A Control Panel is a tool used to handle the content of a hosting account. This can include, but is not limited to, files, email messages, databases, stats along with other operations performed with them. The CP provides a web-based interface to handle all of these things and anything else related to the website hosting service using different sections where you can access features through menus and/or buttons. The simpler to use a CP is, the simpler it shall be for you to control your presence online as a whole. In the standard case, the CP is the hosting account’s back office, while an independent billing account is used to manage payments and domain name registrations - if the company provides this particular service. Trouble tickets may be handled from the billing account or via an independent system.