A Control Panel is a web-based interface using which you can control numerous aspects of your presence online. For example, you can create or change site files, set up and check e-mails, control databases, check visitor statistics and so on. Those things are executed through buttons and menus in a web browser and the CP can also be called ‘back office’, i.e. the admin area associated with your web hosting account. Most of the Control Panels these days will enable you to manage all hosting-related matters, but you'll normally require a different system to deal with payments or to get a new domain name in case the company offers domain registrations. Depending on the platform they use, you may be able to use the billing account to open a support ticket to ask a question or to troubleshoot an issue also, or you may have to use a third system.