Overview
cPanel is the control panel where you manage website files, email accounts, databases, SSL certificates, and many hosting settings. If WHMCS is your billing and service portal, cPanel is where the technical work happens.
How to access cPanel
Option A: From WHMCS (recommended)
1) WHMCS Client Area → Services → open your hosting service.
2) Click “Login to cPanel” if available.
Option B: Using the cPanel URL and credentials
1) Use the cPanel URL provided in your welcome email/service details.
2) Enter your cPanel username and password.
If you cannot log in
- Confirm you are using the cPanel username (not necessarily your email).
- Try resetting the password via WHMCS (if available) or open a support ticket.
Key cPanel sections (most used)
Files
- File Manager: upload, edit, extract archives, permissions
- Disk Usage: find what consumes storage
Email
- Email Accounts: create mailboxes and reset passwords
- Forwarders: forward mail to another inbox
- Email Deliverability: check SPF/DKIM/DMARC status (important)
Databases
- MySQL Databases: create database and users
- phpMyAdmin: import/export and manage data (advanced)
Security
- SSL/TLS Status: view and run AutoSSL
- ModSecurity / IP tools (varies by server)
Software
- WordPress installer (if available)
- PHP version selector / MultiPHP (if available)
Metrics
- Errors: recent website errors (useful for 500 errors)
- Bandwidth: monthly transfer
- Raw access logs: diagnostics (advanced)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Uploading a website folder into public_html without extracting properly
- Ending up with public_html/public_html (wrong path)
- Changing DNS without checking email MX records
- Using weak passwords for mailboxes and WordPress admins
Recommended first checks
- Confirm your domain’s document root contains your site files
- Confirm HTTPS works
- Create at least one mailbox if email is included, then test send/receive
