Overview
This article is a quick overview of how to connect to your DreamHost web server and upload your website files. For more detailed instructions please visit the FTP article here:
Importing your site's database
Your website may also use a database in addition to its website files. If you have a database, view the following articles for instructions on how to migrate it to DreamHost:
- How do I migrate my database to DreamHost?
- phpMyAdmin — How to import or restore a database or table
Other migration options
WordPress migration service
If you are having trouble migrating a WordPress site from another host yourself or just don't have the time, DreamHost currently offers a service that takes care of that for you: for just $99 and in less than 48 hours, DreamHost will move your WordPress site without any downtime. Please take a look at the Terms of Service (TOS) for further details about the process. If you want DreamHost to move forward with migrating your site, please submit a ticket with the domain name you wish to migrate and also include the following statement:
I agree to the WordPress migrations TOS and the $99 charge.
DreamHost will pass your ticket it to the capable hands of the Professional Services team to get you started.
Remixer
DreamHost also offers a website builder called Remixer. This service allows you to build a site without any coding experience or having to use an FTP client to upload your site data. View the following article for further information:
Clients to use to upload your site
When your site is built and ready to go, you can upload your files to DreamHost to place them on your account.
This can be done by using an FTP client to upload your files:
- FTP Client — FileZilla , Cyberduck, CuteFTP, FireFTP, and so on, depending on your OS. Using a fully functioning FTP client such as these is the recommended way to connect to your web server.
- Web FTP — Visit http://webftp.dreamhost.com to connect to your site via WebFTP. This is the FTP client option available within your DreamHost panel.
There are many other FTP client software packages. Please visit the 'List of FTP clients' article for more information.
Uploading website files in an FTP client
DreamHost recommends you use an FTP client to upload your files to DreamHost. You can download and use any FTP client of your choice (see the List of FTP clients article for more information).
The following is an example of Filezilla:
Use the following FTP account login values when prompted:
Host/Server Name
You can use either of the following:
- SITE URL (without http://www): For example if your site is http://www.example.com just use example.com to login to your FTP client.
- Server URL: In your panel go to (Panel > 'Billing & Account' > 'Manage Account').
On this page you’ll see a section named ‘Domains Hosted’. Under that you’ll see your domains. To the right of each is the web server on which it’s set up. So, if you're on the 'flower' server your server address would be flower.dreamhost.com.
Username / Login
This is the username to log into your FTP account only. Please note that your Panel WebID is NOT the FTP username. You can find this information in the email DreamHost sent to you when you either signed up or created the FTP user account. You can also find all of your users under (Panel > 'Users' > 'Manage Users'). To view which user is assigned to which domain, go to (Panel > 'Domains' > 'Manage Domains'). To the right of each domain (under the web hosting column) is the user assigned to that specific domain.
Password
This is the password to log into your FTP account only. Please note this is NOT the same password you use for your Panel. You can reset it under (Panel > 'Users' > 'Manage Users'). Allow up to 15 minutes for it to update in the system before it’s active.
Port
Check this page to see if your user is an FTP/SFTP/SHELL user (Panel > 'Users > 'Manage Users'). If your user is an FTP user you would use port 21. If it’s an SFTP or SHELL user you’d use port 22. NOTE: If you’re using WebFTP in the panel, it currently only accepts port 21.
To ensure a secure connection when connecting to your server, make sure to use port 22. This is also known as connecting via SFTP. View 'FTP Security' for further details.
Troubleshooting
If you uploaded your site and everything looks like it transferred normally, but you only see a "Parent directory", then chances are you uploaded your files to the wrong folder, or you uploaded your files to the wrong FTP user account. Please check and retry.
WebFTP
DreamHost also offers an FTP client in the panel, called 'WebFTP'. This client is not recommended since it does not provide a secure connection, and the ability to manage your content is very limited. View the following article for further details:
Where do I put my files once connected via FTP?
Once you've connected to the server, you are ready to upload your files. View the following article for information on the location to upload your website files:
