A Control Panel is a web-based interface via which you can control numerous aspects of your web presence. As an example, you could create or change site files, set up and check e-mails, manage databases, check visitor stats and so on. These things are executed using buttons and menus in a web browser and the CP may also be called ‘back office’, i.e. the administrative area associated with your website hosting account. Most of the Control Panels out there will enable you to control all hosting-related matters, but you shall normally require a different system to manage payments or to get a new domain when the company offers domain registrations. With respect to the platform they use, you could be able to use the billing account to open a support ticket to ask a question or to resolve a problem too, or you may need to employ a 3rd system.