Upload Website contents via FTP

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the most secure method for transferring files from your computer to a server over the Internet.

Note: Before transferring files, you must first install an FTP client on your computer. Many options are available, so you can choose one that suits your needs. This guide uses FileZilla, a popular, user-friendly option. Windows users can also try Core FTP, while Mac users may prefer Cyberduck.

The FileZilla client has two primary connection methods: the Site Manager and QuickConnect. While the Site Manager is ideal for saving FTP credentials and managing recurring connections, QuickConnect is designed for quick, one-time access without saving credentials.

 

 

FTP credentials

Please refer to this guide to find the FTP credentials for your FTP/SFTP account.

Site Manager

1. Launch the FileZilla client on your computer. Click on the File menu and select Site Manager (or click the Site Manager launch button shown below on the red arrow).

2. In the Site Manager window, click New Site and enter a name for the new server. This name is solely for display, so pick something to remind you which server it represents.

3. Enter FTP details:
• Protocol: Choose between FTP, SFTP, or FTPS, depending on your server setup.
• Host: Enter the FTP server address (e.g., ftp.example.com).
• Port: Specify the port number if needed (default is 21 for FTP and 22 for SFTP).
• Login Type: Select the desired login type from the drop-down list.
– Normal: This is the most common option. You provide both your username and password upfront. The password is retained, and you will not need to reenter it after restarting the program.
– Ask for password: You will only be prompted for the password once you quit FileZilla.
– Anonymous: Connects without requiring any authentication.

4. If required, enter your username and password in the User and Password fields. Once done, click Connect to initiate the connection immediately (or OK to save your settings first).

5. Once connected, the FileZilla client’s right panel shows the server’s file structure. You can now transfer files between your local system (left panel) and the server.

QuickConnect

1. Launch the FileZilla client on your computer. Enter your FTP credentials and click Quickconnect.

2. Click OK to confirm the SSL certificate to continue.

3. Upon accessing your FTP client dashboard, you should see a successful message aligned with Status. The Local site is the home computer where files are saved, and the Remote site is your web hosting server.

4. Uploading files*: Locate the file or folder you want to upload to the server under the Local site. Highlight and right-click on the highlighted file or folder before clicking Upload to transfer the file to the server. On the right side, under Remote site, confirm and ensure the file is successfully uploaded to the public_html directory. Check that your website contents are completely uploaded.

*Directory Structure: Incorrect uploading of your website content may cause downtime and data loss. To avoid this problem, please upload data in the correct directory.

Default Directory Structure: When your server is set up, the main domain is assigned to the server. The default document root for the main domain is the public_html folder.

Addon Domains: When you create an addon domain in cPanel, a new folder is automatically created inside the public_html folder. This folder is labelled with the addon domain’s name.

The document root for the addon domain will follow the format: public_html/new_domain.com

5. Downloading files: On the right side, under Remote site, highlight and right-click on the file or folder you want to Download. All of your website content is stored in the public_html directory. You can easily download the entire directory to get a backup copy of your website.

Note: File upload speeds may vary based on several factors. For example, internet connection speed can significantly affect upload times; higher speeds result in faster uploads. Additionally, larger file sizes typically take longer to upload. Please ensure the upload is successful before disconnecting from the FTP client.

Example (uploading and extracting of ZIP file)

Since FileZilla does not include a built-in option to extract files directly on the server, the following example will guide you through how to do this using your cPanel.

1. Connect to your server via FileZilla. Upon accessing your FileZilla dashboard, use the Local site panel (left side) to navigate to your ZIP file’s folder.

2. Drag the ZIP file from the Local site panel and drop it into the Remote site panel under the desired directory. You can also right-click on the ZIP file and click Upload.

3. Once the ZIP file has been successfully uploaded, you should see a successful message aligned with Status, along with the ZIP file, under the Remote site panel.

4. Navigate to File Manager in your cPanel and go to the directory where you uploaded the ZIP file, such as public_html.

5. Select the ZIP file and click Extract. You can also right-click on the ZIP file and click Extract.

6. Confirm the extraction path. Once done, click Move Files.

7. Done! The extracted file should be reflected above the ZIP file.