Want to upload your website files? Then use FTP. With an FTP program, you drag files from your computer to your web hosting, and back. This guide shows where to find your login details, how to connect and what to do when it doesn't work.
Before you start
You need a plan with web hosting, and web hosting has to be on. Not on yet? Here's how to turn on web hosting.
Find your FTP details
Step 1: Log in to your dashboard, click your plan in the list on the left and open the Web hosting tab.
Step 2: Under Web hosting information, you'll find your Username and Password. They're the same as your DirectAdmin login. You use them for FTP too.
Step 3: You also need the server name. That's the address of Go to control panel, without "https://" and ":2222". So if DirectAdmin is at https://da005.site.eu:2222, your server name is da005.site.eu.
Install an FTP program
To connect, you need an FTP program, also called an FTP client. It uploads and downloads files to and from your website. Popular free ones are FileZilla, WinSCP and Cyberduck. Download one from its maker's website and install it. No special knowledge needed.
Connect to your web hosting
Open your FTP program and fill in these details:
- host (or server): your server name, for example da005.site.eu
- username: your web hosting username
- password: your web hosting password
- port: 21
Click connect and wait a moment. Connected? Then you can upload and download files.
Upload your website
Drag your website files from your computer into the public_html folder. That's the folder visitors see when they open your website. More domain names in your plan? Each one has its own folder: domains/yourdomain.com/public_html.
Want a more secure connection? Use SFTP. It works almost the same way, but over an encrypted SSH connection. Read how to use SFTP.
Common problems
Wrong username or password?
Your FTP login is the same as your DirectAdmin login. Forgot the password? Open the Web hosting tab of your plan and click Reset under Web hosting information. This also becomes your new DirectAdmin password. Save it somewhere safe right away: we don't store it, so you won't see it again later.
Can't connect to the server?
Don't enter your domain name as the host. Use your server name, for example da005.site.eu if DirectAdmin is at https://da005.site.eu:2222. Check the address of your own DirectAdmin carefully. The FTP port is always 21.
Still seeing the "Under construction" page?
Then the default index.html file from DirectAdmin is still in public_html. Delete it, and your own website shows up.
New domain name and no website yet?
Just registered or transferred your domain name? Then it can take about 24 hours before your website shows up on it.
