Use DirectAdmin's File Manager to upload a website from your computer. You do not need a separate file-transfer application for this method. These steps suit plain HTML and finished static exports. A database-driven website also needs its database and application configuration, so moving files alone is not a complete migration.
Before you upload
- Keep a local copy of the new files and back up any existing website before replacing it. Store backups outside the publicly accessible website folder.
- For a static site generator, upload the generated website output, not the project source or development tools. ArkHost Static plans do not include databases and cannot run WordPress.
- Check your available storage. Do not upload private keys, database exports, full account backups or files containing secrets as public website content.
Upload with File Manager
- Sign in to your ArkHost Client Area, open the active hosting service and select Login to DirectAdmin.
- Open File Manager. Its position depends on the panel layout. If it is missing, ask support which upload method is available for your service.
- Open domains, then your domain's folder, then public_html. This is the standard DirectAdmin website folder. If support has supplied a different document root, use that instead. Avoid the account-level public_html shortcut when managing several domains.
- Use the upload control to select files from your computer, then start the upload. Wait for completion and check for failed files. Create matching subfolders and upload their contents into them so images, stylesheets and pages retain their original paths.
- For a plain HTML site, place index.html directly inside the website folder, not one extra folder below it. Review overwrite prompts carefully. Replace only files you intend to change, not the whole domain directory.
- Check the file listing after uploading. Confirm that the homepage and its asset folders are present. Remove any temporary upload archive from the public folder once it is no longer needed.
SFTP is an optional alternative
To use SFTP, first check the SSH/SFTP hostname, port, username and authentication method supplied for your service. If these details are not available, ask ArkHost to confirm access for your account.
In a compatible client, select SFTP and enter those settings exactly. Confirm the server's host-key fingerprint through a trusted ArkHost channel before accepting it. Open the supplied website folder, transfer your files and check for failed transfers. SFTP uses SSH; FTP and FTPS are different protocols. An FTP account or FTP port is not proof of SFTP access. If settings are missing, use File Manager or contact support, rather than guessing.
Check the published site
Open your domain once its DNS points to this hosting service. Check the homepage, an inner page, images and links. If old content appears, check the selected domain, upload folder and any browser or CDN cache. If HTTPS shows different content, ask support to check the secure document root rather than deleting or replacing private_html.
Do not bypass certificate warnings. Report persistent errors with the domain, URL, upload method and exact message, without passwords.
Need help? Contact ArkHost support with your domain and the exact error.
