01 Logging in to cPanel
Your cPanel login URL and credentials are sent in the welcome email after you order a hosting package from ServerBD.
Step-by-step
Step 1Open your browser and go to https://yourdomain.com/cpanel — replace yourdomain.com with your domain.
Step 2If your domain doesn't yet point to ServerBD, use https://server-hostname:2083 from your welcome email.
Step 3Enter the username and password from your welcome email and click Log in.
Tip Bookmark the /cpanel URL so you don't have to remember the port number every time.
02 Dashboard overview
cPanel groups every tool by function. Once you understand the layout, finding any feature is easy.
- Files — File Manager, FTP accounts, Backups, Disk Usage
- Databases — MySQL Databases, phpMyAdmin, Remote MySQL
- Domains — Domains, Addon Domains, Subdomains, Aliases, Redirects
- Email — Email Accounts, Forwarders, Autoresponders, MX Entry, Email Routing
- Metrics — Visitors, Errors, Bandwidth, Awstats
- Security — SSL/TLS, Hotlink Protection, Leech Protection, IP Blocker, Two-Factor Auth
- Software — Softaculous (one-click installer), MultiPHP Manager, Optimize Website
- Advanced — Cron Jobs, Error Pages, Indexes, MIME Types
Note Use the search bar at the top of cPanel to jump directly to any tool by name.
03 Using the File Manager
File Manager lets you upload, edit, move and download files without needing FTP.
Step 1From cPanel home, click File Manager under the Files section.
Step 2Open the public_html folder — this is your website's root.
Step 3Click Upload in the top toolbar to add files. You can drag & drop or browse from your computer.
Step 4To edit a file, right-click it and choose Edit — code highlighting is built in.
Step 5To download a backup of any folder, select it and click Compress → choose ZIP archive.
Warning Always make a backup before editing important files like .htaccess or wp-config.php.
04 Adding an Addon Domain
An addon domain lets you host an additional website inside the same cPanel account.
Step 1Go to Domains from the cPanel home.
Step 2Click Create A New Domain.
Step 3Type the new domain (e.g. example.com) — cPanel auto-fills the document root as public_html/example.com.
Step 4Untick "Share document root" if you want a separate folder.
Step 5Click Submit. Then update the new domain's nameservers to point to ServerBD.
Note The new domain must be registered first — you only add it to cPanel after registration. Need a domain?
Register here.
05 Creating an Email Account
Create a professional email like [email protected] in seconds.
Step 1Click Email Accounts in the Email section.
Step 2Click + Create at the top right.
Step 3Choose the domain, enter a username (e.g. info), and set a strong password.
Step 4Set the Storage Space (e.g. 5 GB or Unlimited).
Step 5Click + Create. Test the new mailbox at webmail.yourdomain.com.
See full email setup guide →
06 Creating an FTP Account
FTP accounts let other people (designers, developers) upload to a specific folder without giving them full cPanel access.
Step 1Go to FTP Accounts in the Files section.
Step 2Enter a username, choose the domain, and set a strong password.
Step 3In Directory, set a specific folder like public_html/uploads.
Step 4Set a quota or leave it as Unlimited.
Step 5Click Create FTP Account. Use these details in FileZilla / WinSCP.
FTP setup with FileZilla →
07 Creating a MySQL Database
Most apps (WordPress, Joomla, Magento) need a database. Creating one in cPanel takes 60 seconds.
Step 1Click MySQL Databases under the Databases section.
Step 2Under Create New Database, enter a name (e.g. wp_main) and click Create.
Step 3Scroll down to MySQL Users, create a user and a strong password.
Step 4Under Add User to Database, link the user to the database, tick ALL PRIVILEGES.
Step 5Note the full database name (with the cPanel prefix, e.g. cpuser_wp_main) — you'll need it for installation.
08 Backup & Restore
Always download a backup before making big changes — and before migrating between hosts.
To create a full backup
Step 1Open Backup Wizard from the Files section.
Step 2Click Backup, then choose Full Backup.
Step 3Select Home Directory as the destination, enter your email and click Generate Backup.
To restore
Step 1Open Backup from the Files section.
Step 2Use Restore a Home Directory Backup, Restore a MySQL Database Backup or Restore an Email Forwarders Backup as needed.
Step 3Upload the relevant .tar.gz backup file and click Upload.
JetBackup & daily restore guide →
09 Changing your cPanel password
Rotate your password regularly — especially if you've shared it with a developer.
Step 1Click your username at the top right of cPanel → Password & Security.
Step 2Enter your old password, then a new password twice.
Step 3Click the Password Generator button for a strong random password.
Step 4Tick "Allow MySQL password change", then click Change Password.
Warning If you change the cPanel password, your FTP account password also changes — update it in your FTP client.
10 Enabling Two-Factor Authentication
2FA stops attackers logging in even if your password is leaked.
Step 1From the Security section, open Two-Factor Authentication.
Step 2Click Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.
Step 3Open Google Authenticator / Authy on your phone and scan the QR code.
Step 4Enter the 6-digit code from the app and click Configure Two-Factor Authentication.
Tip Save the recovery codes somewhere safe — you'll need them if you lose your phone.