FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standard network protocol for moving files between a computer and a server. In web hosting, it is used to upload site files, themes, plugins and backups. This guide uses the Hepsia control panel included with ResellersPanel hosting accounts and the free FileZilla client.
What you need before you connect
The FTP Manager in Hepsia holds the connection details. The default FTP account is created with the hosting account and connects to the /www/ directory; each domain has a folder inside it. A separate account can be limited to one directory.
| Setting | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Host | Your domain, a subdomain, the shared server IP or your dedicated IP. The same value is shown in FTP Manager. |
| Username | The FTP account name. The default account uses the same username as the Hepsia login. |
| Password | The FTP password. It starts as the Hepsia password and can be changed in FTP Manager. |
| Port | 21 for FTP. FileZilla also supports SFTP on port 22 when the server provides it. |
| Target folder | /www/ for the default account; open the folder for your domain inside it. |
Step 1: Check or create the FTP account
- Log in to Hepsia.
- Open Site Options → FTP Manager.
- Use the default account for full access, or create a new account and set its access path to the folder the user needs.
- If you change the password, save it before closing the page.
A restricted account can reach only its own folder and subfolders. That is the safer option when a designer or developer needs access to one site.
Step 2: Connect with FileZilla
- Open FileZilla and choose File → Site Manager → New site. The Quickconnect bar works too, but Site Manager saves the settings.
- Set Protocol to FTP - File Transfer Protocol.
- Enter the host, port
21, username and password from FTP Manager. - Click Connect.
- If the directory listing stalls, open Transfer Settings, enable Passive mode and reconnect. ResellersPanel's upload guide also recommends passive FTP.
Step 3: Upload the site files
FileZilla shows your computer on the left and the server on the right. With the default account, the server side opens in /www/. Open the folder for the domain you are updating, then upload the files into that folder.
- Plain HTML site: upload
index.htmland the asset folders into the domain folder. - WordPress: upload themes to
wp-content/themes/, plugins towp-content/plugins/and media towp-content/uploads/. Do not overwritewp-config.phpunless you intend to change the database settings. - Updates: when FileZilla asks about existing files, overwrite only the files you are replacing. Keep a local copy of the old version until the site loads correctly.
After the transfer finishes, open the site in a browser and clear the site cache if the old files still appear.
Step 4: Check file permissions
WordPress recommends 755 for directories and 644 for files. Change permissions only when you see a permission error; setting everything to 777 is a security risk, not a fix. In FileZilla, right-click the file or folder and open File permissions to set the numeric value.
Troubleshooting common FTP errors
The checks below follow the FTP Manager settings and the common FTP problems documented by ResellersPanel.
530 Login incorrect
Re-enter the FTP username and password from FTP Manager. The default username matches the Hepsia login, but the FTP password can differ if it was changed in FTP Manager. If you created a separate account, use that account's username, not the control panel login.
Connection timed out or the directory listing stalls
Check the host and port first. Then enable Passive mode in FileZilla; firewalls and NAT routers can block active FTP connections. FileZilla's network guide explains the difference between passive and active mode.
Permission denied while uploading
Confirm that you are inside the domain folder under /www/ and that the folder is writable. Check the permission values against the WordPress defaults above. If the account was created with a restricted access path, folders outside that path are intentionally unavailable.
Files uploaded but the site did not change
You may be uploading to the wrong domain folder. Check the domain's document root in Hepsia, upload again to that folder, and clear the site cache.
When FTP is the wrong tool
For a new WordPress, Joomla, OpenCart or PrestaShop installation, the Hepsia application installer creates the files and the database in one step; manual FTP upload is unnecessary. For a single file, the Hepsia File Manager is faster. For large migrations, use SFTP or SSH if the plan provides it.