To upload your website with FTP, install a free FTP program such as FileZilla, connect to your hosting account on port 21 with "Require explicit FTP over TLS", and drag your files into your website folder. This page gives the settings and the upload steps in short form.
Settings for every hosting type, extra FTP accounts, SFTP and fixes for common errors are in FTP and SFTP access.
In FileZilla, create a site with your server hostname, port 21, FTP with "Require explicit FTP over TLS", passive mode, and your control panel username and password. Upload into public_html on cPanel and Webuzo, domains/yourdomain.com/public_html on DirectAdmin, or httpdocs on Windows (Plesk). SFTP on port 22 works only after support enables jailed SSH for your account, and it logs in with an SSH key, not a password.
1. The settings you need
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Host | Your server hostname, from your welcome email or the service's Manage › Access tab in the client area |
| Port | 21 |
| Protocol | FTP, with "Require explicit FTP over TLS" |
| Transfer mode | Passive |
| Username and password | Your control panel login, or an extra FTP account such as [email protected] |
Use the server hostname rather than your domain or an IP address: the server's certificate is issued for the hostname, and it works before your domain points to us. Never use plain FTP without TLS, which sends your password unencrypted.
2. Upload with FileZilla
- Install FileZilla.Download it from
filezilla-project.organd decline any extra software the installer offers. - Create a site.Open File › Site Manager › New site and enter the settings above. Set Logon Type to Normal.
- Set passive mode.On the Transfer Settings tab, choose Passive.
- Connect.The left pane is your computer and the right pane is the server.
- Open your website folderon the right (see the table in section 3).
- Drag your files across.Select the contents of your site folder on the left and drag them into the website folder. Your
index.htmlorindex.phpmust sit directly inside it. - Check the queue.The Failed transfers tab at the bottom should be empty. Then open your site in a browser.
For a large site, it is faster to zip it, upload the one zip file and extract it in your panel's File Manager. See what settings do I need to upload my website.
3. Where your files go
| Hosting | Website folder |
|---|---|
| cPanel | public_html (addon domains have their own folder) |
| DirectAdmin | domains/yourdomain.com/public_html |
| Webuzo | public_html |
| Windows (Plesk) | httpdocs |
Leave the mail, logs and other system folders alone.
4. Extra FTP accounts and SFTP
To give a designer access without your panel password, create an extra FTP account locked to one folder: in cPanel under Files › FTP Accounts, and in DirectAdmin under FTP Management. Type the full login, such as [email protected], in FileZilla. See creating FTP accounts in DirectAdmin.
SFTP (port 22) needs SSH. Jailed SSH access is available on every shared hosting plan (cPanel, DirectAdmin, Webuzo); it is off by default, so ask support to enable it for your account. SSH and SFTP log in with a key only. Windows (Plesk) hosting has no SSH or SFTP. See jailed SSH on Domain India hosting.
The first time you connect, FileZilla shows the server's certificate. If it names your server hostname and is valid, accept it. If FileZilla warns that the certificate is expired or for another name, don't accept it blindly; contact support. See SSL/TLS encryption in FTP clients.
5. Quick fixes
- "530 Login authentication failed": check the password, and type the full
[email protected]for an extra FTP account. - Connects but the directory listing times out: switch to passive mode, or try another network.
- Works on mobile data but not in the office: your IP may be blocked after failed logins. Stop retrying and send support your public IP.
- Large uploads fail: upload a zip and extract it in the File Manager.
More errors: FileZilla error messages and solutions.
Frequently asked questions
What FTP settings do I use for Domain India hosting?
Host: your server hostname. Port: 21. Protocol: FTP with Require explicit FTP over TLS. Transfer mode: passive. Username and password: your control panel login or an extra FTP account.
Which folder do I upload my website to?
public_html on cPanel and Webuzo, domains/yourdomain.com/public_html on DirectAdmin, and httpdocs on Windows (Plesk) hosting.
Can I use SFTP on port 22?
Yes on cPanel, DirectAdmin and Webuzo hosting, after support enables jailed SSH for your account; it is off by default. SFTP logs in with an SSH key, not a password. Windows (Plesk) hosting has no SFTP.
Why does FTP reject my password?
Check that you typed the full username; extra FTP accounts use the form [email protected]. If you reset your control panel password, use the new one.
Is plain FTP safe to use?
No. Plain FTP sends your username and password unencrypted. Always choose Require explicit FTP over TLS on port 21.
Ready to upload? Find your hostname and username in My Hosting, read the full FTP and SFTP guide, or open a support ticket if you can't connect.
Tell us your domain, the username you used and the exact error. Never send a password. Support is on 24/7 live chat, and tickets get a first response within 15 minutes.
Open a support ticket