FileZilla remains a practical way to transfer website files between your computer and a hosting server, but this guide needs one important update: the original version was written specifically for 000webhost, a service that is no longer operating.
The workflow below focuses on the transferable skill—using FileZilla safely with a modern hosting account.
What Is FileZilla?
FileZilla Client is a cross-platform file transfer application. Depending on your hosting environment, you may connect using FTP, FTP over TLS (FTPS) or SFTP. Your hosting provider determines which protocol, hostname, port and credentials you should use.
What You Need Before Connecting
- FileZilla Client installed from the official FileZilla project.
- Your hosting account’s server hostname.
- Your FTP or SFTP username.
- Your password or authentication method.
- The correct port and transfer protocol.
How to Connect to Your Server
- Open FileZilla Client.
- Use Site Manager to create a new connection rather than repeatedly entering credentials.
- Select the protocol specified by your hosting provider. Prefer an encrypted connection such as SFTP or FTPS when available.
- Enter the host, username, password and port supplied by the host.
- Connect and verify that the remote directory belongs to your website before uploading anything.
How to Upload Website Files
FileZilla normally shows your local files on one side and the remote server on the other. Browse to the folder where your website should live. Depending on the host, this may be called public_html, www, htdocs or another document-root directory.
- Open the local folder containing your website.
- Open the correct document-root folder on the server.
- Select the files and folders you need to transfer.
- Drag them to the remote directory or use the upload command.
- Watch the transfer queue until failed transfers are resolved.
Uploading WordPress
If you are manually installing WordPress, upload the extracted WordPress files to the intended document root. Do not blindly copy the old tutorial’s server paths because folder names vary by hosting provider.
You will also need a MySQL or MariaDB database and its connection details. WordPress.org’s installation documentation confirms that WordPress requires a compatible database for a manual installation.
Common FileZilla Problems
Connection refused
Check the protocol and port. FTP, FTPS and SFTP are not interchangeable.
Authentication failed
Confirm the username and password, and check whether the host requires an SSH key for SFTP.
Files upload but the website does not load
Verify that files were uploaded to the actual document root and that the domain points to the correct server.
Permission errors
Ask your host for its recommended file and directory permissions rather than copying permissions from an unrelated server.
FileZilla Security Checklist
- Download FileZilla from its official project website.
- Use SFTP or FTPS when supported.
- Do not share hosting credentials in screenshots or support posts.
- Use a separate account with only the access required where your host supports it.
- Remove obsolete saved credentials from Site Manager.
- Keep independent backups before large file changes.
Final Takeaway
The useful lesson from the original tutorial is not how to use one discontinued host. It is how to transfer website files safely. FileZilla can still handle that job, but the correct connection details, remote directory and security settings come from your current hosting provider.
Next: See our guide to manually uploading WordPress with FileZilla.
