Use A CPanel Server To Easily Start A Web Hosting Business

Use a cPanel Server To Easily Start a Web Hosting

Business

by: Dan Chris

Demand for web hosting is increasing at a tremendous rate with the

growth of the Internet. Launch a web hosting business to capture

this growing market and save time by automating server functions

using a cPanel Server.

What is cPanel?

cPanel is a web hosting control panel system that is installed on a

dedicated server. The control panel system comes in two parts:

Web Host Manager (WHM) for the web host, and cPanel for the

end-user.

Web Host Manager (WHM), which allows the webhost to easily

administer individual hosting accounts, reseller accounts and

perform basic system and control panel maintenance via a secure

interface. A web host does not need to know how to manually set

up user accounts, passwords, ftp accounts or mail accounts through

the command line as is typical of all dedicated servers. The user

interface makes creating an account a breeze with one-click

creation of accounts.

cPanel is designed for the end-users (hosting customers) and

allows them to control everything in their accounts, including

adding / removing email accounts, administering MySQL

databases, creating redirects, creating FTP accounts and many

more.

Getting a cPanel server

Not all dedicated servers purchased/leased from server providers

come with cPanel. There are numerous other types of automated

control panels available, so choosing a server that comes with

cPanel is important. cPanel has partnerships with leading

datacenters and offer a discounted rate on cPanel license when

purchased together with the server. Examples of cPanel partner

NOCs (Network Operating Centers) are BurstNet and LiquidWeb.

These NOCs may offer a server with no control panel, or include a

cPanel license at a norminal fee of $19.95.

However, as of now, cPanel can only be installed on a linux based

dedicated server or virtual private server.

What's next after getting a server?

Before running out to advertise and to get clients for your new

hosting business, you must remember to run some initializations on

your cPanel server if your datacenter did not already do it for you.

Listed in order are the steps required on a new server:

1. Set up nameservers

2. Secure the server by tweaking security settings

3. Check that all server services are running

4. Install add-on scripts that you would like to offer your clients

5. Install security scripts if you wish to increase server security

Other things you should know

Despite all its features, cPanel does not include any customer

billing feature for web hosts to manage customer accounts and

payments. As such, you would still have to manually register new

clients and bill existing clients through some form of online form or

email. This usually includes signing up for a Paypal or merchant

account in order to receive payments. A more advanced payment

solution such as Modernbill would manage cPanel by creating

accounts and also bill your clients at the required times.

About The Author

Dan Chris writes for AlltheServers.com, a site that focuses on

dedicated servers to help consumers understand the dedicated

server industry.

Find more information on dedicated servers used for cpanel

hosting at http://www.AlltheServers.com