cPanel is a web-based control panel that lets you manage your website hosting account. It provides a graphical interface for tasks that would otherwise require technical command-line knowledge — things like setting up email addresses, managing files, creating databases, and installing applications.
When You Would Use cPanel
You'll use cPanel whenever you need to manage any aspect of your hosting account. Common tasks include creating email addresses for your domain, uploading website files, installing WordPress or other applications, setting up databases, managing security certificates, and viewing your site's traffic statistics.
How to Access cPanel
Your hosting provider will have given you a cPanel login URL, username, and password. The URL is typically one of:
https://yourdomain.com:2083https://yourdomain.com/cpanel- A custom URL provided by your hosting company
Log in with the credentials provided in your welcome email.
The cPanel Dashboard
Once logged in, you'll see the cPanel dashboard organised into sections:
- Email — Create and manage email accounts, forwarders, spam filters, and more.
- Files — Upload and manage your website files, set up FTP access, and monitor disk usage.
- Domains — Add domains, create subdomains, manage DNS records, and set up redirects.
- Databases — Create and manage MySQL and PostgreSQL databases.
- Security — Install SSL certificates, manage SSH access, and configure firewalls.
- Metrics — View visitor statistics, bandwidth usage, and error logs.
- Software — Install applications, manage PHP versions, and set up cron jobs.
- Advanced — Access the terminal, configure .htaccess, and manage advanced settings.
Use the search bar at the top of the page to quickly find any feature by name.
Please note: Screens and options may vary slightly depending on your cPanel version and hosting plan. If you can't find a feature mentioned in these guides, use the cPanel search bar or contact our support team.
Tips
- Bookmark your cPanel login URL for quick access.
- If you can't log in, try resetting your password through your hosting provider's client area, or contact support.
- cPanel works best in modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Clear your browser cache if you experience display issues.
What Next?
- How to Create an Email Account — Set up your first email address.
- Using the File Manager — Upload and manage your website files.
- Installing Applications with Softaculous — Install WordPress and other applications.
