The provided materials detail the creation of a white-labeled client portal using tools available through WPMU DEV. This portal allows agencies to provide clients with customized access to billing information, site management tools, and support resources, all branded under the agency’s own identity. The system integrates with Stripe for payment processing and offers options for customizing the user experience, including help buttons and live chat integrations. The core components involve The Hub, The Hub Client, and a hosted site.
Components of the Client Portal
The foundation of the client portal is The Hub, described as a central interface for managing client sites. This interface incorporates billing tools, allowing agencies to invoice clients, set up subscriptions, and track monthly recurring revenue (MRR). Clients can access their invoices directly within The Hub’s billing modal, viewing site-specific billing details and status updates. The system displays a summary of billing data, including products, services, and invoice statuses.
To brand the portal, The Hub Client is utilized. This tool enables agencies to apply their own branding, logos, and customizations to the Hub interface, effectively removing WPMU DEV’s branding. The resulting portal operates on the agency’s own domain, presenting a seamless branded experience for clients.
Finally, a hosted site is required to host the client portal. This can be a third-party hosted site or WordPress hosting managed directly through the WPMU DEV Hub dashboard.
Customizing the Client Experience
The Hub Client offers several customization options to enhance the client experience. Agencies can create custom login pages for clients and invite them to the portal via branded emails. Clients can then access their account and subscription information, and pay invoices directly through a built-in Stripe checkout.
Further customization includes the ability to add a help button, linking to the agency’s help pages or customer support resources. This button appears in the lower right corner of the Hub page. Agencies can also integrate live chat platforms, with three highly-rated options available for configuration within The Hub Client settings.
The system allows for customization of the link text used for the “Back” button on the Client Login page, and the Home Site URL. If no customizations are made to the Home Site URL, the back button will direct to the default home page for that site.
User Roles and Access Control
Agencies can assign user roles to clients, controlling their level of access within the portal. Options include granting clients “View All & Access billing” permissions, or creating custom roles with specific menu selections. Custom roles are created through the WordPress dashboard, allowing agencies to define precise access levels.
When adding a client, agencies also determine their Primary Hub. Selecting The Hub Client as the Primary Hub ensures that clients are directed to the agency’s white-labeled portal when clicking links in automated emails, such as invoice confirmations or payment requests.
Client Invitation and Access
Clients are added to the system and sent a white-labeled invitation to the client portal. Upon confirming the invitation, clients gain access to the branded portal. If a client already has an existing Hub account with the agency, they are directed to the login page of the Hub they were invited from.
Resetting Customizations
The Hub Client includes a “Reset” button, allowing agencies to revert to the default settings if desired. This provides flexibility for experimentation and adjustments to the portal’s configuration.
Conclusion
The WPMU DEV system provides agencies with a comprehensive solution for creating a white-labeled client portal. The integration of The Hub, The Hub Client, and hosting options allows for a fully branded experience, complete with billing management, customized access controls, and support integrations. The system aims to streamline client communication and provide a professional, branded interface for managing client accounts.