Every website is hosted by a web server that is responsible for storing and cataloging the website’s data. Most of the time this web server is provided by a third-party web hosting service, which also provides an administrative maintenance module for the server and your website known as a control panel.

A control panel gives you the power to oversee and adjust virtually every feature offered by the web hosting company. The administrative functions you can control include email account management, sub-domains, FTP clients, and database management. Although some web hosts give users the option of choosing their own control panel, most web hosts simply include a pre-configured control panel within the web hosting package. Usually the control panel offered depends upon the operating system the web hosting company is using, whether it be Linux or Windows.

Simplicity: The Deciding Factor

Among the most popular control panels are cPanel, vDeck, CubePanel, Hsphere and Plesk. Although all of these programs offer beneficial features, they have very different designs and user interfaces. All of them are capable of meeting the needs of most webmasters, however some are more effective at doing so, not because of more features, but because of the ease in which those features can be used. The best control panel for you, might not be the best control panel for another. Novice users may find that using a simple control panel such as cPanel suits their needs, while more experienced webmasters may want a more comprehensive control panel like Hsphere. As both off these control panels are capable of the same functions, simplicity is often the deciding factor.

Functionality vs. Ease of Use

Cpanel and Plesk are by far the tow most commonly used control panels. While both of the programs are capable of carrying out the same functions, cPanel is usually seen as being a more comprehensive solution with a longer learning curve. Plesk is very easy to use, and it is also compatible with both Windows and Linux, but there are certain areas in which Plesk has not caught up with cPanel. Many choose vDeck because it combines the simplicity of Plesk with the features of cPanel. However, vDeck is not commonly included in a web hosting package.

Learning to Use the Control Panel

Regardless of which control panel you use, there is going to be somewhat of a learning curve. You can shorten this learning curve by experimenting with the demo before you decide to purchase a control panel solution. This will give you a good idea of whether or not you are going to be compatible with the user-interface of the control panel. If you are having trouble using your control panel, don’t be afraid to contact your web hosts customer service department. They will be helpful in guiding you towards the tutorials you need to get started.

All websites are hosted by web servers that must be maintained to allow optimal functionality for the hosted web site. The manual maintenance of these servers would be an extremely time consuming and complex task without the help of a simplification module.

Each day, your website’s server handles hundreds, if not thousands of tasks. Each task is executed based on the administrative preferences and settings given to the server by the administrator. Without a user-friendly control panel interface, it would be very difficult to adjust and maintain the efficacy of your website’s server manually. Even tasks as simple as creating new email accounts would become time consuming, and the complexity of tasks such as database administration or FTP account creation would be too much to handle for most novice users. The control panel is indeed the most important application associated with your web hosting account. Let us discuss three obvious reasons why having a good control panel is imperative.

1.  Database Administration

Most novice users know very little about the fundamentals of database administration, yet databases are the backbones of every website. A database is to a website what a vault is to bank. All of your website’s information is stored in databases that need to be maintained and administered to obtain maximum speed and functionality for your website.  Most web hosting services use database servers such as MySQL, that allow the user to utilize multiple databases for various reasons. Control panels allow  users to manage these databases with very little foreknown knowledge. Since well-maintained databases are so critical to your website’s performance, having a good control panel that simplifies the process of database administration is crucial.

2. FTP Administration

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a common;y used web-based protocol that simplifies the process of uploading files to your web server.  Control panels enhance the simplicity and functionality of FTP even further, by letting webmasters create individual FTP accounts for their website’s users.  These individual FTP accounts include usernames/passwords, user directories, allocated disk space and more. Using a control panel to manage your FTP functions will remove all manual work, letting you upload files directly from your control panel’s user-friendly interface.

3. Email Account Administration

Having the ability to create multiple email accounts is a standard feature with any web hosting package. Control panels automate the creation and administration of  multiple email accounts, letting you set up useful tools such as autoresponders and message forwarders. Autoresponders are applications that allow the user to automatically respond to emails with a set of preconceived messages. Message forwarders automatically send received emails to specified email addresses based on your preferred criteria. These kind of email automation tools are essential in the productivity of online businesses. Having the ability to use these tools, and easily manage multiple email accounts is another reason why control panels are so important to novice and expert webmasters alike.

Server administration would be a daunting task for many webmasters without the help of a good control panel. Thanks to the development of software such as cPanel and Plesk, even the most novice users can now enjoy the full benefits of a properly maintained and personally adjusted web server.

A control panel is the application used to maintain and administrate your web hosting account, and ultimately your domain. Control panels will allow you to maximize your website’s productivity by making server/domain maintenance and administration a simple task. There are many choices a user has in regards to choosing a control panel, however the following five control panels are considered the most popular and useful control panels in the industry today.

cPanel

cPanel is by far the most popular and maybe even the most user-friendly control panel around. Cpanel provides more services and features than any other control panel in the industry, and it’s customer service is said to be second to none. Cpanel is an all-in-one web hosting solution, allowing it’s customers to administer all aspects of domain hosting, including FTP, email creation, and database maintenance. Cpanel customers also have the option to resell the web hosting services with a reseller’s account. The cPanel interface is so well designed that becoming an expert at using it takes only a few hours at the most. Since cPanel is the most popular control panel, it also has the most tutorials available online. All of this combines to make cPanel the most favored web hosting control panel on the internet.

Plesk for Linux

The Linux version of Plesk is said to be one of the most stable and powerful control panel on the market today.  Though Plesk does not carry as many attributes as cPanel, the learning curve for this control panel is very short. In fact, most of the functions are specifically designed to automate any administration function. Plesk for Linux is capable of controlling up to thirty domains by default, but you have the option of upgrading to an unlimited amount of domains if you’d like.

ServerCP

ServerCP is another user-friendly control panel that often comes integrated with VPS and dedicated  hosting packages. ServerCP is also an extremely powerful Linux-based web hosting solution, equipped with countless useful features.  ServerCP supports unlimited domains by default and also comes with a very user-friendly installation application that lets you install various popular web hosting applications such as blogging platforms (like Wordpress), photo galleries, and even e-commerce shopping carts.  ServerCP is currently available as a free edition (ServerCP Lite, or you can upgrade to the premium version of the software.

Virtuozzo Power Panel

Virtuozzo Power Panel is made by the company Parallels. This control panel is available in multiple  versions designed to support Windows and Linux VPS’s (virtual private servers).  The virtuozzo power panel allows you to access all administrative functions directly from your web browser. Some of the functions that can be accessed via your web browser include web service management processes, server reboots, backup restoring, log data viewing and server resource monitoring . The Virtuozzo Power Panel allows you to have an unprecedented amount of control via your web browser, and is said to be the most optimal control panel for users of Virtual Private Servers.

Choosing a control panel is one of the most important decisions you will have to make in regard to your reseller hosting account.  This decision will either help you save time and money or result in a lot of frustration and heartache.  In this article, we will overview three of the best options you have for your reseller hosting control panel.

1.) cPanel

cPanel is renowned throughout the web hosting industry for its ease of use and broad range of features.  The standard cPanel reseller account comes included with two separate applications for managing your business: WHM and cPanel.  Short for Web Host Manager, WHM is the software used to create hosting accounts and packages.  It allows you to add and spend customer accounts, view resource usage, park domains, change passwords, install SSL certificates and perform various other management functions.  The end-user version of cPanel is provided to your customers, giving them the ability to maintain their websites without direct intervention from the reseller or server administrator.  One of the biggest draws of a cPanel reseller account is Fantastico, a third-party application that provides your customers with a way to enhance their web presence by incorporating a variety of powerful add-on programs.  The biggest downside of cPanel is that the software is platform-specific and only supports the Linux operating system at this time.

2.) H-Sphere

The H-Sphere control panel is designed to support Linux and Windows platforms, giving administrators the ability to control a number of different servers from a single, centralized console.  H-Sphere itself acts as a server, offering a range of automated features such as account configuration, payment processing, email notification and domain name registration among others.  It also includes an integrated billing module and offers support for than 20 major payment gateways.  Though a very capable solution, H-Sphere is known to have a much steeper learning curve than other control panels.  This is mainly due to the inclusion of so many features and the overall design of the software that requires you to administrator far beyond the original interface.  With that said, H-Sphere can be mastered and calls for no knowledge of common, yet often perplexing technologies such as HTML, PHP or FTP.

3.) Plesk

Plesk is highly regarded as one of the most stable and secure control panels available.  Reseller and end-users alike both appreciate its well designed interface, simple navigation and professional appearance.  Plesk offers a number of features for the benefit of reseller and their customers, including a fully integrated site builder, an application installer similar to cPanel’s Fantastico and spam filtering with the popular Spam Assassin program.  This control panel also integrates with other solutions designed by SWsoft, its original developer.  The most notable is HSP, which provides automation to facilitate account creation, payment processing, email notification and other administrative tasks.

Conclusion

All of the control panels mentioned in this article make a suitable option for your reseller hosting endeavors.  Although each has its advantage and disadvantages, all offer a high degree of automation and a wealth of features for both the reseller and their customers.

cPanel and Plesk are easily the two most dominant control panels on the web hosting market.  Both have been dramatically improved over the years, which ultimately makes this battle even more tightly contested.  This article will help you choose between cPanel and Plesk by outlining the pros and cons of each control panel.

cPanel Pros

Fast Loading Times - The intuitive design of cPanel allows it to perform fast and efficiently on most servers.  This optimal performance is attributed to the fact that unlike some other control panels, it does not require the use of an external database for backend support.

Highly Functional – A web hosting package equipped with cPanel usually offers more features than one utilizing Plesk.  cPanel can be integrated with a number of add-on applications such as Fantastico, RV Skins and CFS firewall, thus providing end-users with a wide variety of functionality that cannot be obtained in the Plesk environment.

Superior Reseller Support – Until more recently, Plesk did not have any support for reseller hosting, an area in which cPanel thrives in.  Also offering WHM (Web Host Manager), cPanel provides a reseller with control over various aspects of their account, including the ability to create hosting packages, suspend or delete accounts, monitor resource usage and much more.

cPanel Cons

Platform-Specific – Though a Windows version is said to be in the works, cPanel is currently only available for Linux platforms.  This essentially restricts usage from customers who prefer a Windows-based hosting solution.

Tedious Maintenance – Ensuring that a cPanel server is properly configured and protected against malicious attacks can be a full time job.  In addition, this control panel requires frequent updates and patches to make sure the necessary fixes are applied.

Plesk Pros

Cluster Functionality – Plesk is a multi-server solution that allows you to maintain a multitude of servers from a single interface.  This means that the administer only has to log in to a single console and still have the power to effectively manage web, database and FTP servers.

Cross-Platform - Unlike cPanel, Plesk supports both Windows and Linux platforms.  This enables a web host to diversify their offerings and cater to a broader range of customers.  The end-users also benefit as they often have access to both Windows and Linux features.

Tight Windows Service Integration – One of the most unique aspects of Plesk is that integrates seamlessly with various Windows services and technologies such as Microsoft SQL Server.

Plesk Pros

Lack of Integration – In contrast to cPanel, Plesk does not integrate with many third-party applications outside of Microsoft products for added functionality.  For this reason, Plesk is not very popular as a Linux server even though it does support the platform.

Slower Load Times – The mere structure of Plesk makes it susceptible to slow and sluggish performance, particularly in the Linux environment.  This is not always the case, but Plesk has been known to lag on even some of the most powerful servers.

Summary

In closing, cPanel and Plesk are excellent control panels but neither are perfect.  cPanel is ideal for those who prefer Linux while Plesk tends to be the preferred option for Windows hosting.  Depending on your preference, both should suit your needs just fine.

Control panels have become standard features in web hosting packages, tools that you are likely to get regardless of the type of service you choose.  For example, a shared hosting service generally provides you with client-side access through the control panel while a dedicated server gives you a more advanced version that allows you to completely control the server.  Control panels are dependent on the platform you choose to run on as most of these applications are not compatible with all operating systems.  Platform aside, there is a lot that must be considered when looking for a management tool.  The tips in this article will help you find the ideal control panel for your particular needs.

What to Look For

Because control panels offer so many advantages, it is vital that you strongly consider the type of hosting you need before making a choice.  This is true whether you have experience administering a server or require shared, VPS or dedicated hosting.  The good thing is that no matter what type of service you choose, the major benefit of a control panel is that it provides all users with the ability to manage a web hosting account or server from virtually anywhere.  When looking for an administrative tool that meets your needs, keep the following key points in mind:

Ease of Use - By nature, a control panel makes it much easier to maintain a web hosting account or web server.  This is all made possible by a graphical user interface or GUI, that turns complex server administration into user-friendly processes.  However, not all control panels are the same and some are easier to use than others.  If you lack administrative skills, it is important to get a tool that is straightforward and simple for you to work with.

Web-based Management – Since most hosting control panels are web-based, you must utilize a web browser in order to get the full effect.  Fortunately, this is no problem for most users as these applications work with all the major browsers including Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla FireFox.  The web-based aspect allows you to perform management tasks from an internet connected computer anywhere in the world, offering a huge advantage when it comes to dealing with various administrative issues.

Client Management – If you intend on having a dedicated server or reseller hosting package, you may want to consider a control panel that allows your customers and other users to maintain their own hosting environments.  cPanel and Plesk are two control panels that make it easy to manage multiple users while enabling them to manage their respective hosting accounts.

Summary

In the end, choosing the right control panel is all about your specific needs against the type of hosting you require.  As with any software, getting comfortable with such a program will likely take a little time.  This is why going for a user-friendly product is so highly recommended.  You can learn more about what certain control panel software has to offer by utilizing available demo versions.  After finding the ideal management tool, you will agree of the many benefits reaped by users around the world.

Automation is everything in the web hosting arena.  Without it, many of the same tasks that have become simple would revert to being tedious.  Even the most skilled administrators dread dealing with the raw aspects of a web server and operating system.  These are some of the factors that have led to the advent of administrative tools like Plesk.   The Plesk software makes a popular control panel choice for web hosting providers and end-users in shared, virtual or dedicated server environments.  Compatible with both Windows and Linux platforms, it provides all the tools needed to control a complicated web server or simple website.  It is also highly regarded as the most stable and reliable control panel on the market.  This article will give you an introduction on Plesk and overview some of its capabilities.

Plesk Features

The Plesk control panel aims to the simplify various administrative processes.  It lets you create and manage domains, install SSL certificates and even access the built-in site builder for putting your website together.  You can perform a number of simple tasks such as setting up email accounts, webmail and autoresponders as well as more advanced functions like billing customers and blocking spam with greylisting.  In addition, Plesk gives you the ability to manage files through a web-based file manager or by means of a FrontPage administrative panel.  Whether its viewing a website’s bandwidth usage or managing customer accounts, it can all be done within the confinement of this extremely capable control panel.  Plesk offers tremendous power, able to reduce operating costs and resource usage by automating a variety of tasks.

Control Levels

Plesk offers four levels of login, each with their own responsibilities and privileges.  These levels include:

Administrator – The highest level, this login allows the administrator control virtually every component of the system.  Once logged in at this level, you can centrally manage multiple servers be it an HTTP web server like Apache or a database server like MySQL.

Client – The client level login allows resellers to obtain creation rights from the system administrator.

Domain – The third level login is designed for the website owner or end user.  These permissions are what provides a user the ability to manage their hosting account.

Mail User – The fourth level login is designated for individual mail accounts.  Here, users can login and maintain their email accounts, change passwords, configure spam filters, change virus settings and more.

Plesk is One of the Best

Though it extends benefits to the end-user, the Plesk control panel was designed with professional web hosting providers and experienced system administrators in mind.  It enables companies to be very successful by providing the ability to maintain thousands of accounts per server with a high level of performance and better security than most competing control panels.  The software comes bundled with a variety of tools and even includes an application installer that allows end-users to incorporate blogs, bulletin boards and other types of program.  Plesk delivers the seamless automation needed to enrich and simplify the technically challenging hosting operation.

The web hosting business is driven by powerful systems and technologies, most of which are enabled by software tools.  Software is also a major draw of hosting packages as web hosts tend to offer a myriad of free programs.  Let’s go over some of the software you are bound to encounter when on the hunt for a web hosting service.

Control Panels

One type of software you will have frequent and direct access to is the control panel.   This application will provide the interface that allows you to set up email accounts, manage your webmail, add on domains and various other administrative tasks.  Some web hosting providers offer third-party control panels such as Plesk and cPanel while others develop their own custom programs.  Although the features and functionality may vary, all control panels strive to meet one goal – provide you with authority over your web hosting account.

Site Builders

In the web hosting world, site builders are exactly what they sound like: tools that allow you to create your website.  Almost every hosting provider offers some type of site builder or at least support for others.  This could be integrated utilities such as RV Builder or compatible applications like Microsoft FrontPage or Dreamweaver.  Regardless of the vendor, most site builders cater to the users by enabling you to build a site from scratch with pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop functionality.

Content Management Systems

A content management system or CMS, can be viewed as a more robust and capable alternative to the traditional site builder.  These programs offer features that surpass the norm, allowing you to effectively manage the content on websites of various sizes.  Some of today’s most well known content management systems are totally free to use.  These variations include open-source applications like Mambo, PHP-Nuke, Drupal and the award-winning Joomla CMS.  The CMS has become so popular that many customers flock to hosting solutions based solely on the content management tools offered.

Server-Side Scripts

Although server-side scripting refers to programming technologies, these languages and frameworks are actually enabled through software packages.  For example, a web host that offers PHP, Perl or ASP.NET is able to do so because they have these software applications installed on their web servers.  This allows you to enhance your HTML pages with dynamic, interactive features.  Server-side programming languages get more advanced with each release so there is virtually no limit to the functionality your site can enjoy.

Mail Servers

The mail server is one of the most important elements of a hosting package.  This type of program acts a transport agent that processes email from within the same domain.  Some of the most common examples of mail servers include Sendmail, qmail, Exim and Microsoft Exchange.  These applications typically work in conjunction with mail clients such as Outlook and Eudora, which forward messages to the server.

What’s Your Software?

There is definitely no shortage of software tools in the web hosting business.  Whether you are a novice or pro, your needs modest or complex, the features you get the most out of will surely be enabled by one form of software or another.

There are several popular control panels out there but the right one for you all depends on the platform you choose to host on.  In the web hosting arena, control panels are mainly designed for one of two platforms: Windows or Linux.  Let’s go over some of the most popular options.

Windows Platform

Helm

Helm is one of the best control panels available for Windows.  The software offers a number of user-friendly features and is tightly integrated with an array of management and billing tools.  This gives Helm advantages over many competing applications.  Boasting a well designed interface and extremely easy to use, Helm makes an excellent choice for many hosting environments.

Host Accelerator

Though lesser known, Hosting Accelerator is another viable option for Windows hosting.  The interface is a bit clunky and less organized but it does provide you with most of the basics.  Because it lacks some of the features found in similar applications, the H-Sphere control panel is best suited for modest needs.

Linux Platform

cPanel

cPanel is king on the Linux platform and the most widely used among all control panels.  Known for its simple design and ease of use, this software gives you tons of features that can all be accessed from the main page.  One of the best features integrated within the control panel is Fantastico.  This third-party application is bundled with a variety of programs that range from blogs to bulletin boards.  cPanel may be designed with the novice in mind but its rich set of features cater to experienced webmasters as well.

DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin is another control panel that serves the Linux platform.  This software is easy to use and generally comes attached with cheaper fees.  DirectAdmin is known for its straightforward interface and usability.  The biggest downside is that it lacks many of the helpful administrative features found in other Linux control panels.

Interworx

The Interworx control panel offers both sophistication and ease of use.  Simplicity is enabled through the user interface that puts all the essential features in plain view.  There are also a number of wizards and other tools that can guide you through the configuration process.  The learning curve with Interworx is short as the software provides an environment that enables beginners to become advanced fairly quickly.

Cross-Platform

Plesk

Plesk is one of few control panels that actually supports both Linux and Windows platforms.  Though usually more expensive, this software is very popular and highly regarded as a worthy competitor to cPanel.  Plesk offers an interface similar to Windows XP which makes it very easy to work with.  Features such as the premium site builder and management tools qualify Plesk an excellent choice for both platforms.

In the end, the control panel is a matter or preference, but you certainly need to keep an eye on the platform.  cPanel is dominant on Linux, Helm is the preferred choice on Windows and Plesk suits either or.  You can make a more informed decision by examining these control panels a bit closer to see what each has to offer.