A fresh WHMCS installation works, but its defaults are generic. Before taking the first order, spend twenty minutes in General Settings so invoices, emails and the client area show your brand and behave as you expect. This guide goes tab by tab through the options that matter.
Before you start
- WHMCS installed and an administrator login. See install WHMCS on cPanel.
- Your company details, logo (PNG, about 300×80 px) and the address customers should reply to.
Open General Settings
Click the wrench icon or go to Configuration → System Settings → General Settings.
General tab
- Company Name and Email Address – used in emails and invoices.
- Domain – your main website, for example
https://example.com. - Logo URL – an HTTPS link to your logo.
- Pay To Text – company address and registration or VAT number shown on invoices.
- WHMCS System URL – must be the exact HTTPS address of WHMCS, for example
https://billing.example.com/. Wrong values break links in emails and payment callbacks. - Template – the client area theme, usually Twenty-One.
- Activity Log Limit and Records to Display per Page – practical defaults.
Localisation tab
Set the System Charset to UTF-8, the Default Language, and enable Language Menu if you serve several languages. Set the date format your customers expect.
Ordering tab
- Default Order Form Template – Standard Cart is the modern default.
- Enable TOS Acceptance with the URL of your terms of service.
- Automatically Redirect on Checkout to send customers straight to payment.
- Allow users to register only when ordering if you want to reduce spam accounts.
Domains tab
Enable Allow clients to register domains, transfer and use their own domain as needed, and enter your default nameservers (for example ns1.example.com). New hosting accounts and domain registrations use them.
Mail tab
Click Configure Mail Provider and choose SMTP or a provider such as Google or Microsoft with OAuth. Avoid PHP Mail; it is the most common reason WHMCS emails land in spam. Details are in configure WHMCS mail (SMTP).
Invoices tab
- Invoice Generation days before due date, for example 14.
- Enable PDF Invoices and Attach PDF Invoices to emails.
- Sequential Paid Invoice Numbering – required in many countries for tax compliance.
- Late Fee settings, if you charge them.
Support tab
Choose the Support Module (built-in), allow file attachments with safe extensions (.jpg,.png,.pdf,.txt,.zip) and decide whether customers can close tickets.
Security tab
- Set Required Password Strength to at least 50.
- Enable CAPTCHA (reCAPTCHA or hCaptcha) on registration, checkout and contact forms.
- Add your office IP to Allowed IPs for the API if you use it.
Currencies
Go to Configuration → System Settings → Currencies, set your base currency and add others with their exchange rates. Change the base currency only before you have clients.