MySQL and MariaDB databases are available on every plan, managed through cPanel.
CREATING ONE
cPanel > MySQL Database Wizard. Create the database, create a user with a strong password, and grant ALL PRIVILEGES. Both names are automatically prefixed with your cPanel username, for example user_shop1. Forgetting the prefix is the single most common cause of connection errors.
MANAGING DATA
phpMyAdmin provides a browser interface for browsing, editing, running queries, importing and exporting. Always export before making changes; there is no undo.
CONNECTING FROM YOUR APPLICATION
Host: localhost
Database, user and password: as created, with prefixes
Port: the default, 3306
REMOTE ACCESS
Off by default. cPanel > Remote MySQL allows a specific IP address to connect. Never enter % as the access host, which opens the database to the entire internet.
LIMITS
Plans limit the number of databases and their combined size. Large databases slow backups and imports.
GOOD PRACTICE
Use a separate database and user per application, so one compromise does not expose the others. Clean up regularly; bloated databases slow every query.
