Upload files with FTP and SFTP to your hosting

You upload files to your hosting with FTP or SFTP. With such a connection you move your website, images or individual files from your computer to the server. In this guide you learn, step by step, how to upload files with FTP and SFTP: what the difference is, why SFTP is safer, how to find your details in Plesk, how to connect with a program such as FileZilla and how to place files in the right folder. You also learn how to set file permissions and fix common errors.

What are FTP and SFTP?

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, an old and widely used way to exchange files between your computer and a server. It works fine, but it has one big drawback: FTP sends your username, password and files unencrypted across the internet. Anyone watching the network can intercept that data with ease. FTP uses port 21 by default.

SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. It is a separate protocol that runs on top of SSH, the same secure technology administrators use to log in to a server safely. SFTP encrypts both your login details and your files, and it uses port 22 by default. That makes SFTP considerably safer than plain FTP.

There is also FTPS, or FTP over TLS. That is plain FTP with a layer of encryption added on top, usually on port 21 as well. Take care: FTPS and SFTP look alike in name, but they really are two different protocols. The key point to remember is this: use SFTP or FTPS, and avoid plain, unencrypted FTP.

The difference between FTP, FTPS and SFTP

What do you need?

Before you start, gather a few things. Your website files live on your LJPc web hosting, where you manage them over FTP or SFTP.

• An FTP program, also called an FTP client, such as the free FileZilla. WinSCP (Windows) or Cyberduck (Mac) work well too. They all do roughly the same thing.
• Your login details: the server address, a username, a password and the correct port number.
• Knowing which folder your files belong in. For most sites that is the httpdocs folder.

Step 1: Find your FTP details in Plesk

LJPc hosting uses the Plesk control panel. There you create an FTP account and find the details you need to connect. The screen names below are in English, the way Plesk shows them by default.

1. Log in to Plesk and go to Websites & Domains.
2. Find your domain and open the FTP option (on some versions FTP Access, under Files & Databases).
3. Click Add an FTP Account.
4. Enter a username under FTP account name and choose a strong password.
5. Set the folder the account may work in under Home directory. For your website that is usually /httpdocs.
6. Click OK to save the account.

The server address is usually your domain name, for example yourdomain.com, or the server name we gave you. Not sure which details to use? Then contact support.

Step 2: Install an FTP program

FileZilla is a free, widely used program that transfers files over FTP, FTPS and SFTP. Download it from the official FileZilla website and install it like any other program. Only get it from the official source, so you do not pick up a fake version with malware.

Step 3: Make a connection

Open FileZilla. At the top you see the Quickconnect bar with fields for Host, Username, Password and Port.

1. Enter the server address under Host. For SFTP, add sftp:// in front, for example sftp://yourdomain.com.
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Enter the correct number under Port: 21 for FTP or FTPS, 22 for SFTP.
4. Click Quickconnect.

For a connection you use more often, the Site Manager is a better choice. There you save the connection and pick your protocol explicitly: SFTP, or for FTPS choose FTP with the encryption set to "Require explicit FTP over TLS".

SFTP uses your hosting's SSH access on port 22. If SFTP is not available on your package, use FTPS instead: it encrypts your connection just as well, on port 21. Not sure which one to use? Support will point you in the right direction.

Step 4: Upload files with FTP or SFTP

FileZilla shows two panes. The files on your own computer are on the left (Local), the files on the server are on the right (Remote).

1. In the right pane, go to the httpdocs folder. That is the web folder: everything here is reachable through your domain.
2. In the left pane, find the files you want to upload.
3. Drag the files from left to right, or right-click them and choose Upload.
4. The progress shows at the bottom. Wait until all transfers are done.

Uploading a brand new website? Then place the files directly in httpdocs and not in a subfolder, otherwise your site ends up at yourdomain.com/subfolder instead of yourdomain.com. To be safe, first back up your website before you overwrite existing files.

Step 5: Set file permissions

File permissions decide who may read, change or run a file. The wrong permissions cause error messages or leave your site unsafe. The safe standard is:

• 644 for files: the owner may read and write, everyone else may only read.
• 755 for folders: the owner may do everything, everyone else may open the folder and read its contents.

Never use 777. That lets anyone change anything, which is a serious security risk. In FileZilla you adjust permissions by right-clicking a file and choosing File permissions. Enter the number there, for example 644. Working safely does not stop at the connection, by the way: make sure your site is reachable over HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate as well.

Create an extra FTP account in Plesk

Want to give someone else access, a web developer for instance, without sharing your main password? Then create a separate FTP account. You can limit that account to a specific folder.

1. In Plesk, go to Websites & Domains and open FTP for your domain.
2. Click Add an FTP Account.
3. Give the account its own name and a strong password.
4. Set the folder this account may reach under Home directory. To keep someone to a subfolder only, choose that folder.
5. Click OK.

That way you stay in control of who can reach what. Remove an account again as soon as someone no longer needs it. If you move to another host, you often use the same FTP or SFTP access to fetch your files.

Fixing common errors

Is the connection or the upload getting stuck? These are the errors that come up most often.

With FTP, and above all SFTP, you can move files to your hosting quickly and safely. Choose an encrypted connection, place your files in httpdocs and keep your permissions tidy at 644 and 755. Still stuck? Contact support and we will help you further.