How to Create Additional FTP Users on Your Domain in Plesk

Why Create Additional FTP Users?

Creating separate FTP accounts is useful for:

• Team collaboration - Give developers or designers access to specific folders
• Client access - Let clients upload content to their subdomain
• Security - Limit access to specific directories instead of full site access
• Accountability - Track who uploaded or modified which files
• Temporary access - Create accounts for contractors that can be deleted later
• Subdomain management - Give different people access to different subdomains

Understanding FTP Users

Main FTP Account

When you create a domain in Plesk, a main FTP account is automatically created. This account:

• Has full access to your entire domain
• Cannot be deleted
• Username is usually your domain username
• Has administrative privileges

Additional FTP Accounts

Additional accounts you create:

• Can have limited access (specific folders only)
• Can be deleted anytime
• Have custom usernames
• Can have disk space quotas
• Can have read-only or read-write permissions

Before You Start

What You'll Need

• Access to your Plesk control panel
• A domain configured in Plesk
• Username and password you want to create

Important Notes

• FTP usernames must be unique across your entire Plesk server
• Each user can be restricted to a specific directory
• You can set disk quotas for each user
• Permissions can be set to read-only or read-write

Step 1: Access FTP Management

Navigate to FTP Access

1. Log in to Plesk
2. Go to Websites & Domains
3. Find the domain you want to add FTP users for
4. Click FTP Access (under "Files & Databases" section)

You'll see a list of existing FTP accounts for this domain.

Step 2: Create New FTP Account

Start Account Creation

1. On the FTP Access page, click Add an FTP Account (or + Add FTP Account)
2. A configuration form will appear

Step 3: Configure FTP Account Settings

Fill in the following information:

FTP Account Name (Username)

What it is: The username the person will use to log in via FTP.

Requirements:

• Must be unique across your Plesk server
• Can contain letters, numbers, underscores
• No spaces allowed
• Case-sensitive

Best practices:

• Use descriptive names: john_developer, client_uploads, designer_maria
• Don't use generic names like user1, test
• Include purpose: subdomain_blog, temp_contractor

Example: developer_john or marketing_team

Home Directory

What it is: The highest-level directory this user can access.

How it works:

• User cannot navigate above this directory
• Acts as the "root" for this FTP user
• User sees this as their main folder

Options:

Full domain access:

• Leave blank or enter /
• User can access entire domain structure
• Use with caution - gives broad access

Specific folder:

• Click the folder icon to browse
• Select specific directory
• Example: /httpdocs/uploads or /httpdocs/blog

Common directory examples:

• /httpdocs - Main website files
• /httpdocs/wp-content/uploads - WordPress uploads
• /httpdocs/images - Image directory
• /httpdocs/subdomain - Subdomain folder
• /private - Private storage area

Best practice: Always restrict to the minimum necessary directory.

Password

Setting the password:

Option 1: Enter manually

• Type password in New password field
• Re-type in Confirm password field
• Must match exactly

Option 2: Generate password

• Click Generate button
• Plesk creates a strong random password
• Copy and save it somewhere safe
• Share securely with the user

Password requirements:

• Minimum 5 characters (check your server settings)
• Use mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols
• Avoid dictionary words
• Don't use personal information

Example strong password: Mk9$pL2#qR7x

Hard Disk Quota (Windows Only)

What it is: Limits how much disk space this FTP user can use.

Options:

Unlimited:

• Default setting
• No size restrictions
• User can fill available space

Limited:

• Uncheck "Unlimited"
• Enter amount in megabytes (MB)
• Example: 500 MB, 1000 MB (1 GB), 5000 MB (5 GB)

When to use quotas:

• Prevent one user from using all space
• Control client uploads
• Manage multiple team members
• Temporary accounts

Example: Set 1000 MB for a contractor who only needs to upload a few files.

Permissions (Windows Only)

Read Permission:

• Enabled: User can view files and folders
• Enabled: User can download files
• Disabled: User cannot see directory contents

Write Permission:

• Enabled: User can upload files
• Enabled: User can create folders
• Enabled: User can rename and delete files
• Disabled: Read-only access

Common permission combinations:

Full access (Read + Write):

• Use for: Developers, designers, content managers
• Can: Upload, download, modify, delete

Read-only (Read only):

• Use for: Clients who only need to download
• Can: View and download only
• Cannot: Upload or modify

Upload-only (Write only):

• Use for: File submission forms
• Can: Upload new files
• Cannot: See what's already there

No access (Neither checked):

• User can connect but sees empty directory
• Not recommended

Step 4: Create the Account

1. Review all settings
2. Click OK button
3. Wait for confirmation message
4. Account is created instantly

Step 5: Share FTP Credentials with User

Information to Provide

Give the user these connection details:

FTP Hostname/Server:

• Option 1: Your server IP address (e.g., 123.45.67.89)
• Option 2: Your domain name (e.g., ftp.yourdomain.com)
• Option 3: Server hostname (e.g., server.yourhost.com)

To find IP address:

• Go to Websites & Domains
• Look for IP Address in domain details
• Or check Web Hosting Access section

Username:

• The FTP account name you created
• Example: developer_john

Password:

• The password you set or generated

Port:

• 21 for standard FTP
• 22 for SFTP (more secure)

Connection Type:

• Try Passive mode first (works with most firewalls)
• If fails, try Active mode

Starting Directory:

• Usually automatic (home directory you set)
• Can be specified as /httpdocs or custom path

Example FTP Credentials

Hostname: ftp.yourdomain.com (or 123.45.67.89)
Username: developer_john
Password: Mk9$pL2#qR7x
Port: 21
Mode: Passive

Security Tips for Sharing Credentials

• Don't email passwords in plain text
• Use password managers or encrypted tools
• Share username and password separately
• Change password if compromised
• Delete account when no longer needed

Managing Existing FTP Accounts

View All FTP Accounts

1. Go to Websites & Domains
2. Click FTP Access for your domain
3. See list of all accounts
4. Shows: Username, home directory, created date

Modify FTP Account

To change settings for an existing account:

1. Go to FTP Access
2. Click on the FTP account name in the list
3. Modify any settings:
   • Password
   • Home directory
   • Disk quota
   • Permissions
4. Click OK to save changes

Note: You cannot change the username - you'd need to delete and recreate.

Change FTP Password

Quick password change:

1. Go to FTP Access
2. Click the account name
3. Enter new password in both fields
4. Click OK
5. Inform user of new password

When to change passwords:

• User forgot password
• Security concern
• Regular security maintenance (every 90 days)
• User leaving team

Delete FTP Account

To remove an FTP account:

1. Go to FTP Access
2. Select the checkbox next to the account
3. Click Remove button
4. Click Yes, remove to confirm
5. Account is deleted immediately

Important notes:

• Deleted accounts cannot be recovered
• Files uploaded by this user remain on server
• Main FTP account cannot be deleted
• User loses access instantly

When to delete accounts:

• Contractor finished work
• Employee left company
• Temporary access no longer needed
• Security concern

Using FTP Clients

Popular FTP Clients

FileZilla (Free - Windows, Mac, Linux):

• Most popular FTP client
• Easy to use
• Supports FTP and SFTP
• Download: https://filezilla-project.org

WinSCP (Free - Windows):

• FTP and SFTP support
• Integrates with Windows Explorer
• Download: https://winscp.net

Cyberduck (Free - Windows, Mac):

• Simple interface
• Cloud storage integration
• Download: https://cyberduck.io

Transmit (Paid - Mac):

• Professional Mac FTP client
• Fast and feature-rich

Connecting with FileZilla (Example)

1. Open FileZilla
2. Enter connection details:
   • Host: ftp.yourdomain.com
   • Username: developer_john
   • Password: yourpassword
   • Port: 21
3. Click Quickconnect
4. Accept server certificate if prompted
5. Connected! Browse files

Troubleshooting

Cannot Create FTP Account

Error: "FTP account limit reached"

Solution:

• Check your hosting plan limits
• Upgrade plan if needed
• Delete unused FTP accounts
• Contact hosting provider

User Cannot Connect

Common issues and solutions:

1. Incorrect credentials:

• Verify username is correct (case-sensitive)
• Reset password to be sure
• Check for typos

2. Wrong hostname:

• Try IP address instead of domain
• Try domain instead of IP address
• Check if server hostname works

3. Firewall blocking:

• Try passive mode instead of active
• Try active mode instead of passive
• Check if port 21 is open
• Try SFTP on port 22

4. Home directory doesn't exist:

• Verify directory exists in File Manager
• Create directory if missing
• Check directory path is correct

Permission Denied Errors

If user gets "Permission Denied":

Solutions:

1. Check write permission is enabled
2. Verify home directory is correct
3. Check file permissions on server
4. Ensure directory exists
5. Try different directory

Files Not Appearing

If user connects but sees no files:

Windows hosting:

• Enable "Read permission"
• Verify directory has files

Linux hosting:

• Check home directory path
• Ensure files exist in that directory

Best Practices

Security Best Practices

1. Principle of least privilege
   • Give minimum necessary access
   • Restrict to specific folders
   • Use read-only when possible
2. Strong passwords
   • Use password generator
   • Change regularly
   • Don't reuse passwords
3. Regular audits
   • Review FTP accounts monthly
   • Delete unused accounts
   • Update passwords periodically
4. Use SFTP when possible
   • More secure than FTP
   • Encrypts data transfer
   • Port 22 instead of 21
5. Monitor activity
   • Check FTP logs regularly
   • Watch for suspicious activity
   • Investigate unknown connections

Organization Tips

1. Naming convention
   • Use descriptive usernames
   • Include person's name or role
   • Add purpose: designer_logo_updates
2. Document accounts
   • Keep list of all FTP users
   • Note who has access to what
   • Record creation date and purpose
3. Set expiration reminders
   • For temporary accounts
   • Review quarterly
   • Clean up old accounts

Performance Tips

1. Limit number of accounts
   • Only create what's needed
   • Share accounts when appropriate
   • Delete when finished
2. Set appropriate quotas
   • Prevent space abuse
   • Match to user needs
   • Monitor usage

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Give Developer Access to Specific Folder

Scenario: Web developer needs to update JavaScript files only.

Configuration:

• Username: developer_mike
• Home Directory: /httpdocs/js
• Permissions: Read + Write
• Quota: 100 MB

Result: Mike can only access and modify JavaScript files in the js folder.

Use Case 2: Client Upload Area

Scenario: Client needs to upload images but shouldn't see other files.

Configuration:

• Username: client_acme
• Home Directory: /httpdocs/uploads/acme
• Permissions: Write only (or Read + Write)
• Quota: 500 MB

Result: Client can upload to their folder without seeing other site files.

Use Case 3: Temporary Contractor

Scenario: Freelance designer working for 2 weeks.

Configuration:

• Username: temp_designer_sarah
• Home Directory: /httpdocs/design
• Permissions: Read + Write
• Quota: 200 MB

Action after project:

• Download any needed files
• Delete account
• Remove files if no longer needed

Use Case 4: Content Team

Scenario: Multiple content writers upload blog images.

Configuration:

• Username: content_team
• Home Directory: /httpdocs/wp-content/uploads
• Permissions: Read + Write
• Quota: 2000 MB

Result: Shared account for team to upload media files.

Summary

To create an additional FTP user in Plesk:

1. Navigate to Websites & Domains → FTP Access
2. Click Add an FTP Account
3. Enter username (must be unique)
4. Select home directory (folder they can access)
5. Set password (or generate one)
6. Configure quota and permissions (Windows)
7. Click OK to create
8. Share credentials securely with user

Result: User can now connect via FTP with limited access to your specified directory!

Quick Reference

Connection Information Format

Server/Host: [Your server IP or domain]
Username: [FTP account name]
Password: [Set password]
Port: 21 (FTP) or 22 (SFTP)
Protocol: FTP or SFTP
Mode: Passive (recommended)

Common Directories

• / - Root of domain
• /httpdocs - Web root (public files)
• /httpdocs/wp-content - WordPress content
• /private - Private files (not web-accessible)
• /httpdocs/subdomain - Subdomain files

Your additional FTP users can now safely access your server!