Manage Website with cPanel: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to manage your website using cPanel.

1. Logging into cPanel

1. Access cPanel: Navigate to your cPanel URL, which is usually www.yourdomain.com/cpanel.
2. Login: Enter your username and password provided by your web host.

2. File Management

Using File Manager:

1. Locate File Manager: In the cPanel dashboard, find the “Files” section and click on “File Manager”.
2. Navigate Directories: Use the left pane to navigate through directories and the right pane to manage files.
3. Common Tasks:
   • Upload Files: Click on the “Upload” button and select files from your computer.
   • Create Files/Folders: Click “New File” or “New Folder” and specify the name and location.
   • Edit Files: Select a file and click “Edit” to open it in the built-in text editor.
   • Delete Files: Select a file and click “Delete”.

3. Email Management

Creating and Managing Email Accounts:

1. Access Email Accounts: In the “Email” section, click on “Email Accounts”.
2. Create an Email Account: Click the “Create” button, fill in the required details (email address, password, mailbox quota), and click “Create”.
3. Manage Email Accounts: Use options like “Check Email”, “Manage”, “Connect Devices”, and “Delete”.

4. Database Management

The MySQL Databases feature in cPanel allows users to manage their MySQL databases and users easily. This is essential for dynamic websites that rely on databases for storing and retrieving data, such as content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.

Creating and Managing MySQL Databases:

1. Access MySQL Databases: In the “Databases” section, click on “MySQL Databases”.
2. Create a Database: Enter the database name and click “Create Database”.
3. Create a Database User: Scroll down to the “MySQL Users” section, enter a username and password, and click “Create User”.
4. Assign User to Database: In the “Add User to Database” section, select the user and database, and click “Add”. Assign the necessary privileges and click “Make Changes”.

5. Domain Management

Domain management in cPanel provides users with a suite of tools to manage various aspects of their domain names, including creating subdomains, managing DNS settings, and setting up domain aliases and redirects.

Managing Domains:

1. Addon Domains: In the “Domains” section, click on “Addon Domains” to add a new domain to your account.
2. Subdomains: Click on “Subdomains” to create subdomains for your main domain.
3. Redirects: Use the “Redirects” tool to set up URL redirects.

6. Security Management

Securing Your Website:

1. SSL/TLS Management: In the “Security” section, click on “SSL/TLS” to manage SSL certificates for your domains.
2. IP Blocker: Use the “IP Blocker” tool to block specific IP addresses from accessing your site.
3. Hotlink Protection: Enable hotlink protection to prevent other websites from directly linking to your files.

7. Installing Applications

Using Softaculous:

1. Access Softaculous: In the “Software” section, click on “Softaculous Apps Installer”.
2. Install Applications: Browse through the available applications (e.g., WordPress, Joomla), click on the desired application, and follow the prompts to install it.

Softaculous is a popular auto-installer for cPanel, offering a one-click solution to install a wide variety of web applications, including content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, as well as e-commerce platforms, forums, and other tools.

Conclusion

cPanel provides a comprehensive set of tools to manage every aspect of your website efficiently. From file management and email setup to database management and security enhancements, cPanel simplifies complex tasks, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. Regularly exploring and using these tools can help ensure your website runs smoothly and securely.