Are you new to the world of website creation and everything that comes with it? Or perhaps you have already created your site, and now you are looking for tips to set up the right configurations and manage it? Whatever your case is, you will need all the help you can get if you lack specific technical knowledge.
Platforms such as HowToHosting.Guide features lots of useful articles and tutorials providing know-how on various web hosting topics. So, make sure to create a list of the best go-to places whenever you need free advice.
Below you will find handy tips on how to manage your hosting account.
Control Panel (cPanel) of your account
This is where all the magic happens. cPanel is perhaps the most common software designed to help you simplify the processes related to hosting your site. The control panel would help you manage all the necessary files, folders, FTP accounts, databases, backups.
One of the most critical conditions of accessing your control panel is using an encrypted connection, also known as HTTPS. This encrypted connection requires an SSL certificate. Using a complex password that contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols is another “must” in terms of security. How you manage your account speaks volumes about your safety.
What does cPanel enable you to do? How to manage it?
Of course, with cPanel, you can upload a site to your hosting account. This is done by copying the site content (files and directories) in the hosting account directory. To make the website work on the server, you should name its main file “index,” like index.html, index.htm, or index.php, all written in lowercase letters.
Note. You should delete or rename the service file index.html in the public_html directory before uploading the site files. The file upload is done via FTP.
FTP and DNS
FTP access is available through the FTP program or file manager in the software. With it, you can manage files and directories in your host account. It is essential to keep things in your account in order. This includes removing redundant content. If you wish to make some files inaccessible through the internet, leave them in the account’s root directory.
You can also change your DNS settings. For instance, if you want to add new DNS records, you should select the domain name from the drop-down menu, then add the DNS records and click on the “add record” button. If you wish to associate your specific domain with the hosting account, you should assign the correct nameserver.
Firewall and Modules
Your cPanel also enables you to configure your firewall. Note that the panel software manages lots of various services, some of which require an external connection to work. That’s why your firewall should allow cPanel to open the ports to run these services.
The software also gives you access to various interfaces that help you install modules for PHP, Ruby, and Perl. You can utilize these modules in custom scripts.
cPanel File Manager
The File Manager grants you great options to manage your files within the panel’s interface efficiently. With it, you can create, upload, modify, and remove files from the interface. To use it, click on File Manager in the Files section.
You can also optimize the panel to improve your server’s speed and, respectively, your hosting. Perhaps you have noticed that the software integrates many features and services, but your server may not need or use all of them. If you don’t use some services, you may want to disable them to free up some resources. Note that you shouldn’t disable services if you’re uncertain of their functionality.