How to Upload Files via FTP and File Manager

Introduction

There are two primary methods to upload files to your web hosting account: using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or the cPanel File Manager. This guide covers both approaches.

Method 1: Using File Manager (Recommended for Beginners)

Step 1: Access File Manager

1. Log into cPanel
2. Locate the "Files" section
3. Click on "File Manager"

Step 2: Navigate to the Correct Directory

For your main website, navigate to public_html directory. This is where your website files should be placed.

Step 3: Upload Files

1. Click the "Upload" button in the toolbar
2. Click "Select File" or drag and drop files into the upload area
3. Wait for the upload to complete (progress bar will show 100%)
4. Close the upload window when finished

Step 4: Extract Archives (Optional)

If you uploaded a ZIP file:

1. Right-click the ZIP file in File Manager
2. Select "Extract"
3. Choose the destination directory and click "Extract Files"

Method 2: Using FTP Client

Step 1: Create FTP Account

1. Log into cPanel
2. Navigate to "FTP Accounts" under the Files section
3. Create a new FTP account or use your main cPanel credentials

Step 2: Download an FTP Client

Popular free FTP clients include:

• FileZilla (Windows, Mac, Linux) - Recommended
• Cyberduck (Windows, Mac)
• WinSCP (Windows)

Step 3: Configure Your FTP Client

Enter the following connection details:

• Host: ftp.yourdomain.com or your server IP
• Username: Your FTP username
• Password: Your FTP password
• Port: 21 (or 22 for SFTP - more secure)

Step 4: Connect and Upload

1. Click "Connect" or "Quickconnect"
2. Navigate to public_html on the remote server (right side)
3. Navigate to your local files (left side)
4. Drag files from left to right to upload

Best Practices

• Always upload website files to the public_html directory
• Use SFTP (port 22) instead of FTP when possible for better security
• Compress large folders before uploading to save time
• Set correct file permissions: 644 for files, 755 for directories

Troubleshooting

Cannot connect via FTP: Check that your server firewall allows FTP connections, verify credentials, and ensure your IP is not blocked.

Upload fails: Check available disk space in cPanel, verify file size limits, and ensure proper permissions.