Hey, do you want to know what a cPanel is and how it works, and related queries? Then this article is for you!
cPanel is a web-based control panel commonly used in the web hosting industry. It allows users to manage various aspects of their web hosting accounts and websites without needing advanced technical knowledge.
cPanel simplifies complex server management tasks and provides a user-friendly environment for website owners.
You probably know that many popular web hosting providers use cPanel and almost more than 4 million websites use cPanel. It ranks as the 2nd most popular content management system among the top one million websites.
So, you can estimate how popular the cPanel is. So if you want to know about Cpanel in detail or want to use Cpanel in the future, then it is a wise step to know about this in detail.
In this post, I will discuss cPanel and related queries. So stick with me till the end.
What Is A cPanel?
cPanel is a short form of Control Panel. It is like a special computer program that makes it easier to control and manage websites and servers on the Internet. It’s a kind of dashboard for your website.
With cPanel, you can put your website online, handle your website’s address, organize the files on your website, make email accounts, and many other things.
cPanel has two parts. One part is for regular folks like you and me, and it’s just called cPanel. The other part is for the people who manage the big computers that host websites, and it’s called Web Host Manager (WHM). So, it’s like having two tools in one.
You use cPanel to handle your website, and hosting companies use WHM to take care of the big server that keeps your site running smoothly.
What Is cPanel Hosting?
Think of cPanel hosting as a type of web hosting that’s based on a system called Linux. When you get this kind of hosting, it comes with cPanel already set up for you. The cPanel is like your control center for managing your web hosting stuff.
Now, you can use cPanel in different kinds of hosting setups. Whether you’re sharing a server with others, have a whole server to yourself, or even if you’re using a special type of hosting just for WordPress, cPanel can be your tool to manage it all.
Features Of cPanel
1. Email Management:
In cPanel, you can make new email addresses (like “yourname@yourwebsite.com“), change email passwords, and do lots of things with your emails. You can even decide how much space each mailbox gets. You can think of this as your own virtual post office.
2. Domains Control:
Imagine this as managing your web addresses. In cPanel, you can set up new web addresses for your website, like “www.yourwebsitename.com.” You can also create smaller parts of your site, like “blog.yourwebsitename.com.”
Plus, you can make other web addresses point to your main one.
3. File Handling:
This is like organizing all the files on your computer. In cPanel, you can make copies of your website (backup), change files, and even see how much space your website is using.
You can also set up special accounts for people to access your files (FTP accounts).
4. Database Management:
Think of this as your website’s memory bank. In cPanel, you can make new memory banks (databases) to store important stuff like usernames and posts. You can also check what’s inside these memory banks and even change them using a tool called phpMyAdmin.
These are like the features of cPanel that help you manage your website. They make it easier to handle emails, web addresses, files, and important data. So, you can keep your website running smoothly.
Pros And Cons Of cPanel
Pros of cPanel:
- Easy to Learn
- Industry Standard
- One-Click Tools
- Big Support Community
Cons of cPanel:
- Can Be Overwhelming
- Accidental Changes
- Updates Vary
How Does cPanel Work?
Due to its user-friendly nature, many hosting providers include cPanel as an integral component of their hosting packages. Consequently, cPanel has become the industry standard.
cPanel is widely accepted and commonly used in the web hosting industry. Even though the appearance and organization of the control panel can be a little different when you switch between different hosting providers if they all use cPanel, the process of moving your website to a new host should not be too difficult.
What sets cPanel apart is its rich array of features, user-friendly interface, and rigorous testing. Moreover, it offers the convenience of centralizing all your web hosting management tasks in one place.
Upon logging into your cPanel control panel, you gain access to various metrics, including storage space utilization, and can navigate through different sections such as file management, domain settings, security configurations, and more.
In most scenarios, cPanel stands as a highly suitable choice for website management, making it a popular recommended option.
What You Can Do With cPanel?
If you are wondering what can i do with cPanel then read the underlying points that can clear your confusion about the functionality of the cPanel.
1. Organizing Your Website Files:
You can use cPanel to arrange the files on your website, like pictures and web pages. It’s like keeping your stuff neat on your computer.
2. Installing Software (e.g., WordPress):
With cPanel, you can easily add cool things to your website, such as WordPress, which helps you build and manage your site. It’s like getting new apps for your phone.
3. Creating and Managing Email Accounts:
cPanel lets you make email accounts for your website, like “contact@your-site.com.” You can also decide who can use these email accounts and how they work.
4. Handling Domains And Subdomains:
You can use cPanel to create and control web addresses for your site. Think of it as choosing your own unique street names on the internet.
5. Dealing With Databases:
This part is like a big library for your website’s information. You can search for specific things, make backups (like saving your work), and make sure everything stays in order.
6. Managing Users:
If you have other people helping you with your website, cPanel helps you control what they can and can’t do. It’s like being the boss of your website team.
7. Taking Care Of Passwords And Security:
cPanel helps you keep your website safe from hackers on the internet. You can change your password and set up security measures to lock the virtual doors of your site.
In short, cPanel is like a treasure chest full of tools to make your website awesome. You can do a ton of things here, so explore and see what else you can discover.
Why Is cPanel Necessary For Your Website?
If you ever wondered if, is cPanel necessary for your website, however, it is not necessary that you should only use cPanel for your website management? cPanel is not the only option for website management, and many web hosting companies offer alternative website management software.
But cPanel is the most popular and reputable control panel used for managing web hosting accounts and websites.
- Simplifying Complex Server Tasks
- Manage your computer and website without needing to be a tech expert
- Email Made Easy
How To Use cPanel?
Step 1: Got To Your cPanel Dashboard:
When you first sign up for web hosting, your hosting company might send you an email with a link to your cPanel dashboard. But if you don’t have that link, don’t worry.
- If your website starts with “http://” in the address bar, just add “:2082” at the end of your website’s address, like this: “http://your-site-address.com:2082”.
- If your website starts with “https://”, then add “:2083” at the end of your website’s address, like this: “https://your-site-address.com:2083”.
(For HTTP: http://your-site-address.com:2082)
(For HTTPS: https://your-site-address.com:2083)
- After you do that, you’ll see a login page. Enter your cPanel username and password, then click the “Login” button.
Step 2: Explore Your Dashboard Of cPanel:
Once you’re inside, you’ll see different sections with various features. Let’s check out what each of these sections does.
Files Section: Managing Your Website Files
- This is like your computer’s file explorer. You can upload files to your website, set privacy settings, and even make backups.
- To use the file manager, click on the “File Manager” button. You’ll see a list of all your website files.
- You can do things like move files by selecting them and clicking “Move.” Be careful with these files because they can affect your website.
Preferences Section: Customizing Your cPanel
- Here, you can make your cPanel dashboard look and work the way you want.
- You can change the language, and the theme (how it looks), and manage your contact information. This is important because it helps you stay informed about your website.
- Just enter your email address and select how you want to be notified about things related to your account. Don’t forget to click “Save” when you’re done.
Databases Section: Managing Your Website’s Data
- If your website uses systems like WordPress, it needs a database to store important stuff. This section helps you manage that.
- Click on “MySQL Databases.” To create a new database, type a username and click “Create Database.” To add a user, scroll down, enter a username and password, and click “Create User.”
- After that, you can link the user to the database. This makes sure your website works properly. You can also use “phpMyAdmin” to import data and keep your database in good shape.
Softaculous Section: Installing Software
- This feature helps you install popular software like WordPress, Joomla, and more.
- Start by selecting the software you want to install. If you can’t find it, check the different categories.
- Let’s say you want to install WordPress. Click on it, then click “Install Now.” You’ll set up your website and choose options like themes and plugins. After that, click “Install” to make it happen.
That’s it! Now you know how to use cPanel to manage your website.
How To Install WordPress In cPanel? Easy Steps:
In this section, I will explain how you can install WordPress in cPanel with explained steps.
Step 1: Finding The Wordpress Install Tool
Many hosting services provide a tool in cPanel that makes installing WordPress super simple.
- In a section, Look for tools called “Scripts” or “App Installers.” It has a WordPress icon.
This tool makes putting WordPress on your website simple.
Step 2: Starting The Installation
- Once you find the WordPress tool, click on it.
- Follow the steps on the screen. They will guide you in creating a username and password for your WordPress website.
Step 3: Logging Into Wordpress
- After completing the steps, you’ll see a web address (URL). This is where you log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Your WordPress dashboard is like the control center for your website. Remember this login because it’s how you’ll get into your WordPress dashboard.
Step 4: Getting To Your Wordpress Dashboard
After the setup, you’ll see a web address (URL) to log into your WordPress dashboard. This is like the command center for your website. You can control everything from here.
How To Manage Your Website In cPanel
In this section, I will talk about how you can manage your website with the help of the cPanel.
You can manage underlying elements on cPanel
- Manage Domains
- Manage Email Accounts
- Manage Your Website Files
- Database Management
Managing Domains In cPanel:
Going To The Domains Section
- To manage your website addresses (domains), look for a section in cPanel called “Domains.”
Types Of Domain Management
Here are some important things you can do with domains. These different buttons help you do different things with your addresses.
- Domains: Add a new domain for a brand-new WordPress site.
- Addon Domains: Create extra domains that you can either park (keep them unused for now) or add to other websites.
- Aliases: Link other domain names to your main domain. It’s like having multiple doors to your website.
- Redirects: Send people from one web address to another. Like magic, but for websites!
- Subdomains: Make special sections of your website, like a store on “store.example.com.”
Managing Your Business Email Accounts In cPanel:
Step 1: Accessing The Email Section
- To handle your business emails, go to the section in cPanel called “Email Accounts.”
Step 2: Creating Email Addresses
Here’s how you can make your own business email addresses:
- Click on the “Create” option
- Choose a username for your email (like “info@your-business.com”).
- Adjust settings like your password, how much space you want, and folders if needed.
Remember, these tools in cPanel help you make your website work smoothly, from installing WordPress to managing your web addresses and business emails.
In short, cPanel is like a toolbox for your website so take your time to learn how to use its tools.
Managing Your Website Files On cPanel:
Your website is like a big puzzle made up of many pieces called files. These files include things like themes, plugins, and media for WordPress.
These puzzle pieces are stored on a special computer called a server, which is why you need web hosting.
Step 1: Accessing Your Files In Cpanel
To work with these files, go to the “Files” section in cPanel. It’s like opening a toolbox for your website.
Step 2: Using The File Manager
Inside the “Files” section, click on “File Manager.” It’s like opening a folder on your computer where you can see all your website’s pieces.
Step 3: Adding And Uploading Files
Now, cPanel lets you add new files or folders and upload files that might be missing. For example, you can upload a theme file here for your website.
Step 4: Checking Other Details
You can also use the “Files” section to find important info. Like how much space your website is using or even details for connecting to your website using FTP.
Step 5: Backing Up Your Files
Sometimes, things go wrong on your website. That’s where backups come in. Some hosting companies offer tools to help you make copies of your website files. You can even schedule these backups, like setting an alarm clock.
So, in simple terms, think of cPanel’s “Files” section as your toolbox for managing all the pieces that make your website work. It helps you add, organize, and back up these pieces so your website stays in good shape.
Database Management On cPanel:
If you wondered what’s a Database, then think of a website database as a giant digital file cabinet. It stores all sorts of information your website needs to work, like user accounts or details about products you’re selling.
You can find the part that deals with databases. It’s like knowing where your important files are stored on your computer.
cPanel has two important tools for databases: phpMyAdmin and MySQL Databases. They’re like the keys to open and organize the digital file cabinet.
you might need a new file cabinet for your website. In cPanel, you can create a completely new database.
You can also look at the list of file cabinets (databases) that are already in use by your website. This is handy if you want to check what’s inside or make changes.
Get help when needed and don’t worry if all this seems complicated. If you ever need to create a new database or change an old one, you can talk to the support team at your hosting company.
Must Every Website Have A Cpanel?
It’s important to note that not all web hosting providers use cPanel. Some hosting providers offer alternative control panels or custom interfaces for managing websites and servers.
In such cases, users may need to rely more on their technical knowledge or adapt to a different control panel’s interface.
cPanel does make it easier for users to manage websites and servers without requiring extensive technical knowledge, but it’s essential to be aware that alternatives exist, and the specific control panel provided can vary from one hosting provider to another.
In simple words, cPanel is not a must-have tool if you are managing a website. It depends on your individual needs, technical knowledge, and preferences. Some people prefer to manage websites without cPanel, relying on manual server administration, while others find cPanel’s graphical interface helpful for simplifying tasks.
Conclusion:
cPanel is indeed a widely-used web hosting control panel in the world of website development and hosting that offers a user-friendly graphical interface and automation tools to simplify the management of websites and servers.
It allows users, even those with limited technical knowledge, to perform various tasks such as setting up email accounts, managing databases, configuring domains, and more without needing to delve into complex command-line operations.
cPanel provides a user-friendly dashboard that offers various functions such as managing web files, handling MySQL databases, tracking website stats, and aiding in SEO efforts. It’s no surprise that cPanel is a favorite among web developers and hosting companies.
In this article, I have discussed a complete guide on what Cpanel is how it works, and how you can use CPanel.
I hope this article will clear your queries related to cPanel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is cPanel Free?
No Cpanel is not free and it is a third-party application. But many hosting providers offer cpanel freely and some offer the first year free then they will start charging you in the following year.
Is cPanel Private?
Yes, Cpanel is private for the website owner. So if you have a Cpanel then keep its user name and password as it is, this information is crucial for the information and setting of the websites.
How To Find The cPanel?
You can find the Cpanel in two ways.
To reach cPanel, open your web browser and type in the IP address or domain name followed by “:2083” in the address bar.
- For Domain Address, to securely access cPanel, enter your domain address and at the end write “:2083”
For instance: “https://111.11.111.1:2083”.
- Or if you prefer a domain name then write “:2083” after your domain name
For instance: “https://example.com:2083”.
