Control panel (cpanel), what's that?

The 6 Golden Rules Of Web Hosting

Golden Rule #5 They must provide a user accessible control panel (CPanel)

First of all, what is a cpanel? This is a designated members only area that is password protected and allows clients to have direct access to their web sites' inner workings.

This area usually allows the customer (you) to administer their website by being able to instantly access their settings etc. A webmaster (you) need ongoing access to things such as webstats, email accounts, password protected areas on your site and much more.

This access will vary since some Host Companies may consider certain access a security risk while others don't. Before you make a decision, figure out what access you will need and ensure that your selected company provides it.

The following story plays out all the time, all over the world on a daily basis.

Someone finds a really good deal on web hosting and they take swift advantage of it. They may transfer a current website or start one.

Everything is working out just fine until one weekend they purchase a new piece of software, let's say a shopping cart, and start uploading to their server. There's a problem. All they keep getting is an error message.

What's a person to do?

They look for their web Host's phone number and what do you know? It's an answering service that promises them someone will get back to them shortly.

They wait, and wait, then realizes that a call is not coming any time soon. Angrily they set it aside, deciding to wait until Monday.

Monday arrives and the call does come, however, the caller has to get back to them again, with an answer. (This translates to the caller maybe being just a middle man). Eventually they call back and say that regretfully, that particular shopping cart is not supported by the server.

All weekend, the website could not benefit from the shopping cart because a poor decision was made. Someone settled for cheap instead of functional.

The moral of this story is simple. Do your homework, it kept you out of trouble when you were in school and it will continue to do so even now that you are an adult.

Get all your guarantees in writing, so to speak. We know how difficult it is to get one online! :-)

BACK (Golden Rule #4) FORWARD (Golden Rule #6)

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