How to Change Billing Cycle in Client Area: A Step-by-Step Guide

Comprehensive walkthrough of finding and modifying billing frequencies for hosting services, including navigating potential UI challenges

Overview

Changing your billing cycle—such as moving from monthly to annual payments—can help you better manage your hosting expenses or take advantage of long-term savings. This guide walks you through the process of updating your billing frequency for shared hosting services using the Eco Hosting Client Area. While this guide is written for shared hosting customers, the principles also apply to other services like VPS and reseller hosting.

Prerequisites

• Access to your Eco Hosting Client Area
• An active shared hosting service
• Basic familiarity with web navigation

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Log into the Client Area

1. Visit the Eco Hosting Client Area.
2. Enter your login credentials.

2. Access Your Services

1. From the top menu, click on Services.
2. Choose My Services from the dropdown.

> Tip: You’ll see a list of all your hosting services and their current status.

3. Select the Hosting Service

1. Locate the shared hosting service you want to update.
2. Click the green Active button on the right side of the service entry.

4. Start the Upgrade/Downgrade Process

> The billing cycle is managed through the Upgrade/Downgrade feature.

1. On the service management page, select Upgrade / Downgrade from the right-hand menu.

5. Choose a New Billing Cycle

1. You’ll see a list of available hosting packages and their billing frequencies (Monthly, Quarterly, Annual, etc.).
2. Select your current package but with the desired billing cycle.
   • Example: If you’re currently on “Standard Hosting – Monthly” and want to switch to annual, select “Standard Hosting – Annual”.
3. Click Choose Product to continue.

6. Confirm and Complete the Change

1. Review the summary page, which will show:
   • Your current service and billing cycle
   • The new billing cycle
   • The price difference (if applicable)
   • Pro-rata calculations for unused time
2. Select your preferred payment method (Credit Card, PayPal, etc.).
3. Click Click to Continue.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize your payment (if required).

Troubleshooting & Tips

I Don’t See the Upgrade/Downgrade Option

• Ensure you are logged into the correct account.
• Only the account owner or authorized contacts can change billing cycles.
• If the option is missing or grayed out, your service may have restrictions. Please submit a support ticket for assistance.

Payment Issues

• Double-check your saved payment methods under Billing > Payment Methods.
• Ensure your card is up-to-date.
• For failed payments, try a different method or contact support.

Example: Switching from Monthly to Annual

Suppose you’re on the “Eco Shared Starter - Monthly” plan. To switch to annual:

1. Go to Services > My Services.
2. Click Active next to your plan.
3. Select Upgrade / Downgrade.
4. Find “Eco Shared Starter - Annual” and click Choose Product.
5. Complete the checkout and payment process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Will my website experience any downtime?**No, changing your billing cycle does not affect your hosting service’s uptime.

**Will I be charged immediately?**If you upgrade to a longer billing cycle, you’ll pay a pro-rated difference. Downgrading may result in a credit to your account.

**Can I change my billing cycle for domain registrations?**This process is specific to hosting services. Domain registration billing cycles are managed separately.

Getting Further Help

If you encounter any issues or if the billing cycle you want is unavailable, please submit a support ticket through the Client Area. Our team will be happy to assist further.

**Still have questions?**Check our Help Centre or reach out via support ticket for one-on-one assistance.