cPanel is one of the most popular Linux-based control panels for web hosting accounts. It allows you to conveniently manage all services in one place. Today, cPanel is the industry standard and is well known to most web developers.
Intuitive and easy to use, cPanel allows you to manage a web hosting account with maximum efficiency. Whether creating new FTP users and email addresses or monitoring resources, creating subdomains and installing software.
What is cPanel?
cPanel is a Linux based control panel used to conveniently manage your web hosting. The system works similar to a desktop application. With cPanel, you can take action from an easy-to-use control panel instead of executing complex commands.
What is cPanel Hosting?
cPanel Hosting is essentially Linux based hosting that includes cPanel installation. cPanel has its pros and cons, but it works pretty well in most cases and is a sensible choice when you need a control panel. This is what to expect:
Pros:
- easy to learn
- Easy to use
- Save time and money
- tried and tested
- Includes automatic software installers
- Lots of tutorials/support available online
Cons:
- The number of features can be overwhelming
- Relatively easy to accidentally change important settings
- Some hosts are running outdated software
- May cost more and is rarely offered with free hosting
cPanel Tutorial: How to use cPanel
Different cPanel installations include different features, but the good news is that it’s quite easy to navigate and learn about each of the different sections. The first time you sign in, you’ll see some metrics that record resource usage (such as CPU usage, available storage space, and memory usage). These can give you a useful way to keep an eye on the overall performance of your website.
Once you have familiarized yourself with the performance of your website, it is time to take a look at the different modules. Below is an overview of the most common cPanel modules.
File modules:
These modules allow you to upload and manage files directly from cPanel without using an FTP client. You can also specify privacy levels, make backups and more. Common modules include:
- Backups
- backup wizard
- directory privacy
- disk usage
- file manager
- FTP accounts
- FTP connections
- Images
- web disk
Preferences:
This is where you customize the layout of your cPanel installation to best fit your needs. Common modules include:
- Change language
- Change the primary domain
- startup wizard
- Manage resources
- shortcuts
- Update contact information
- video tutorials
Databases
If your website uses a content management system (CMS), it will use a database to store posts, settings, and other information. This section seeks to manage those databases. Common modules include:
- MySQL Database Wizard
- MySQL databases
- phpMyAdmin
- remote mysql
Web applications:
This is where your cPanel installation will allow you to install different types of software. It includes everything from blogs and portals to CMS and forums. Common modules include:
Domains:
It is not uncommon for webmasters to use one hosting account for multiple sites or to set up additional subdomains and redirects. This is the section where you can manage that. Common modules include:
- Additional Domains
- Alias
- DNS manager
- Site Preview
- redirects
- Subdomains
Metrics:
If you have a website, then you will want to keep an eye on its performance. That’s where metrics modules come into play. These seek to give you access to valuable information that can help you make better decisions about the way your website performs. Common modules include:
- awstats
- Bandwidth
- CPU usage and simultaneous connection
- Mistakes
- raw access
- visitors
Security:
Security is a big concern for most webmasters, especially if they store sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or financial information. This module will help you monitor key security settings for your hosting account. Common modules include:
- Hot link protection
- IP blocker
- Leech Protection
- SSH access
- SSL/TLS
- Leech Protection
- Two Factor Authentication
- Let’s Encrypt
- ModSecurity
- API token management
Software:
These modules largely refer to PHP and Perl and are not necessarily required unless you are a more advanced user. Common modules include:
- Softaculpis application installer
- Optimize website
- free shopping cart
- Ruby App Configuration
- RVsitebuilder
- WordPress Themes
- PHP PEAR Packages
- cloudflare
- PHP version selector
- Administrator Application
Advanced:
As the title suggests, these settings are also more useful for advanced users. Common modules include:
- Apache handlers
- Cron Jobs
- error pages
- Indexes
- MIME types
- DNS Tracking
- LiteSpeed Web Cache Manager
E-mail:
Not all web hosting packages include email, but if your package includes both email and cPanel, this is where you’ll manage all those email accounts. Common modules include:
- address importer
- Default address
- email assistant
- encryption
- forwarders
- Global filters
- MX input
- delivery tracking
- User filters
further reading
Want to learn more about the basics of web hosting and website building? Here are some good reads that you can start exploring right away:
Alternatives to cPanel
There are thousands of alternatives to cPanel, and since every hosting provider is different, you’ll need to check with each potential host to get an idea of the control panel solutions they’re using.
Here at , we have developed our own , which is available with all . It shares some similarities with cPanel and allows us to be more flexible while adapting to the needs of our users.
The Premium and Business plans include a free domain, along with many other features, giving you all the ingredients to publish a website on the Internet with a single purchase!
Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter whether you use cPanel or an alternative, as long as you can achieve what you want. If you need your control panel to do something specific, check with the provider.
So what is cPanel?
cPanel is one of the most popular Linux-based web hosting control panels, displaying key metrics about your server’s performance and allowing you to access a whole range of modules including files, preferences, databases, applications web, domains, metrics, security, software, advanced and email modules.
cPanel Hosting is essentially Linux hosting that includes cPanel installation, making it a popular choice among webmasters. But there are plenty of alternatives, so if cPanel isn’t for you, then you’re sure to find a control panel to suit you.
Deyi is a digital marketing enthusiast, with a background in web design, content creation, copywriting, and SEO. She is part of ‘s SEO & Localization team. In her free time, she likes to develop projects, read a book or watch a good movie.
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