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My recommendation is to start local. Friends, family, local businesses. Treat them well and they will tell other people. Do not underestimate word of mouth. You won't see results overnight, but you're building a lasting business, right? People like to do business with those they feel like they can trust, and people trust their friends advice far more than a Google ad (Don't advertise on Google).

Ok guys check my video out here, I always think it's better than explaining: http://screencast.com/t/P8VkkuSv

Best advice yet. You want clients who are going to price match you with every dirty cheap host out there and will drop you the second they find something else? Go with a pubic or national marketing campaign where you're going to invest lots of money in a very saturated market. But that racket is typically only successful for big explosive startups with big money backed by investors and front men with evangelical qualities. They also push out a lot of media which also require big money. If you're a DIY, small, practical then I'd be going after quality over quantity. I grew up around entrepreneurs and repeat, referral and word of mouth business were not only more profitable net-net but the most loyal. You conversion rates are somewhere above 80% as opposed to less than 3% (an optimistic number) in the national campaign spectrum. There will come a time when wide marketing campaigns become effective (usually for brand recognition purposes) for your business.

Version 3.1.0 is now available. You can download it in the Client Area. Installing Blesta See Installing Blesta in the User Manual for instructions. Upgrading Blesta See Upgrading Blesta in the User Manual for instructions. Migrating to Blesta See Migrating to Blesta in the User Manual for instructions. Overview Configurable options Package sorting Cancel service at end of term package option Support staff titles Support staff signatures New events New Modules: Proxmox, VPS.NET, Enom, GoGetSSL, TheSSLStore New Gateways: BitPay, CCAvenue, Payza New Plugin: Shared Login WHMCS migrator Dozens of other features and improvements Release Notes - Blesta Core - Version 3.1.0 ## Version 3.1.0 2014-01-16 ### Bug * [CORE-969] - Import Manager: Incorrect version comparrison during migration * [CORE-973] - Custom client fields list does not use language definition if set * [CORE-974] - Logicboxes: The error "Undefined property: domain-name" is shown when attempting to order a service as apart of a General order form * [CORE-976] - Support Manager: Client may create ticket for hidden department * [CORE-979] - Module options do not update after changing server/server group when managing packages * [CORE-986] - Default invoice template may incorrectly position due date ### Improvement * [CORE-972] - Allow Maxmind Geo IP functions to be loaded from external source * [CORE-978] - Feed Reader: Remove default feed should always remove the default feed even if in use * [CORE-980] - cPanel: Remove the action to fetch module options when changing module row/group * [CORE-981] - cPanel Extended: Remove the action to fetch module options when changing module row/group * [CORE-982] - GoGetSSL: Remove the action to fetch module options when changing module row/group * [CORE-983] - Interworx: Remove the action to fetch module options when changing module row/group * [CORE-984] - TheSSLStore: Remove the action to fetch module options when changing module row/group * [CORE-985] - Universal Module: Remove the action to fetch module options when changing module row/group ** New Feature * [CORE-384] - Module: VPS.NET --- ## Version 3.1.0-b2 2014-01-08 ### Bug * [CORE-315] - DirectAdmin: Number of accounts on server does not change * [CORE-316] - cPanel: Number of accounts on server does not change * [CORE-317] - Interworx: Number of accounts on server does not change * [CORE-749] - Logicboxes: Manage tabs do not load due to undefined order-id when the service has not yet been created * [CORE-789] - cPanel Module: Servers within server groups produce a "no host defined" error. * [CORE-895] - Calling Accounts::add() without optional parameters causes undefined property error * [CORE-916] - Stripe: Undefined index error on invalid request * [CORE-930] - Managing a cancelled service allows fields to be updated * [CORE-946] - TheSSLStore: Referencing invalid property of object * [CORE-947] - Upgrade script SQL error in GUI * [CORE-948] - Undefined index 'pay_with' on Make Payment without any accepted payment types enabled * [CORE-950] - A minimum quantity of 0 is not allowed for configurable options. * [CORE-951] - Support Manager: Client replying to ticket does not change status from "Awaiting Reply" * [CORE-953] - Dashboard calendar date headings incorrect * [CORE-955] - Delete currency results in unknown column error * [CORE-956] - Support Manager: Client department list does not clear floats properly * [CORE-962] - Billing Overview: Incorrect start/end dates * [CORE-964] - Order plugin: Order form pagination links do not work ### Improvement * [CORE-655] - Email log shows no email content when an HTML copy is sent, but no text version was set * [CORE-874] - Order Plugin: Return error when attempting to transfer a blank domain * [CORE-954] - Support Manager: If reply contains only signature do not add reply * [CORE-965] - Log out clients who's status is not active. ### New Feature * [CORE-150] - Gateway: Payza (Formerly AlertPay) * [CORE-967] - Gateway: BitPay * [CORE-968] - Billing Overview Plugin: Yearly Revenue Graph not displaying graph when only January is available --- ## Version 3.1.0-b1 2013-12-20 ### Bug * [CORE-753] - Service Suspension Error email template is never used * [CORE-754] - Service Unsuspension Error email template is never used * [CORE-756] - A/R Report email template is never used * [CORE-757] - Invoice Creation Report email template is never used * [CORE-759] - Service Cancel Error email template is never used * [CORE-773] - Support Manager: Simplify email pipe script for use in various control panels * [CORE-945] - Module::getServiceName() expects invalid service_name config.json attribute ### Improvement * [CORE-156] - Create note on failed auto-debit, payment account removal * [CORE-247] - cPanel: Auto-generate username/password fields * [CORE-286] - Package welcome emails do not show currency code * [CORE-382] - Universal Module: Add tooltips * [CORE-392] - Add view/edit invoice links in transactions listing * [CORE-437] - Use Password field when manually adding client account * [CORE-503] - Module: cPanel - when creating new accounts include an email address * [CORE-541] - Add the ability to delete addon companies. * [CORE-570] - Group and designate addons as such on invoices * [CORE-589] - Add ability to disable attachments for email invoice delivery * [CORE-591] - Add option to clear cron task locks * [CORE-593] - Remove append to invoice option when creating new service if no invoices exist * [CORE-596] - Support Manager: Use schemeless URLs for gravatar images * [CORE-601] - Add client id to client area * [CORE-608] - When recording payment, allow installed gateways to be selected for payment type * [CORE-670] - Add option to internally switch between module rows in the same package module group when managing a service * [CORE-673] - Add additional staff group permissions * [CORE-674] - Support Manager: Open ticket set placeholder for client search * [CORE-677] - cPanel Module: Round disk/bandwidth usage to hundredths * [CORE-695] - Add force HTTPS to htaccess (disabled by default) * [CORE-700] - Link Emails setting to Email Templates by default * [CORE-703] - Update SDK and manual to cover missing auth in cgi/fastCGI * [CORE-705] - Import Manager: WHMCS Migrator * [CORE-706] - 2Checkout: phone number and email address are not sent to the gateway when processing payment * [CORE-732] - Billing at a Glance Plugin: Add Revenue this Year * [CORE-750] - Service Creation email should set formatting on package pricing price values * [CORE-751] - Add currency format filter to h2o email template parsing * [CORE-791] - Increase the size of the text field containing the cron command * [CORE-792] - CMS: Add support for port number in CMS URLs * [CORE-810] - Support Manager: Allow departments to override email template from address * [CORE-814] - Installer: improve temp directory detection * [CORE-816] - Add support for automated CLI installation * [CORE-821] - Update instances of "-- Please Select --" to use global language * [CORE-822] - Simplify modules with use of configuration file * [CORE-826] - Update About Blesta Credits * [CORE-832] - SolusVM Module: Allow provisioning by node groups * [CORE-835] - Redirect nonmerchant gateway notifications to the client interface * [CORE-843] - SolusVM: Remove password support of special characters * [CORE-848] - CLI Installer: Add ability to specify hostname * [CORE-849] - API: Add commands to return version information * [CORE-850] - Languages need to distinguish between right-to-left and left-to-right * [CORE-857] - Manually emailing a closed invoice does not update it's status from unsent to sent. * [CORE-876] - Invoices: Add client tax ID to invoice if set * [CORE-889] - Order Plugin: Update order received email templates on install * [CORE-891] - Simplify gateways with use of configuration file * [CORE-892] - Simplify plugins with use of configuration file * [CORE-896] - Add custom PDF Invoice fonts defined per language * [CORE-898] - Service notice emails should use the given company ID rather than the configured company * [CORE-913] - Support Manager: Remove redundant tooltips from add/edit staff schedules * [CORE-917] - Integrate VAR Customizations configuration * [CORE-918] - Upgrade to jquery 1.8.3, resolve compatibility issues * [CORE-922] - Cron should handle exceptions when running all tasks * [CORE-925] - Support Manager: Update instances of "-- Please Select --" to use global language * [CORE-926] - Order plugin: Update instances of "-- Please Select --" to use global language * [CORE-929] - License Manager: Set wildcard for domain, ip, path if license module configured not to validate * [CORE-936] - PHPIDS: Update filters * [CORE-942] - Add strict adherence to semantic versioning with pre-releases * [CORE-943] - Import Manager: Add Blesta 3.1 support for Blesta 2.5 migrator ### New Feature * [CORE-77] - Module: Proxmox * [CORE-384] - Module: VPS.NET * [CORE-386] - Module: Enom * [CORE-466] - Module: GoGetSSL * [CORE-512] - Add cancel at end of term package option * [CORE-606] - Support Manager: Add staff signatures * [CORE-628] - Add ability to sort packages within package groups * [CORE-676] - Add total credits to client area * [CORE-701] - Allow attachments to be disabled on a per email template basis. * [CORE-708] - Support Plugin: Allow clients to re-open closed tickets * [CORE-721] - Add manually definable configurable options to packages * [CORE-736] - Gateway: CCAvenue * [CORE-743] - Billing at a Glance Plugin: Add year to date revenue graph * [CORE-884] - Shared Login Plugin * [CORE-909] - Add optional X-Frame-Options header to .htaccess * [CORE-941] - Module: TheSSLStore ### Task * [CORE-43] - Complete Event System * [CORE-51] - Make All Email Templates Work * [CORE-70] - Remove Exponential Backup for Auto Debit * [CORE-431] - Add README to install/upgrade zips * [CORE-619] - Allow tax rules to be deleted * [CORE-742] - PayPal Payments Standard: Add additional currency codes * [CORE-755] - Service Unsuspension email should be sent when a service is unsuspended * [CORE-760] - Add Staff Email Subscription Notices * [CORE-885] - Remove Foxrate exchange rate processor * [CORE-900] - Add a service provisioning error email template * [CORE-911] - Support Manager: Add staff titles ### Sub-task * [CORE-902] - Add selected values to options on review checkout page * [CORE-903] - Add selected values to options in cart * [CORE-904] - Quantity options do not observe min, max, and step settings * [CORE-905] - Implement jquery UI slider for quantities --- Note: cPanel Extended module is available here.

This made me laugh so much I was in tears haha... Come on I had to share it haha

I would love to see a better cart system! I like the ajax idea, but I really like the way other industries do this also. When I want to order something, going through Blesta is confusing. I mean I'm the one selling the product and it's confusing. I've never had any trouble buying something from Amazon, their order process is not confusing at all. I realize that they are selling something totally different but I think their is a lot of room for improvement in the ordering system. I actually like the way IP does their ordering, it seems pretty clear. Step 1: Pick license type, https://www.invisionpower.com/pricing Step 2: If license pick what products you want and how many users, easy, http://www.invisionpower.com/buy Step 3: Information / login https://www.invisionpower.com/clients/index.php?app=nexus&module=payments&section=pay&id=504940 Step 4: Pay It's just easy, super simple, and their layout looks awesome!

Added as CORE-1090

I can't speak on that about the hosting industry but in the past I've done it for local computer/network service. Again you're in that under 5% range which is great in that line of work because the profit margins are bigger than hosting. I find that the business card thing is most effective when you're shaking someone's hand. I've always been a slight hermit and not really go to social events unless they sounded what I considered fun. Now days I force myself to go to almost everything I get invited to, unless there's a clear sign of no potential, and it's rare that I don't get asked for my business card. The only caveat is it does involve being social and not being a wall flower. Something I had to train myself to do. The open bar helps.

Completely agree with some of whats being said here, tapping into the local market is fundamental and generally much easier to become an authority and build trust through word of mouth too! To be honest I don't believe incorporating a limited company is essential at all, as long as customer service remains consistent then this shouldn't make a difference to your clients, after all its only a status thing (and more paperwork) unless you need to be protected from being personally liable.. but for now being a sole trader will do me fine. Also, do any of you think it would be worth me printing out some business cards and posting around on ad boards around the city? Or would this just be a waste of time/money... any thoughts on this would be appreciated

We have had a similar experience. We operated as a sole proprietorship for years before incorporating and it was never an issue, customers never brought it up except to ask for W-9's and issue 1099's. Running a sole-prop in CA can be the absolute best option for a small business. We're incorporated in California and have to pay $800/yr, every year to the state, not counting taxes on profit. That's the cost of admittance, and many small businesses can't afford it. There are lots of reasons why a business may want to be a sole-prop, LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp. My suggestion is that anyone starting a new business should do some research, understand the different legal entities and make a decision that is in their best interest. What is best for one person isn't necessarily best for another, but if you understand your options you can make a better decision.

There will always be bad players, whether malicious or negligent. Unfortunately, it will result in calls for government regulation. Rather, I suggest people do their research on exchanges before doing business with them, and diversify. Never put all your coins in the same place. Don't leave large deposits in exchanges, transfer them out into wallets you control. Never use a hosted wallet.

We are aiming for a beta in a matter of weeks.

Interesting idea. I think this would work better if services were displayed on their own page though. In the future, I'd like the client area to be more customizable, staff can determine which widgets should be displayed as well as which pages. Then, the services widget could be disabled, and a services page could be enabled that categorizes them by group and has more advanced filtering options.

The lounge is the best place for these even though there are other places to sell them like ExtraLicense and WebHostingTalk. But I suppose it keeps it at the heart and yeah they are all promo $99 licenses for sale.

It really doesn't happen that often. What you're seeing is a sell off of pre v3 promo licenses that are now being sold off because people decided they didn't need them or are trying to turn a few bucks. It's been suggested already though.

I thought we were keeping the thread fresh. Come to think of it, this is in the wrong forum. </closed>

Dear Developers, I want to get invoice in pdf format using API from one of my web portal. Please advice me how can I achieve this. Thanks in advance!! -Anuranjan

Only one way to find out, my guess is, probably. They haven't changed much with their database schema I don't believe. However, it's probably better to copy your install, upgrade the copied version, and then import from that database.

How does an internet gateway work with ham radio? I use to talk on 10/11 meter a long time ago. Still have the old RCI-2950