A Control Panel is a web-based interface via which you can manage numerous aspects of your presence online. For instance, you can set up or modify website files, create and check email messages, control databases, check visitor stats and so forth. These things are done through buttons and menus in an internet browser and the CP could also be called ‘back office’, i.e. the admin area associated with your hosting account. Most of the Control Panels these days will enable you to manage all hosting-related matters, but you will often need a different system to handle payments or to get a new domain name if the company offers domain registrations. Depending on the platform they use, you may be able to use the billing account to open a support ticket to ask a question or to diagnose a problem as well, or you might have to employ a third system.