A Control Panel is a web-based user interface using which you can handle numerous aspects of your web presence. As an example, you could create or change site files, set up and check e-mail messages, handle databases, check visitor statistics and so on. Those things are performed using buttons and menus within an internet browser and the Control Panel could also be called ‘back office’, i.e. the administration area associated with your website hosting account. Most of the Control Panels these days will allow you to handle all hosting-related matters, but you'll normally need a different system to manage payments or to get a new domain if the company offers domain registrations. Depending on the platform they utilize, you could be able to use the billing account to open a support ticket to ask a question or to troubleshoot and fix a problem also, or you might have to employ a 3rd system.