A Control Panel is a web-based user interface via which you can control different aspects of your web presence. As an example, you can easily create or edit website files, set up and check e-mail messages, control databases, check visitor stats etc. Those things are done via buttons and menus in a web browser and the CP may also be called ‘back office’, i.e. the admin area associated with your hosting account. Most of the Control Panels available on the market will enable you to control all hosting-related matters, but you will commonly need a different system to deal with payments or to get a new domain name in case the company offers domain registrations. Depending on the platform they employ, you could be able to use the billing account to open a support ticket to ask a question or to resolve an issue too, or you may need to use a 3rd system.