If you're connected via FTP and cannot navigate above your home directory, that is normal and by design. On shared hosting, your FTP access is restricted to your own account directory for security. What appears as / (root) in your FTP client is actually your home folder.
Your FTP Root = Your Home Directory
What your FTP client shows as / is actually /home/yourusername/ on the server. You cannot see other accounts or system directories. Your website files go in the public_html folder inside this directory.
01. Account Directory Structure
Here is what you see in your FTP client and what each directory is for:
/- your home directory (/home/yourusername/)/public_html/- your main website files go here. This is your document root/public_html/youraddon.com/- addon domain directories (one per addon domain)/mail/- email data stored by the server (do not modify)/tmp/- temporary files/.htpasswds/- password protection files (hidden)/etc/- account configuration files
If you don't see hidden files (files starting with a dot like .htaccess), enable "Show hidden files" in your FTP client's settings. In FileZilla: Server > Force showing hidden files.
02. Where to Upload Your Website
Upload your website files to /public_html/. This is the directory that maps to https://yourdomain.com/. If you have addon domains, each one has its own subdirectory inside public_html.
For a detailed guide on uploading files, see our FileZilla and FTP guide.
03. Need Access Outside Your Home Directory?
If you need access to server directories outside your home folder, FTP on shared hosting cannot provide this. Options include:
- SSH/Terminal - cPanel > Terminal gives you shell access within your account, which may be sufficient for most tasks
- VPS or Dedicated Server - if you need root-level access to the entire server, consider upgrading. See our hosting comparison guide
Need Help With FTP?
If you're having trouble finding your files or connecting via FTP, open a ticket and we can help.
Open a Support TicketLast updated March 2026 · Browse all FTP articles · See also: FileZilla Guide
