How to access domain root folder, .htaccess file, upload and download files in GoDaddy hosting- for beginners

If you are managing a website or blog and you are new to this you might come across many problems during this management process and you want to learn and manage things on your own. Sometimes for specific solutions such as increasing website performance or search rankings that you have found on the internet you might need to upload files, access files, remove files from your hosting or domain root folder. Beginners might find it difficult how to access files and folders to make suggested changes. This article will guide you through step-by-step process to access your domain root folder in Godaddy hosting account.

STEP 1

Install third party ftp client

In Godaddy hosting account presumably WordPress managed hosting you cannot access your ftp account directly from hosting account rather you need a third party software to connect to your ftp account where all folders and files are kept.

There are quite few good ftp client softwares out there like FileZilla for all platforms

Download

and Cyberduck  for Mac OS X

Download

Here I will be using FileZilla to connect to Godaddy ftp account. Download and Install FileZilla for later use.

STEP 2

Login to your Godaddy Hosting account

One you have downloaded FileZilla now you need to login to your Godaddy hosting account. Go to your Godaddy account and click on manage hosting where you can see your domain hosting account.

Choose the domain you want to access and click settings as shown in the image above. Now click on SSH & SFTP from the top menu

Now you will see all the information Hostname, Port, SFTP Username and Password that you will need to connect to your SFTP account, files and folders. If you can see the password just click toggle password to view the password. Copy all this information and save it in the document or just leave it open while you connect to the account.

STEP 3

Open FileZilla application

Now you will open up FileZilla application which was downloaded and installed earlier. When you will open it you will see the hostname, username, password and port bar on top fill in the Godaddy hosting details and click quick connect.

STEP 4

Accessing, downloading and uploading files

Now you will see all the hosting account files in the right column and your computer files and path in the left column.

Your domain files are always on the right side, now to access any file in the domain root folder double click it, to download any file or folder from the domain right click on it and click download. And for uploading any files and folders to the domain root folder, locate the file on left hand side which is on your computer, right click on in and click upload.

Proceed With Caution

There is no problem in downloading files from ftp account but you need to be careful when uploading files and folders to the domain root. Make sure you are uploading correct files. Be extremely cautious when deleting files from the domain folders, as it may cause harm to your up running website.