Originally posted on https://iregister.al/what-is-cpanel-and-how-do-i-use-it/

Looking for a Linux-based control panel? It doesn’t get much better than cPanel! Learn more about the service and how to effectively use it.

Given that nearly 3 million websites use cPanel, most new websites are going to be connected to the platform for hosting. If you’re building your first site or looking for a Linux-bases control panel, this is one of the best options around. With a simple graphical interface and clear help menus, it’s good for first-time and experienced users.

Here is everything you need to know about what it is and how to use it.

Understanding cPanel

For anyone setting up their very first website, cPanel might seem completely foreign. However, most web hosts use the tool so it’s likely that anyone managing a website will have to wrestle with it at some point.

cPanel’s toolkit allows users to manage and perform admin functions on websites without knowing a lot of code. Through a descriptive and easy to use interface, web administrators can manage a hosting account without fully understanding “hosting” as a concept.

Using cPanel, you can change some of the technical aspects of your website without a computer science degree. Here are some of the things you can change.

Update Your Preferences

When you log in, you’ll be confronted with the dashboard. If you want to search for a plug-in, there’s a search bar. The main sections of your dashboard are “mail”, “files”, “domains”, and “software and services”

The way that cPanel is displayed and the way that you use it are determined in the preferences window.

Manage Domain Names

Using the “domains” button, you can add a new domain or redirect from another domain. If you want to create a subdomain, you can build a completely new site with your “domains” button.

Click “Addon Domain” if you’re ready to add a new one to your account. If you’ve already purchased another domain, you can run admin from this location.

You’ll be asked for domain information. Once you change the data, nameserver information, and save your information, you’ll be able to build your new site

Manage Email Accounts

If you want an email address to match your domain name, all you have to do is to navigate over to the “email” section. Click “email accounts” and you can create whatever email you’d like under your domain name with the dropdown tab.

If it’s the first time you’ve checked your email, find the “access webmail” button from the “more” dropdown tab. You can save this or bookmark this link to get in easily next time.

Dealing with Files

Go to “file manager” so that you can navigate to the site you want to manage files on. Select the site and click “go”.

You’ll get the long list of files that makes up your site. Be sure that you know what you’re doing because deleting one file could have catastrophic effects and make your website clunky or even inaccessible.

It’s the Best Control Panel Around

Using cPanel is as simple and intuitive as it gets. Because it’s so popular, there are plenty of simple searches that will lead you to forums to answer any questions you have.

For a more detailed account of using cPanel, check out our comprehensive guide.