A simple guide to use aapanel (Free control panel) to manage your VPS

When thinking of a control panel, the first name that often comes to mind is cPanel. It’s one of the best hosting panels available, particularly well-suited for shared hosting. However, if you're considering using cPanel on a dedicated VPS, be prepared to pay an additional $17 to $18 per month—the same cost as your VPS itself. While some providers, such as DigitalOcean or AWS, offer Plesk panels for free for up to three websites, using a different VPS or cloud provider like Hetzner often requires paying a premium for control panel access.

For a recent client project involving an eCommerce WordPress website, I initially used manual installation with apache and installing phpmyadmin. However, due to several issues, it's no longer a viable option and was difficult for my client to manage the server himself. For VPS providers other than the major giants, I recommend using aaPanel, and I will guide you through its installation and setup.

Installation Steps:

1. Login to Your VPS
   Access your VPS using your credentials and execute the following script:

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   URL=https://www.aapanel.com/script/install_7.0_en.sh && if [ -f /usr/bin/curl ];then curl -ksSO "$URL" ;else wget --no-check-certificate -O install_7.0_en.sh "$URL";fi;bash install_7.0_en.sh aapanel

   For more detailed instructions, you can visit the official aaPanel download page.

2. Browser Compatibility Issue
   Before writing this blog, I encountered an issue where the panel didn’t perform well on Chrome browsers. If you face the same problem, I recommend using Microsoft Edge for better compatibility.

3. Installation Duration
   The installation process takes approximately 30 minutes, so please be patient during this time.

4. Post-Installation Steps
   Once the installation is complete, you will receive a unique access URL, along with a username and password. Be sure to save this information securely, as it will be needed for future logins.

5. Setting Up Your Server
   After logging into aaPanel, you’ll be prompted to install either Nginx or Apache. I recommend opting for Nginx, as it supports a wide range of configurations. Note that this process will also take about 30 minutes, so again, patience is key. If you do not see any progress, try switching to Microsoft Edge.

6. Adding Your Website
   On the right side of the dashboard, you’ll find the “Website” option. Here, you can add your website. If you’re deploying a WordPress site, use the “WordPress Deploy” tab for a streamlined setup.

7. DNS Management: I highly recommend using Cloudflare for DNS management due to its robust and reliable services. However, if you prefer not to utilize Cloudflare's settings, you can simply disable the orange cloud icon. I frequently employ this approach in cases where Cloudflare's features may negatively impact a web application.

Please note that the steps provided may vary slightly due to updates, and I’ve outlined the process based on my recent experience. Feel free to explore the panel on your own if needed, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance configuring your VPS with aaPanel.