File Transfer

There are two ways you can transfer files to your website and the server on which it is hosted other than by signing into your website's Dashboard.

These two ways enable you to download files from the server hosting your website, as well as upload files to your website.

• File transfer via a web browser.
• File transfer using an FTP Client solution.

Which one should you use?

Your decision should reflect the task in hand.

If you simply want to transfer a few files then you might connect to the server by signing into your website's Hosting Control Panel via your web browser.

If you plan to transfer a Backup Archive then you should always connect to the server using an FTP Client solution.

Reason: there is an increased risk of a Backup Archive becoming compromised when it is transferred via the web browser.

File Transfer via a web browser

You might use the File Manager screen of a Hosting Control Panel (via a web browser) to transfer small numbers of files.

But you should never use this method to transfer website Backup Archives to and from the server.

You should instead use an FTP Client solution (see below).

File Transfer using an FTP Client solution

FTP = File Transfer Protocol.

You should use an FTP Client solution when you want to transfer lots of files or very large files.

Example: download a website Backup Archive from the server.

Example FTP Client

FileZilla is a fast and reliable intuitive cross-platform FTP Client solution.

Its features include:

1. drag & drop support,
2. transfer files securely using SSH or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP),
3. or alternatively by a secure SSL/TLS connection (FTPS or FTPeS),
4. compatible with most operating systems, and
5. supports transfer of very large files.

See our separate article for how to transfer files using the FileZilla FTP Client.

Read more: Getting started using FileZilla.