventually switch everything into a single installation of Blesta and (hopefully) use multi-company support to manage all the different websites from a single back-end location.
     

  20. Like
    electric got a reaction from Ken in The Markeplace Discussion (Split)   
    That's a good point.  One very nice thing that I have seen over the past year as I've watched Blesta, is that Blesta management is very open and honest.  It's what initially convinced me to purchase a license even before v3 was finished, and evangelize about Blesta to other people.  And it's what makes me impatient and want to move to Blesta now, even though it doesn't have the necessary functionality just yet for my business.
     
    So while I'm reasonably confident they'll eventually move to a true marketplace as I've described, and remove the "extra" stuff from the core product into individual saleable modules... I think they will be ethical and upfront about it, and they will not screw existing license holders.  ie: Anyone who has an existing license would be entitled to a free license of every individual module that is removed from the core, including updates.  I can't see Paul et al doing it any other way.
     

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