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FTP Website Editing: The Complete Guide to Editing Any Website

J

James Strickland

Founder

January 4, 202612 min read
FTP Website Editing: The Complete Guide to Editing Any Website

What is FTP Website Editing?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the standard method for transferring files between your computer and a web server. FTP website editing means connecting to your web host and modifying your website files directly.

**Why it matters**: Every website you see is just files on a server. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images—all accessible via FTP. When you edit these files, you control exactly what appears on your website.

How FTP Works

When you connect via FTP:

  • . **You authenticate** with username and password

    • 2. **Server grants access** to your file directory

    3. **You browse files** like folders on your computer

    4. **You edit or transfer** files as needed

    5. **Changes appear** on your live website

    It's like having a direct line to your website's source code.

    FTP vs. SFTP vs. FTPS

    | Protocol | Security | Port | Use Case |

    |----------|----------|------|----------|

    | FTP | None (plain text) | 21 | Legacy servers only |

    | FTPS | SSL/TLS encryption | 990 | Secure file transfer |

    | SFTP | SSH encryption | 22 | Most secure option |

    **Recommendation**: Always use SFTP or FTPS when available. Strickland AI automatically detects and uses the most secure option.

    Getting Your FTP Credentials

    Every hosting provider gives you FTP access. Here's where to find credentials for popular hosts:

    Major Hosting Providers

    GoDaddy

  • cPanel → Files → FTP Accounts
  • Or Managed WordPress → Settings → SFTP

    • Bluehost

  • Advanced → cPanel → FTP Accounts

    • HostGator

  • cPanel → Files → FTP Accounts

    • SiteGround

  • Site Tools → Devs → FTP Accounts

    • Namecheap

  • cPanel → Files → FTP Accounts

    • DreamHost

  • Panel → Websites → Manage FTP

    • Standard Credential Format

  • **Host**: ftp.yourdomain.com or server IP
  • **Username**: Usually your cPanel username
  • **Password**: Your hosting password
  • **Port**: 21 (FTP), 22 (SFTP), 990 (FTPS)

    • **Can't find credentials?** Contact your host's support. They'll help you get FTP access.

    Connecting with Strickland AI

    Traditional FTP clients like FileZilla require installation and configuration. Strickland AI works in your browser:

  • . Go to **stricklandai.com**

    • 2. Sign in or create free account

    3. Click **Add Website**

    4. Choose **Connect via FTP**

    5. Enter your host, username, password, port

    6. Click **Test Connection**

    7. If successful, click **Connect**

    **Done!** You're now connected to your website.

    Understanding Your Server Structure

    Most hosting accounts have a similar structure:

    ```

    /home/username/

    ├── public_html/ ← Website root (edit here)

    │ ├── index.html ← Homepage

    │ ├── about.html ← About page

    │ ├── css/

    │ │ └── style.css ← Styles

    │ ├── js/

    │ │ └── main.js ← Scripts

    │ └── images/

    │ └── logo.png ← Media

    ├── mail/ ← Email (don't edit)

    ├── logs/ ← Server logs

    └── tmp/ ← Temporary files

    ```

    **Key insight**: Your website files are in **/public_html** (sometimes called /www or /htdocs). This is your website root.

    Making Your First Edit

    Let's walk through editing your homepage:

    Step 1: Navigate to the file

    In Strickland AI's file tree, expand /public_html and click index.html (or index.php).

    Step 2: Understand the code

    You'll see HTML like:

    ```html

    <!DOCTYPE html>

    <html>

    <head>

    <title>My Website</title>

    </head>

    <body>

    <h1>Welcome to My Site</h1>

    <p>This is the homepage.</p>

    </body>

    </html>

    ```

    Step 3: Make a change

    Change the h1 text:

    ```html

    <h1>Welcome to My Amazing Site</h1>

    ```

    Step 4: Save and publish

  • Click **Save** (saves draft)
  • Click **Publish** (pushes to server)

    • Step 5: Verify

    Refresh your website. You'll see the new heading!

    Visual Editing vs. Code Editing

    Strickland AI offers both modes:

    Visual Mode (No Code Required)

    Best for:

  • Changing text content
  • Swapping images
  • Adjusting colors
  • Simple layout changes

    • How it works:

  • . Click any element on the page

    • 2. Edit it directly

    3. Changes are translated to code

    4. Publish when ready

    Code Mode (Full Control)

    Best for:

  • Adding new sections
  • Custom functionality
  • Fixing specific bugs
  • Advanced styling

    • Features:

  • Syntax highlighting
  • Auto-complete
  • Error detection
  • Split preview

    • Common Editing Tasks

    Changing Text

    Visual: Click text → Type new content

    Code: Find text in HTML → Replace it

    Updating Images

    Visual: Click image → Upload new file

    Code: Change src attribute in <img> tag

    Modifying Styles

    Visual: Select element → Adjust color/size/spacing

    Code: Edit CSS file or inline styles

    Adding New Pages

  • . Create new file (e.g., services.html)

    • 2. Copy structure from existing page

    3. Modify content

    4. Add link to navigation

    Fixing Broken Links

  • . Search for the broken URL

    • 2. Replace with correct URL

    3. Test all links after publishing

    Best Practices for FTP Editing

    1. Always Backup First

    Before editing, download a copy of the file. Strickland AI does this automatically, but you can also:

  • Right-click file → Download
  • Keep backups locally

    • 2. Test Changes

  • Use Preview before publishing
  • Test on different devices
  • Check interactive elements

    • 3. Make Small Changes

  • Edit one thing at a time
  • Publish and verify
  • Then move to the next change

    • 4. Use Version Control

    Strickland AI tracks every version. You can:

  • See change history
  • Compare versions
  • Restore any previous version

    • 5. Mind File Permissions

    Standard permissions:

  • Folders: 755
  • Files: 644
  • Sensitive configs: 600

    • Troubleshooting FTP Issues

    Connection Problems

    "Connection timed out"

  • Check host address is correct
  • Try IP instead of domain
  • Verify port (21, 22, or 990)

    • "Authentication failed"

  • Reset password with host
  • Check username format (some need username@domain)
  • Verify no extra spaces

    • "Connection refused"

  • FTP might be disabled—contact host
  • Try different protocol (SFTP instead of FTP)
  • Check if your IP is blocked

    • After Editing

    "Changes not visible"

  • Clear browser cache
  • Try incognito window
  • Wait 30 seconds and retry
  • Clear CDN cache if applicable

    • "Error 500 after publishing"

  • You likely introduced a syntax error
  • Restore previous version immediately
  • Check error logs for details

    • "Permissions error"

  • Reset file to 644
  • Reset folder to 755
  • Contact host if persistent

    • Security Considerations

    Use Secure Protocols

  • Prefer SFTP (port 22)
  • Or FTPS (port 990)
  • Avoid plain FTP on public networks

    • Strong Passwords

  • Minimum 12 characters
  • Mix of letters, numbers, symbols
  • Unique to FTP account

    • Limit Access

  • Create dedicated FTP users
  • Restrict to specific directories
  • Revoke access when not needed

    • Monitor Activity

  • Check access logs periodically
  • Set up login alerts if available
  • Review connected IPs

    • FTP Editing for Different Site Types

    Static HTML Sites

    Full flexibility. Edit any .html, .css, or .js file directly.

    WordPress Sites

    Can edit:

  • Theme files (wp-content/themes/)
  • Plugin files (wp-content/plugins/)
  • Uploads (wp-content/uploads/)

    • Avoid editing:

  • Core files (wp-admin, wp-includes)
  • wp-config.php (unless necessary)

    • E-commerce Sites (WooCommerce, Shopify)

  • WooCommerce: Same as WordPress
  • Shopify: Limited FTP access—use their editor

    • Custom CMS/Frameworks

    Works with any technology. Just locate the relevant files and edit.

    FAQ

    Is FTP editing safe?

    Yes, when using secure protocols (SFTP/FTPS). Strickland AI uses encryption and never stores your passwords.

    Will I break my website?

    Not if you're careful. Always backup, make small changes, and use version history to restore if needed.

    Can I edit any website I want?

    Only websites you have FTP credentials for. You need hosting access to connect.

    How fast do changes appear?

    Instantly for most hosts. Some with aggressive caching may take up to 5 minutes.

    Is this better than using a CMS?

    It depends. FTP gives you full control but requires more knowledge. CMS is easier for basic content changes.

    Get Started with FTP Editing

    Ready to take control of your website?

  • . **Create free account** at stricklandai.com

    • 2. **Connect your hosting** via FTP

    3. **Start editing** immediately

    No software to install. No technical expertise required. Just you and your website files.

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