When computers first emerged and the Internet slowly began, there was also a need to transfer files between devices. That’s why, in the 1970s, FTP was created – one of the oldest internet protocols used as a tool for remote document exchange.
What exactly is FTP and what does it mean for WordPress sites? You’ll read all about it in this article!
What is FTP?
Definition
FTP (short for File Transfer Protocol) is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server over a TCP/IP network (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) – that is, the Internet.
Simply put, FTP enables the sharing of data between two devices – for example, between two computers. In this case, one device is a personal computer with an installed FTP client, and the other is an FTP server.
Are you a website owner? Your website’s data is stored on your hosting provider’s servers. You can use FTP to access those files using special software (an FTP client) on your computer.
What is FTP used for in WordPress?
FTP has many applications when it comes to WordPress sites. It is especially useful when something goes wrong with your site, for example, if you cannot log in to the WordPress dashboard because you fell victim to a hacker attack.
However, FTP isn’t just for emergency situations. It can also be used to save time on more tedious tasks related to managing your site. Want to upload a large number of multimedia files to your site? Use FTP to do that. Need to back up your WordPress files? You can quickly download them via FTP.
What else? Here are a few examples of how you can use FTP:
- Accessing files when your site is down;
- Installing plugins and themes;
- Editing the files of plugins and themes;
- Manually deactivating plugins and themes (if you ever lose access to the WordPress dashboard);
- Quickly uploading a large number of multimedia files (instead of waiting a long time for the WordPress dashboard to process the task);
- Managing essential WordPress files such as .htaccess or robots.txt;
- Diagnosing and fixing errors on your site, for example those related to compatibility, internal server errors, or theme conflicts.
Why do we need FTP access to your site at WP Care?
If you’re looking for a WordPress administrator or have a problem with your site, you may be asked by us or another company specializing in these matters to provide FTP access.
And there’s nothing to worry about. FTP gives you insight into the inner workings of your WordPress – direct access to your site’s directories and files. You don’t have to fear for your content; when you share your FTP login, our specialists only gain access to the themes, plugins, and code of your site. Your content (posts, comments, etc.), email, personal data, and other confidential information (such as login credentials or passwords) are not accessible via FTP.
How to access the FTP server of a WordPress site?
FTP client
To use FTP, you need what’s called an “FTP client”. What is that?
An FTP client is simply a program that enables you to connect to a server where your website’s files are stored. We recommend using FileZilla for this purpose. It’s a free and easy-to-use tool that’s ideal for beginners. FileZilla is also recommended by WordPress itself, primarily because, like WordPress, it is open source.
Accessing WordPress FTP with FileZilla in 5 steps
Step 1: FTP login data
Before you begin, locate and prepare a few pieces of information.
To access your site via FTP, you will need the following details:
- the FTP host address,
- your FTP username,
- your FTP password,
- the port used by your host for FTP.
Depending on your hosting provider, you can find these either via your control panel or they were sent to you by email when you set up your hosting account.
Step 2: create a backup of your WordPress site
Using FTP carries some risks, especially if you’re new to it. Any FTP modification can make permanent changes directly to your site’s files. If you’re not careful, you could inadvertently run into problems. That’s why it’s important to have an up-to-date backup of your site so you can restore it if something goes wrong.
You should back up the following elements of your site:
- the core WordPress files,
- the wp-content folder with all multimedia files, plugins, and themes,
- the WordPress database.
Effective backup of your WordPress – how to do it?
Step 3: Download and install FileZilla
Visit the FileZilla website and click Download FileZilla Client.
Open and run the installation file, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 4: establish an FTP connection with WordPress
After installation, open the application and click on File » Site Manager… in the top left corner. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut CTRL + S after launching the program to achieve the same effect.
A dialog box will appear. On the left, click New Site, then enter your previously prepared login details on the right.
After filling in the required fields, click Connect to establish a connection with the server. If the details are correct, the FTP client will download a list of your site’s directories. All folders and files will then be visible on the right side of the main program window in the remote server section, while the left column shows your local computer’s files. This layout makes it easy to transfer files to and from your website.
Did you know?
You don’t have to perform all these steps every time or save your login details. You can use the quick connection option in the login bar at the very top of the application.
Step 5: Upload, delete, or edit your WordPress site’s files
Once the connection is established, you can upload, delete, or edit files. How?
To add files to your site (for example, upload some images), find them on the left side of the screen (i.e., on your computer). Then, on the right side, navigate to the folder where you want to upload the files (for multimedia files, this would typically be public_html » wp-content » uploads). Drag and drop the files into the chosen folder.
You can also delete files using FTP. In this case, simply right-click on the file and select Delete. Note – make sure that you aren’t deleting anything important!
Finally, you can edit files “live” via FTP. To do this, right-click on the file you want to change and select View/Edit. Once you finish editing, save the file. Alternatively, you can download the file, edit it in another program, and then re-upload it to the site.
If you’re having trouble accessing FTP, trust the specialists!
We offer not only WordPress website creation but also comprehensive technical support. As WP Care, we have years of experience, which guarantees the high quality of our services.
Contact us and we’ll surely help you!
