cPanel is like the command center for your website, where you can do a bunch of things, such as messing with files, adding databases, and even installing cool stuff. Now, if you’re a beginner wondering how to host a website on cPanel, you’re in the right place. As a part of our cPanel server management service, we’re going to provide you steps of hosting a website on cPanel in detail.
In the huge world of the internet, having your own website is a powerful way to establish an online presence, whether for personal blogs, business ventures, or creative projects. To bring your website to life, you need a reliable hosting platform, and cPanel stands out as one of the most user-friendly and popular choices. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to host a website on cPanel, breaking down each step into easy-to-understand language. Before that, we’ll explore what is cPanel and how much it cost.
Table of Contents
Understanding cPanel
Before we dive into the hosting process, let’s briefly understand what cPanel is. cPanel serves as a user-friendly web hosting control panel, streamlining the management of websites and server-related tasks. It provides an intuitive interface, making it easier for users, regardless of their technical expertise, to manage various aspects of their hosting environment.
cPanel is like a tool that works on Linux web servers. It helps people host many websites and domain names on the same server securely. When a hosting provider gets cPanel in bulk, it can cost as low as $0.30 for each user, and they pass on the savings to customers. But if you want cPanel on its own, it can cost more than $15 every month.
A web host manager, like WHMCS, lets each person have a cPanel dashboard with their hosting package. This keeps things secure and separate when many people share the same hardware.
The cPanel looks like a simple program on your computer, so you can set up things on a web server without needing to type complicated commands. With cPanel, you can control things like email addresses, FTP accounts, sub-domains, and other hosting services using a web browser.
Cost to Host Website on cPanel?
The cost of hosting a single domain, managing one website through cPanel administration, can range from as low as $1.00 to $5.24 per month when opting for a budget-friendly hosting company. Additionally, a significant saving of $10 to $12 or more can be achieved through free domain name registration. Exploring bundled packages with various add-ons may further contribute to overall savings.
For web hosting services supporting multiple domains, prices typically fall within the range of $5.00 to $15.00 per month. Plans with dedicated IP addresses may incur higher costs. Notably, since cPanel does not operate on Windows servers, hosting providers often benefit from reduced expenses associated with Linux OS distribution licensing on web servers.
Do I Need cPanel to Host a Website?
cPanel is not the sole option for hosting websites in a shared environment. With the recent increase in cPanel pricing, many web hosting companies have introduced proprietary control panels to address the growing costs. Examples of such alternatives include Hostinger’s hPanel and ScalaHosting’s SPanel.
Other licensed options like Plesk and Webuzo are also viable alternatives for Linux server administration, and you can choose a Windows server to build sites using Azure resources.
If you have the expertise, you can upload a website file in plain HTML to host a website by installing the web server stack (Apache, NGINX, etc.) with an operating system and IP address. However, cPanel simplifies these tasks, especially for server administrators, in a remote datacenter environment.
Can I Get cPanel Hosting for Free?
Hosting a website on cPanel for free is not straightforward, but you can take advantage of free trial offers, such as those provided by Kamatera. Some budget hosts, including x10, GigaRocket, and GoogieHost, offer free hosting for the long term, but not all include a cPanel license.
Alternatively, if you need free hosting, utilizing the resources of a social media account might be a better option. Budget cPanel hosts typically offer single and multiple domain plans ranging from $0.99 to $4.95 per month on average. It’s often more cost-effective to opt for shared hosting where the cPanel license is bundled with the plan.
Now we’ll look at the steps of how to host a website on cPanel easily.
How to host a website on cPanel?
Step 1: Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider
The journey begins with selecting a hosting provider that supports cPanel. It is one of the significant step when you host a website on cPanel. Numerous hosting companies offer cPanel hosting plans, each with its own set of features and pricing. Popular choices include Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator. Compare plans, consider your website’s needs, and choose a provider that aligns with your requirements and budget.
Step 2: Register a Domain Name
The domain name serves as your website’s internet address. Numerous hosting providers provide a complimentary domain name for the initial year upon registration. If you already have a domain, you can choose to transfer it to your new hosting provider or keep it registered with your current domain registrar.
Step 3: Purchase a cPanel Hosting Plan
Once you’ve selected a hosting provider and registered your domain, it’s time to purchase a cPanel hosting plan. Most providers offer various plans catering to different needs, such as shared hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), or dedicated servers. Shared hosting is ideal for beginners and small websites, as it’s cost-effective and easy to manage.
Step 4: Access cPanel
After completing your purchase, the hosting provider will provide you with login credentials to access your cPanel dashboard. You can usually reach cPanel by typing “yourdomain.com/cpanel” in your web browser or by using the provided login link. Enter your username and password to access your account.
Step 5: Set Up Your Website
a. Create an Email Account
Before diving into website setup, it’s a good practice to create a professional email address associated with your domain. In cPanel, navigate to the “Email Accounts” section, and follow the steps to create your personalized email account.
b. Install SSL Certificate (Optional but Recommended)
Securing your website with an SSL certificate is crucial for encrypting data and building trust with your visitors. Most hosting providers offer a free SSL certificate. In cPanel, locate the “SSL/TLS Status” or “Let’s Encrypt” section to install your SSL certificate.
Step 6: Install a Content Management System (CMS) in your system
A Content Management System (CMS) makes it easier to create and oversee the content on your website. WordPress is a popular choice, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options.
a. Install WordPress
In cPanel, find the “Softaculous” or “Installatron” application installer. Locate WordPress, select “Install,” and follow the prompts to set up your website. You’ll need to choose your domain, set a site name and description, create an admin username and password, and select a theme.
b. Explore Other CMS Options (Optional)
While WordPress is widely used, cPanel supports various other CMS options such as Joomla, Drupal, and Magento. Explore the available applications in the installer and choose the CMS that best fits your website’s requirements.
Step 7: Design Your Website
After successfully installing your CMS, you can begin the process of designing your website. Log in to your CMS admin panel using the credentials you set during installation. Explore themes, customize the appearance, and begin creating pages or posts to showcase your content.
Step 8: Backup Your Website (Critical Step)
Regular backups serve as a safety net for your website, providing protection against potential data loss. In cPanel, locate the “Backup” or “Backup Wizard” section and initiate the creation of a full backup for your website. This comprehensive backup includes files, databases, and configurations, ensuring that you have a complete and up-to-date copy of your website’s essential components. Store the backup in a secure location, either on your hosting server or download it to your local device.
Step 9: Configure Domain Settings
In cPanel, the “Domains” or “Addon Domains” section allows you to manage multiple domains associated with your hosting account. If you have additional domains, you can add them here and configure settings such as redirects and subdomains.
Step 10: Set Up Email Forwarding (Optional)
If you created a professional email account earlier, you can set up email forwarding to receive messages in your preferred email inbox. This simplifies email management and ensures you don’t miss important communications.
Step 11: Test Your Website
Before launching or announcing your website to the world, conduct thorough testing. Check different pages, test forms, and ensure that your website looks and functions as intended. This step helps catch any issues before visitors discover them.
Step 12: Launch Your Website
Congratulations! You’ve reached the final step – it’s time to launch your website. Share it with your audience through social media, email, or any other channels relevant to your online presence. Celebrate your accomplishment and continue refining your website as needed.
Conclusion
Hosting your website on cPanel is a rewarding and empowering experience. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, cPanel simplifies the complexities of web hosting, allowing you to focus on creating and sharing your online content. As you embark on your digital journey, remember that learning and exploration are part of the process. Regularly update your website, stay informed about new features, and enjoy the exciting world of web hosting with cPanel by your side.
With this detailed blog, we provided you easy to understand steps for how to host a website on cPanel hassle free. We hope this blog helped you in getting better understanding, if you want to know more about cPanel or wordpress contact SupportFly. At SupportFly, we have certified and expert admins to support you 24/7 with any issue or queries you may have.
