How to Create a cPanel Account in WHM (Reseller Guide)

If you run reseller hosting, WHM (Web Host Manager) is where you create a separate cPanel account for each client website. This guide shows how to set up a hosting package first, then create the account step by step, and covers the settings resellers most often get wrong.

Before you start: create a package

Every cPanel account is created from a package, a template that sets its disk space, bandwidth, number of email accounts, databases and other limits. Create your packages once and reuse them for every client.

1. In WHM, open Packages → Add a Package.
2. Give it a clear name, such as Starter, Business or Pro.
3. Set the limits: disk quota, monthly bandwidth, email accounts, databases, addon domains and subdomains.
4. Choose a feature list (what tools the client sees in cPanel) and save.

Tip: keep package names the same as the plan names on your website and in your billing system (such as WHMCS), so provisioning works automatically.

Create the account step by step

1. Login to your WHM Account.

2. Go to Account Functions >> Create a New Account or type Create a New Account in the search box, and the option will appear. Click on it.

3. Enter the following details under Domain Information:
Domain: The domain name you wish to host, like hostnali.co.ke
Username: After you enter a domain name, click on this field, and it will automatically fill up your username or enter any other username you wish to use.
Password: Enter a password or use a password generator. Copy the password in a safe place. It will be required while accessing your newly-created account.
Email: Your email address.
Choose a Package: From the drop-down menu. You can choose a package. If there isn’t any package available, you can create it from the Add a Package option.

Under Settings:
CGI Access: Tick this to enable CGI Access.
cPanel Theme: You can leave it as it is or chooses a theme you wish to use for your cPanel user account.
Locale: You can choose a language for your cPanel user account.

Under Reseller Settings:
Make the account a reseller one: Leave it unchecked if you do not want to grant reseller access to your cPanel account.

Under DNS Settings:
Enable DKIM on this account: It is enabled by default. We recommend you to enable it.
Enable SPF on this account: Tick this option to prevent abusers by sending spoof email on behalf of your domain name.

4. Leave all other options as they are. Please scroll down to the Create button and click it.

Your cPanel account will be created successfully.

What each field means

Field	What to enter
Domain	The client’s main domain, without www
Username	Short and unique; it can’t be changed easily later
Password	Use the generator; send it to the client securely
Email	The client’s contact email for notices and password resets
Package	The plan the client bought
DNS settings	Usually leave “Enable DKIM” and “Enable SPF” ticked so email is trusted
Nameservers	Your reseller nameservers (or ours), which the client’s domain must use

After creating the account

1. Send the client their login details: cPanel address, username and password, plus the nameservers to set on their domain.
2. Point the domain: if you also sell the domain, set the nameservers yourself.
3. Check SSL: once the domain points to the server, free SSL is issued automatically.
4. Install the website, for example WordPress with Softaculous, if you build sites for clients.

Managing accounts later

• Upgrade or downgrade: Account Functions → Upgrade/Downgrade an Account.
• Suspend for non-payment: Account Functions → Manage Account Suspension (better still, let WHMCS suspend automatically).
• Reset passwords and log in to a client’s cPanel from List Accounts.
• Terminate accounts you no longer host, after taking a backup.

Common reseller mistakes

• Creating accounts without packages, so every account has different, untracked limits.
• Overselling disk space beyond what your reseller plan includes.
• Forgetting to set nameservers, so the client’s site never appears.
• Sharing one cPanel account between several clients instead of one account each.

Automate it with WHMCS

With a billing system such as WHMCS connected to WHM, a client’s order creates the cPanel account, sends the welcome email and suspends unpaid accounts automatically. See how to start a web hosting business for the full setup.

Frequently asked questions

How many cPanel accounts can I create?

As many as your reseller plan allows. Compare reseller hosting plans, or move to master reseller hosting to create reseller accounts too.

Can my clients see that the hosting comes from Hostnali?

Reseller hosting is white-label: clients see your brand and your nameservers.