Getting Started Guide: FTP

Connecting to your server is fast and easy when using FTP access. InMotion Hosting has the cPanel File Manager that you can use to upload files to your server; however, the File Manager requires you to upload one file at a time. With FTP, you can upload all your files to your server at once.

What is FTP?

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and is used to upload and download files from your hosting account. FTP is a good way to upload your files to the server because you can drag all your files at once to the folder on your server instead of uploading each file one at a time.

Connecting to FTP can be done in several ways. You can connect to your server using a program like FileZilla or CyberDuck, or you can use an HTML editor like DreamWeaver or Notepad++. No matter what way you are connecting to your server, you will need to use the correct credentials to connect. The following sections will explain how to connect to your server using FTP.

Basic FTP configuration settings

The basic settings for connecting to your server using FTP are relatively simple. You can Create FTP accounts to restrict access to a specific folder on your server, or you can use your cPanel username and password. The most basic connection setting for FTP is the Username, Password, Hostname, and Port. This is used in all FTP programs. If you are not connecting to your server to your main domain and want to have access without using the cPanel username, please see the following on how to create an FTP account in your cPanel.

How do I create a FTP account in my control panel (cpanel)?

Using FTP with your Addon domain

Your "Home" directory stores all your emails and other personal information on your server. You may want to restrict access to the specific folder location for a web developer to access your files without accessing your mail folder. You can set up an FTP account to do this. If you want to restrict access for a web developer to just a specific folder, you can create an FTP account to limit access.

You DO NOT have to create an FTP account to connect to your server. If you use the cPanel username and password, you can connect directly to your servers "Home" directory. If you are not sure what the "Home" directory is, please see our article on What directory should I put my files in?.

Connecting to FTP with your cPanel user

To connect to your account via FTP using your cPanel user credentials, you need to use the username and password for your cPanel. you can get your username by Viewing Your Account's technical information in AMP.

Using a Created FTP account

You can connect using a "Created FTP" account or an "Addon/Sub" domain. When an "Addon" domain or "Sub" domain is created, an FTP account is also created. You don't have to use your cPanel username to connect to your server. Please see Using FTP with your Addon domain. Addon domains are domains that you add to your website other than your main domain. If you want to learn about addon domains, please see New Domains: Add-on, Parked, and Subdomains.

Different FTP programs available

To connect to your account via FTP, you need to use an FTP client. There are many free FTP clients available, such as Filezilla (Windows and Mac) and Cyberduck (Mac). The exact steps to configure each FTP client vary. For more information regarding setting up specific FTP clients, please see the following links:

Using Passive mode

If you are having trouble connecting via ftp and you have the option to enable passive mode, please try doing so. Passive mode is a security related setting, and if you are behind a firewall, you may need to use it. If you ever get stuck with connecting for whatever reason, please do not hesitate to contact tech support.