How to Manage WordPress with cPanel: A Beginner’s Guide

WordPress powers nearly 14.7% out of the top 100 high-traffic websites. While its friendly interface makes creating content easy, managing the underlying technical details may require a deeper understanding of server administration. To get the most from their WordPress setup, the combination of WordPress and cPanel can be revolutionary.

cPanel offers an easy-to-use interface to handle several elements of your web hosting account, such as your WordPress installation, databases, files, and many more. This guide is intended to lead beginners through managing cPanel WordPress, giving lucidity, accuracy, and advanced insights into this potent pair.

Understanding cPanel WordPress

cPanel presents an effective solution to manage websites and their associated email accounts, domains, and databases through its graphical interface.

cPanel WordPress provides users with an integrated interface that simplifies tasks typically requiring specialised technical skills. Its comprehensive suite of tools covers everything from file management and security to database administration and backup solutions.

The Benefits of Using cPanel WordPress Management

Brands prefer WordPress for its ease, scalability, and SEO capabilities. With a 64.2% market share, WordPress is the most used content management system. Though WordPress has an admin dashboard, cPanel gives access to server-level settings needed for maximum performance and security.

Using cPanel allows you to:

• Streamline Operations: Regular WordPress procedures, including installation updates and backups, become seamless with cPanel, decreasing reliance on complex command-line processes.
• Manage Databases: WordPress depends on databases to save its settings and content. cPanel provides tools such as phpMyAdmin to manage database activities for creating backups, restoration, and optimisation.
• Manage Files: The file manager in cPanel enables direct control over all website files, including themes, plugins, and uploads. Managing these tasks is fundamental for solving problems, performing manual component updates, and managing backup procedures.
• Control Security: cPanel offers tools to protect WordPress installations by managing SSL certificates, configuring firewalls, and blocking malicious IP addresses.
• Monitor Resources: Monitoring server resources, managing disk space, and optimising performance becomes less daunting when centralised within cPanel. Track bandwidth usage, disk space, and other server resources to ensure your website performs optimally.
• Manage Email Accounts: Users can establish and handle domain-related email accounts through cPanel management.
• Access a User-Friendly Interface: The dashboard embodies an intuitive interface that unifies website health assessment and functional control through a single accessible point.

Installing WordPress via cPanel

One of the most appealing features of cPanel is its one-click installation process for WordPress. This reduces the complexity of installation while ensuring that best practices in database configuration and security are adhered to from the outset. Here is a walkthrough:

1. Access the cPanel Dashboard: Log into your hosting account and navigate to the cPanel interface.
2. Locate the Application Installer: Most hosting providers integrate an application installer—commonly Softaculous or Installatron. Select the WordPress icon from the catalogue.
3. Configure Installation Settings: Provide essential details such as your website’s name, administrative username, and a secure password. Select the appropriate domain and choose your desired directory (or root installation) for WordPress.
4. Initiate the Installation: Click the installation button once your configurations are in place. The installer will automatically configure your database, file structure, and WordPress core files.
5. Finalise Setup: After installation, access your new WordPress site through the provided URL and complete any additional setup procedures directly within the WordPress dashboard.

Navigating the cPanel Interface

The cPanel dashboard is designed to be both comprehensive and intuitive. Key areas to familiarise yourself with include:

• File Manager: The File Manager provides users with direct access to controlling WordPress files and directories. This management tool is essential for tasks such as editing configuration files, uploading theme files, and resolving system issues.
• Disk Storage: Use Disk Usage through cPanel to visualise disk space consumption and prevent storage depletion.
• phpMyAdmin: phpMyAdmin functions as a powerful tool for managing MySQL databases that WordPress utilises to store data. Through phpMyAdmin, you can execute database backups while restoring data, enhance database performance and solve database system errors.
• Metrics and Statistics: The cPanel interface allows users to monitor performance indicators, such as visitor analytics and bandwidth consumption, to stay within the hosting plan’s capacity.
• Backup Manager: It provides the essential functionality to protect website data through file and database backup generation and restoration capabilities.
• Security Tools: Through cPanel, users can access security features, including SSL certificate management systems, IP address blocking and directory password protection. This can defend their WordPress installation.

Managing Files and Directories

Effective file management is fundamental for WordPress. The File Manager in cPanel WordPress provides a visual interface for navigating your site’s file structure.

Some Best Practices

• Backup Before Changes: Ensure you have an up-to-date backup before modifying core files or installing new plugins and themes.
• Maintain a Clean Directory: Organise your files and remove unused themes, plugins, or redundant files to minimise security risks and enhance performance.
• Use cPanel’s Code Editor: For minor changes, cPanel’s built-in code editor allows you to edit files such as wp-config.php without additional FTP tools directly.

Best Practices for Managing WordPress with cPanel

To fully capitalise on the capabilities of cPanel while managing your WordPress site, consider the following best practices:

• Regular Updates: Update WordPress and its plugins, themes, and core files to the latest versions. cPanel simplifies this process through automated update tools and notifications.
• Security Audits: Periodically review security settings and access logs. To fortify your site, implement strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
• Performance Optimisation: Use cPanel’s performance monitoring tools to review website metrics. Optimise images, utilising caching and consider content delivery networks (CDNs) to enhance load times.
• Documentation and Support: Document your configurations and modifications in detail. This practice aids in troubleshooting and ensures smoother transitions in team settings or during site migrations.

The Bottom Line

Through its comprehensive tools—one-click WordPress installations, file management, advanced database administration, and security configurations—cPanel allows you to elevate your WordPress experience.

Want help with your WordPress?

Crazy Domains provides optimised hosting plans with cPanel to take your WordPress experience to the next level. Their effective infrastructure, paired with 24/7 technical support and security protocols, makes your website fast and easy to manage.

Let Crazy Domains help you ace the art of web administration with ease and efficiency. Sign up today!