Using cPanel

This story is a learning experience as much as it is a teaching experience. I’m writing this story because I want to learn how to use cPanel. I’ve used cPanel to create somewhere between five and ten websites. The problem is, there was such a long time between them that I have to learn it all over again, every time.

So, I asked ChatGPT to write an article about cPanel and it gave me a story that seemed more like a table of contents. So, I went back and asked ChatGPT to write a story about each one of the sections the first story was divided into.

I don’t know how accurate this story is. It is a true story about cPanel, just check the official documentation to make sure you get the most accurate and up to date information. Read this whole story for educational purposes, but do not rely on it for using cPanel. I’ve learned a lot, just by editing this story. It definitely seems familiar. Increasing familiarity is the purpose of the story. I’m definitely open to suggestions about correcting any mistakes and improving the story.

The main things I remember doing in cPanel is getting domain names and the SSL certificates setup. Then, I get busy working with WordPress and Kadence and all the other plugins I use and rarely need to work with cPanel. Between writing books, making videos and writing stories for the website, I am very busy and making slow progress. I’m trying out ChatGPT to increase my leverage in my content creation workflow.

I am sharing this story on this website in order to teach people how to build WordPress websites and cPanel is a very important part of that workflow. These ChatGPT stories will help me take the website to another level. I’ll keep improving the stories as I learn more about the subject. My goal is to teach anyone who is interested, how to be productive in your own home office based free enterprise, instead of depending on Microsoft, Macintosh and Google.

I have several Windows 10 machines. Amazon and Microsoft are my favorite big corporations. I just do not want to depend on them for my computer hardware and software. I do not want to be controlled by the operating system on my computers. So, I use Linux as my main operating system and teach people to do the same thing and build your own, do it yourself as much as possible, holistic home office.

cPanel

In today’s digital age, the success of a website depends heavily on its administration and management. One crucial tool that has revolutionized the web hosting industry is the cPanel interface. cPanel is a powerful web-based control panel that simplifies website management, offering a plethora of features and functionalities.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the core aspects of the cPanel interface, highlighting its benefits, key features, and usability. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced webmaster, this story will teach you how to use cPanel effectively and optimize your website management experience.

Usability and Interface Design

One of the key strengths of cPanel is its user-friendly interface design. The layout is intuitive and organized, with a sidebar providing easy navigation to various sections and tools. The interface is customizable, allowing users to arrange and prioritize features based on their preferences.

Usually, your hosting company sets cPanel up for you to manage your websites on the hosting company’s servers. You could set cPanel up on your own server, but I recommend using a hosting company like Bluehost.

The graphical interface of cPanel is designed to simplify complex tasks, ensuring that even users with limited technical knowledge can perform essential website management functions with ease. The interface employs visual cues, tooltips, and comprehensive documentation to guide users through different processes.

Moreover, cPanel offers a search functionality that enables you to quickly locate specific features or settings. This saves time and eliminates the need to navigate through multiple menus. The interface also supports multiple languages, making it accessible to users worldwide.

cPanel’s Role in Website Optimization

Beyond its management features, cPanel plays a vital role in optimizing websites for performance and efficiency. It offers tools like Apache web server configuration, PHP version selection, and caching options to enhance website speed and responsiveness. Additionally, cPanel provides access to website statistics and analytics, allowing users to monitor visitor traffic, analyze trends, and make informed decisions to improve your website’s performance.

The cPanel interface enables you to control your online presence. Its comprehensive set of tools simplifies complex tasks, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced webmasters. From file management and email administration to domain and database management, cPanel streamlines crucial website management functions. With its user-friendly interface design and optimization features, cPanel continues to be a popular choice for web hosting providers and website owners alike, offering a seamless and efficient experience for managing online assets.

Mastering Domain and Subdomain Management

Efficient domain and subdomain management is vital for establishing a robust online presence. In cPanel, the process of managing domains and subdomains is designed to be user-friendly and streamlined. This story will walk you through the essential steps of domain and subdomain management in cPanel, empowering you to take complete control of your website’s URLs.

Before diving into the management process, it’s crucial to understand the difference between domains and subdomains. A domain is the primary address of a website, such as “example.com.” Subdomains are extensions of the main domain, typically represented as “subdomain.example.com.” Subdomains function as separate entities within the main domain, often used to organize content or create separate sections of a website. Understanding this distinction is essential for effective domain and subdomain management in cPanel.

You can also create entirely separate websites on your Bluehost/cPanel account, with an entirely new domain name.

Adding and Managing Domains

Hosting companies set cPanel up for their customers. Check to make sure which configuration your website host has elected to support. cPanel is highly customizable, so each hosting company will have a custom configuration and selection of options.

a. Domain Registration: To manage a domain in cPanel, you first need to register it. Once registered, you can associate the domain with your cPanel account. You usually get a free domain name along with your hosting service, however, you can also get a custom domain like .studio from a domain name registrar like Hover.

b. Domain Configuration: In cPanel, navigate to the “Domains” section and choose “Addon Domains” to configure a new domain. Enter the domain name, document root, and FTP username and password. This process allows you to create additional websites within your cPanel account.

c. Domain Redirection: cPanel provides the option to redirect one domain to another. In the “Domains” section, select “Redirects” to set up domain redirections. This feature is useful when you want multiple domains to point to a single website.

d. Domain Aliases: cPanel allows you to create domain aliases, which are alternative names for your primary domain. This feature is handy when you want multiple domains to display the same website content. In the “Domains” section, choose “Aliases” to add and manage domain aliases.

Adding and Managing Subdomains

a. Creating Subdomains: In cPanel, access the “Subdomains” section to create subdomains. Specify the subdomain name, select the primary domain, and define the document root for the subdomain. This process enables you to create distinct sections or sub-websites within your main domain.

b. Subdomain Redirection: Similar to domain redirection, cPanel allows you to redirect a subdomain to another URL. In the “Subdomains” section, choose “Redirects” to set up subdomain redirections. This feature is useful when you want a specific subdomain to point to a different website or location.

c. Subdomain Document Root Modification: If you want to change the document root for a subdomain, navigate to the “Subdomains” section and select “Document Root Modification.” Here, you can specify a new directory location for the subdomain.

d. Subdomain Removal: In case you no longer need a subdomain, cPanel provides an option to remove it. Simply go to the “Subdomains” section, locate the subdomain you want to delete, and click on the “Remove” button. Confirm the action, and the subdomain will be removed from your cPanel account.

DNS Management

DNS, or Domain Name System, is the backbone of the internet. It translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses, enabling users to access websites by simply typing in a URL. DNS management involves configuring DNS records that control how a domain is resolved to an IP address. Understanding the different types of DNS records, such as A records, CNAME records, MX records, and TXT records, is crucial for effective DNS management in cPanel.

A record : Point a domain to an IP address.
CNAME record : Create alias for domains or subdomains.
MX records : Mail server information.
TXT records : Additional information, like SPF or DKIM records.

In cPanel, DNS management is located within the “Domains” section. Access the DNS management interface by selecting the “Zone Editor” option. This grants you full control over your domain’s DNS records.

To add a DNS record, select the desired record type, provide the necessary information, and save the changes. Similarly, modifying existing records involves selecting the record to be modified, making the necessary edits, and saving the changes.

To ensure optimal website performance and security, it is important to follow DNS management best practices. Some key practices to consider are:

a. Regularly review DNS records: It is crucial to review and update DNS records periodically to ensure they accurately reflect the current setup of the website.

b. Set appropriate TTL values: TTL (Time-to-Live) determines how long DNS information is cached by DNS servers. Setting appropriate TTL values helps in quick propagation of DNS changes.

c. Implement DNS security measures: Employing security measures such as DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) and using strong passwords for DNS management accounts helps safeguard against DNS-related attacks.

d. Backup DNS records: Regularly backing up DNS records ensures quick recovery in case of accidental modifications or DNS-related issues.

Mastering domain and subdomain management in cPanel empowers you to organize and control your online presence. By understanding the distinction between domains and subdomains and following the step-by-step processes your hosting company has set up, you can confidently add, configure, redirect, and remove domains and subdomains within the cPanel interface.

Additionally, leveraging cPanel’s DNS management capabilities ensures seamless resolution of domain names and optimal functionality. With the knowledge gained from this article, you can take full advantage of cPanel’s user-friendly tools to efficiently manage your domains and subdomains, ultimately strengthening your website’s structure and accessibility.

Email Management with cPanel

cPanel simplifies the process of setting up email accounts associated with your domain. In the “Email” section, select “Email Accounts” to create new accounts. Specify the desired email address, set a password, allocate storage space, and define any additional settings, such as email forwarding or autoresponders. cPanel allows you to create multiple email accounts associated with your domain, empowering you to tailor email addresses to your specific needs.

cPanel seamlessly integrates with popular email clients like Microsoft Outlook, KDE Kontact, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail. To configure an email client, navigate to the “Email” section and select “Email Accounts.” Locate the desired email account and click on the “Connect Devices” option. cPanel provides automatic configuration scripts or manual instructions, making it easy to set up email clients and synchronize emails across multiple devices.

Email forwarding enables you to redirect incoming messages from one email address to another. In cPanel, you can set up email forwarders by accessing the “Email” section and selecting “Forwarders.” Users can define rules to forward emails based on specific criteria, such as recipient, domain, or subject. Email forwarding is a convenient feature for consolidating multiple email addresses into a single inbox or redirecting emails to designated individuals or departments.

cPanel allows you to create email filters to manage incoming messages more effectively. Navigate to the “Email” section and select “Filters.” You can define criteria and actions for filtering emails. Filters can be set up to automatically sort, forward, delete, or mark emails based on sender, subject, keywords, or other parameters. Email filters help in organizing and prioritizing incoming messages, reducing clutter and ensuring important emails are promptly attended to.

Database Management in cPanel

I have never had to use this database management tool, but if you have a store with lots of products to manage, it might be a good idea for you to know how to manage your databases in cPanel.

Efficient database management is crucial for powering dynamic websites and applications. With cPanel, you have access to robust database management tools. To begin managing databases in cPanel, log in to your cPanel account and navigate to the “Databases” section. Here, you will find a range of tools and features to assist in database administration.

Select “MySQL® Databases” to create a new database. Provide a name for the database, and cPanel will automatically append a prefix to ensure uniqueness. After creating the database, proceed to create a database user and associate it with the database. A database user can be a person or an application. Specify a username and password for the user.

To assign database users to specific databases, scroll down to the “Add User to Database” section, choose the desired user and database from the drop-down menus, and click on the “Add” button. Assigning users to databases enables them to access and manipulate the data within.

Additionally, cPanel provides the ability to set specific privileges for database users. Privileges determine the actions a user can perform on a database, such as creating, deleting, or modifying tables. By granting appropriate privileges, you maintain control over data access and ensure the security and integrity of your databases.

The “phpMyAdmin” tool is available for managing database tables and data. Access it through the “Databases” section. Within phpMyAdmin, you can view, create, modify, and delete database tables. This includes actions such as adding columns, altering table structures, and importing/exporting data.

You can also execute SQL queries directly within phpMyAdmin, making it a powerful tool for database administration. Whether you need to retrieve specific data, update records, or perform complex database operations, phpMyAdmin simplifies the process.

Regular database backups are essential for data protection and disaster recovery. In cPanel, you can easily create backups of your databases. Simply navigate to the “Backup” or “Backup Wizard” section, select the database you wish to back up, and follow the prompts. Similarly, if the need arises to restore a database, cPanel provides a straightforward process for uploading and restoring backups.

Enhancing Website Security

Regularly updating cPanel to the latest version is crucial for maintaining optimal security. Updates often include security patches and bug fixes that address vulnerabilities. In cPanel, navigate to the “Server Configuration” section and select “Upgrade to Latest Version” to ensure you’re running the most secure version.

Secure your cPanel login to prevent unauthorized access. Choose strong, unique passwords for your cPanel account and regularly update them. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in cPanel, adding an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code in addition to your password.

Limit access to cPanel by allowing access only from trusted IP addresses. In cPanel, go to the “Security” section and select “IP Blocker” to whitelist approved IP addresses and block suspicious or malicious ones.

Securing Your Website with SSL/TLS in cPanel

Before obtaining an SSL/TLS certificate, you need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). In cPanel, navigate to the “Security” section and select “SSL/TLS Manager.” Choose the “Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests” option. Fill in the required information, including the domain name and contact details, and click “Generate.” The CSR will be generated and displayed.

Once you have the CSR, you can obtain an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). There are various CA options available, both free and paid. Choose a CA that suits your needs and budget.

During the certificate issuance process, you will be required to provide the CSR. Copy the CSR from cPanel and paste it into the appropriate field during the certificate purchase or issuance process. Follow the CA’s instructions to complete the verification process, which may involve domain ownership verification.

After obtaining the SSL/TLS certificate, it needs to be installed in cPanel. In the “SSL/TLS Manager” section, select the “Manage SSL sites” option. Choose the domain for which you have obtained the certificate. Paste the certificate and any necessary intermediate certificates into the corresponding fields.

Click “Install Certificate” to complete the installation process. cPanel will validate the certificate and configure your website to use SSL/TLS.

Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS

To ensure all traffic is encrypted, it’s important to redirect HTTP requests to HTTPS. In cPanel, go to the “Domains” section and select “Redirects.” Choose the appropriate domain and specify the type as “Permanent (301).” In the “Redirects to” field, enter the HTTPS version of your website (https://www.yourdomain.com). Save the changes, and all HTTP requests will be automatically redirected to the secure HTTPS version.

Implementing SSL/TLS encryption is crucial for safeguarding your website and protecting user data. With cPanel’s SSL/TLS Manager, the process becomes straightforward. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this story, users can generate a CSR, obtain an SSL/TLS certificate, install it in cPanel, and redirect HTTP to HTTPS, ensuring a secure and trustworthy browsing experience for visitors.

File Management and FTP

Navigate to Advanced and then Files. Select the File Manager option to open the File Manager interface, providing a user-friendly way to manage files directly within the cPanel interface.

The File Manager interface in cPanel allows users to browse, create, upload, download, edit, and delete files and folders. It provides a directory tree view and a file listing view, simplifying navigation and file management. Of course, be careful about moving or deleting critical files.

You can perform various actions, such as creating new folders, uploading files from your local computer, organizing files into folders, renaming files and folders, and deleting unnecessary files. Additionally, the File Manager allows for file editing, with built-in text editors for making quick changes to files.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a widely-used method for transferring files between a local computer and a web server. cPanel provides FTP management tools to facilitate easy file transfer. Make sure you get SSL and your security certificate set up and use sFTP, not plain FTP.

Navigate to the “Files” section in cPanel and select “FTP Accounts,” to use FTP. Specify a username, password, and directory access when creating FTP accounts. Connect to the FTP server in cPanel, using FTP client software, such as FileZilla. Enter the FTP server details provided in cPanel into your FTP client.

You can upload files from your local computer to the server, download files from the server to your local computer, delete files, and organize files and folders on the server. FTP is especially useful for managing large files or multiple files simultaneously.

You can edit your website in localhost on your computer and use sFTP to upload your changes when you are finished. Using localhost involves installing WordPress on your computer and running it in your browser. You have a complete copy of the website on your computer. You can see the website in your browser at localhost, so you can see the changes while you are making them with your text editor. Then, when you finish all your editing, you can transfer the edited files to your live website using sFTP.

You can also set up and use Secure Shell (SSH) to make changes in localhost and then, upload your changes from the command line on your computer using SSH.

Backup and Restore

Website backups serve as a safety net, allowing you to restore your website to a previous state in case of data corruption, hacking, server issues, or accidental deletion. Regular backups are essential to prevent loss of valuable content and ensure business continuity.

In cPanel, you can easily create backups of your website’s files, databases, and email accounts. Navigate to the “Files” or “Backup” section and select the appropriate backup option. Use the “Backup Wizard” or “Full Backup” to create comprehensive backups of your entire website.

Specify the backup destination, whether it’s on the server or a remote location. You can schedule automatic backups to ensure regular and consistent data protection.

In case of a website issue or data loss, cPanel offers straightforward methods to restore your backups. Access the “Files” or “Backup” section, depending on the backup type you want to restore. Use the “Restore” or “Backup Wizard” option and select the backup file you wish to restore.

For file backups, the “File Manager” in cPanel allows you to navigate to the desired directory and upload the backup file. Alternatively, you can use FTP or SSH to transfer the backup files to the appropriate location.

For database backups, cPanel provides “phpMyAdmin” for managing MySQL databases. Access it and select the appropriate database. Use the “Import” feature to upload and restore the database backup file.

After restoring a website backup, it is essential to test and verify its functionality. Access your website and navigate through different pages, ensuring everything is working as expected. Verify database connections, form submissions, and any specific functionality unique to your website. By thoroughly testing the restored website, you can ensure a seamless user experience and confirm the successful restoration of your data.

Website backups and restores are critical for protecting your online presence. With cPanel’s backup and restore features, the process becomes streamlined and accessible. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, users can confidently create backups of their website’s files, databases, and email accounts, and restore them quickly when needed. Regular backups and efficient restoration procedures ensure website safety, data protection, and peace of mind.

Optimization and Performance

Optimizing your website’s performance is crucial for delivering a smooth user experience. We’ll delve into cPanel’s optimization and performance tools, including caching options, PHP configuration, and resource usage monitoring.

Browser caching instructs the user’s browser to store static resources locally, reducing the need to download them repeatedly. In cPanel, go to the “Software” section and select “Browser Cache” or “Expired Headers” to configure browser caching settings. Set appropriate expiration times for different file types, allowing the user’s browser to cache resources and retrieve them more efficiently, resulting in faster subsequent page loads.

Large image and file sizes can significantly impact website performance. Use image optimization techniques, such as compressing images without compromising quality, resizing images to the appropriate dimensions, and leveraging modern image formats like WebP. You can also minify CSS and JavaScript files by removing unnecessary characters, comments, and white spaces to reduce their file sizes.

GZIP compression reduces the size of files sent from the server to the user’s browser. This compression technique minimizes bandwidth usage and enhances page load times. In cPanel, access the “Optimize Website” or “Compression” option and enable GZIP compression. This will automatically compress your website’s content before sending it to the user’s browser.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) store static resources on multiple servers worldwide, ensuring faster content delivery by serving files from the nearest server. In cPanel, check if your web hosting provider offers a CDN integration option. If available, enable and configure the CDN to deliver your website’s static content more efficiently.

Efficient database performance is crucial for dynamic websites. Regularly monitor your website’s database performance using tools like “phpMyAdmin” in cPanel. Optimize your database by removing unnecessary data, optimizing database tables, and ensuring efficient query execution. Regularly analyze slow queries and consider implementing caching mechanisms like object caching or database query caching.

cPanel is a versatile and powerful tool for managing websites. With its intuitive interface and comprehensive set of features, you have the ability to efficiently manage domains, emails, databases, security, and more.