A Control Panel is a web-based interface through which you can control numerous aspects of your online presence. As an example, you could create or modify website files, set up and check e-mails, control databases, check visitor stats and so on. Those things are performed through buttons and menus in a browser and the CP could also be called ‘back office’, i.e. the administration area associated with your hosting account. Most Control Panels these days will allow you to handle all hosting-related matters, but you will normally need a different system to manage payments or to get a new domain when the company offers domain registrations. Depending on the platform they employ, you may be able to use the billing account to open a support ticket to ask a question or to troubleshoot a problem also, or you may have to employ a 3rd system.