The BlueHost control panel is the ever popular cPanel. If you are interested in cPanel hosting then this article is a must read. Not only will you get information about the features associated with cPanel but also tips on using BlueHost control panel.
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A control panel is the means provided by your web host to control your web presence, managing domains and email accounts, installing software, managing your files and folders and backing up your website, and more. While some shared hosting providers offer the vDeck control panel, BlueHost chooses to provide its customers with cPanel as their BlueHost control panel.
Here are some of the top cPanel features:
- Both beginners and more experienced users generally find cPanel meets their needs.
- Since cPanel is the most widely used control panel, BlueHost customers who are switching from other hosting will likely find it familiar.
- cPanel is established software, which undergoes regular upgrades. The current version of cPanel in March, 2011 is 11.28, and a user guide can be found on the cPanel website.
- BlueHost has provided the SimpleScripts add-on with cPanel, giving customers access to between 70 and 80 software applications, including WordPress, Joomla!, Drupal, Moodle, Coppermine, and more content management systems, blogging software, forums, image galleries, and bulletin boards. It also provides access to six different shopping cart software choices, including the popular Agora Cart, OS Commerce Cart, and Zen Cart.
- cPanel can be used to manage multiple websites. It is ideally suited for small to medium websites, partly because of the server resources it requires and partly because very experienced users may find that it doesn’t meet their needs.
You can access your BlueHost control panel by logging in on the BlueHost website (for example, by clicking the login to control panel button on the BlueHost home page) or by typing <https://IPaddress:2083> where <IPaddress> stands for your domain name, into your Internet browser. When you log in, you will see a page with a left-hand and a right-hand portion. On the left-hand side, you will see a notice area, a search box, a list of your frequently accessed areas for quick access, and your website stats, which includes everything from your monthly bandwidth, to the number of your SQL databases, and important data about your account for developers, such as the Apache version (2.2.17), the PHP version (5.2.16), and the MySql version (5.1.47-community-log).
On the right-hand side are categories of resources and tools. These include:
- Preferences—including your Getting Started Wizard, How-to videos, the dialog for changing your password, and other account management tools.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tools—including a Google Score Card, Google Maps Listing and Link Building.
- Mail—including email accounts, spam preventers, email campaign tools, and a variety of other email controls.
- Files—including backups, FTP control, and other file controls.
- Logs—including bandwidth logs, error logs, recent visitors, and more.
- Security—including information about password-protecting directories, SSH/Shell access, and hotlink protection.
- Domains—including a variety of domain management tools, for tasks such as registering and transferring domains, adding subdomains, etc.
- Databases—to manage MySQL databases, PostgreSQL databases, and monitor MySQL usage, etc.
- Software/Services—including access to SimpleScripts, the Trendy Site Builder, Perl Modules, Ruby on Rails, PHP Config, etc.
- Advanced—including access to error pages, cron jobs, FrontPage extensions, etc.