cPanel is the control panel that comes with most shared hosting plans. It looks busy at first, with dozens of icons. In practice you will use about ten of them. This tour explains each one in plain words.
Getting into cPanel
Open your client area and choose your hosting service. Click the login button to enter cPanel without typing a password. You can also use the direct address and the username from your welcome e-mail. Keep those details private.
The tools you will use most
- File Manager lets you upload, edit and unzip files in the browser.
- E-mail Accounts creates mailboxes on your domain.
- MySQL Databases creates databases and users for apps.
- Softaculous installs WordPress and other apps in one click.
- SSL/TLS Status shows and renews your certificates.
- Backup downloads a full copy of your account.
- Domains adds extra domains and subdomains.
- Zone Editor edits DNS records when you use our nameservers.
Good habits in cPanel
Create a separate database user for each app. Use strong passwords that you store in a manager. Download a backup before big changes, such as a theme switch or a plugin update. Check the disk usage page now and then, so you never run out of space.
When you need help
Our knowledge base has step-by-step guides for each cPanel tool. If something does not work, open a ticket and tell us what you tried. Screenshots help us answer faster.
Spend half an hour clicking through the main sections. Once you know where things live, managing your website becomes routine.
Useful extras
The Metrics section shows visitors, bandwidth and errors. The Cron Jobs tool runs tasks on a schedule, such as sending reports. The PHP version selector lets you choose the version your app needs. You will not use these every day, but they save time when needed.
Do not change settings you do not understand. When in doubt, take a backup first or ask our support team.
Security inside cPanel
Turn on two-factor authentication for your cPanel login. Review the list of FTP accounts and remove old ones. Strong habits here protect every site in your account.
