Upload website to the webspace via FTP

Anyone running their own website will sooner or later come across the term FTP. The file transfer protocol is used for exchanging files between the local computer and the server. We introduce you to three free FTP clients that you can use for secure data transfer. To upload the data of your own online presence to the webspace, the File Transfer Protocol FTP is used. Find out about the different options available to webmasters for uploading their own content to the internet in the following article.

Running your own website is relatively easy nowadays. Even without in-depth technical knowledge, interested individuals can create their own web presence on the internet. However, when it comes to directly exchanging files between the server and the local computer, there is no way around an FTP connection. Even when using modern content management systems such as WordPress or Joomla, website owners cannot avoid FTP. Although the corresponding software can often be installed directly through the hosting provider's administration interface and then filled with content through the backend, direct access via FTP is necessary, especially when it comes to editing system files such as .htaccess or robots.txt. But what options are available to access your own web hosting via FTP? In the following article, we aim to answer this question.

What is FTP exactly?

The abbreviation FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a standardized file transfer protocol used for exchanging data between two computers on the internet. With FTP, files can be uploaded from your own PC at home to a server on the internet or vice versa, downloaded from a server to your own PC. These processes are colloquially referred to as upload and download. To make working with FTP as easy as possible, a so-called FTP client is used. This is an application with a user-friendly interface used for file transfer via FTP and for additional configuration options. For example, FTP can also be used to edit directory structures on a server, manage access rights, or create, delete, and rename folders.

Data Security during FTP Transfer

As with any other type of data transfer on the internet, security is also crucial when it comes to FTP transfers. After all, the transmitted data should not be accessible to unauthorized third parties. To ensure secure data transfer, an FTP connection can be encrypted. There are generally two different options available:

FTPS or FTP over SSL uses the Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption protocol for encryption and authentication. Host and client authentication is done using a username and password, followed by ensuring a connection encrypted via SSL. This option is now supported by almost all web hosting providers on their packages.

SFTP or FTP over SSH uses the Secure Shell (SSH) encryption protocol for encryption and authentication. This network protocol was specifically developed for secure remote control of computers over the internet, but it requires an sshd daemon on the server. Due to higher technical requirements, this option is only available with higher-end web hosting packages.

FTP Access to Your Own Webspace

Web hosting providers offer their customers FTP access to their own webspace in two different ways. With the WebFTP access, a way has been created to access the server directly through the browser without the need to install a specific program. Customers can easily and conveniently access the WebFTP access via the management interface, transfer data, and make file management settings. Alternatively, a separate FTP client can be used. This is standalone software that needs to be installed on the home computer. An FTP client offers more features and is easier to use. For those who frequently transfer data and make settings on their own webspace, it is advisable to use a separate FTP client for more effective file management. There are various free and paid software solutions available on the market. The functions of the free programs are completely sufficient for normal use.

Tip: You can try out data transfer via FTP for free and without obligation with Free Webspace with FTP Access.

The abbreviation FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, which translates from English to mean File Transfer Protocol. It is a special network protocol that enables the transfer of files in IP networks. It is mainly used to either upload files from your own computer to a server on the internet (Upload) or to download files from a server on the internet to your own computer (Download). Additionally, FTP can be used to edit the directory structure on a server by creating, renaming, or deleting folders.

To ensure secure data transfer, the FTP connection can also be encrypted. This can be done using the FTP over SSL (FTPS) feature, where the connection is encrypted after authentication using Transport Layer Security (TLS). Alternatively, the File Transfer Protocol over SSH (SFTP) feature can be used, which requires an sshd daemon that is not usually available on basic web hosting packages.

In general, there are two ways for web hosting customers to upload their content to the server via FTP.

WebFTP

With this option, access to the server is done through the browser. There is no need to install a separate application. All essential basic functions for file management are available to the user through the WebFTP access and can be used with a few mouse clicks on the corresponding website. Almost every web hosting provider allows its customers access to the webspace via WebFTP access.

FTP Client

With this option, access to the server is done through special software. Installing a separate application is necessary for this. Unlike WebFTP access, an FTP client is equipped with more features that contribute to better organization and more effective file management. There are various free and paid software solutions available on the market. However, the functionality of free applications is usually sufficient for the average webmaster.

We have compiled the best FTP clients for you in this article.