A Control Panel is a software tool that is used to manage the content of a hosting account. This includes, but is not limited to, files, email messages, databases, stats and various operations performed with them. The CP provides a web-based interface to manage these things and anything else relevant to the website hosting service through different sections in which you can access features through menus and/or buttons. The easier to use a CP is, the simpler it shall be for you to handle your online presence in general. In the general case, the CP is the Internet hosting account’s back office, while an independent billing account is used to handle payments and domain registrations - if the company offers this particular service. Trouble tickets can be dealt with through the billing account or via a separate system.