Web hosting plans with cPanel

It is customary to use control panels for convenient web hosting management. One of the most popular is cPanel, which comes on Linux servers.

cPanel is a Linux-based web hosting control panel that allows to easily manage and configure web hosting files and settings. cPanel provides a straightforward browser-based graphical interface as well as a powerful set of automation tools, allowing a simplified process for hosting websites. This control panel works only with Linux-based operating systems.

So, Web hosting with cPanel implies Linux-based web hosting services with a cPanel control panel installed.

Let's briefly describe the basic functionality of this control panel.

Files

A convenient File Manager interface allows to upload, create, remove, and edit files without the need for FTP or other third-party applications. Also, there is a separate option for all sorts of managing images. In addition, cPanel provides an opportunity to analyze and manage disk space usage as well as to limit access to certain resources on your website. Furthermore, cPanel allows you to create FTP accounts and manage FTP connections. This protocol is useful for uploading or downloading large files. Another crucial feature for the successful website operation presented in the panel is backup. And advanced developers can take advantage of Git Version Control.

Databases

The control panel provides extensive functionality for creating and managing the most popular open-source MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. For example, in addition to the basic options, phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin tools are available for manipulating MySQL and PostgreSQL databases respectively.

Domains

Using the Domain interface, you can easily create and manage multiple domains for your account. Additional options allow you to add more domains to your account, to create subdomains (website subsections) and domain aliases, to make redirects and to add, edit, and remove DNS records with the Zone Editor.

Email

cPanel also allows to create and easily manage email accounts for each domain. Beyond that, common functions like mail forwarding, email routing, autoresponders, mailing lists management, track delivery, email filters (including spam detection), archiving, encryption options, configuring calendars and contacts applications and many others are available.

Metrics

An important component of a website's success is the effectiveness analysis. For this purpose, having access to key metrics and metrics is vital. The cPanel control panel not only collects and provides all the necessary data, but also allows you to display it in a convenient form. You can track visitors, bandwidth usage as well as take advantage of popular AWStats, Analog Stats and Webalizer metrics. And detailed information on failures helps in troubleshooting problems as soon as possible.

Security

Another key to successful functioning of a website is ensuring its security. cPanel offers a wide range of security features. This includes SSH connections management, two-factor authentication, IP blocker, SSL/TLS keys and certificates management, hotlink and leech protection, API tokens management, etc.

Software

This control panel provides access to more than 400 open-source programs and allows you to install all the necessary tools and manage their configuration (versions) in a couple of clicks. cPanel offers a number of easy-to-use interfaces for managing PHP PEAR packages, Perl modules, collections of functions in Ruby (RubyGems) as well as to deploy Ruby on Rails and Phusion Passenger applications, to optimize your website performance, etc. Also, there is a WordPress Manager interface allowing to easily install CMS WordPress.

Advanced

In addition to the functionality described above, the control panel offers a variety of tools for advanced web developers. These include Terminal, DNS trackers, virus scanners, API Shell and many others.

Among the most popular cPanel analogues, the following can be highlighted:

• Plesk
• DirectAdmin
• VestaCP
• Webmin
• Webuzo
• ISPmanager
• FastPanel
• Virtualmin
• Ajenti
• SPanel
• Interworx
• Froxlor

When choosing a control panel, you should primarily focus on operating systems supported as well as the functionality you need for your project. Also, hosting companies often develop their own control panels in order to avoid purchasing licenses and thus make their plans cheap. In this case, checking the usability, availability of instructions and guides, as well as study user feedback is of paramount importance.

Let’s consider the benefits and drawbacks of using this control panel.

Pros

Using cPanel has a number of advantages, which can be divided into two categories.

Time-Saving

Today time is a resource of the highest value. A user-friendly interface, easy learning curve, high functionality, simplification of complex operations and automation of many processes save a lot of time as well as reduce the stress load. In addition, using cPanel decreases the number of annoying errors and risks of malfunctions, and the considerable community support, numerous tutorials and guides help to solve the problem as soon as possible.

Financial Savings

Since cPanel simplifies web development greatly, in case your project is not too complicated and does not require extensive technical knowledge, you will not have to employ a highly qualified specialist, thereby saving money. And if you still want to hire the services of a developer or programmer, then using cPanel their work will require fewer financial expenses.

Cons

However, it was not without some shortcomings.

Licensing Costs

The cPanel control panel has a commercial license, so many hosts include the purchase of a license in the cost of a shared hosting plan.

Applications

Because of its simplicity, cPanel is intended only for small and medium-sized sites. Creating a large website using this control panel is not recommended. Also, cPanel does not work on Windows Servers, which also greatly limits its use.

In order to choose an affordable cPanel web hosting solution that best meets your demands, you need to approach the choice comprehensively and take into account different parameters.

• The amount of resources provided. When conducting the estimation of how much resources you might need, it is important to consider not only the current, but also the anticipated future needs of your project. The most advanced cPanel plans usually include unlimited disk space, bandwidth, number of domains, databases and email accounts.
• Server specifications. According to your project’s requirements, choose SSD / HDD, operating system, etc.
• Hosting provider’s reputation. Review ratings, customer feedback and statistics in advance.
• Site uptime. The higher this indicator, the more stable the operation of the site. It is recommended to rent a hosting with a parameter value of at least 99.9%.
• Security. Check that your hosting provider makes efforts to ensure your website security.
• Related services. Additional services included in the plan will help to save money. For example, free domain name registration, SSL certificates, backup, etc. are essential complements to a good web hosting plan.
• Customer support. Pay attention to the technical support service work schedule, the average response time, ways of interaction available (ticketing system, chat, mail, instant messengers). However, you should not rely entirely on user reviews. The best way to assess the customer support service quality is to test it directly during the free trial period available from many hosting providers.
• Location of data centers. Data centers located in the country where you are going to promote your website or in the nearest foreign countries are the preferred option.
• One-click app installations and migration features. Some hosting companies offer free quick migration for popular site builders, and one-click installation for popular ecommerce tools, blogging platforms, or other programs to build your site.
• Range of services. The choice of a hosting provider should be with an eye to the future: with the active development of your project, you may need additional services.

As previously stated, due to the fact that cPanel has a commercial license, hosting providers are used to pass the cost onto customers. What concerns the cost of hosting itself, giving at least an approximate price range is quite problematic due to the fact that prices depend on a whole set of factors such as amount of resources, rental term, etc. Besides, remember that in addition to the aforementioned components, all the extra expenses for related services should be considered.

On our website you can find cPanel shared hosting offers with monthly rental from 2 USD.