How to Use cPanel / Plesk: A Complete Tutorial

Managing a website involves more than just writing content or designing pages. Behind the scenes, there is a technical layer that keeps everything running smoothly—from file storage to email management. For many website owners, the idea of managing a server feels daunting. However, modern hosting control panels have made this process incredibly accessible.

Learning how to navigate these dashboards is a crucial skill. It gives you the power to troubleshoot issues, secure your site, and manage your data without needing to contact support for every minor adjustment. By mastering these tools, you take full ownership of your digital presence.

This guide will serve as your comprehensive cPanel tutorial and Plesk guide. We will break down exactly what these platforms do, explore the cPanel vs Plesk comparison to see which suits your needs, and walk you through essential tasks like file management, email setup, and security configurations. Whether you are launching your first blog or managing a business site, this hosting control panel guide is designed to get you up and running with confidence.

What Is cPanel and What Is Plesk?

Before diving into the “how-to,” it is essential to understand what these tools actually are. In the simplest terms, cPanel and Plesk are graphical interfaces that simplify the process of hosting a website. They act as a bridge between you and the complex command lines of a server.

What is cPanel?
cPanel is the industry standard for Linux-based hosting. It is renowned for its straightforward, icon-based interface that allows users to manage their web hosting account with ease. It is almost exclusively used on Linux servers and is favored for its reliability and vast community support.

What is Plesk?
Plesk is a versatile control panel that supports both Linux and Windows servers. It features a cleaner, more modern user interface that organizes tasks by website rather than by function. This makes it particularly popular among agencies and professionals managing multiple distinct sites on a single server.

Both tools allow you to manage web hosting tasks like creating email accounts, managing domains, and installing software like WordPress, but they approach the user experience differently.

cPanel vs Plesk: Which Control Panel Should You Use?

When choosing a hosting provider, you might be presented with a choice between these two giants. A cPanel vs Plesk comparison reveals that while they share similar functionality, they cater to slightly different preferences.

Ease of Use

cPanel uses a dashboard layout where all available tools are laid out in front of you, grouped by category (e.g., Email, Files, Databases). This “everything in one place” approach is excellent for beginners who want to see all their options at once.

Plesk, on the other hand, uses a streamlined, sidebar-based interface. It groups tools relevant to a specific domain together. If you manage ten different websites, Plesk makes it easier to focus on one site’s settings without getting distracted by global server settings.

Operating System Compatibility

This is the biggest differentiator. If your website relies on Microsoft technologies (like ASP.NET or MSSQL), Plesk is your best—and often only—choice, as it runs seamlessly on Windows servers. cPanel is built strictly for Linux environments (specifically CentOS, CloudLinux, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux). Since most of the web runs on Linux, cPanel remains the most common choice, but Plesk offers greater flexibility here.

Performance and Security

Both platforms are robust. They both offer support for the latest PHP versions, HTTP/2, and NGINX caching. In terms of security, both provide tools for SSL installation, firewalls, and IP blocking. The difference lies more in the default configuration than in capability; both are highly secure when managed correctly.

Verdict: If you are a beginner on a Linux host, the classic cPanel interface is likely your best bet. If you are managing multiple client sites or need Windows hosting, Plesk is the superior option.

How to Log Into cPanel and Plesk

Accessing your control panel is the first step in your website management journey.

How to Login to cPanel:
Most hosting providers include a direct link to cPanel within their client portal. However, you can also access it directly via your browser:

1. Port 2083: Type your domain followed by a colon and the number 2083 (e.g., https://yourdomain.com:2083).
2. ** /cpanel:** Simply append /cpanel to your domain (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/cpanel).

You will need the username and password provided in your welcome email from your host.

How to Login to Plesk:
Similar to cPanel, you can usually jump into Plesk from your hosting account dashboard. For direct access:

1. Port 8443: Type your domain followed by :8443 (e.g., https://yourdomain.com:8443).
2. IP Address: If your domain hasn’t propagated yet, you can use your server’s IP address (e.g., https://192.168.1.1:8443).

Security Tip: Always ensure you are accessing these login pages via HTTPS to protect your credentials. If you see a browser warning about the connection not being private, contact your host, as this indicates an SSL issue with the login page.

How to Manage Files Using File Manager

While many people use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) clients like FileZilla, both control panels come with powerful, web-based file managers. These are perfect for quick edits, uploading images, or checking file permissions without installing extra software.

cPanel File Manager Tutorial

1. Log in to cPanel and locate the “Files” section. Click on “File Manager”.
2. You will see a directory tree on the left. Your public website files usually live in a folder named public_html.
3. Uploading Files: Click the “Upload” button in the top toolbar. You can drag and drop files directly from your computer.
4. Editing Files: Right-click on a file (like an .html or .php file) and select “Edit”. This opens a code editor directly in your browser.
5. Permissions: If you need to change file permissions (e.g., setting a file to 644 or 755), right-click the file and select “Change Permissions”.

Plesk File Manager

1. Log in to Plesk and go to “Websites & Domains”.
2. Find the domain you want to manage and click on “File Manager”.
3. The interface is very modern and responsive. To upload, click the “Plus” (+) button and select “Upload File”.
4. To edit a file, simply click on its name. Plesk’s editor often includes syntax highlighting, which is helpful for developers.
5. Plesk also allows you to extract .zip archives directly on the server, saving you from uploading thousands of small individual files.

How to Create and Manage Domains & Subdomains

As your online portfolio grows, you might want to host multiple websites or create different sections for your current site (like blog.yoursite.com).

Add Domain in cPanel

In newer versions of cPanel, the distinction between “Addon Domains” and “Aliases” has been merged into a single interface often labeled “Domains”.

1. Navigate to the “Domains” section.
2. Click “Create A New Domain”.
3. Enter the domain name you purchased.
4. Ensure “Share document root” is unchecked if you want this domain to show a different website than your main one.
5. Click “Submit”.

Create Subdomain in Plesk

Plesk treats subdomains almost like independent websites, giving them their own dashboard area.

1. Go to “Websites & Domains”.
2. Click the “Add Subdomain” button.
3. Enter the prefix (e.g., “shop” or “blog”).
4. Select the parent domain from the dropdown menu.
5. Click “OK”. Plesk will automatically create the folder structure for you.

Note on Redirects: Both panels allow you to set up redirects. In cPanel, look for the “Redirects” icon. In Plesk, go to “Hosting Settings” for a specific domain to change its forwarding type (e.g., 301 Permanent Redirect).

How to Set Up Email Accounts in cPanel and Plesk

One of the biggest perks of professional hosting is having a branded email address (like contact@yourdomain.com). This looks far more professional than a generic Gmail or Yahoo address.

Create Email Account in cPanel

1. Locate the “Email” section and click “Email Accounts”.
2. Click the blue “+ Create” button.
3. Select the domain you want to use.
4. Enter the username (the part before the @ symbol) and a strong password.
5. Set the storage space limit (or choose “Unlimited”).
6. Click “Create”.
7. To check email, simply click “Check Email” next to the account list to access Webmail (usually Roundcube).

Setup Email in Plesk

1. Click on the “Mail” tab in the left sidebar.
2. Click “Create Email Address”.
3. Type the email address and select the domain.
4. Set (or generate) a password.
5. Plesk allows you to set the mailbox size limit here as well.
6. Click “OK”.
7. Click the envelope icon next to the address to launch webmail access.

Spam Filtering: Both platforms integrate with SpamAssassin. In cPanel, look for “Spam Filters” to adjust the sensitivity. In Plesk, check the “Spam Filter” tab within the email settings.

How to Install WordPress Using cPanel / Plesk

Gone are the days of manually creating databases and uploading files to get WordPress running. Modern control panels use auto-installers (like Softaculous or WordPress Toolkit) to handle this in seconds.

Install WordPress in cPanel

1. Scroll down to the “Software” section or look for the “Softaculous Apps Installer”.
2. Click on the “WordPress” icon.
3. Click “Install Now”.
4. Protocol: Choose https:// (assuming you have an SSL).
5. Directory: Leave this blank to install on your main domain. If you type “blog”, your site will be at yourdomain.com/blog.
6. Enter your Site Name, Admin Username, and Password.
7. Click “Install”.

WordPress Installation in Plesk

Plesk has a dedicated “WordPress Toolkit” which is excellent for security and management.

1. Go to “WordPress” in the sidebar.
2. Click “Install”.
3. A side panel will open. Fill in the installation path, website title, and administrative credentials.
4. Plesk will automatically secure the site and install the latest version.
5. Once finished, you can manage plugins and themes directly from the Plesk dashboard without logging into the WP Admin area.

How to Create Databases and Manage MySQL

Most dynamic websites (like those built on WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal) require a database to store content.

Create MySQL Database in cPanel

1. Go to “Databases” and click “MySQL Database Wizard”. This is the easiest method.
2. Step 1: Name your database and click Next.
3. Step 2: Create a database user and password.
4. Step 3: Assign the user to the database by clicking “All Privileges”.
5. Click “Make Changes”.

Plesk Database Management

1. Go to “Websites & Domains” and select “Databases”.
2. Click “Add Database”.
3. Enter a name for the database.
4. Create a database user and password.
5. Click “OK”.
6. To manage the data, click “phpMyAdmin”, which opens the visual database management tool used by both cPanel and Plesk.

How to Backup and Restore Your Website

Regular backups are your safety net. If an update breaks your site or you get hacked, a backup can restore everything to normal.

Backup Website in cPanel

1. Go to “Files” and click “Backup Wizard”.
2. Click “Back Up”.
3. Choose “Full Backup” (for archiving) or “Home Directory” (to save your files).
4. Select a destination (usually the Home Directory) and click “Generate Backup”.
5. Note: To restore, use the same wizard but select “Restore”. Note that many shared hosts disable full account restoration for users; you may need to ask support to run the restore for you.

Restore Website in Plesk

1. Go to “Websites & Domains” and find “Backup Manager” (usually on the right sidebar).
2. Click “Back Up” to create a new snapshot.
3. To restore, click on a date in the list of existing backups.
4. Select what you want to restore (Configuration, Content, Mail) and confirm. Plesk is generally very user-friendly regarding self-service restoration.

How to Secure Your Website Using cPanel and Plesk

Security should never be an afterthought. Fortunately, website management tools make basic security easy to implement.

Install SSL in cPanel

Most modern hosts offer free AutoSSL (powered by Let’s Encrypt).

1. Go to “Security” and click “SSL/TLS Status”.
2. Select your domains.
3. Click “Run AutoSSL”.
4. This automatically generates and installs a certificate so your site loads over HTTPS.

Website Security in Plesk

1. Go to “Websites & Domains” and look for “SSL/TLS Certificates”.
2. Click “Get it free” (under Let’s Encrypt) or install a paid certificate.
3. Ensure the “Secure webmail” and “Include a ‘www’ subdomain” boxes are checked.
4. Click “Get it free”.

Extra Security Tips:

• Hotlink Protection: In cPanel, use “Hotlink Protection” to stop other sites from stealing your bandwidth by linking directly to your images.
• IP Blocker: Both panels allow you to ban specific IP addresses if you notice malicious traffic coming from a single source.

Common cPanel and Plesk Problems & Fixes

Even with a detailed cPanel tutorial, you might hit a snag. Here are common issues:

• Login Fails: Double-check you are not blocked by the firewall due to too many failed attempts. Wait 15 minutes or try a different internet connection (like your phone’s 4G) to see if your IP was banned.
• “403 Forbidden” Error: This often happens after uploading files. Check your permissions in File Manager. Folders should be 755 and files should be 644.
• Emails Not Sending: Check your “MX Records” in the “Zone Editor” (cPanel) or “DNS Settings” (Plesk). Ensure they point to your hosting server and not a third party unless intended.

FAQ – cPanel & Plesk Tutorial

Q1: What is cPanel used for?

cPanel is used to manage web hosting accounts on a Linux server. It allows users to manage files, create emails, install software like WordPress, and handle security settings via a visual dashboard rather than code.

Q2: Is cPanel easy for beginners?

Yes, cPanel is designed specifically for beginners. Its icon-based interface makes it easy to find tools, and there is extensive documentation available online for almost every function.

Q3: How do I access cPanel or Plesk?

You can usually access them via your hosting provider’s portal. Alternatively, you can access cPanel by adding /cpanel or :2083 to your domain URL, and Plesk by adding :8443 to your domain URL.

Q4: Which is better: cPanel or Plesk?

Neither is strictly “better,” but they serve different needs. cPanel is the industry standard for Linux hosting and is very user-friendly. Plesk supports both Windows and Linux and is often preferred by web designers managing multiple client sites due to its cleaner interface.

Q5: Can I install WordPress using cPanel?

Absolutely. cPanel usually includes an app installer called “Softaculous” which allows you to install WordPress in just a few clicks without manually handling databases.

Q6: How do I backup my website in cPanel or Plesk?

In cPanel, use the “Backup Wizard” or “Backup” icon in the Files section. In Plesk, use the “Backup Manager” found in the Websites & Domains dashboard. Both allow you to download a copy of your site data.

Master Your Hosting Environment Today

Taking control of your website’s backend might feel intimidating at first, but as this guide has shown, tools like cPanel and Plesk are built to help you succeed. Whether you are creating email accounts to look more professional, setting up regular backups for peace of mind, or installing WordPress to start your blogging journey, these control panels are your command center.

The best way to learn is by doing. Log in to your hosting account today and explore the interface. Try creating a subdomain or checking your disk usage. The more you explore, the more comfortable you will become.

Ready to take the next step? Ensure you are building your online presence on a solid foundation. Choose a reliable hosting provider that offers full access to cPanel or Plesk, giving you the freedom and control you need to grow your website.