What Is Plesk? Getting Started With Plesk

Growing up, I was always fascinated by airplanes. Not just their sheer size, either. I just couldn’t believe that there were people in this world who controlled these massive machines daily. At first glance, a flight deck seems overwhelming. But most pilots say that once you get used to it, flying an airplane almost feels like driving an automatic vehicle. I somehow believe it. You know why?

I used to share the same sentiments about web control panels. They can feel overwhelming, that I know for sure. But have you ever wondered how much more difficult things would’ve been without them? Imagine trying to register a domain, update a website, send an email, back up data, and manage a database from different platforms at the same time. I wouldn’t wish that even on my worst enemy. That’s where Plesk makes all the difference.

In its simplest terms, Plesk provides a graphical interface for managing a web server. Typically, it can be used to manage a VPS or a dedicated server to reduce the need for using the command line.

Come, let me introduce you to the world of Plesk, starting with basic concepts to the more advanced stuff.

Let’s now talk about what kind of gravy Plesk is really made of. I mean those unique features that make it a powerful control panel and a popular choice among users, for that matter.

User-Friendly Interface

Plesk isn’t something only techies can operate. Rather, it’s designed to be user-friendly. From its dashboard, you can manage multiple websites, domains, and email accounts with just a few clicks.

Dashboard

The Plesk dashboard is basically your flight deck. Here, you get to view your server and website status. I’m talking about things like resource usage, recent activities, and security alerts.

So, why is this information important? When it comes to web hosting, you always want to stay on top of everything, and there’s no better and easier way of doing that than from one platform.

Let’s assume that your website’s traffic has gone through the roof. In that case, you can adjust your server resources accordingly from your web panel’s dashboard.

Customization Options

Plesk knows that we all have unique server management needs. For instance, my brain won’t allow me to put important tasks on the back burner. That’s the surest way of not getting them done. With Plesk, thankfully, I can rearrange tools and features on my dashboard to prioritize the ones I use most often.

That alone creates a personalized workspace where productivity thrives. Whether you prefer a minimalist setup with only essential tools visible or a more detailed layout with everything at your fingertips, Plesk has got you covered.

Website and Domain Management

Need a simpler way to manage your website and domain from one platform? Here’s what Plesk can do for you.

Adding and Managing Domains

Plesk makes adding a new domain easy. But if you’re not sure how this works, this platform has tons of tutorials to guide you. You’ll learn everything, from entering the domain name to configuring DNS settings and setting up web hosting.

Also, you can easily manage your domain from its user-friendly dashboard. Let’s say you want to review or renew a domain’s registration, install an SSL certificate, or even set up an email account. You should be able to do that and so much more from Plesk’s dashboard.

Subdomains and Domain Aliases

Subdomains are especially useful for organizing your website’s content or redirecting traffic from alternative domain names.

Let’s say your domain name is “example.com,” and you want to set up “blog.example.com” as the subdomain. You can do this from your Plesk dashboard, no sweat.

Email Management

If you have a domain set up and registered, you may want to create a professional email for it. Plesk, again, offers easy email registration and management.

Creating and Managing Email Accounts

Creating new email accounts with Plesk is pretty easy. Once that’s done, Plesk allows you to assign a password to the created email account and even set up custom rules for each account.

Most small businesses I’ve worked with usually have several email accounts with the same domain name. It’s not really a requirement, but separating email accounts makes it easier to track and manage each account. I’m talking about something like “sales@example.com” for sales emails and “support@example.com” for customer support emails.

Spam Protection and Filtering

The last thing you want when setting up an email account is an inbox full of unwanted emails. Plesk can help you avoid this issue by blocking spam and creating whitelists and blacklists.

This makes sure that only important emails reach your inbox. That way, you won’t have to sift through junk mail just to access that important email.

Security Features

During server management, the consequences of not implementing tight security measures are usually dire. For context, cybercrime is an industry worth $8 trillion. As you process that fact, let’s discuss how Plesk maintains security.

SSL/TLS Certificates

Websites are basically giant pools of data stored online. When you interact with a website, you’re asking the server to fetch you certain information. It could be a news article, a video, or even a request to authenticate your login credentials.

In the process, you’ll end up exchanging some form of data with the website or server. That’s where SSL/TLS certificates step in to encrypt whatever data you exchange with the website or server.

As a result, malicious third parties, such as hackers, won’t have it easy trying to intercept and read the data being exchanged. Plus, installing SSL/TLS certificates improves your site’s search engine ranking.

That padlock button you see right before a domain name isn’t a decoration. It tells browsers and users that the website is secure. Don’t forget that search engines will always want to provide the best user experience. Mind you, safety is part of that experience.

Firewall and Malware Protection

I almost lost my mind the first time a website I built got hacked. Initially, I thought something was wrong with my code. But that wasn’t the problem. A lack of firewall and malware protection was the issue. Take it from me; it’s a nightmare trying to clean up the mess. That said, with Plesk, you can rest easy knowing that it has built-in firewall and malware protection features.

It’s like having a security guard at the front gate of your website. You can set up rules to block shady visitors and let the good ones in. It even automatically scans for any sneaky malware trying to creep in, so you don’t have to lose sleep over it.

Backup and Recovery

If you ever accidentally delete a file you really need, Plesk has got your back(up) with its recovery options. The truth is that accidental file deletions happen more frequently than you’d think. It’s funny how nine times out of ten, the deleted file is usually the most important in the system. Been there, done that.

Automated Backups

Plesk lets you set up file backups. This way, you can work on your site with the confidence that, if anything goes wrong, you’ve got a recent copy ready to restore.

Still, it’s a chore to manage file backups manually. It’s not only exhausting but difficult to keep up with. By the time you realize that you should’ve backed up your data, it may be too late.

Enter Plesk’s automated backup system, a lifesaver if you ask me. Instead of setting up reminders to back up your data and still forgetting to follow through with it, Plesk lets you automate the entire backup process. You also get to choose how frequently you want to back up your files — daily, weekly, or whatever works for you.

Restoration Options

When disaster strikes, restoring your website and data is easier with Plesk. You can dive into your backup history and pick the exact moment you want to go back to, whether it’s just a few files or the whole site.

You’ll appreciate this feature even more when something goes wrong after an update or, heaven forbid, your site gets hacked like mine was a few years ago. Instead of starting over from scratch, you can quickly and painlessly revert to a version of your site that’s working just fine.

Extensions and Integrations

I’ve always followed this often unspoken yet important rule in web design: you should make your website work smarter, not harder. That’s a rule Plesk seems to abide by.

Popular Extensions Available

One of my favorite things about this platform is how you can easily add extensions to boost your site’s functionality. You have so many options — over 100 extensions, to be precise.

Let’s say you’ve built your site on WordPress, like the 43.1% of websites on the internet today. In that case, the Plesk WordPress Toolkit is a lifesaver, if you ask me.

Everything happens all under one roof, so you won’t have to flood your screen with multiple tabs just to get things done. I’m talking about updating, securing, and managing your site.

The SEO Toolkit is another great extension. This mostly deals with tweaking your site to climb up the ranks on Google and other search engines. From the control panel, you can track performance, create SEO strategies, and see what parts of your site are generating conversions.

Want to keep things secure without too much hassle? The SSL It! extension is what you need. You even get to choose your preferred trusted certificate authority.

I usually opt for Let’s Encrypt because it’s much easier to use and install. Now you understand why it’s a top choice for about 54.2% of users globally. Sectigo is another great option, especially if you need regular support. That said, you’re free to choose whatever works best for you.

Integration with Third-Party Services

Plesk is what I like to call a team player. In other words, it’s not one of those platforms that only works with what’s within their ecosystems.

Instead, it integrates smoothly with many different third-party services to make your website perform at its best. For instance, you can hook it up with Google Analytics to get a clear picture of who’s visiting your site and what they’re doing.

If speed and security are on your mind (and they should be), you can throw in Cloudflare for the best results. That way, things are much easier to run and manage from a central location.

Plesk Licensing and Pricing

Now let’s talk about licensing and pricing. This topic might seem a bit dry, but it’s super important. For starters, the good thing about Plesk’s pricing is that it’s pretty considerate.

Web Admin Edition: The base plan (Web Admin Edition VPS) costs about $15.50 monthly and is best suited for website and server administration. This plan supports 10 domains and comes with SiteJet Builder and WP Toolkit SE.

Web Pro Edition: Then there’s the Web Pro Edition VPS package, which costs about $23.50 monthly. This is the plan I’m currently using since it makes managing websites and domains easier for web developers, myself included. Here, you can host up to 30 domains, design websites with the SiteJet Builder, use the WP Toolkit (if you’ll be working with WordPress websites), and even manage subscriptions and hosting accounts.

Web Host Edition: Even better, let’s say you want to make extra bucks with reseller hosting. For about $40.50 a month, you’ll get a Plesk account with everything in the Web Pro Edition VPS package, plus support for unlimited domains and reseller management.

Partners: For large businesses, the $250 monthly business plan is a great choice. It has everything you’ll find in all the plans I’ve covered, plus 24/7 support and a dedicated account manager.

The bottom line is that what’ll work best for you all boils down to your unique needs.

Factors to consider when choosing a Plesk license:

• Number of domains you want to manage
• Whether you need any advanced tools like WordPress management or enhanced security options
• Whether your needs will grow over time and if the license allows for easy upgrades
• The kind of customer support you need, such as basic or more hands-on assistance
• How much you are willing to spend on web hosting management
• Whether you plan to integrate with third-party services that might require specific Plesk features

I know these factors sound pretty basic or even self-explanatory, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly your website runs. So, make sure you take your time to weigh them and pick the option that best aligns with your goals and budget.

The history of Plesk goes all the way back to the late 1990s. Here’s a brief breakdown of key milestones and developments since its launch.

In terms of key milestones, there haven’t been any major developments since 2020. But product-wise, Plesk continues to receive regular updates, sometimes as frequently as every one and a half months.

Pause for a moment and ask yourself whether Plesk is really worth all that hype. The short answer to this question is yes, it is. The longer answer is to keep reading.

Simplified Server Management

You’ve seen that one of the reasons I enjoy using Plesk is its intuitive interface and centralized control. What this means is that you get to access so many features and functionalities under one roof without the need for browser-hopping to handle each website individually. These two alone make server management much easier.

Enhanced Security Measures

Frightening fact: about 30,000 websites are hacked every day. About 43% of these websites belong to small businesses. As someone who designs websites for small businesses, security is one of those things I don’t take lightly.

One of my websites got hacked a few years ago, and I’ve not lowered my guard even an inch since then. They say, “Once bitten, twice shy.” I say, “Once hacked, twice secure.”

That’s where Plesk comes in with comprehensive security tools designed to protect websites from such threats. It also keeps my server updated with the latest security patches and updates to reduce the risk of being hacked.

Scalability and Flexibility

Almost every person I’ve designed a website for usually has some sort of plan to grow, and it doesn’t have to be a Fortune 500 level of growth. I’m talking about simple plans to do better today than they did yesterday. Even a website promoting a book will want to be able to grow further down the line and attract more traffic.

That’s why you need a control panel that can scale to meet your needs. Plesk is that control panel. It’s versatile enough to support everything from small websites to large-scale enterprise applications. Add that to the fact that it supports various operating systems and platforms, and you’ll be looking at a highly flexible platform.

Automation and Efficiency

These days, it’s almost impossible to discuss a good piece of technology without mentioning automation. Even basic coffee machines in our kitchens can automate the brewing process.

A server being able to automate processes and promote efficiency is what I’d consider the bare minimum. What makes Plesk stand out is that it has a wide range of time-saving tools and scripts that streamline your workflow.

For example, when building websites with WordPress, I don’t have to install this content management system manually. Manual installation can be hectic and prone to errors. Plus, why install it manually if you can automate the entire process? Plesk has a one-click installation option that takes care of business as you focus on running your real business.

I put Plesk on a scale to see how it compares to other web panels. Here’s what I found out.

What we’ve learned from the table above is that there’s no such thing as the best control panel. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Personally, I chose Plesk because it’s beginner-friendly, easy to navigate, and not so resource-intensive.

Ready to put Plesk to the test? Here’s how to get started.

Choose a Hosting Provider That Offers Plesk

To begin, you’ll need a hosting provider that supports Plesk. Some recommended providers include:

• HostGator: Plans range from $9 to $42 monthly, depending on your needs.
• GoDaddy: You’ll find Plesk in its Windows VPS hosting plans, which cost between $9 and $20 per month.
• 1&1 IONOS: Has Windows and Linux VPS plans that support Plesk. You should expect to spend anywhere between $12 to $90 a month.
• Liquid Web: Offers Plesk on both their cloud, VPS, and dedicated hosting packages. Here, you can get started with Plesk hosting for as low as $5 a month.

Now I’ll move on to installation and setup.

Installation and Setup

Assuming you’ve already purchased a Plesk-compatible hosting plan from any of the providers I recommended (or a different provider of your choice), installing Plesk is pretty straightforward.

Here’s all you need to do:

• Log in to your server control panel through your hosting provider.
• Most hosting providers offer a one-click install option for Plesk. Select this option and follow the prompts.
• After installation, you’ll be prompted to create an admin account. Choose a secure username and password.
• Configure basic settings such as your domain, email, and security options. Plesk’s setup wizard will guide you through this process.

By now, you should have Plesk up and running. You can make a few more tweaks here and there, but that entirely depends on your preferences and what you want to achieve.

Let’s now take a quick tour of Plesk right from its dashboard. From here, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of tabs for websites and domains, mail, applications, and anything in between. You can also find tasks like managing domains, setting up emails, or installing applications by navigating to their respective sections.

For example, if I want to manage a domain, I simply head over to the “Websites & Domains” tab. Similarly, when I want to play around with email settings, I’ll find them under “Mail.”

One more thing I almost forgot to mention: Plesk is mobile-friendly. What this means is that you don’t need access to a computer to take control of your server. Your mobile device is more than enough.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of Plesk, taking it a notch higher won’t hurt. That’s actually the best way to get the most out of this powerful control panel.

Customizing the Plesk Environment

I know I’m not the only one who likes to work in an online environment that defines my style. Most web developers I know of usually opt for dark themes. Gamers, on the other hand, mostly prefer really cool graphics. So, what do Plesk users prefer?

Well, it depends. That’s why it offers many different themes and layout options that you can easily switch between to match your style or improve usability. You’ll find these options under the Tools & Settings section.

On top of that, you can adjust your user preferences, set up personalized notifications, and configure custom shortcuts for frequently used tasks.

Optimizing Performance

Besides hosting websites on Plesk, you should know how they’re performing. With Plesk, you can monitor CPU and memory usage charts and other key metrics.

However, monitoring is one thing; optimizing is a totally different process. For best results, remember to regularly update your software. While you’re at it, consider optimizing your databases and using caching mechanisms to reduce load times.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Granted, you’re going to bump into issues here and there. That’s just something you can’t avoid when dealing with technology. What you need is knowledge of how to handle such situations, not stressing about when they’ll happen.

Trust me on this, they will happen.

Problems like email delivery issues, website downtime, or database errors are far too common in server management. Thankfully, Plesk provides error logs and diagnostic tools to help you quickly identify and resolve these issues.

If you’re stuck, you can always review Plesk’s extensive documentation, seek help from its community forums, or contact its support team for guidance.

No doubt, Plesk has a firm grip on the current web panel market. The future also looks quite promising. A W3Techs study found that 89.3% of websites whose web panel they knew used Plesk. So, what does this say about its future?

Plesk seems to be doing everything to maintain its spot at the top of the list of the world’s most popular web panels. Just recently, the platform introduced the Website Performance Booster. That’s after search engines, like Google, said speed was a key ranking factor.

Currently, Plesk integrates Cloudflare (although still in Beta mode) to make DNS record management much easier and also improve website security. That’s great news, considering that playing around with DNS records is the least of my favorite things. I feel I have a better chance of learning how to fly a spaceship than managing DNS records.

The fact that Plesk is finally making DNS management easier gives me hope that maybe my time to shine is finally here.

Plesk didn’t just miraculously find itself at the top of the web panel charts. It started off as a Linux-based web panel in 1999 before being introduced on Windows four years later.

Today, features such as SEO and WordPress toolkits make this platform more than just a web panel. With technologies such as artificial intelligence taking over the web hosting industry, there’s every reason to believe that Plesk will evolve even more in the next few years.

I’ve walked you through the basics of Plesk. By now, I hope you understand why this web panel is so popular in the first place. It all boils down to two things: control and user-friendliness.

The best part? It all happens from a centralized location, no matter where you are.