What Kind of FTP Account Do I Need to Give My SEO Company? 

SEO companies typically require 3 different logins: CMS (Content Management System), Hosting, and FTP. These are the basic logins that enable them to modify the information on your website for better search engine optimization results. 

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The CMS logins allow the SEO firm to access the content on your website via a CMS like WordPress, Magento, Wix, Weebly, etc. They usually also provide access to the file editor on your server to make basic SEO edits to each page. 

cPanel

cPanel is a tool that allows you to control your website’s files, databases, and servers. This can be especially important for SEO firms who want to add SEO plugins or make changes to the website’s core files. 

However, cPanel access can be sensitive and it is not advisable to share your cPanel password with SEO firms as this will let them change your site’s settings without your knowledge. Some SEO companies have been known to use this access to install malicious software onto your website which can destroy data or cause the server to crash. 

FTP

FTP is a simple and powerful file transfer protocol that allows you to upload and download files from a computer to your web host. This can be helpful if you need to update your website or upload a new photo for your gallery. 

To set up an FTP account, you will need to create a username and password. This can be done by logging into your cPanel account and clicking on the FTP Access icon. You can then enter a username and password, which will then allow you to connect to your website’s files using an FTP client such as FileZilla. 

You can choose to give the FTP user permission to access all directories or just the ones you specify by checking off the desired boxes. You can also set a hard disk quota for the user by entering a value in megabytes. 

When establishing FTP accounts, it is important to create a username that is easy for users to remember. The username should also be a combination of letters and numbers. This will help prevent hackers from stealing your account. 

It is also recommended to use a strong password for the FTP account. This will ensure that your website is secure from hackers. 

The ‘Advanced Options’ option can help you comply with organizational standards by including minimum password length, uppercase, lowercase, and numbers. You can also use a password encryption method, which will generate a password that is very difficult for hackers to crack. 

If you do not wish to create an FTP account, you can delete it from the Manage FTP Accounts section of your cPanel. You can also change the password of an existing FTP user by going to the kebab menu for the corresponding account and typing in a new password. 

Before you hand over your website’s files to an SEO agency, it is imperative to check that they have a thorough understanding of your industry and your business goals. This will ensure that they are able to optimize your website for your target market, making it easier for you to get found on search engines.