Client Portal Plus Documentation

System Requirements
Installation
Setup and Configuration
Detailed Usage
– Services Page
– Client Pages
– Invoicing Page
– Records Page
– Settings Page
– Styles Page
– CSS Tips
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Additional Information

Overview

Client Portal Plus is a secure WordPress plugin that provides a client management system with the following key features:

  • Services Management: Add, edit, and perform bulk actions on services.
  • Client Pages: Create custom client pages that display client details, notes, and services.
  • Invoicing: Generate, edit, and send invoices; integrate with PayPal for “Pay Now” functionality.
  • Records: View and manage invoice records with sorting and bulk action capabilities.
  • Settings: Configure SMTP, PayPal, ticketing system, and customer service email settings.
  • Styles: Customize the appearance of client pages with dynamic inline CSS.

System Requirements

  • WordPress 5.0 or higher
  • PHP 7.2 or higher
  • MySQL 5.6 or higher

Installation

Via the WordPress Dashboard

  1. Download the Plugin:
    • Download the latest version of Client Portal Plus as a ZIP file.
  2. Upload the Plugin:
    • In your WordPress admin area, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
    • Click the Upload Plugin button at the top.
    • Choose the downloaded ZIP file and click Install Now.
  3. Activate the Plugin:
    • Once installed, click Activate Plugin to enable Client Portal Plus on your site.

Via FTP

  1. Extract the ZIP File:
    • Unzip the downloaded ZIP file on your computer.
  2. Upload Files:
    • Using an FTP client, upload the extracted folder (named “client-portal-plus”) to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory on your server.
  3. Activate the Plugin:
    • In your WordPress admin area, navigate to Plugins.
    • Locate Client Portal Plus and click Activate.

Setup & Configuration

Initial Setup

  1. Access the Plugin Settings:
    • In the WordPress admin sidebar, click on CPP+.
    • You will see several submenus: Services, Client Pages, Invoicing, Records, Settings, and Styles.
  2. Configure General Settings:
    • Click on Settings.
    • Set the following:
      • Customer Service Email: Email address for client support.
      • Paypal Email: Your PayPal account email for processing invoice payments.
      • SMTP Settings: Provide SMTP host, port, username, password, and security (SSL/TLS/None) for email delivery.
      • From Email: The email address from which invoices and notifications are sent.
      • Ticketing System URL (Optional): URL for your ticketing system. If set, a “Submit A Ticket” link (with a ticket icon) will appear on client pages.
  3. Customize Styles:
    • Click on Styles.
    • Adjust the font sizes, colors, font family, and button colors to match your site’s design.
    • Use the Custom CSS field to add any additional styling.

Detailed Usage

Services Page

  • Purpose: Manage your list of services.
  • Features:
    • Add New Service: Enter the service name and a short description, then click Add Service.
    • Bulk Actions: Use checkboxes to select services and choose a bulk action (Delete, Activate, Deactivate).
    • Edit Service: Click the Edit link next to a service to modify its details.

Client Pages

  • Purpose: Create and manage individual client pages.
  • Features:
    • Add New Client: Choose a client from the drop-down list and click Submit.
    • Edit Client Data: Modify client details such as business name, URL, acquisition date, and notes.
    • Upload Client Logo: Use the media uploader to set or update the client’s logo.
    • Assign Services: Check available services for the client and set an expiration date and “Available Now” status.

Invoicing Page

  • Purpose: Create, edit, and send invoices to clients.
  • Features:
    • Company Logo: Upload or select a logo to appear on the invoice.
    • Select Client: Choose the client for the invoice.
    • Existing Services: Select from previously defined services (with options to specify price, start date, and end date).
    • Custom Services: Add custom services with details such as description, price, and date ranges.
    • Subtotal Calculation: Click the Subtotal button to calculate invoice totals.
    • Tax & Total: Set tax percentage and view the computed total due.
    • Send Invoice: Click Save to save the invoice or Send to email the invoice to the client.

Records Page

  • Purpose: Review all invoices (records) that have been created.
  • Features:
    • Sortable Columns: At the top, click the sort links to order records by Client Name (ascending or descending) or Date (ascending or descending).
    • Bulk Actions: Select multiple records to perform actions such as Delete, Duplicate, or Mark as Paid.
    • View, Edit, or Send: Each record displays the client’s name, invoice send date, and status. Use the provided links to view, edit, or resend invoices.

Settings Page

  • Purpose: Configure overall settings for the plugin.
  • Features:
    • SMTP, Payment, and Ticketing Settings: Set your SMTP host, port, username, password, and security settings, as well as your PayPal email and ticketing system URL.
    • Test SMTP Connection: Use the Test SMTP Connection button to verify that emails are sent correctly.

Styles Page

  • Purpose: Customize the look and feel of the client pages.
  • Features:
    • General Styles: Adjust font sizes, colors, and font family.
    • Heading and Link Styles: Change sizes and colors for headings and links.
    • Service Card & Button Styles: Set border colors, button colors, and any custom CSS.
    • Reset Styles: Click the Reset to Defaults button to revert back to the default style settings.

Custom CSS Tips

Color the “Available Now” phrase: li.cpp-service-card a:link { color: red !important; }
Color button text on expired services: li.cpp-service-card a.button { color: #ffffff !important; }
Change client page logo width: .cpp-client-page img { max-width: 300px !important; }
Color paragraph links in notes, file sharing, etc. : .cpp-client-page a { color: goldenrod !important; }
Service card drop-shadow: li.cpp-service-card { box-shadow: 5px 5px 5px #cccccc; }

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: The ticket icon or “Submit A Ticket” link is not showing on my client pages.

A: Ensure that you have entered a valid URL in the Ticketing System URL field on the Settings page. The link appears only if this field is not empty.

Q: How do I reset my custom styles to the default settings?

A: On the Styles page, click the Reset to Defaults button. This will revert all style customizations back to the original default values.

Q: What should I do if emails (such as invoice emails) are not sending?

A: Verify your SMTP settings on the Settings page. You can use the Test SMTP Connection button to confirm that your email configuration is correct.

Q: Can I sort the records by client name or invoice date?

A: Yes. On the Records page, you will find clickable sort links at the top. You can sort by Client Name Asc/Desc or Date Asc/Desc.

Q: How do I update or uninstall the plugin?

A: To update the plugin, simply replace the plugin files with the new version (via the WordPress dashboard or FTP). To uninstall, deactivate and delete the plugin from your WordPress admin area. (Note: Uninstallation does not automatically delete the plugin’s database tables or settings. You may need to remove those manually if desired.)

Q: Where can I find more support or information about this plugin?

A: Visit the Client Portal Plus website for further support, documentation updates, and contact information.

Additional Information

  • User Roles & Permissions:
    • Administrators have full access to all pages and settings.
    • Non-administrator users (clients) will only see the client portal page and cannot access admin pages.
  • Customization:
    • Developers can further customize the plugin by modifying the styles or extending the functionality via hooks and filters provided within the code.
  • Troubleshooting:
    • Ensure that your WordPress, PHP, and MySQL versions meet the minimum requirements.
    • Check your SMTP settings if emails fail to send.
    • Enable WordPress debugging (if needed) by adding define( 'WP_DEBUG', true ); to your wp-config.php to see error messages.

This documentation should guide you through installation, configuration, and everyday use of the Client Portal Plus plugin. If you have further questions, please refer to the FAQ or contact support through the plugin’s website.