cPanel is where you manage your hosting: website files, email, databases, domains and security. This guide shows where things are, and the tasks most people do in their first week.
In this guide
Logging in
Log in from your account: go to Services, choose your plan and use the cPanel login button. Or go to https://your-server-hostname:2083 and use the username and password in your welcome email. See How to log in to cPanel.
The Tools page
cPanel opens on the Tools page. The search box at the top finds any tool by name, and the side panel shows your usage: storage, mailboxes, databases and more. The groups you'll use most:
- Email: Email Accounts, Forwarders, Autoresponders, Email Deliverability
- Files: File Manager, Disk Usage, FTP Accounts, Backup
- Databases: MySQL Databases, phpMyAdmin
- Domains: Domains, Redirects, Zone Editor
- Security: SSL/TLS Status, IP Blocker, Two-Factor Authentication
- Software: MultiPHP Manager, for your PHP version
- Advanced: Cron Jobs
Create mailboxes on your domain under Email Accounts, then add them to your phone and computer. See How to create and manage email accounts in cPanel and How to set up email on your phone and computer. To keep your mail out of spam folders, check Email Deliverability. See Email deliverability: SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained.
Files and backups
Your website lives in public_html. Use File Manager to upload, edit and unzip files, or connect with FTP. To upload many files, zip them on your computer, upload the zip and extract it in File Manager. See How to manage files with cPanel File Manager.
Use Backup to download copies of your files and databases, and keep them away from the server.
Domains and DNS
The Zone Editor manages your DNS records:
- A records point a name to a server
- MX records say where email goes
- TXT records hold SPF, DKIM, DMARC and verification codes
- CNAME records point one name at another, such as
www
See How to manage DNS records in cPanel.
PHP versions
Use MultiPHP Manager to choose the PHP version for your site. Pick the newest version your software supports, and check your site after a change. Versions that have reached end of life no longer get security fixes, and php.net lists which versions are supported.
Common first-week tasks
How do I upload my website?
Open File Manager, go to public_html and select Upload.
How do I see how much storage I'm using?
Open Disk Usage. It shows the size of each folder.
How do I change my cPanel password?
Open Password & Security.
How do I create a database for WordPress?
See How to create and manage MySQL databases in cPanel.
Where are my error logs?
Open Errors under Metrics. It shows the latest errors from your site.
How do I turn on two-factor authentication?
Open Two-Factor Authentication under Security and scan the code with an authenticator app.
Related guides
- How to log in to cPanel
- How to create and manage MySQL databases in cPanel
- How to install and manage SSL certificates
- How to install WordPress on GHost Cloud
- Your hosting plan: resources and limits
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