A Control Panel is a software tool which is used to handle the content of a hosting account. This includes, but is not limited to, files, e-mails, databases, statistics and different operations carried out with them. The Control Panel offers a web-based interface to control all of these things and anything else related to the website hosting service via different sections where you can access functions through menus and/or buttons. The less complicated to use a CP is, the easier it will be for you to manage your presence online in its entirety. In the common scenario, the Control Panel is the web hosting account’s back office, while an independent billing account is used to handle payments and domain name registrations - if the company offers this particular service. Trouble tickets could be managed through the billing account or through a separate system.