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Hosting Account Management

Updated - 11/12/2002

Account control panels are one of the most valuable features that you should look for when choosing a hosting provider. Many web hosts offer some type of web-based control panel which allows you to update and maintain your account very easily. An account control panel is especially beneficial if you are relatively new to maintaining a web hosting account.

All of the hosting providers in our Comparison Chart section offer account control panels.

Administer Your Hosting Account From A Web Browser

An account control panel is basically a secure web page which allows you to administer your hosting account from your web browser. Your hosting provider will give you the web page URL and you simply login with your username and password. Almost everything you'll need to do to your web hosting account can be done right there.

Some of the features commonly available are:

  • View or update your account billing information
  • Add, remove and configure email accounts
  • Change passwords, both for account and individual users
  • FTP instructions and file management
  • Activate FrontPage extensions on your account
  • Setup your shared SSL server options

More advanced control panel features include:

  • Install, remove and configure CGI scripts
  • Check server status for web and email
  • Request and add additional features
  • Perform database back-ups with just a few clicks
  • View web traffic and website statistics
  • Check on bandwidth limits and disk space

In the past, to change something on your hosting account you would have to email or call customer service. Even if you wanted to answer a little question real fast, you didn't know where to begin searching for the answer. With an account control panel, you automatically know where you can perform most of the main account management functions -- all by yourself, immediately, and from one location.

Make Sure Your Host Offers Account Control Panels

Account control panels are actually as convenient for hosting providers as they are for their customers. Allowing clients to manage their own accounts cuts back on support costs and staff resources. This enables the provider to keep their prices down and their support staff available for more serious issues.

When searching for a hosting provider, be sure to ask if they have an account control panel available. You should ask to see a demo so that you can evaluate the features it has. Some of the better control panels out there include Cpanel, H-Sphere and Ensim. Those are the most popular among both web hosts and customers for ease-of-use and functionality.

If you'd like to read some more helpful articles on choosing a low cost hosting provider, then please return to our Hosting Guides section.


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Hosting Reviews
iPowerWeb - $7.95/mo
Lunarpages - $7.95/mo
InMotion - $7.95/mo
Easy CGI - $7.96/mo
FuseBlast - $8.95/mo
HostRocket - $11.95/mo
Globat - $7.50/mo
NitroWeb - $9.95/mo