How To Connect With WS_FTP?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) programs allow you to upload, download, and manage files between your computer and your web hosting server. Most FTP clients work in a similar way, so once you understand the basic process, you can easily use any of them. In this guide, we will explain how to create a new site connection and transfer files using WS_FTP.

Step 1: Create a New Site Profile

1. Open the WS_FTP application on your computer.
2. Click on the File menu and select New Site.
3. Enter the connection details of your website exactly as provided in the welcome email from your hosting provider.

• Host Name / IP Address: Enter your domain name or server IP.
• Important: Do not add http:// or https:// before the domain name.

4. After saving the details, your new site will appear in the list on the right-hand side of the WS_FTP window.

Step 2: Enter Your Login Credentials

1. Double-click on the site you just created.
2. A login window will open asking for your username and password.

How to enter the username correctly:

• For the main FTP account, enter only the username (for example: admin). Do not include @yourdomain.com.
• For a sub-account (an FTP account limited to a specific folder), enter the full username including the domain part (for example: [email protected]).

Enter your password in the password field. It is recommended to enable the Save Password option so you don’t have to type it every time. Also, check the Passive Mode box, as this setting works better with most firewalls and network configurations. Then click Save.

Step 3: Set Advanced Properties (Recommended)

Before connecting, it is useful to set the correct starting folder:

1. Click on Advanced Properties.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. In the Remote site folder field, enter the correct path:

• For cPanel servers: /public_html/
• For Ensim servers: /html/

4. Click OK to save the settings, then click Connect.

Step 4: Transfer Files Between Your Computer and the Server

Once the connection is successful:

• The left panel shows the files and folders stored on your local computer.
• The right panel shows the files and folders currently on your website.

To upload files from your computer to the server, select them on the left side and click the right arrow (→) button.
To download files from the server to your computer, select them on the right side and click the left arrow (←) button.

Important Tips for Uploading Files

• Website files (HTML, CSS, images, etc.) should be placed inside the public_html folder (cPanel) or html folder (Ensim).
• CGI scripts (files ending in .pl, .pm, or .cgi) must be uploaded to the cgi-bin folder.
• Always upload CGI scripts and other text-based files using ASCII mode.
• Use Binary mode only for non-text files such as images, ZIP archives, and executable programs.

By following these steps carefully, you will be able to connect to your hosting account with WS_FTP and manage your website files without difficulty.