Migrating from cPanel to CWP can be a seamless process if you follow the right steps. cPanel, a popular control panel for managing web hosting environments, has a free alternative called CWP that offers similar functionality. Whether you’re switching hosting providers or seeking a change, this guide will walk you through the steps to migrate your website from cPanel to CWP successfully. By following these instructions, you can ensure a smooth transition and minimize any downtime or disruption to your website and email services. You can simply get a VPS and start your journey from cPanel to CWP.

What is a Web Hosting Control Panel?

A web hosting control panel is an interface that allows website owners to manage various aspects of their hosting account. It provides a centralized platform to control and configure different settings, such as managing domains, email accounts, databases, FTP accounts, and more. Essentially, it acts as a control panel for your web hosting services.

Using a web hosting control panel has several benefits. First, it simplifies the management of your hosting account, even for beginners. Second, instead of manually configuring each aspect of your hosting account, you can easily make changes and updates through the control panel which saves you a lot of time. Additionally, some popular control panels like cPanel and CWP offer additional functionalities like automated backups, website builders, and one-click installations, making it easier to set up and maintain your website.

Some website owners might decide to change the control panel to the one that suits them better. CWP and cPanel are two of the most common control panels out there. In the next section, we’re gonna talk about the key differences between these two.

CWP and cPanel Key Differences

cPanel and CWP (CentOS Web Panel) are both popular web hosting control panels that provide users with an interface to manage their websites and server settings. While they are similar in many aspects, there are some key differences you need to know about.

One major difference is the operating system they are built on. cPanel is primarily designed for Linux-based servers, while CWP is specifically built for the CentOS operating system. This means that if you are using a different Linux distribution, cPanel may be a better choice for compatibility.

Another difference lies in their pricing models. cPanel is a commercial control panel that requires a paid license, which can be quite expensive for small-scale users. On the other hand, CWP is an open-source control panel that is available for free. This makes CWP a more cost-effective option, especially for those on a tight budget. So if you are using CentOS as your server operating system and looking for a free control panel, CWP can be a great choice.

The rest of the article will focus on the process of migrating from cPanel to CWP.

Migrate from cPanel to CWP

There are two methods for Migrating from cPanel to CWP, and each method requires a few steps. We have covered both methods in this article. The first one is the manual ways, in which you’ll read the complete guide on how to do it.

First Method

• In the first step, you have to set up a new server with CentOS 7 and install CWP. Ensure that the server meets the system requirements for this control panel.

• Take a backup of the cPanel account. Log in to your cPanel account on the old server. Then navigate to the Backup section and click on Download a Full Website Backup.

• Next, you will see this window. Select Secure Copy (SCP) and click on Generate Backup.

• Choose a destination and click on Generate Backup. Wait until the backup process is complete and download the backup file to your local computer.

• Transfer the backup to the new server. Connect to the new server via FTP or any other file transfer method and upload the backup file to a directory on the new server. Restore the backup in CWP.
• Log in to CWP on the new server. Navigate to the File Manager section and then select Advanced File Manager.

• You will see a list of folders. Click on the “home” folder.

• You can see the Upload option on the top bar on this page. Click on that and upload your backup file there.

• Navigate to the User Accounts section on the left side menu, then select cPanel Account Restore.
• In the drop-down menus under Account Import, choose the backup file name. If the file name is not visible, it indicates that you did not save it under the /home directory. Follow the instructions mentioned earlier to upload the backup file to the /home directory.

• Go through this step as the picture shown below and click the Import button:

That’s it! Here’s one way to migrate from cPanel to CWP. Now it’s time to learn about the second method which is a relatively easier way to do it.

Second Method

• Log in to your CWP control panel using your credentials.

• On the left-hand menu, locate and click on the “cPanel” option.

• From the expanded menu, select “cPanel to CWP Migration.”

• In the migration interface, you will see several input fields to fill in the cPanel server details.
  These fields include:

– Server IP: Enter the IP address of your cPanel server.

– Username: Provide the cPanel username associated with the account you want to migrate.

– Password: Enter the cPanel account password.

– API Key: This is an optional field. If you have an API key for your cPanel server, you can enter it here.

• Once you have filled in the required information, click on the “Test & Save” button to initiate the connection and verify the details provided.

By following these steps, you can easily migrate your website from cPanel to CWP using the built-in migration feature, simplifying the process and saving time and effort.

Conclusion

Migrating from cPanel to CWP (CentOS Web Panel) can be a smooth and efficient process with proper planning and execution. By following the step-by-step instructions and utilizing the available tools and resources, users can successfully transfer their websites, email accounts, databases, and other essential data from cPanel to CWP. While the migration process may require some technical knowledge and experience, the benefits of switching to CWP, such as cost savings, improved performance, and increased control, make it a worthwhile endeavor for many users.

Here in NeuronVM we offer Linux VPS servers with the OS of your choice. We also have an article, addressing how you can install CWP on CentOS 8 which might come handy.