Why You Need FileZilla
First of all, let me explain what FileZilla is.
It's a simple (and free) means of uploading a file from your computer to a folder on your website, using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). It's a fast interface that looks a lot like Microsoft's File Explorer, so you should feel right at home with it.
But why do you need to upload files to your website?
Well, in the early days of your website creation, you probably don't. But as you build it up, you will find the need arises. Here are two scenarios where you could need to do this:
- You've engaged a 3rd party platform such as GSC (Google Search Console) and they've asked you to verify your site by uploading a file they've given you to your website's root directory. The easiest way to do that is to use FileZilla to upload the file from the Downloads folder on your hard disk to the public_html folder on your website.
- You've created an opt-in page on your website and need a simple, cost-free way for your visitors to claim the free gift you've promised them. You load FileZilla, connect to your website and create a new folder. Upload your freebie as a zip file to the new folder and you now have a url link to give your opt-in. When they click on it, the file will download to their computer.
How Do You Get FileZilla?
Go to filezilla-project.org. Click on Download FileZilla Client and go through the installation process.
Getting Your FileZilla Credentials
To connect FileZilla to your website, you will need
- Host Name
- User Name
- Password
You can get these from your web host, but it's different for each host. Here are the details for two popular hosts:
Wealthy Affiliate
Wealthy Affiliate makes it really easy to get the FTP credentials required by FileZilla. If you haven't yet joined Wealthy Affiliate. you can do so from Join Wealthy Affiliate for Free.
Click on Websites, then the View Details button for the website you want.
Under Domain Details, you'll see your Website URL, which is what you'll use as the Host Name, alongside the FTP Username and FTP password, giving you everything you need in the one spot.
Siteground
In your SiteGround account, click on Websites and then Site Tools.
In the left-hand menu, select FTP accounts.
Under Create New FTP Account, enter a field such as your name to create a User Name in the form of an email address. Then generate a password and make a copy of it. On the right-hand side you will see the FTP Host Name and port.
These give you everything you need to set up FileZilla.
Click the Create button.
Setting FileZilla Up
Load FileZilla, then click on Site Manager. This is where you will connect your website to FileZilla.
Click the New Site button and give the new site a name. I always simply use the domain name.
Fill in Host, User and Password. Click the Connect button.
The left-hand panel should show folders from your local hard disk and the right-hand panel folders from your website.
You can navigate up or down
Transferring a File
The FileZilla screen looks similar to the Windows File Explorer screen and operates in much the same way.
In the left-hand pane, navigate to the folder containing the file(s) you wish to transfer and in the right-hand pane, navigate to the folder on your website that you wish to transfer the file(s) to. Remember that the folder public_html is your website's root directory. Everything else is a sub-directory off it.
To transfer a file from your local hard disk, you can click and drag it or you can simply double-click it.
You don't have to wait until a file has finished transferring to start another. They will queue.
FileZilla will show you the process of the transfer and tell you when all have completed.
You can also pick up my free book The 4 Things You Must Know (to make money while you sleep).
See also:
