This is a simple and effective way to manage your WordPress files using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Among other things, you can edit files, make backups, transfer files from your local computer to remote servers (and vice versa), and install WordPress.
Despite its value, some WordPress users find it difficult to use. This guide is for you if you are one of them. You’ll learn how to use FTP in WordPress to perform a variety of tasks.
Things you need
1. FTP Client
An FTP Client is software that lets you connect to an FTP server. It manages all the complexities that relate to the FTP protocol.
Examples of FTP clients include:
- FileZilla
- WINSCP
- Cyberduck
- Transmit
- FreeFTP
- WS_FTP
2. Username and password
When a user first starts the FTP client, he or she is asked to create a username and password for the account. This is a type of authentication that only allows authorized users to access the file system.
When you purchase WordPress hosting, your FTP credentials are sent to your email address as a WordPress user.
In your cPanel dashboard, you may also see your FTP login information. Contact your web hosting provider for assistance if you are having trouble locating your login credentials.
Getting Started with FTP
- First, download FileZilla, install it, and launch it.
- Next, go to File > Site Manager at the top left corner of your screen.
- On the resulting window, click the “New Site” button. Then, fill in the required fields. Protocol: set this to FTP (or SFTP if you want to use a secure connection and if your host supports it)
- Host: enter in your website’s main URL (such as www.fixrunner.com) or IP address here
- Logon type: set to ‘normal’
- User: enter your user name
- Password: enter your password
- Click “Connect” and FileZilla handles the rest.