The Not So Known Control Panels

 

Some web hosts may not be able to offer control panels like cPanel, Plesk, etc., but that doesn’t mean the control panels they offer are any less better. When it comes to website management, what matters is that the tool should let you perform a considerable amount of tasks easily.

 

Here are some of the lesser known control panels that offer competitive functionalities:

 

1. Helm

 

A multiple server management system for Windows based servers, this control panel can be used for all websites - small, medium or large scale. It is the most stable platform for automating day to day tasks of servers in the datacenters for keeping a website live.

 

Here’s what this control panel offers:

 

• Integrated communication system: It keeps a tab on all user interaction happening on your website. It helps manage day to day communication with customers, including tasks like sending invoices and payment reminders.

 

• entralised control panel: All accounts registered with the web host can be easily accessed using one administrative account. The control panel offers all-in-one functionalities.

 

• Extensive billing system: This allows the hosted business to automatically charge their customers for your services. It also enable payment gateways for credit card payments, PayPal, cheque and bank transfer.

 

• Reporting: The control panel enables generation of reports for reseller, customer and domain bandwidth usage, depending on the time period you choose - weekly, fortnightly or monthly - making monitoring of site analytics and statistics easy.

 

2. DirectAdmin

 

It is a graphical web based hosting control panel that makes administration of websites much easier. The control panel lets you manage an unlimited number of websites, email accounts, etc. It automates the server tasks so that they can be shared easily, and setting up new websites is a breeze with DirectAdmin.

 

Here’s what the control panel lets you do:

 

• Create and manage unlimited email addresses.

• Create and manage FTP accounts.

• View website analytics and statistics.

• Manage DNS.

• Manage and alter frontpage extensions/plugins.

• Create and manage domains/sub domains.

• Create and manage MySQL databases.

• Create and setup error/redirect pages. Backup/restore web logs.

• Install SSL certificates, programs, etc.

 

3. zPanel

 

This control panel is free, open source and suitable for Windows, Linux, OSX and UNIX operating systems. It is offered by web hosts that offer cheap web hosting services as it helps them bring down their overall cost. If your web host doesn’t offer you a link to install the same, you can always visit zpanelcp and download it yourself.

 

The control panel can be installed and integrated with the following:

 

• MySQL

• PHP

• phpMyAdmin

• phpSysInfo

• Webalizer

• Apache Web Server

• hMailServer

• FileZilla Server

•  

For those of you who don’t trust free resources, the control panel secures your public server with the following:

 

• Encrypted Accounts

• FTP Jailing

• Suhosin

• Open Base Directory.

 

If you’re not sure which control panel suits your needs the best, try opting for a free trial.

 

Got the control panel you need but not happy with your host? Here are a few things you should take into consideration before you get hosted again: Your Web Host Checklist: http://loyalpelchat.wix.com/thewebinfo#!hostchecklist/canh