Many popular web hosts use cPanel, so understanding what cPanel is and how it works will help you get more from your web hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we’ll explain more about what cPanel is and then show you how to perform some key actions using your cPanel dashboard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What is cPanel and why do you need it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Similar to WordPress<\/a>, cPanel is a user-interface that makes a complicated system more manageable for developers and average users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You typically encounter cPanel as the primary control panel for shared hosting accounts. For instance, Bluehost<\/a> (review<\/a>), HostGator<\/a> (review<\/a>), and GoDaddy<\/a> (review<\/a>) all utilize the cPanel interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, cPanel provides the navigation, buttons, links, and graphics needed to make hosting and file management more “human,” or understandable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the areas you can manage on the cPanel include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without the help of cPanel, only those with advanced technical knowledge could manage a server, or a website for that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cPanel interface has been the go-to control center for most shared hosting services, along with some other managed options. However, managed WordPress hosts typically create their own online interfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, cPanel bridges the gap between complexity and user-friendliness. It’s still somewhat intimidating for many people just getting started with hosting. However, it’s one of the best solutions for managing your site files without having to hire a developer.<\/p>\n\n\n You can only get cPanel if your host uses it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If that’s the case, your host should give you a direct link that you can log into for complete access. For example, here’s how it works at InMotion Hosting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can’t find the link, here’s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Log in using the username and password provided by your host. Most hosts send these credentials in a welcome email – you can reach out to your host’s support if you’re unable to find them.<\/p>\n\n\n The cPanel dashboard is going to look different depending on the host. This is because of the host’s branding and the way in which that company decided to organize cPanel. So, Bluehost customers will see different elements compared to those with InMotion Hosting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the primary cPanel sections and features remain the same across all hosts using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most hosts give you a software installer tool in cPanel that makes it easy to install WordPress (or other open-source content management systems<\/a> like Drupal<\/a> or Joomla<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can usually find the WordPress install tool in a section called “Scripts” or “App Installers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every host is different, but the WordPress installation process is generally the same. Walk through the steps on the screen by creating your WordPress login information. After that, you’ll be shown a URL for logging into your WordPress dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n cPanel also lets you manage all of the domains and subdomains associated with your hosting account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find the Domains<\/strong> section in order to manage everything from addon domains to redirects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary buttons to manage include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Business emails<\/a> provide a professional appearance, where you take your domain name and add that to your email address, with something like The cPanel dashboard includes an Email<\/strong> section for adding and maintaining these email addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, quite a few options are shown in the version of the cPanel I have in the screenshot. Some of them include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important area is the Email Accounts<\/strong> link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where you add and manage your business email addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You already own the domain that’s connected to this cPanel, so click on the Email Accounts<\/strong> button to create emails for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select the Create<\/strong> button, then type a username for your email address. You can also adjust settings like your password, storage space, and folder creation.<\/p>\n\n\n The Files<\/strong> section of cPanel involves all website files that make your website function. WordPress files include folders for themes, plugins, media, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your WordPress files are stored on the host’s server, so that’s really the main reason you need hosting in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cPanel dashboard has features for viewing these files, backing them up, and changing them altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To access your site files, go to the Files<\/strong> section, then click on the File Manager<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n Here, cPanel lets you add files and folders, and upload files that may be missing. For instance, you could upload a theme file here instead of through the WordPress dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use the Files<\/strong> section for finding details to connect via FTP<\/a>, checking disk usage, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many hosts also provide file backup tools. This is becoming more common for hosts, so this is where you could schedule how often you would like to run backups and locate the restoration files<\/a> in case something goes wrong with your site.<\/p>\n\n\n Most hosting users don’t ever touch their databases, but it’s at least a good idea to know where they are in case you need to modify something, or if you’re in need of a database transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At its most basic, a website database stores data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The data could be anything, from users to eCommerce product information. All of this is logged in a large list, organizing the data so that your website can reference it at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chances are you won’t ever touch any of these buttons. However, the most commonly used options include phpMyAdmin<\/strong> and MySQL Databases<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can create a completely new database in these areas and view the ones currently active in your site files. More often than not you can talk to your host’s support team if there’s any need to make a new database or modify an old one.<\/p>\n\n\n cPanel is important because it lets you access many hosting features and configurations without the need of technical knowledge. cPanel allows non-savvy users to manage their websites, domains, emails and other aspects of their hosting account.<\/p> <\/div> No, cPanel is not necessary for hosting your website or WordPress website, although cPanel is recommended, as it provides many features that simplify website management.<\/p> <\/div> cPanel helps website owners to take care of complicated technical details using a user-friendly interface and avoiding the use of command line. Opting for cPanel hosting guarantees you access to file management, software installation, email setup, security hardening and many more.<\/p> <\/div> There are many alternatives to cPanel that are very intuitive and provide the same functionalities. The most popular choice, after cPanel, is Plesk<\/a>. Some hosting providers let you select Plesk, cPanel or any other control panel<\/a> to handle your servers.<\/p> <\/div> Not all hosts offer cPanel as part of their plans. Unless you need direct access to your server, choosing a cPanel hosting provider will help you take care of basic configuration tasks easier, set your website up faster and save you a lot of time and money.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n The cPanel dashboard is designed to make website hosting more desirable for the average user. It can be helpful for adding your own emails, making backups, and checking files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most cheap website hosts<\/a> use the cPanel dashboard, so you’ll probably encounter it when you’re just getting started with your website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"cpanel](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:1024\/h:593\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/inmotion-hosting.jpg\")
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How to access cPanel and log in<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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http<\/code>, add :2082<\/code> to the end, like this: http:\/\/www.examplesite.com:2082<\/code>. <\/li>\n\n\n\nhttps<\/code>, add :2083<\/code> like this: https:\/\/www.examplesite.com:2083<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nWhat is cPanel? The key features and sections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Installing WordPress from cPanel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"wordpress](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/wordpress-install.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"wordpress](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/installation.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\nDomain management on cPanel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"inmotion](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:1024\/h:609\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/domains.jpg\")
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store.example.com<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\nEmail management on cPanel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
joe@exampledomain.com<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"email](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/email.jpg\")
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![\"make](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/create-email.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFile management on cPanel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"file](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/files.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"file](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/files-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDatabase management on cPanel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"data\"](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/database.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"databases](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/create-new.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\ncPanel FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What else should you know about cPanel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n