A Control Panel is a web-based interface via which you can control numerous aspects of your online presence. For instance, you could create or change site files, create and check e-mail messages, manage databases, check visitor statistics and so forth. Those things are executed using buttons and menus within a web browser and the CP could also be called ‘back office’, i.e. the admin area associated with your Internet hosting account. Most of the Control Panels out there will enable you to manage all hosting-related matters, but you'll normally need a different system to handle payments or to get a new domain name if the company offers domain registrations. With respect to the platform they utilize, you may 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 may have to use a third system.