Uploading a website to a server is essentially just copying files. Not to a flash drive or cloud storage, but into the correct directory on your hosting account. All methods differ only in how you transfer the files. The result is always the same: the site ends up on the server and becomes accessible through a browser.

What actually happens when a site “appears on the internet”

A website is a set of files that the server knows how to deliver to users. While those files live on your computer, only you can see them. Once they’re placed on a server, they become accessible from the internet.

For that to happen, you only need three things:

• copy the site files to the hosting server;

• place them in the directory from which the server serves the website;

• make sure the server has access rights to those files.

FTP, SFTP, and a file manager don’t change what’s happening under the hood. They’re simply different ways to perform the same task — moving site files to the correct location on the server.

Main ways to upload files to hosting

In practice, three methods are commonly used, and almost every hosting provider supports all of them:

• FTP — the classic file transfer method;

• SFTP — a more secure version of FTP;

• File manager in the hosting panel — a “through the browser” option.

FTP: old, but still functional

FTP is the most well-known and oldest way to upload files to a server. It’s been around for decades and is still available on most hosting platforms.

FTP is convenient because it:

• allows you to upload many files at once;

• works well for regular site maintenance;

• gives full control over the file structure.

However, FTP has one major drawback that can’t be ignored: it doesn’t encrypt data. Logins, passwords, and files are transmitted in plain text. Today, this is considered outdated and insecure.

SFTP: the same idea, but safer

SFTP is often confused with FTP because of the name, but it’s actually a different protocol. It works over a secure connection and encrypts all transmitted data.

From a user’s perspective, there’s almost no difference: the interface is the same, the actions are the same, and most FTP clients support SFTP out of the box.

The practical differences are:

• data is transmitted in encrypted form;

• logins and passwords aren’t exposed on the network;

• the method meets modern security requirements.

If your hosting supports SFTP, using it is the sensible choice — especially if you work with the site regularly, not just once.

What you need to connect via FTP or SFTP

To connect to a server, you need a few parameters. These are usually sent by the hosting provider via email or available in the control panel.

Typically, you’ll need:

• the server address;

• a username and password;

• the connection port;

• the connection type — FTP or SFTP.

Mistakes in these details are the most common reason a connection doesn’t work on the first attempt.

Where exactly to upload site files

This is an important detail that’s often overlooked. A server usually contains several directories, but the website must be placed in the root directory — not just anywhere.

Most often, it’s called:

• public_html;

• www;

• htdocs.

File manager in the hosting control panel

A file manager is a built-in tool in the hosting control panel that lets you work with files directly through your browser.

This method is especially convenient if:

• you’re uploading the site once and don’t plan to edit files often;

• you need to quickly replace or fix one or two files;

• you can’t install an FTP client on your computer.

File managers are great for simple tasks, but they come with limitations that are worth knowing about.

Limitations of a file manager

Despite its simplicity, a file manager isn’t always convenient for larger projects.

Common drawbacks include:

• uploading many files can be slow or restricted;

• you usually can’t drag and drop entire folders easily;

• if the connection drops, the upload often has to be restarted.

That’s why for regular work or larger sites, FTP or SFTP tends to be more practical.

Step by step: uploading a site from scratch

Putting it all together, the basic site upload process is fairly straightforward.

First, prepare the site files on your computer: check the folder structure and make sure there’s nothing unnecessary inside.

Next, get the access details from your hosting provider and confirm which connection methods are supported.

Then connect to the server — via SFTP or using the file manager in the control panel.

Locate the site’s root directory, usually named public_html, www, or htdocs.

Upload the site files directly into this directory, not into nested subfolders.

Wait for the upload to finish and open the site in your browser.

If the site doesn’t open right away, the reason is usually simple: the files are in the wrong directory or the folder structure is incorrect.

FTP or SFTP: what to choose in practice

If you strip away the theory, the choice is usually straightforward.

• SFTP is the preferred option if available — it’s more secure and suitable for regular use.

• FTP is acceptable if there are no alternatives, but should be used with caution.

• File manager is convenient for one-off tasks and small edits.

There’s no need to use all methods at once. Just pick the one that’s clear and comfortable for you.

What to check after uploading

Once the files are on the server, it’s worth doing a few quick checks.

• Open the site via the domain and make sure your version loads.

• Check images and styles — if they don’t load, the issue is often incorrect file paths.

• Make sure file permissions are standard and nothing is being blocked.

These small checks help avoid the feeling that “everything uploaded, but something doesn’t work.”

Conclusion

Uploading a website to a server isn’t some kind of technical magic. It’s simple file copying — just to the right place on your hosting account. FTP, SFTP, and file managers all solve the same task; they differ only in convenience and in which situations they’re easier to use.