How do I configure the SwiftModders WHMCS Feature Request Module?

Let’s walk through each section you can configure and customize to set up the perfect feature request system for your clients using the SwiftModders WHMCS Feature Request Module.

Enter your license key

Before accessing any of the settings or the feature requester system, you must input your active license key. You can find this license key by logging into your account, navigating to the Licenses page (“Services” > “My Licenses”), and clicking on your “SwiftModders WHMCS Feature Request Module” product. Copy the license key on this page; you’ll want to paste it into the license key field within the activated addon.

If you are having issues activating your license, please open a support request so we may assist you!

Configure your settings

Now that your license is activated, click the “Settings” tab. You’ll be presented with the “General Settings” portion of the Feature Request module. Let’s walk through each of the settings available and offer some recommendations.

General Settings

• System Status: This option will toggle the feature request system between online and offline modes. If disabled, an offline message will be displayed to your users. This message and all other phrases can be translated and edited.
• Default Request Status: During installation, a set of feature request status labels will be pre-setup. You can set the default status label used for new feature requests in the following list.
• Moderate New Requests: When enabled, all new feature requests must be moderated by staff members with moderation permissions assigned (detailed in our next section). Disabling this option will mean that all new feature requests will immediately be made public.
• Allow Anonymous Posting: This will allow your users to post new feature requests and comments anonymously when enabled. Disabling this option will force your clients to post in the feature request system with their first and last names recorded in WHMCS. Keep in mind that if you change this option later, it will not retroactively alter anonymous posts.
• Allow Searching: Give your clients the ability to search for feature requests posted in the system. This also enables an intelligent search ability that provides recommendations to users posting new feature requests.
• Allow Subscriptions: If your clients find a feature request they are interested in, this option will allow them to subscribe to that request and be notified of status updates.

Permissions

All permission options below are based on Administrator Roles available in WHMCS.

• Moderator Permissions: The Administrator Roles with these permissions will be able to moderate (approve or deny) new feature requests.
• Edit Permissions: The Administrator Roles with these permissions can edit any feature request, comment, or vote.
• Delete Permissions: The Administrator Roles with these permissions will be able to delete any feature request, comment, or vote.

Email Settings

All email templates generated by the module are controllable via the WHMCS Email Templates System.

• Email Admins on New Feature Requests: When enabled, WHMCS will email all of your administrators whenever a new feature request has been submitted. If disabled, no emails will be sent.
• Send Client Email Notifications: This will allow the client email notification system for the feature requests system when enabled. Several email options will now be available to your clients to opt out from the front end. Remember that admins will not see the client email preferences section of the feature request system.

Rules

This section will allow you to create a list of rules your clients must follow when using the feature request system. Since this module includes a banning system, you can always follow through with proper discipline if you choose to!

Attachments

Give your clients the ability to attach various file types to their feature requests. You can adjust the supported file types or completely disable the system altogether.

• Attachments: Enable or disable the ability to upload attachments in feature requests.
• Upload Path: Attachments will be uploaded to a designated module installation folder by default. However, we highly recommend changing this location outside your public directory for security reasons.
• Allowed File Extensions: Use this field to set the extension types you wish to support.
• Maximum Number of Files: Set the maximum amount of files a client can upload in a single feature request.
• Maximum File Size: The PHP value for upload_max_filesize will be used if this is set to 0. If you wish to increase this number, be sure it’s not larger than your upload_max_filesize value.

Create your first product group

Product groups are used to create siloed environments for your clients who purchase specific products. For example, if you’re a WHMCS module developer with several products, you’ll want a product group for each of your major module items. Creating groups allows you to put multiple products or addons into one group. If you sell numerous license types (like SwiftModders), this will make grouping your clients easier!

To start creating your first product group, click on the “Groups” tab in the module navigation. Once loaded, you will see a green “Add New Group” in the upper-right corner. Click that option to bring up your “Add New Group” form. Let’s talk about what each option here does:

• Active: This product group will be available in the feature request system when enabled. When disabled, it will not be visible to any user.
• Group Name: This will be the title of the product group. This will be visible on the listing of product groups for your clients.
• Group Description: A short description of this group’s products can be placed here. This will also be visible on listing product groups for your clients. Remember that you can utilize limited HTML tags  (strong, em, a, or br).
• Associated Products/Services: Utilize this multi-selection tool to grab all the products you want associated with this group. All clients who own active copies of these products or addons will be given access to this group automatically.

Create more feature request categories

Upon installation, the Feature Requester module will create a default “Uncategorized” category that cannot be removed. This category is also a global category that will be presented on all product groups you’ve created. Click the “Categories” tab in the module navigation to access the categories section. Once loaded, click the green “Add New Category” button in the upper-right-hand corner.

• Category Name: This will be the category’s name displayed publicly.
• Category Icon: Use the icon picker service to select a Font Awesome 5 icon matching your category description. Keep in mind that WHMCS does not support the use of Font Awesome Duo icons yet.
• Associated Groups: Select the groups or “All Groups” in which this category will be available.

Edit the status labels for feature requests

Status labels are a great way to let your clients know where their request is in the queue. Upon installation, the Feature Requester module will preload several status labels for you to use. If you need to edit or add any of those labels, you can do so easily. Remember that you will not be able to delete status labels currently in use on active feature requests, and you will not be able to remove the default status label.

To create or edit a status label, click the “Statuses” tab in the module navigation. Once loaded, you can edit, delete, or “Add New Status.”

• Status Name: This will be the title used within the status label.
• Status Color: Utilize the color picker to select a color that best represents the status name.

Banning a client from accessing the feature request system

Unfortunately, not all clients are easy to deal with. When you come across a disgruntled client, you can lock them out of the feature request system. To do so, click the module navigation’s “Bans” tab. Once loaded, click the “Add New Ban” button in the upper-right-hand color.

• User: This list is automatically filled with clients utilizing the feature requests system. You can quickly select or search for the client you wish to ban.
• Ban Reason: This reason will be displayed to the banned client, so be sure to stay respectful when possible!

Congratulations, you have completed configuring your feature request system! If you encounter any issues while trying to configure your module, please do not hesitate to open a support request. We appreciate your support!