Control Panel Tips For Beginners

A web hosting Linux control panel, like the ispmanager Linux control panel, is a smart tool to manage and administer server accounts, websites, and web hosting services. Your hosting service provider often influences your choice of control panel. Thus, it is crucial to understand how to choose a suitable Linux control panel and how to use them, especially as a beginner.  

We are here to help you answer all your questions as a beginner, and you have made the right decision to read this article. Do you beginner information and tips? No need to worry. Keep reading this detailed guide to learn Linux-based control panel tips for beginners. 

Tips for Beginners to Help Get You Started On Your Search For a Suitable Linux Control Panel 

You can choose from several options in the Linux-based control panel pool. For instance, ispmanager, cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin, ISPConfig, and Webmin are the most popular ones. When choosing a free or commercial control panel, there are a few key factors to consider. Here are the main factors we suggest to consider: 

1. User interface: Whichever control panel you use should be easy to navigate and understand, with a clear and intuitive user interface or layout. 
2. Features: Consider what features you need, such as web server and database management, email management, domain management, and file management. We recommend you to go for a Linux-based control panel with flexible features. 
3. Scalability: Choose a control panel that can scale with your business as it grows. If you currently own a small business, choose a control panel for managing Linux servers that can be scaled to meet the needs of your business when it starts to grow or expand.  
4. Security: Using a control panel that is actively maintained is very important. Ensure the control panel is regularly updated and maintained to address any security vulnerabilities. 
5. Support: Look for a control panel with good documentation and customer and community support. You will benefit enormously from using a community-driven web hosting panel.  
6. Integration: Consider if the control panel can integrate or has unparalleled compatibility with other tools you are using, such as cloud providers, monitoring tools, and backup solutions. 
7. Cost: Cost comes first; you should know your budget before your search starts. Be aware of the control panel cost you want to choose and whether it fits within your budget. Suppose a commercial control panel doesn’t fit within your budget; go for a free one.  
8. Customisation: Some control panels offer customisation and flexibility regarding functionality, look and feel, while some are more restrictive. As a beginner, you may only bother a little about customization, but it is worth considering for the future.  
9. Open source vs. proprietary: Consider whether you prefer open-source or proprietary software. Open-source software is typically free and can be modified, while proprietary software is licensed and may have more features or better support. 

Tips For Beginners Already Using a Linux Control Panel  

1. Learn how to use SSH: Secure Shell (SSH) is a protocol that allows you to access and control your server remotely. Knowing how to use it will allow you to manage your server from anywhere besides your control panel easily.  
2. Understand file permissions: Linux has a robust file permission system that controls who can access and modify files on the server. Make sure you know how to set and manage file permissions.
3. Understand the Linux directory structure: The Linux file system is organised in a hierarchical structure, which can be confusing for beginners. Familiarise yourself with the leading directories and where important files are located. 
4. Keep your server updated: Linux servers require regular updates to keep them secure. Ensure you understand how to apply updates and keep your server current. 
5. Learn how to troubleshoot: Even with the best planning, things can go wrong on a server. Learn how to troubleshoot common issues like connectivity problems and service failures. 
6. Back up your data: Backing up is crucial to protecting against data loss. Learn how to create and restore backups on your server. 
7. Learn how to use monitoring tools: Monitoring tools allow you to keep an eye on the performance of your server and identify potential problems before they become serious. 

Conclusion 

Many control panels are available in the market, such as ispmanager, cPanel, Plesk, and Webmin, each with their own set of features, user interfaces, and pros and cons. In this article, we have shared some Linux control panel tips that you’ll benefit from. 

Moreover, whichever free or commercial control panel is best for you will be determined precisely by your needs, what you are looking for, and how you want to use it. Your choice of a Linux-based control panel will impact your long-term experience with your web hosting provider and your website and server management workflow. That said, we recommend you research and try out a few different control panels to find the one that best suits your needs.