What is cPanel? A Beginner’s Guide

Often referred to as “control panel,” cPanel is an interface for customizing and making changes to your hosting account with InMotion Hosting. It is a Linux-based control panel that provides users with a dashboard that allows them to manage a range of elements on their site.

Easy to learn and simple to use, it is among the most popular control panels used to make websites run more efficiently. In fact, cPanel powers more than 1.4 million active servers worldwide, making it one of the most widely adopted control panels in hosting

What Is cPanel?

cPanel is an online control panel that helps you manage your website without using complicated commands. It gives you a simple dashboard where you can handle everyday tasks like creating email accounts, uploading files, managing domains, checking how much storage you’re using, and working with databases. Many users say that while cPanel can look overwhelming at first, it’s not as complex as it seems and quickly becomes a familiar workspace.

cPanel runs on Linux and shows you the settings that belong to your own hosting account. This includes things like DNS records, SSL certificates, and file permissions. Because cPanel looks the same on most hosting plans, you only need to learn the layout once. After that, you can use the same skills to manage one website or many.

Some of the great features that cPanel includes are:

• Email: You can create new email accounts, view/modify your existing accounts, modify your MX records, change email passwords, set up mailbox quotas and much more.
• Domains: Under the domains section, you can configure new domains for your account, set up parked domains, create subdomains, set up redirects, and much more.
• File Management: In the files section, you can backup your account, access/modify files stored in your account, review your disk usage, and create/manage FTP accounts.
• Databases: Here you can create new databases, set up remote access to MySQL, access the databases using phpMyAdmin, and much more.

cPanel is very user-friendly and quite robust. There are numerous tools to handle a wide variety of tasks, with a full help menu that is easy to use.

Now that you have a general idea of how cPanel fits into your hosting account, the next step is understanding what’s happening behind the interface. A clearer view of its technical foundation helps you know which tools you’ll use most and why they matter when managing your website.

Technical Considerations with cPanel

Understanding the technical foundation of your hosting environment is key to choosing the right solution. At its core, cPanel is a Linux-based control panel designed to simplify website and server management. With a user-friendly interface, it eliminates the need for complex command-line tasks, making it easier to manage email, files, domains, and databases. This makes cPanel hosting a popular choice for beginners and small business owners. Whether you’re launching a new site or running WordPress, the platform ensures efficiency, security, and scalability. To unlock more advanced features, cPanel works hand-in-hand with WHM, the server-side control system.

Once you understand what cPanel controls on your account, it’s helpful to see how it works alongside WHM. These two systems operate at different levels, and knowing the difference can guide you toward the right workflow for your site or projects.

WHM and cPanel

While cPanel gives end users direct access to website and server management tools, WHM (WebHost Manager) operates one level above. It acts as the administrative dashboard that controls multiple accounts, making it especially valuable for resellers, developers, and businesses managing several sites.

Think of WHM as the control tower, and each account as an independent terminal.

WHM features:

• Create and assign new accounts
  
• Monitor server health and resource usage
  
• Configure security settings, including firewalls and SSLs
  
• Set global email filters and spam protection rules
  
• Perform server-wide backups and restores
  
• Control permissions and resource allocation across accounts
  

This layered architecture ensures both flexibility and security. For example, developers working on multiple client sites can isolate each site in its cPanel environment, avoiding conflicts and maintaining stronger security boundaries.

cPanel and WHM are not included by default with most InMotion Hosting plans. In many cases, cPanel is offered as a paid add-on, especially when compared to control panels like CWP. The primary exception is our Shared Hosting fleet, including Shared Reseller plans, where cPanel access is included.

Pro Tip: If you’re managing just one site, you’ll mainly work inside cPanel. But if you’re reselling hosting or need to separate environments (like staging vs production), WHM is your go-to dashboard.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of WHM and cPanel:

Feature	WHM	cPanel
Access Level	Server-level administrative access	Account-level access
Primary Use	Create and manage multiple hosting accounts	Manage a single hosting account or website
Typical Users	Resellers, system administrators, developers	Website owners and site administrators
Account Control	Create, suspend, modify, and allocate resources to accounts	Manage domains, email, files, databases, and security within one account
Security Management	Server-wide security configuration	Account-specific security tools (SSL, password protection, IP blocking)
Backup and Restore	Full-server and multi-account backups	Manual or account-level backups and restores
Availability at InMotion Hosting	Available on VPS, Dedicated, and Shared Reseller plans (license required)	Available on Shared (including Shared Reseller), VPS, and Dedicated plans (license required on most plans)

With the structure of cPanel and WHM in mind, it becomes easier to see how these tools support everyday website tasks. This next section explains why cPanel is used so often and how it simplifies work that would otherwise require command-line changes or manual configuration.

Why Do I Need cPanel?

cPanel takes laborious and difficult server tasks and places them in a user-friendly interface. For example, creating multiple subdomains involves editing your Apache configuration.

Without it, you would need to log into your server and edit configuration files manually (with an account that has the privilege to do so). cPanel lets you complete this process with a few clicks.

Likewise, setting up and managing multiple email accounts on your server is a complex task to do manually. cPanel makes it easy to create new accounts or even migrate accounts over from a different host.

Because every user manages their site differently, cPanel adapts to a wide range of workflows. The examples below show how different roles use the same tools to solve different problems.

In community discussions comparing cPanel with panels like Plesk or DirectAdmin, many beginners gravitate toward cPanel because it feels familiar and has extensive documentation.

cPanel Use Cases

What is cPanel hosting used for? It’s a flexible solution for business owners, developers, and resellers who want full control over their websites. From managing domains to configuring backups, cPanel hosting simplifies complex tasks. Below are common use cases that show how different users take advantage of its tools and features.

For Business Owners

cPanel is used to manage websites, domains, and professional email from a single dashboard. Business owners can install WordPress in cPanel, set up email (e.g., sales@), monitor bandwidth, and create redirects to maintain SEO. It’s everything you need to run your business online with minimal effort.

• Create professional email accounts (e.g., sales@, support@, james@)
• Install WordPress and WooCommerce to manage your product catalog
• Set up 301 redirects to preserve SEO when pages change
• Schedule automatic backups before major site updates
• Monitor bandwidth usage during high-traffic campaigns
• Generate error logs to share with freelance developers
  

For Developers

Developers use cPanel hosting to create MySQL databases, manage PHP versions, and automate tasks with cron jobs. You can stage websites using subdomains (like dev.clientsite.com), generate backups before updates, and securely manage projects via SSH. Using it with WordPress also lets you fine-tune performance and deploy faster.

• Create and manage MySQL databases for each project
  
• Set up subdomains like dev.clientsite.com for staging
  
• Switch PHP versions for compatibility across client sites
  
• Automate tasks with cron jobs (e.g., database cleanup)
  
• Customize error pages and configure .htaccess rules
  
• Use SSH access for secure development
  
• Back up full sites before deploying changes
  

For Hosting Resellers

For resellers, cPanel hosting simplifies account management. WHM lets you create separate cPanel logins, monitor usage, and white-label dashboards. Install SSL, manage DNS, and migrate accounts with ease.

• Create separate accounts for each client
  
• White-label the interface with your agency’s branding
  
• Monitor resource usage across all client accounts
  
• Install SSL certificates for multiple domains
  
• Provision accounts using standard security templates
  
• Manage DNS records while offering clients limited access
  
• Use migration tools to transfer sites without downtime
  

Pro tip: You can use WHMCS to manage billing. This tool comes free with our InMotion Hosting Reseller Hosting plan.

After seeing how cPanel supports different types of users, it helps to look at the tools themselves. Each area of cPanel handles a specific part of your hosting environment, and these sections give you a clearer sense of what you can control.

cPanel Features Guide

What is cPanel used for daily? This section outlines key features of the dashboard to help you manage your website more efficiently. From file management and email configuration to security oversight and performance enhancement, here’s how cPanel empowers you to take control.

File Management

Access, upload, and organize your website files using cPanel’s File Manager. This feature gives you a graphical interface for navigating folders, editing files, and configuring permissions—no FTP client needed.

Email Administration

cPanel makes it simple to create and manage professional email accounts linked to your domain. You can access webmail, configure forwarding, and apply spam protection, all in one place.

Domain Management

Whether you’re managing one domain or ten, cPanel gives you full control. You can add subdomains, create redirects, and point domains using DNS records from a single dashboard.

Database Management

If your site uses WordPress, Joomla, or any other CMS, databases are essential. cPanel allows you to create, edit, and optimize MySQL databases quickly.

Security Features

Keep your site and users safe with cPanel’s built-in security tools. From SSL management to password-protected directories, you have everything you need to lock down your hosting account.

Performance Monitoring

Stay ahead of slow load times with resource usage graphs, caching options, and built-in diagnostics. cPanel helps you identify what’s dragging your site down and fix it fast.

What are the Types of cPanel Hosting?

cPanel is a flexible control panel and is available on a wide range of hosting products. The plan that you choose depends on your needs.

Shared Hosting (Power & Pro Plans)

InMotion Hosting’s Shared Hosting plans (Power and Pro) are designed for growing websites that need performance, security, and scalability. These plans include cPanel access and are priced higher than stated previously.

Benefits:

• Budget-friendly hosting with instant cPanel access
  
• Perfect for personal sites and small business websites
  
• Easy domain setup and 1-click WordPress installation
  
• Built-in website builder tools and email management

WordPress Hosting

InMotion Hosting’s WordPress Hosting plans provide performance and security enhancements tailored specifically for WordPress. Pricing varies by plan and is higher than stated previously. cPanel access is available depending on the specific plan and configuration.

Benefits:

• Optimized stack for WordPress performance
  
• Automatic WordPress and plugin updates
  
• Integrated staging environments
  
• Enhanced caching and malware protection

VPS cPanel Hosting

VPS Hosting offers dedicated resources and greater control for growing sites and businesses. WHM and cPanel are available with VPS plans but require a separate license. Pricing varies based on resources and configuration.

Benefits:

• Dedicated resources for better speed and uptime
  
• WHM access to create/manage multiple accounts
  
• Customizable server environment (PHP versions, cron jobs)
  
• Scalable solution with SSD storage and advanced security

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated Hosting provides full access to an entire physical server. WHM and cPanel are available with Dedicated servers but are licensed separately. Pricing varies depending on hardware, management level, and configuration.

Benefits:

• Maximum performance with isolated server resources
  
• Full control with root access and WHM
  
• Run multiple high-traffic websites from one server
  
• Advanced monitoring, backups, and security features

Feature	Shared Hosting	WordPress Hosting	VPS Hosting	Dedicated Hosting
Plan Examples	Power, Pro	WP-focused plans	Scalable VPS tiers	Custom server builds
cPanel Availability	Included	Plan dependent	Available with license	Available with license
WHM Availability	Shared Reseller only	No	Available with license	Available with license
Resource Allocation	Shared	Shared (optimized)	Dedicated virtual resources	Fully dedicated hardware
Recommended For	Growing websites	WordPress-focused sites	Agencies & developers	High-traffic & enterprise sites

How Do I Log Into My cPanel?

You can access your cPanel through a few different methods. The easiest way is by logging into your Account Management Panel (AMP) via InMotion Hosting. From there, select your hosting package and click the cPanel button to launch the dashboard. You can also log in directly by visiting yourdomain.com/cpanel and entering your cPanel username and password.

For mobile access, open the same login URL in your phone’s browser or use an SSH client for remote management. To enhance account security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) under the Security section using a mobile app like Google Authenticator.

Pro Tip: If your site has an SSL certificate installed, you can access cPanel directly by visiting https://YourDomain.com:2083.

As you spend more time in cPanel, you may run into situations where something doesn’t work as expected. Many issues can be resolved directly inside the dashboard, and the troubleshooting steps below can help you identify common problems quickly.

Troubleshooting Common cPanel Issues 

Even the most intuitive interfaces occasionally run into hiccups. Most issues can be resolved quickly, especially with resources like InMotion Hosting’s tutorials and expert support.

Login Problems:

If you’re unable to access cPanel, double-check your username and password, and verify the login URL. You can also log in through AMP if direct access fails. For added protection, consider setting up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to secure your login.

Error Messages:

From “403 Forbidden” to “500 Internal Server Error,” many messages stem from misconfigured .htaccess files or permission errors. Use cPanel’s ‘File Manager’ and ‘Error Log’ tools to identify and resolve the problem quickly.

Resource Limitations

Hitting CPU or memory limits? Check the ‘Resource Usage’ page under Metrics to understand what’s causing the bottleneck. It might be time to upgrade your plan for more power and performance.

For advanced help, you can lean on our paid InMotion Solutions team for server optimization, malware cleanup, or custom configurations. You can also visit cPanel’s official knowledge base for in-depth technical documentation.

The Control Panel Of Choice

cPanel is highly recognizable across the hosting industry. Here at InMotion Hosting, cPanel is a preferred solution because it aligns with our mission: giving customers powerful, flexible, and user-friendly hosting solutions. 

With decades of development behind it, cPanel provides long-term stability, regular updates, and widespread community support. For you, this means a relatively shorter learning curve and more confidence managing your site. If you need additional support, we have a whole team of cPanel nerds who can help you find your way around or even complete more advanced functions.

cPanel FAQs

We get a lot of questions about cPanel. Here are some of the most common and our opinions on the answers. 

How do I create and manage email accounts in cPanel?

Use cPanel to create professional email addresses tied to your domain (e.g., [email protected]). You can also set up forwarders, autoresponders, and spam filters. If you run into delivery issues, cPanel’s email tools and logs help diagnose problems quickly so you can stay connected.

How do I install WordPress (or other applications) using cPanel?

Install WordPress and other apps easily with cPanel’s Softaculous App Installer—no technical experience needed. You can also install apps manually by uploading files and setting up a database. Manage multiple installations by organizing them in separate directories, perfect for developers or agencies hosting several sites.

How do I upload files to my website through cPanel?

You can upload files using cPanel’s File Manager or an FTP client like FileZilla. File Manager is quicker for smaller updates, while FTP is ideal for larger transfers. Be sure to set correct file permissions (usually 644 or 755). Check for upload limits if you encounter errors.

How do I back up my website in cPanel?

cPanel lets you create full or partial backups of your website, including files, databases, and email accounts. You can generate backups manually or schedule them for automatic delivery. If something goes wrong, use the Backup Wizard to restore your site to a previous version quickly and safely.