Domain Suggestions

WHMCS currently supports two domain lookup providers for domain searches performed via the domain checker and shopping cart interfaces.

• Standard WHOIS - this checks domain availability using WHOIS servers directly, and is the default Domain Lookup provider used by WHMCS installations. When using this method, in addition to the users chosen domain name and TLD, the status of the same domain with other TLD extensions can be provided at the same time.
• eNom Namespinner - this utilitises the eNom API to provide intelligent automated suggestions based on the domain or keywords a user enters.

Namespinning is powered by eNom and requires an eNom account. All WHMCS users can get a free account by navigating to Setup > Domain Registrars within the WHMCS admin interface.

What is Namespinning?

Domain Namespinning is the name given to the feature that provides intelligent automated suggestions based on the domain or keywords a user enters, designed to optimise domain registration sales and capture what may previously have been lost sales by offering alternative domain names when a users initial desired domain is taken.

Configuring eNom Namespinner

To activate and begin using the eNom Namespinner, navigate to Setup > General Settings > Domains and click the "Activate & Configure" button below the eNom Namespinner Domain Lookup option.

Namespinning will only provide suggestions for the TLDs for which you have configured in Setup > Domain Pricing. Please refer to Domains Configuration for further help and information on setting up your domain selling preferences.

Updating your eNom API Credentials

The Namespinner functionality requires valid eNom API Credentials to function. These details are set and can be updated in Setup > Domain Registrars under the Enom module.

• In order to use the Enom API, you must first contact them and let them know the server IP address where you will be connecting from (the server IP address where you have WHMCS installed)
• This is part of Enom's security measures to prevent unauthorised users being able to submit registration requests to your account.
• You can do this by opening a ticket with Enom directly asking for your server's main shared IP address to be authorized for access to your account

Disabling the eNom Namespinner

If you no longer wish to use the eNom Namespinner for domain lookups, simply activate the Standard WHOIS lookup option again in Setup > General Settings > Domains. This will deactivate the namespinner functionality and replace it with the Standard WHOIS.

Troubleshooting

In the event of Domain Namespinning failing to work correctly, refer to Utilities > Activity Log where common error messages will be recorded prefacted with eNom Namespinner:. The explanation and solution of whcih are below. If no errors are logged, the Module Debugging Log will help you identify what error is occurring. Please see Troubleshooting Module Problems for further details.

Enom response contained error: Bad User name or Password

This error means the username and password credentials entered into the eNom section under Setup > Products/Services > Domain Registrars are invalid. Please double-check your eNom login details and re-enter them.

Enom response contained error: User not permitted from this IP address

This error message indicates that you haven't yet allowed your server's IP to access your eNom account via the API. You have to do this by opening a ticket to eNom's API department before you can use the integration.

The IP you need to authorize is typically the main shared IP of the server, but could also be the IP address to which your WHMCS licence is issued.