cPanel, familiar? Truthfully, it's quite possible that you're not. If you have a WordPress site, it's likely that you manage it almost exclusively through the system's own management interface. So why should you be familiar with cPanel? What can it do? And why do web hosting services like to install it on their servers?
cPanel is a control panel installed on Linux hosting servers. It is a user-friendly tool with a graphical interface that includes a wealth of functions for managing your website, domain, and server—functions that cannot be performed through a standard content management system. cPanel began in 1996 as a private control panel for a web hosting company that is no longer in business, and today it is considered the most popular control panel for servers. In fact, if you have recently purchased web hosting, you have probably received a server with a cPanel control panel.
How do you access cPanel?
After you purchase a hosting package, you will receive an email with a link to access the control panel. The link is slightly different for each hosting service, and in some cases, you can access cPanel by adding cpnanel after the domain (for example, mysite.com/cpanel).
On the login screen, you will be asked to enter your username and password, and from there you will enter cPanel itself.
cPanel - Overview
On the main cPanel screen, you will find a variety of icons that lead to different actions you can perform on the server. On the right or left side (depending on the selected control panel design), you will see information and statistics about your server: how much storage space you are using, the main domain of the account, the IP address of the server, how much data traffic you have used, and more.
You will not always be able to see all the functions shown in the image—some hosting services limit the actions that users can perform on the server.
What can you do in cPanel?
Here are some of the most common actions you can perform in cPanel:
- Set up domain mailboxes (e.g., [email protected]).
- Setting up email forwarding – this allows you to set up all emails sent to [email protected] to be forwarded directly to your Gmail account, for example, so you don't have to check too many mailboxes.
- File management - In cPanel's file explorer, you can view the files on the server, upload files, delete files, and edit files. In any case, it is recommended to be careful, and if you do not know which files are necessary for the operation of the site, it is best not to try to delete or update them without the help of a professional.
- Databases - You can create a new database, edit an existing database, delete, add users, and more. WordPress sites require one database for each site, and sometimes you need to access the database to check for malfunctions or problems, or to change your password in case of a breach and the need to strengthen security.
- Traffic statistics - Your site probably has analytics, but with Sifanel you can see the raw data of server access. This can help those involved in website promotion or when you need to check for traffic spikes on the site and similar situations.
- Information security: Options such as blocking IP addresses from accessing the server, checking the SSL status on the website, and more.
- Backups: Professional website hosting includes automatic backups. However, with cPanel, you can also perform manual backups and, of course, restore the website from an existing backup.
- Logs: If there are errors or malfunctions on the server, you can find out their source using the various logs. Some logs are available through the file manager (for example, WordPress logs), and cPanel also allows you to view the server's own log.
- App installation: Through cPanel, you can install content management systems such as WordPress at the click of a button. Various hosting services allow you to install different apps, from Drupal to PrestaShop.