As a webmaster or content creator, you’ll likely deal with hosting issues from time to time. Whether you’re running a personal blog or website for fun, or you have a more professional venture, handling web hosting can be quite the chore. It’s a task that most people find challenging, especially since there are so many different web hosting services out there, each with their own unique perks. We’re going to tell you about one of the most popular web hostings services, called cPanel. It’s an easy-to-use hosting control panel that’s been around for more than 20 years, and it’s what we use at Review Geek to manage all of our web hosting needs. So, let’s get to it. Below we’re going to tell you all about cPanel, what makes it special, and how you can use it to host your website or blog.
A Brief History Of cPanel
If you’re reading this, I assume you know what cPanel is and what it does. If not, then hang onto your keyboard, because you’re about to learn something new. cPanel is a software package that was first developed by DreamHost in the early 1990s. It was originally called “Conemay,” which means “control panel” in French. When the software was officially released in 1997, it was a free download from the company’s website. At the time, web hosting services typically cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per year. So, a lot of people were on the fence about trying out this free software. However, in the early 2000s, DreamHost decided to start charging for web hosting in order to fund further development. This move made cPanel even more appealing to potential users, as it was now available to the public at large. The following year, in 2002, Bluehost announced that they were switching from using custom-built hardware to using cPanel. Since then, much like the rest of the web hosting industry, the popularity of cPanel has grown steadily.
Why Should You Try cPanel?
The short answer is: because it’s amazing. That’s pretty much all there is to it. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for dealing with web hosting, then cPanel is the way to go. The following are the main reasons why:
User-Friendly
One of the primary reasons why so many people are using cPanel is because it’s incredibly easy to use. Even if you’ve never configured a web server before, you’ll breeze through the setup process. The next thing you’ll know, you’ve got a working server with all of your sites, blogs, and galleries configured and ready to go. This is a huge time-saver, as you won’t have to worry about configuring DNS records, installing PHP, or figuring out exactly how MySQL works. Instead, you can simply use the provided scripts to get everything setup and running quickly. It really is that easy.
Another great thing about cPanel is how user-friendly it is. For the most part, you won’t need to be a tech-genius to figure out how to use it. Even if you’re not familiar with Linux, you’ll have no trouble using cPanel. The reason is that all of the menus and options are presented in a way that makes sense to anyone. For instance, if you’re looking for a free domain name, you’ll see a list of registered domain extensions with a small green flag next to each one. Hovering your mouse over the flag will tell you the exact price for that domain. If you’re looking for a web host, you’ll see all of the different plans and pricing structures offered by the company next to a big green button that says “Sign Up.” Simply click the button, fill out a few short questions, and you’ll be able to choose a hosting plan that works best for you.
Cost-Effective
Another great thing about cPanel is that it’s extremely cost-effective. One of our favorite features is that you don’t need to purchase hardware and equipment to use it. Everything you need is included in the price of the software. This makes hosting with cPanel an affordable option for just about anyone. The only downside, of course, is that you’ll need to have a working computer to use it. If you don’t happen to have one, then you might have to purchase one in order to use cPanel.
Secure
If you’re looking for a secure way to host your site or blog, then cPanel is the platform you should use. Not only does it use robust encryption protocols to keep your personal information secure, but it also offers several different security modules that you can activate to further protect your data from hackers and cyber-criminals. If you need a more secure option, you can always turn on the additional security features, such as the Hepsia CAPTCHA guard or the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) protection. The great thing about these features is that they don’t consume any additional resources on your server. So, in terms of cost-effectiveness, you’re essentially getting a free security upgrade.
Feature-Rich
If you’re looking for a web host with a lot of features, then cPanel is the perfect solution. Not only does it come with all of the necessary features you’d need to manage a simple blog or website, but it also allows users to extend the functionality even further. The best part is that these additional features are all free. So, in terms of cost-effectiveness, this is another no-brainer. You’re getting a lot of value for your money, especially if you’re not paying for any extra features.
Plesk, the Classic Web Hosting Control Panel
One of our favorite web hostings services is called Plesk. While cPanel is, in our opinion, the best all-around web hosting control panel, Plesk is tailored towards people who are looking for a simple, minimalistic approach to hosting. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for web hosting, with only a few simple tools, then Plesk is the perfect solution. It doesn’t provide users with the most advanced features, but it does give you everything you need to get up and running quickly.
Plesk was first launched in 2001 and can be downloaded from the company’s website. It comes with a one-click install, which drops you into a working environment that allows you to begin setting up your blog or website. The fact that it’s been around for so long is a testament to its robustness and feature-set. It is, in our opinion, the perfect choice for people who want an easy and straightforward hosting experience. It does, however, lack a few key features that cPanel has, which is why we still use cPanel for most of our personal and commercial sites. Even though Plesk does offer an optional domain privacy protection feature, which you can enable from within the panel, it doesn’t provide the same level of security as cPanel.
What Is The Difference Between The 2 Panels?
There are several key differences between cPanel and Plesk, which one you’ll need to consider before making a decision. The first and most obvious difference is that cPanel is free, while Plesk costs $30 per month. The second difference is that cPanel offers additional features, which you’ll have to pay for. However, if you don’t mind spending a bit of money, then you can get all of the features that Plesk has to offer with the additional cost of cPanel. The third difference is that cPanel is open-source, while Plesk is not. Finally, the last and perhaps the most significant difference between the two is that cPanel is an established industry leader, while Plesk is a relatively unknown entity.
If you’re new to web hosting, then cPanel is the way to go. It’s been around for a very long time and has proven itself to be both reliable and secure. If you’re looking for a robust platform that can handle all of your site’s traffic, then cPanel is the answer. If you’re looking for a more minimalist solution, then try out Plesk, as it provides you with everything you need, at a much lower cost than cPanel. Even if you don’t mind spending a bit of money, then cPanel is still the cheaper of the two choices, and that’s probably why so many people use it.