Moxy Web Studio / Client help / Upload your website

Moxy Web Studio · Client guide

Upload your website with FileZilla

works with any host

FileZilla is a free program that copies files from your computer to your host. It works with every host that gives you FTP or SFTP access, including the ones without a good file manager.

Watch it first

44 seconds, with narration. The steps below say the same thing in writing.

Before you start: download the zip from the link in our email and keep a copy. Have your hosting login ready. Allow about fifteen minutes.

STEP 1

Get ready

  1. Unzip the site on your computer. Windows: right-click the zip → Extract All…. Mac: double-click it. Open the new folder and check index.html is right inside.
  2. Find your FTP details in your host's control panel (often FTP Accounts): host, username, password, port.
  3. Download FileZilla Client from filezilla-project.org. Choose Show additional download options and pick the plain installer: the main button's installer may include other offers.
STEP 2

Connect

  1. Fill in the Quickconnect bar: Host (use sftp://yourdomain.com and port 22 if your host offers SFTP, otherwise the FTP host and port 21), Username, Password, then Quickconnect.
  2. First SFTP connection: an Unknown host key box appears. Tick Always trust this host and select OK.
  3. In the right pane (Remote site) open public_html (or your host's web folder).

Move the old site out first: right-click in the remote pane → Create directory old-site, then drag the old files into it (leave .well-known and cgi-bin).

FileZilla: fill the Quickconnect bar (1), open public_html on the right (2), drag the files across (3)FileZillaHost:sftp://larkspurvane.comUsername:Password:••••••Port:22Quickconnect1Status: ConnectedStatus: Directory listing of "/public_html" successfulLocal site:Desktop/larkspur-websitecssimagesabout.htmlcontact.htmlindex.htmlservices.htmlRemote site:/public_htmlold-site32Queued files Failed transfers Successful transfers (8)index.html → /public_html/index.html Transferred
Quickconnect (1), public_html on the right (2), drag the files across (3). Enlarge
STEP 3

Upload

  1. In the left pane (Local site) open your unzipped folder. Click in its file list and press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A on a Mac).
  2. Drag the selection onto the right pane's file list.
  3. If asked Target file already exists: choose Overwrite, tick Always use this action, OK.
  4. Wait until Queued files is empty. Anything under Failed transfers: drag it again.
FileZilla: Overwrite, Always use this action, OKFileZillaTarget file already existsThe target file already exists. Please choose an action.OverwriteOverwrite if source newerOverwrite if different sizeResumeRenameSkipAlways use this action1OK2Cancel
Overwrite, Always use this action, OK. Enlarge

Check it works

  • Open your domain in a private window (or press Ctrl+F5) so you don't see a saved copy of the old site.
  • Click through every page, and send yourself a test message from the contact form: it goes to the email you gave us.
  • Padlock missing? Turn on your host's free SSL certificate in its control panel (often called AutoSSL, Let's Encrypt or Free SSL).
  • Everything works? You can delete old-site later, once you're sure. And update your website on Google: Google Business Profile guide.

Stuck?

  • Read common problems first: most fixes take a minute.
  • Your host's own support team can do the upload for you in a few minutes: send them the zip and say "please put these files in my website's web root".
  • We don't log into hosting accounts, so we can't do the upload for you. If you'd rather not deal with it at all, reply to our email: we can host the site for you on a small monthly plan instead. hello@moxywebstudio.com