[Feature Request] Combine Domain Products

[Lawrence]

It's been stated several dozen times in the past, and it's been a necessary feature for those who want to offer more than 30+ domains. As it stands, you need to have a domain for every type of sale.

Here's how it currently works.

• Domain Registration Product
• Domain Transfer Product
• Domain Bulk Registration Product
• Domain Bulk Transfer Product
• Product w/Domain
• Product w/Domain + Domain Name Suggestions
• Bulk Domain Registration + Domain Name Suggestions

With that said, let's assume you offer only 10 domains. No big deal until you realize you need to create 70 product pages to properly market your domains. Then when there's a price change, you need to update all 70 product pages.

To put things into a better perspective, let's say you offer 150+ domains. That's now 1,050 products you need to update. This is simply not economical.

My proposed feature request is this.

- 1 Product For Each Domains
- Each product should have 4 options. Register, Transfer, Bulk Register, and Bulk Transfer.
- Products with domains should be scrapped because this is already included in other products such as hosting.
- Domain Name Suggestions should be a checkmark for each domain.

If it takes 3 minutes to edit one domain, it will take 30 minutes to edit 10 domains. If you have 150+ domain offerings, this is enough to drive a host mad. That equates to 52 and a half hours of non-stop domain updates if you spend 3 minutes per domain.

I hope this proposal would be considered because as it is, it's hard to update all my domains. I'm sure others feel the same way.

Some extra things to consider,
- Each domain should still be managed through their respective registrars, completely independent of the order form.
- Bulk price changes would be easier to perform by webmasters if this were considered.
- This would be INNOVATIVE as NO other billing portal offers this full functionality.

Thanks for reading, vote up!

[Patrick]

Nail on the head.  Endless time to make changes does drive us mad.  +1 to this

[John]

The current way drives us insane! It takes quite a bit of time to set it up or change prices!

[tallship]

I realize this makes sense, but isn't this something that should be posted at the kbkp forums? I mean, that's supposed to be the place where kbkp software accepts feature requests, notwithstanding they don't pay attention to even critical bug reports.

I guess I just don't see the utility of requesting a HostBill feature here where it has nothing to do with kbkp software and the same suggestions would have to be made at their official channel anyway.

It seems like a bit of wasted effort to gather support for something like that at a 'fan site', and then have to do it all over again in the official channels owned by the software publisher.

[Lawrence]

I realize this makes sense, but isn't this something that should be posted at the kbkp forums? I mean, that's supposed to be the place where kbkp software accepts feature requests, notwithstanding they don't pay attention to even critical bug reports.

I guess I just don't see the utility of requesting a HostBill feature here where it has nothing to do with kbkp software and the same suggestions would have to be made at their official channel anyway.

It seems like a bit of wasted effort to gather support for something like that at a 'fan site', and then have to do it all over again in the official channels owned by the software publisher.

I can understand what you mean, but even still, Kris did say he would check out this forum from time to time.  My logic is if we have a clean, well moderated organized feature request section, it'll help Kris prioritize new features. If it doesn't do well, I'll probably archive the entire board, so it's worth a shot.

[tallship]

It would be ideal for kbkp software to add a feature request system directly into their so-called bugtracking system, that would really be a nice thing to see. As it is currently implemented, that's really what it would excel at.

I guess there aren't going to be any more support forums there. That's rather pathetic, but quite an effective way to stifle conversation between HostBill users.

I hate to say it (No I don't, not really lol), but perhaps the best bug reporting system for HostBill would be the well trafficked WHT forums, where any bug that isn't tended to would bring considerable loss of sales to kbkp software, since it seems they are so motivated by sales, and not by the problems encountered by their users.

Anyway, since there is no way to request features through proper or official channels, it will be interesting to see here, what other hostbill users would like to have. I kind of figure it will be more useful for third party developers to determine what they can bring to the community.

Thanks for all your efforts and support Lawrence, and especially, your optimism

[electric]

I agree with this feature request.  Quickly being able to update a lot of domains we sell would be nice.  We're not using hostbill in production (for obvious reasons regarding instability of Hostbill company), but we're still testing and tracking the software.

Since we sell about 50 different domains, we would like to see this feature implemented.

[thetrusteeco]

While I understand the frustration of updating every domain, I'd rather they were grouped together that forced together.

The great thing about the current system is it's versatility.  If there was a check box when adding/updating a TLD so hostbill knew what pages you were trying to add/update the TLD for it would be better: [] Register [] Transfer [] Bulk Register [] Bulk Transfer.

Or just offer a streamlined option, but keep the original as an option too.  Many ccTLDs have strange policies, and for those of use offering them, we need a way to offer the same domain more than one way. 

For Example: .it - I have 2 transfer options of .it domains, which radically change the transfer price depending on whether the current registrar is an other hosting company, or the registry itself.  Why?  Because for another hosting company it is an automated EPP auth-code transfer like a .com.  For a transfer from the registry, I have to send a FAX, signed by the customer.  Hassle = $.

The reason I bought HB was WHMCS cannot support the same TLD twice.  No options, no how, no way - I got that from Chris himself (WHMCS Chris).

[Lawrence]

Many ccTLDs have strange policies, and for those of use offering them, we need a way to offer the same domain more than one way. 

For Example: .it - I have 2 transfer options of .it domains, which radically change the transfer price depending on whether the current registrar is an other hosting company, or the registry itself.  Why?  Because for another hosting company it is an automated EPP auth-code transfer like a .com.  For a transfer from the registry, I have to send a FAX, signed by the customer.  Hassle = $.

This feature request wouldn't actually affect multiple domain products for the same TLD. By adding this feature, you can still have 2 .com registration products, but you only have to configure each one once. That said, I too like the feature to have multiple product pages of the same TLD for unique situations.

[thetrusteeco]

Ahh, great!  I misunderstood what it was and couldn't vote, because I kind-of-agreed with it, but didn't want that WHMCS approach.  Count me in, have you seen all the TLDs we have?  You should see the backend!

[Lawrence]

Ahh, great!  I misunderstood what it was and couldn't vote, because I kind-of-agreed with it, but didn't want that WHMCS approach.  Count me in, have you seen all the TLDs we have?  You should see the backend!

I know all too well. I've stopped configuring my domains because of this very reason. I've got I think last time I checked 192 domain extensions.

This can actually be fixed by adding a new product type, All in One domain product pages. Kris can keep the current system, just add another domain order page that does everything in one.

[tallship]

This can actually be fixed by adding a new product type, All in One domain product pages. Kris can keep the current system, just add another domain order page that does everything in one.

My old OpenSRS implemementation, Perl/CGI, and an earlier OpenSRX, which I don't even think you can find code laying around anymore for, but was used to power some ccTLD registries in years past before OpenSRS came out for registrar/reseller operations, did all of this - bulk, singles, transfers, everything, and then you could checkout.

I don't even know if that old code will work though. It's like, ten years old or so, if it's even that new. And it certainly wasn't integrated with anything at all. We didn't have the upsell domain suggestion stuff at that tiime, and I was hard pressed by my partners at the time to allow even bulk registrations, because I believe that's mostly for cybersquatters (We can't legally call them that anymore, because Congress legislated them into legitimacy, and designated only those who actually ransom domains or register things like niek.com and goggle.com as cybersquatters).

Anyway, now they call themselves *domainers*. As if it's some sort of legitimate security to invest in like the commodities or stock markets, on speculation.

I'm getting off track here, but I have simple needs. If someone wants a domain, just pick one and register it. Then, when launching a VPS, if you want to associate an SLD with the hostname... etc.

I guess people are really making money still providing domain registrations, but I kind of just see it as offering a service of convenience so people can just handle all their bills on one place.

That having been said, it's obviously a good idea to implement what the subject of this thread is about, but why in tarnation doesn't kbkp have a place for their customers to request features? That's just ridiculous that such a channel doesn't exist!

Oh, nevermind, I know I'm just preaching to the choir with that rhetorical spout LOL.

Kindest regards,

[Lawrence]

Oh, nevermind, I know I'm just preaching to the choir with that rhetorical spout LOL.

Nonsense! Your words merely add wood to the fire, making this case all the more stronger.

[thetrusteeco]

Hey tallship, I agree with what you said, and just a few days ago was complaining about the fact that every .com variant I need for one of my projects is being squatted on (I can call it that; I'm not an American!).

However, there is still a service in ccTLDs for some customers (not a profitable one in and of itself, but it does lead to other sales). The thing is not everyone wants a .com (gTLD).  For a guy in Ethiopia who is marketing to his people, he wants a .com.et domain as then his customers can find his site quicker and know he will actually deal with Ethiopians.  This may not apply to your customers, but please don't under-estimate the usefulness of HostBill for Domainers... I means Domain-sellers!  Kris has I think.