How cPanel Web Hosting Functions

For your reference, it's worth mentioning that the majority of the cPanel web hosting options available today in the market are offered by a small segment called hosting resellers. This is a niche industry with many providers offering similar services under different brand names, but all delivering cPanel-based hosting. The result? Most hosting services across the internet are identical, with only a few percent offering alternatives to cPanel. Unfortunately, only a tiny fraction of the hosting providers offer something different, making it a tough choice for those seeking variety in hosting platforms.

Over 200,000 Web Hosting Companies, All Offering cPanel

The web hosting market is flooded with choices, but the vast majority of these services only offer cPanel under different names. The market is misleading, presenting hundreds of thousands of "web hosting brands," but the fact is they all rely on the same platform – cPanel. The diversity that Google or other search engines show us is misleading, as more than 98% of the hosting brands are simply rebranding cPanel services. It’s tough to find something different, even though the hosting world presents seemingly endless options.

The Hosting Lottery We’re All Stuck In

When searching for hosting services, the probability of encountering a web hosting company not using cPanel is incredibly low – less than 1 in 50. It’s like a lottery, and the odds are against you when seeking a non-cPanel solution!

Advantages and Drawbacks of cPanel Hosting

We don’t mean to be overly critical of cPanel, as it did serve the market well between 2001 and 2004, fulfilling many hosting needs. However, cPanel's limitations start to show when you have multiple domains to manage. If you only need to host a single domain, cPanel can work fine, but as your needs grow, its restrictions can become a problem.

Problem 1: Confusing Domain Folder Setup

When hosting more than one domain, cPanel can be confusing. The folders for add-on domains are created within the root folder of the primary domain, leading to potential issues where it’s easy to accidentally delete files. If you have multiple domains, the folder structure becomes a mess, and you risk deleting files for domains that aren’t your default one.

Issue 2: The Mail Folder Structure

Just like with domains, the mail system in cPanel is not particularly user-friendly. Managing email folders can lead to serious mistakes, which administrators must be cautious about when working with email accounts.

Problem 3: Lack of Domain Management Interface

One of the biggest drawbacks of cPanel is the absence of a proper, modern domain management interface. You can’t manage domains, change WHOIS details, or adjust DNS settings from one convenient location, which is a huge oversight for a system that claims to be user-friendly.

Drawback 4: Multiple Login Locations

Another hassle with cPanel is the need to juggle multiple logins. Not only do you have to access cPanel, but you might also need separate logins for billing and support systems. In some cases, this leads to managing three different login interfaces – all with different credentials!

Disadvantage 5: The Overwhelming Number of Options

With over 120 sections in the cPanel interface, it can quickly become overwhelming. While it’s good to have so many options, the complexity adds confusion rather than clarity. It’s a lot to navigate for users who just need to get basic tasks done quickly.

It’s not 2001 anymore – cPanel’s time has passed, and it might be time for a change.