How to use (S)FTP

About FTP and SFTP

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) enables you transfer content to and from your web hosting account, using special FTP software. SFTP is similar to FTP but adds security by encrypting the transmission of your login information. WHC recommends you always use SFTP instead of FTP when connecting to your account.

Tip: You can also use the File Manager to easily transfer your files.

Choosing & Installing (S)FTP Software

To connect by FTP or SFTP, you’ll need to use or install special software. A good free choice is FileZilla, which works on PC, Mac and Linux. Visit the Filezilla website to download and install the appropriate version. The rest of the article will assume you are using Filezilla, but the steps should be similar regardless of the FTP software you choose.

Connecting to your account over SFTP or FTP with Filezilla

Once your FTP software is launched, you can connect to your account using the following information:

SFTP (recommended)

  • Host address: sftp://mydomain.com
    • Replace mydomain.com with your own domain name
    • If you don’t have a domain name, you can use your permanent domain, server name, or IP address, which would have been sent to you in your welcome email or during your account creation
  • Username: your username
    • It's the same as your cPanel username
    • It was sent to you in your welcome email (if you subscribed to web hosting)
    • If you are connecting using a FTP sub-account, please use format username@domain.com when connecting
  • Password: your password (it's the same as your cPanel password)
    • If needed, your FTP and cPanel password can be modified from your Client Area, under My Services > change cPanel password
  • Port: 27

FTP

Same as SFTP, except:

  • Host address: mydomain.com
    • Replace mydomain.com with your own domain name
    • If you don’t have a domain name, you can use your permanent domain, server name, or IP address, which would have been sent to you in your welcome email or during your account creation
  • Port: 21

Uploading content

Note: Your website’s files should be placed in the public_html folder (or, in the case of addon domains, in its web root). Files outside of the public folders cannot be accessed online.
Note: Consider naming your home page file index.html, index.htm, or index.php in order for it to be shown automatically as soon as someone accesses your domain. If there is already a default index file in your public_html folder, you may overwrite it with your own.

To upload content, simply select the files or folders on your computer (in the left pane in Filezilla) and drag them into the desired folder on the server (right pane). You can also right-click on any files and folders in your computer and select Upload.

Downloading Content

To download content, simply select the files or folders on your server (in the right pane in Filezilla) and drag them into the desired folder on your computer (left pane). You can also right-click on any files and folders from your server and select Download.

Moving Files & Folders

FileZilla supports drag and drop. To move a folder or file around, simply select it and drag it into the folder you want to move it in to.

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