Then you deal with your site’s files, regardless of the content system you use (WordPress, Joomla, or other), you will inevitably need a system that helps you manage your site’s files in order to download or upload files or even modify them, and this is what you can do using the file transfer protocol. FTP.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used to communicate and transfer files between computers on the Internet, where users can transfer and upload files to and from your website. Therefore, through FTP, you can manage your website files with ease, as you can edit and modify files and create backup copies. Transfer files from your device to the server and vice versa.
In this article, we will talk about explaining FTP and the programs used in it, as well as how to use it effectively to manage your site files.
What is File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?
First of all, FTP is an abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol, which is a protocol that allows you to transfer files from one device or system to another, regardless of the operating systems used. Through FTP, you can connect to WordPress files and folders, thus enabling you to make changes to your files, including deletion, modification, and repair.
You may not need to use FTP, as you can access everything you want, upload files, modify them, or upload a template or other through the WordPress control panel, or through the hosting control panel (cPanel). But in any case, you will need to use FTP to facilitate the communication process, especially when the size of your site’s database increases, and in some other cases.
Through FTP you can do several things, including:
- Troubleshoot WordPress problems
- Deactivate themes and plugins if you cannot access the WordPress control panel
- Transferring your website to another hosting account, as we explained in detail
- You can install templates or install plugins instead of installing them from the control panel in the usual way
- Customize and modify your site files, as well as databases
- Download and install WordPress, and upload multiple large files or folders.
- Make a backup copy of your site, as we explained in detail
How does FTP work?
The FTP protocol is based on exchanging files over the Internet, through two main parts:
- FTP client, called the FTP client, which you rely on to transfer files
- FTP server, called the FTP server where your files are stored and managed
Thus, the FTP client is used to download files from the FTP server, and we also use the FTP client to upload or save files to the FTP server.
In order to begin the file transfer process, you must install an FTP program on your computer. This program allows you to connect to the FTP server and download and upload files to and from the server, as well as upload, modify and transfer files, and fully manage your site files through your username and password. for your FTP account.
How do you use FTP?
If you decide to use FTP to manage your site, you can establish a connection through FTP in three ways:
- Via the FTP command line, by using (Command prompt), in Windows, Mac, or Linux, which is a method that requires some technical experience.
- Using your browser to connect to the FTP server, through a direct connection between your computer’s browser and the server
- Use an FTP client, or as it is called an FTP client, where you install the program on your computer and use it easily
The most common and easiest method is to use an FTP client , which will be explained in the rest of the article.
FTP client
There are many options available for you to choose the appropriate FTP client. You install the client (the program) on your computer and then use it to access your site files. The most popular FTP clients are:
- FileZilla , the most popular, works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
- WINSCP , which is designed specifically for Windows users and supports FTP, SFTP, and SSH
- Cyberduck , a free client and works with Mac and Windows
- Transmit , works with MAC devices
username and password
When you run an FTP client, you will need a username and password to host your site so that you can register them and be able to access your site files. You can obtain the username and password through your web provider or through the cPanel control panel .
Note: This information is sensitive and no one can access it except the hosting owner (site manager), through the hosting control panel, and of course do not share it with anyone.
You can also create data and a new FTP account for some other users of the site administrators, through the cPanel control panel, where you have to go to FTP Account and a new window will open for you in which you can add a new FTP account, as in the following image:
What are the steps to start using FTP?
As we said, in this explanation we will rely on using an FTP client, as it is the easiest way out of the various protocols for using FTP. In order to start using an FTP client to connect to your site’s data, you will choose the appropriate FTP client first, and we advise you to choose FileZilla, as it is what we will rely on in this explanation.
1. Download and install the FTP client
You can download FileZilla by going to the official website , then pressing the Download FileZilla Client button
You will be taken to a new page from which you can download the program by clicking on the green button: Download FileZilla Client to begin the download process
After downloading and installing the program, you will find the program interface as in the following image
Then you will need to do the second step of connecting to the server
2. Connect to the server
The FTP client, which you downloaded in the previous step, will connect the computer to the server, and thus you will be able to transfer, upload, and modify files through your computer that is directly connected to the server.
In order to connect to the server, you will need some information, such as:
- Host means the domain name or IP address of the website
- Username , which means the username of your site’s FTP account
- Password, which means the FTP account password.
- Port, which is a number attached to the Internet Protocol address, will often be 21.
Note: As we explained, you can obtain the username and password from the hosting service provider , or from the cPanel control panel, or often this information is sent to your email when you purchase hosting.
3. Connect with FileZilla
Now that we have an FTP client, and we have all the information required to connect to the server, you can go ahead and run FileZilla.
You will find that the main interface of the program is simple, and all you need to connect is to enter the previous information that we explained in Step 2, then at the top of the program click on Quickconnect .
After that, you will see a set of commands executed until the server is connected, and your site files appear as follows
Thus, the connection has been established, and you can transfer, upload and edit your files between your device and the server.
Note: You can also connect to the server, through the main interface of the program, you must go to File > Site Manager
A new window will open, click on New Site, then fill in the required fields
- Protocol , through which you determine the type of protocol used and in this case you will choose: FTP
- Host , you will put the main address of your site (www.example.com), or the IP address.
- Logon type , we keep it as normal option
- Username , inside which you will put the username
- Password , inside which you will put the password
After filling out the fields, we click on Connect, to complete the connection process, and then you can work on your files
Transfer files between your computer and the server
After connecting to the server via FTP, you can now easily control your website files through the FileZilla program. In the left section you will find the files for your device ( Local Site ), and below it you will find your site files ( Remote Site ) as shown in the following image:
If you want to upload a file from your computer to the server, you have to click the right mouse button and then Upload
If you want to download, modify, or delete a file from your site, through the Remote Site section, you can right-click and choose what you want.
Control WordPress files through FileZilla
Through FileZilla, you can control everything related to your WordPress site, from downloading and installing WordPress to installing plugins and templates, modifying files, and other functions.
For example, how to disable a specific add-on within your site through FileZilla, by going to your site files on Public_Html , then to wp-content , and heading to the Plugin file , and then you can choose the add-on you want and change its name to a new name, and thus the activation of the add-on will be stopped, as In the following pictorial explanation
FileZilla Settings – FileZilla Seeting
FileZilla contains many options that allow controlling and dealing with files, etc., and we review the most important of them as follows:
1.File
You will also find in the drop-down list the most important options as follows:
- Site Manager , where you can control the site settings and contact information by adding (protocol type, username, password, etc.).
- copy current connection , to copy the current contact information.
- Export , Emport , to export and import settings.
2. Edit
- Network configration, to configure firewall and router settings.
- clear private data , you can delete some information from settings, contact information, etc
- Setting, contains many settings that you can control in files and more
For example , if you choose the Settings tab
- From the Limit Local Port option , you can specify the minimum and maximum port that FileZilla can operate on
- From the Reconnection setting option, you can specify the number of times to attempt to reconnect to the site
- From the transfer option , you can control and determine the speed of downloading files, etc
3. Transfer
Through this tab, you can control the type of files by selecting the transfer type , for example (Ascii, Binary, or Auto). You can also use the ( Manual Transfer ) option to control the settings for downloading and uploading files manually.
4. Server
Also, in the Server tab, you can reconnect or disconnect, or type specific commands through (Custom Command)
Of course, there are many functions that you can perform for your site through the FTP protocol, but we have tried to cover the most important elements that you need to know in order to be able to use FTP effectively to control your site’s files. In this way, you can now send and receive files between your device and the server. As a website owner, or web developer, you must work and use FTP to access your site, as it will make it easier for you to deal with many issues and problems in managing your site files
