How to Create an FTP Account

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol—a standard network protocol used to transfer files between computers over the internet or a local network. Think of it as a digital courier service that moves files from one machine to another.

• Creating an FTP Account
• Summary

Here is a short video on how to create an FTP account.

Creating an FTP Account

An FTP account is a set of credentials that allows someone to access an FTP server. These accounts are created by server administrators to control who can upload, download, or manage files on the server.

 Here's how:

Via the Websites tab

1. Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager.
2. Click the Websites tab on the left-side menu.

   

3. If you have multiple websites, click the settings button next to the site for which you want to create an FTP account for.

   

4. From the horizontal menu, select the Files & Access tab.

   
    

5. Navigate to the FTP section.

   
    

6. Click the Manage button. You’ll be redirected to the FTP Management page to where you can view existing FTP users, associated domains, and directory details.

   
    

7. Click the Create FTP Account button located at the top right.

   
    

8. Fill out the FTP Account Details: 

   
    

   • Create your Username
   • Choose your domain name from the dropdown
   • Create or generate a secure password.
   • Choose the directory path to which the FTP user should have access.
9. Then, finally, click the Create button.
10. A confirmation message will appear at the top of your screen indicating that the account has been successfully created. The new FTP account will now appear on the FTP Management page.

    
     

Via the Hosting tab

1. Click on the Hosting tab in the side navigation menu on the left side of your screen.
2. To access cPanel, navigate to the Quick Links section and click the cPanel button.
3. This will open the cPanel. Scroll down to the Files section, and click the FTP Accounts option.
4. Go to the Add FTP Account section and select the domain name you want to use.
   • Enter your username in the login field:
     • Important note: The username will automatically have your domain added to the end. To select another domain name from your list, make sure to click the small drop-down arrow in the domain field. Example: [email protected]
   • Enter your desired password in both the Password and Confirm Password fields.
     • Important note: Please ensure that the password strength indicator displays a score of 20 or higher before submitting your password. Alternatively, you can use the password generator to generate a strong password, but be sure to take note of it before moving on to the next step.
     • Select the folder to which you want to grant access to the FTP account.
       • This will be filled in automatically with the username you entered.
       • This will correspond to a directory on your account.
       • If the directory doesn't exist, it will be created.
       • When this FTP account connects, they will be taken to this directory.
       • The FTP account will not be able to access anything outside this directory.
       • Entering "/" will give this FTP account full access to your files.
     • Select a Quota: choose unlimited or set a maximum size for the FTP account.
     • Once you have entered all the necessary information, please click the Create FTP Account button to complete the process.
        

To learn more about connecting an FTP Client, please see General FTP Settings.

Summary

Now that you understand how to create and manage FTP accounts in Bluehost, you are ready to take full control of your file sharing and website management. Whether you are setting access permissions or organizing your server directories, FTP provides a secure and flexible way to streamline your workflow.