How to Set Up SFTP for Your WordPress Site in GoHighLevel

ClickUp users who migrate to GoHighLevel often need secure file access to manage their hosted WordPress sites. This step-by-step guide explains exactly how to configure SFTP credentials using your GoHighLevel hosting so you can safely upload, edit, and manage website files from your preferred FTP client.

The process is simple: you will gather your hosting details from the GoHighLevel interface, then use those details to connect via SFTP using a tool like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or another secure FTP client.

What You Need Before You Start in GoHighLevel

Before configuring SFTP access for your WordPress site in GoHighLevel, make sure you have the following items ready:

Access to your GoHighLevel agency or sub-account with WordPress hosting enabled.
The WordPress site already created and hosted inside the GoHighLevel platform.
An SFTP client installed on your computer (e.g., FileZilla, Cyberduck, WinSCP).
Basic familiarity with entering hostnames, usernames, and passwords in an FTP client.

All required connection credentials will be obtained directly from the GoHighLevel hosting dashboard.

Accessing Your WordPress Hosting Details in GoHighLevel

The first step is to open the WordPress hosting section inside your GoHighLevel account so you can view the automatically generated SFTP credentials.

Log in to your GoHighLevel account with your standard username and password.
From the main dashboard, navigate to the Sites or Hosting area where your WordPress sites are listed.
Select the specific WordPress site for which you want to configure SFTP access.
Open the hosting or site settings panel. In this area, GoHighLevel displays the key technical information for your WordPress installation.

Within these settings, look for an SFTP or FTP section that includes the hostname, port, username, and password for secure file transfer.

Finding Your SFTP Credentials in GoHighLevel

Once you are in the correct WordPress site settings, GoHighLevel provides SFTP connection details that you will enter into your FTP client.

Typical SFTP details you will see include:

Protocol: SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)
Host: The server hostname or IP address assigned by GoHighLevel
Port: The secure port number (usually 22 unless otherwise specified)
Username: A unique SFTP user generated for your WordPress site
Password: The SFTP password provided in the GoHighLevel interface

Some setups may also display the web root or directory path where your WordPress files are stored. Make a note of that location so you can upload themes, plugins, and media to the correct folder.

Configuring Your SFTP Client for GoHighLevel

After collecting the SFTP credentials from GoHighLevel, you can configure any secure FTP client to connect to your WordPress files. The steps below use a generic process that works similarly in most popular clients.

Step-by-Step SFTP Configuration for GoHighLevel

Open your preferred SFTP or FTP client on your computer.
Create a new site or connection profile and give it a name such as “GoHighLevel WordPress SFTP”.
Set the connection type or protocol to SFTP (not plain FTP).
In the Host field, enter the hostname or IP address copied from the GoHighLevel hosting panel.
In the Port field, enter the SFTP port specified by GoHighLevel (commonly 22).
Enter the Username exactly as it appears in your GoHighLevel SFTP section.
Enter the Password shown in your site settings. Be careful with case sensitivity and special characters.
Set the encryption method to “Use explicit SFTP” or the closest equivalent option, depending on your client.
Save the connection profile and click Connect or Open.

If all credentials are correct, your SFTP client will log in and display your WordPress file structure hosted by GoHighLevel.

Locating WordPress Files via GoHighLevel SFTP

After a successful connection, you will need to find the correct directory that contains your WordPress installation managed by GoHighLevel.

Commonly, you will see folders such as:

public_html or htdocs – often the main web root.
wp-content – contains themes, plugins, uploads, and other custom files.
wp-admin – core admin interface files.
wp-includes – essential WordPress library files.

Make sure you identify the root folder shown in the GoHighLevel documentation or hosting panel and avoid altering system files that are not part of your customization needs.

Recommended Uses of SFTP with GoHighLevel

Once connected to your WordPress site via SFTP, you can perform several important tasks that complement the built-in GoHighLevel tools:

Upload or update custom themes.
Install or remove plugins that are not easily managed from the WordPress dashboard.
Manually upload large media files to the wp-content/uploads folder.
Edit configuration files such as wp-config.php only when necessary and with backups.

Always keep backups of your files before making changes, especially when working with critical configuration or theme files.

Security Best Practices for GoHighLevel SFTP Access

Managing SFTP access to your WordPress site on GoHighLevel involves several security considerations. Treat your credentials carefully to avoid unauthorized access.

Store SFTP passwords in a secure password manager.
Limit who has access to the GoHighLevel hosting panel where credentials are visible.
Close SFTP connections when not in use and avoid saving credentials on shared computers.
Periodically rotate passwords if your process or team members change.

If you suspect any credentials have been exposed, generate a new password inside your GoHighLevel settings and update your SFTP client profile accordingly.

Troubleshooting GoHighLevel SFTP Connection Issues

If your SFTP client cannot connect to the GoHighLevel WordPress server, work through these common checks:

Confirm that the protocol is set to SFTP, not FTP.
Verify that the host, port, username, and password match the details shown in GoHighLevel.
Ensure that firewalls or antivirus tools on your network are not blocking outbound SFTP traffic.
Try reconnecting after a short wait in case of temporary server load or network issues.

For persistent issues, review the official GoHighLevel documentation for SFTP hosting or contact support with screenshots of your connection settings (excluding the password for security).

Additional Resources for GoHighLevel WordPress Hosting

For more technical detail on SFTP configuration directly from the platform provider, review the official help article here: How to Setup SFTP for Your WordPress Site. This external guide comes from the GoHighLevel support knowledge base and is updated as hosting features evolve.

If you are looking for broader implementation strategies, funnel builds, or automation help around GoHighLevel and WordPress, you can explore expert services at Consultevo, which focuses on marketing systems and CRM optimization.

Conclusion: Managing WordPress Files with GoHighLevel SFTP

Setting up SFTP access for your WordPress site in GoHighLevel allows you to manage files securely and efficiently from any compatible FTP client. By pulling the correct host, port, username, and password from your GoHighLevel hosting panel and entering them into an SFTP connection profile, you gain direct control over themes, plugins, and media while still benefiting from the platform’s managed hosting environment.

Follow the steps in this guide carefully, maintain strong security practices, and refer to the official GoHighLevel documentation whenever you need updated server details or advanced configuration tips.

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