A hosting control panel is a group of software instruments which you can access through a browser to control your online content. As you will get a graphic point-and-click interface, you can use these tools to execute various tasks easier than if you have to input complex commands in a command line. All control panels allow you to do some basic things such as managing your files, email addresses and databases or accessing logs and stats, however some of them are simpler and easier to use than others and offer more attributes that will save you time and efforts. In this light, the control panel that you will receive with your new hosting account can make a difference, so you should check it and see if it will provide what you need before you get the service.