Frequently Asked Questions

About the Rainmaker Platform

What do you get with the Rainmaker Platform? What’s included?

Don’t be fooled by the simple, friendly interface of the Rainmaker Platform. Underneath it all is a powerful, high-performance sales and marketing engine that runs the tools you need to help you build and maintain a successful online business.

The Rainmaker Platform includes everything you need to:

Establish your authority with a media content approach
Generate leads and market your online business
Sell physical and digital products and services easily
Create and maintain free or paid membership communities

And all that power is delivered with a beautiful interface where you’ll have all your tools within easy reach, in one place.

You’ll also have all the support you need with:

A helpful Knowledge Base with step-by-step instructions
Online tours that show you how to make the most of all the Rainmaker Platform resources
Guides to walk you through various kinds of website setups
A top-notch Support team standing at the ready to assist you if you get stuck

You won’t be on your own: we’re here to help you every step of the way.

What services can the Rainmaker Platform replace?

The Rainmaker Platform is the powerful, all-in-one sales and marketing solution you’ve always wanted. In fact, it’s the online platform we’ve always wanted too. 😉

Instead of paying for and maintaining an endless list of software, services, and plugins to help you build the website you want, you’ll have a complete toolbox of solutions within one powerful interface.

Does manually cobbling this list of services together look familiar?

Secure web hosting
Website creation software
Landing page creation software
Podcasting hosting and distribution tools
Responsive and HTML5-compatible theme software
Search Engine Optimization software
A/B testing software
Shopping cart software (you will need a merchant account like Stripe, Authorize.net, Braintree, or PayPal)
Affiliate software
Membership site software
Forum software

And, if you’ve been doing business online for any length of time, you know that there are a lot more that could be added to that list.

With the Rainmaker Platform, all of this (and more) is delivered to you in a single, easy-to-use, friendly interface that removes the headaches of creating, maintaining, and building your online business.

How much does Rainmaker cost?

The Rainmaker Platform is priced at $197/month. Contact our team for current promotions and discounts for annual payments.

How much does RainMail cost?

There is no charge for activating RainMail — the fully integrated email marketing service built into the Rainmaker Platform. It comes included with your Rainmaker account. Your first 999 subscribers are free, and there is no limit on how many emails you can send … no matter how big your lists get.

If you utilize Rainmaker’s content, landing page, and marketing automation tools to reach 1,000+ subscribers (nice work!), then automatic, recurring monthly payments will be made using your credit card on file. Unlike some other email services, you will only be charged per subscriber — you won’t be nickel and dimed for how many times you email your audience.

How difficult is the Rainmaker Platform to use?

If you’re comfortable in a WordPress environment, then Rainmaker will feel a lot like home — one that is newly renovated, organized more intuitively, and cleaner than you remember.

If you’re not familiar with WordPress, then it may not be quite so seamless of a transition, but certainly no more difficult than starting fresh with WordPress. (In fact, our interface and the organization of the tools should make it much easier to get comfortable and get moving.)

Regardless of your initial comfort level, we’re determined to help you find long-term success with Rainmaker. That’s why the Platform includes multiple resources to help you take full advantage of everything your Rainmaker website can do for your business. Between the Knowledge Base, online tours, walk-throughs, and guides, there’s plenty of help baked into the Rainmaker Platform.

And if you ever have a question, there’s a team of friendly, helpful Support staff standing by to keep you on track.

How do I install Rainmaker? Does it work with Windows/Mac/Linux?

Rainmaker is a fully managed software-as-a-service web application that gives you the ability to build powerful websites and publish and distribute effective media content. There is absolutely no software to install – all you need to use it is a web browser and an internet connection.

How many sites are included in one Rainmaker account?

Each Rainmaker site requires its own license. Accounts may include multiple sites; if you have multiple sites you’d like to move / add to the Rainmaker Platform, contact us for migration and pricing details.

Can I use subdomains or hostnames like site.example.com?

Absolutely! If your subdomain will be used to host a separate Rainmaker site, you will need to be sure that you have the additional paid site in your account. If the subdomain or hostname will point to an external site, our Support team will just need the target IP Address or CNAME value. And to get the full performance-enhancing aspects of Rainmaker you’ll need to use our DNS servers. Simply contact Support and we’ll help you get it done.

Can I change the look and feel of my site?

Rainmaker comes ready with many beautiful HTML5 responsive designs to choose from, most of which have multiple color variations. Plus, you can easily configure your header image, background color, menus, widget placement, and more. If you need even more customization options, you can make that happen with the built-in CSS editor, or by reaching out to our Client Services department anytime for a quote!

Can I install my own Genesis child theme?

You sure can. Simply submit your Genesis child theme to support for code review and approval. If approved, we’ll load your custom Genesis child theme into your Rainmaker site for you.

Can I install plugins?

One of the intended benefits of the Rainmaker Platform is the freedom from having to search for, set up, tweak, and update plugins. That’s why Rainmaker is a fully managed, hosted, and integrated platform, designed to include all of the essential tools you need to build a profitable online business. When we talk to satisfied Rainmaker customers, this is often one of the benefits they cite first.

That said, if your favorite plugin functionality is missing, just let us know. We do allow for technical discovery and custom implementations. We can’t make any promises, but we’ll see if your request can be implemented. Contact our Client Services department for a quote on getting a technical services discovery project done for you.

Is Rainmaker a drag-and-drop website builder?

Your Rainmaker Platform website begins with one of our beautiful themes as a solid design foundation, and finishes with a series of simple customizations to match your vision. You’ll find that the final results are stunning. Add to that the phenomenal “one-two punch” of Gutenberg and Beaver Builder and you’ll be well on your way.

Do you want or need complete design freedom? Then you can work with your own professional designer to create a custom Genesis child theme that we’ll happily review and add for you (upon code approval) through our Support desk. Or, you can reach out to our Client Services department anytime for a quote!

Are email and autoresponder features included?

RainMail delivers a powerful suite of email marketing capabilities right from your dashboard. No more logging in to multiple websites (and paying multiple providers) to create content, then email your subscribers about it.

You can do it all from inside Rainmaker — with either one-time broadcasts or sophisticated autoresponders triggered based on settings you choose. You can also manage your lists and subscribers from your dashboard, instead of having to log in somewhere else.

Plus, the Rainmaker Platform allows you to build landing page opt-ins with the most popular third-party email marketing service providers — including MailChimp, AWeber, Infusionsoft, ConvertKit, and Constant Contact..

For full integration, simply link your Rainmaker Platform website to your email marketing service provider via their API, a quick and easy process that is done with just a few simple set-up steps.

Which payment processors do you integrate with?

Stripe, Authorize.net, PayPal, and Braintree.

Is SSL included?

Yes. All live websites include an SSL certificate at no cost. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a security protocol that creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser.

What if I want to leave?

Then you may leave. The process can be easier for some than others, so let’s walk through it real quick.

Your Rainmaker site consists of all the content you create, the members you sign up, the lists you build, and your domain. This always belongs to you and can be moved whenever you please.

Moving your content and domain is a simple process, especially if you are going to another WordPress environment. Simply export your content out of Rainmaker, import your content to your new site, change your domain name to point to your new WordPress hosting, and cancel your Rainmaker account in your customer portal.

It is important to note that the Rainmaker Platform provides exclusive content tools that allow you to develop powerful website features such as membership areas, sequential online courses, and lead generation environments. These tools may not be available in other solutions. And the ease of transferring Rainmaker members to other member solutions will vary depending on where you’re moving to. If you have any questions, we recommend that you contact Support.

Do you support languages other than English?

Sites default to English but technology is available to publish in most one bit languages.

How much space/bandwidth do we get for our podcasts, media, etc.?

Up to 30 GB of space is provided by default and bandwidth is unlimited. We do monitor this for average vs. outlier usage, but our overall goal is to get out of your way and be as “content-creator friendly” as possible. Premium infrastructure is available for sites with advanced requirements.

Do you offer support?

Of course! We have a team of friendly Rainmaker experts ready to answer your questions and solve any problems that may come along. Simply use the Support form in your site dashboard under the Help section. If you have an emergency, just sign in to your Account portal and click on “Can’t Access this Site,” and we will help you right away.

Is there telephone support?

We do not offer telephone support. In our experience, the written record created by a text-based ticketing system solves problems efficiently and effectively, and archives those solutions for future reference in a way that telephone conversations cannot. Our Client Services team is available for voice conferencing to address specific content, marketing and technology changes.

Will you teach me how to make the most of the Rainmaker Platform?

Yes! We’re committed to your success. The Rainmaker Platform has an in-depth Knowledge Base, walk-throughs, and tutorial videos that show you how to use each feature of the Platform with simple, step-by-step instructions. For simple fixes or questions our Support Team is ready to help, and if you need a little more than that, our Client Services department can meet with you to put together a quote within your budget.

Is there a forum for Rainmaker customers?

Not at this time.

How do I migrate from an existing site or host?

Migrating from your existing WordPress site may be as simple as an export/import process into Rainmaker. On the other hand, if you run a larger, more customized site, you may need a little more help, so play it safe and contact Support for our review and advice.

Can I sell physical products with Rainmaker?

Yes! Rainmaker Platform comes with the web’s most popular e-commerce platform – WooCommerce! WooCommerce is the most customizable e-commerce platform on the globe. That means you can build your store the way you want to. And if you want to go even further, we can help you get there.

Ready to build a beautiful store selling hardcover books, knitting supplies, handmade woodworking tools, or t-shirts? With our WooCommerce integration you can take your physical product to the market and begin to build that special and engaging experience for your customers right on your own site.

Do I need a domain name right away?

No, it’s totally up to you when you move your Rainmaker site onto your own domain. When you start with Rainmaker, you’re given a “preview site” where you can build your site and get a feel for the entire service. Then, when you’re ready, you can deploy your site live on your own domain.

Will the site be cached or do I need a CDN?

Rainmaker sites are all hosted on our high-performance server stack, and augmented with our Accelerator caching technology. For the vast majority of sites, this will be more than sufficient for very fast load times. Should you wish to use a 3rd party CDN, we have integrated with most major providers.

How often are backups performed?

We back up each Rainmaker site nightly. Your backup is stored for seven days — this includes both preview and production sites — and we can help you restore a backup if any data loss occurs. Additionally, all backups are stored at multiple locations on devices built to handle hardware failure without losing data. Keeping your content safe is important to us!

Should I worry about hackers or other malicious users?

The Rainmaker back-end technology constantly monitors and defends against attacks in a way that normal web hosts do not. Plus, we work with Sucuri to ensure your site is as protected as possible and problems are eradicated as they pop up.

Do you have an API so my developers can have our software talk to Rainmaker?

Not at this time. Our team is available to meet with and assist your developer as they work through the design of your Rainmaker site.

I want to start building a list right away. How quickly could I have a gated content library such as MyCopyblogger up and running?

Every site comes with a pre-configured membership area designated as your “free content library.” With that head start, you could be up and running in relatively short order.

Any other questions?

We have a team of friendly Rainmaker experts ready to answer your questions. Just send us an email at support@rainmakerplatform.com.