Manual WordPress Installation on IONOS via SFTP and FileZilla

Overview

This tutorial provides a complete walkthrough for manually installing WordPress on an IONOS (1&1) hosting environment using an SFTP client (FileZilla) rather than relying on one-click installers. The presenter outlines the core components required for a manual deployment: downloading the latest WordPress core files from wordpress.org, obtaining and installing FileZilla, and setting up SFTP access credentials within the IONOS Cloud Panel. The guide contrasts using the browser-based IONOS Webspace Explorer with FileZilla. Because the web-based explorer imposes a strict 20 MB per-file upload limitation—making it impractical to upload the uncompressed or single-zip ~58 MB core WordPress archive without manual splitting—FileZilla is demonstrated as the preferred transfer mechanism. The instructor walks through creating a project directory within the `/clickandbuilds/` root folder and initiating a batch file transfer. Finally, the tutorial covers domain routing, database provisioning, and WordPress configuration. Viewers learn how to map a subdomain to the specific target directory via the 'Adjust Destination' setting in IONOS, create a dedicated MariaDB database, extract the database host, user, and database name, and link them via the WordPress web installer. The process concludes with setting up site credentials and successfully logging into the WordPress admin dashboard.

Overview and Core Requirements

00:00

Manual WordPress installation offers granular control over directory structures and database linking on IONOS (formerly 1&1). The manual process relies on three essential elements: the official WordPress core files from wordpress.org, an SFTP client such as FileZilla, and active IONOS hosting access with database and webspace capabilities. Unlike cPanel-based environments, IONOS uses a proprietary dashboard to manage domains, databases, and web storage under the Webspace section.

• Manual installation provides full control over file structure and configuration compared to automated installers.
• WordPress core files must be downloaded directly from wordpress.org as a zip archive.
• FileZilla is recommended to manage file transfers reliably over SFTP.

wordpress.org/download/

Configuring IONOS SFTP and FileZilla

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To connect an external FTP client to IONOS, an SFTP user account must be configured. In the IONOS dashboard under Hosting Overview, locate the 'SFTP & SSH' module and choose 'Configure' or 'Manage'. IONOS auto-generates a user account (e.g., u109136961) and provides a secure host address (e.g., access918788178.webspace-data.io) using port 22 over SFTP. Users must define a strong password for this user. IONOS also allows users to download a pre-built FileZilla XML configuration file, which can be imported directly into FileZilla via File > Import to bypass manual credential entry.

• IONOS SFTP uses port 22 by default under the SFTP/SSH protocol.
• Usernames are system-generated; only the password is user-defined.
• FileZilla configuration XML files can be exported from IONOS and imported directly into the client.

File -> Import -> select FileZilla XML configuration file

Subdomain Creation and Webspace Directory Setup

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Before files are uploaded, a target directory and domain destination must be established. Under the 'Domains & SSL' section of IONOS, users can create unlimited subdomains (such as 'wordpress.bentechs.com'). In the IONOS Webspace file manager, the standard root location for applications resides within the `/clickandbuilds/` directory. A dedicated directory named after the subdomain or application (e.g., `/clickandbuilds/wordpress/`) must be created to isolate the website's files from other projects.

• IONOS allows unlimited subdomain creation under active domains.
• Project directories should be organized inside the `/clickandbuilds/` directory.
• Creating an isolated folder prevents cross-contamination between different sites on the same hosting contract.

Uploading WordPress Core Files via FileZilla

05:51

While the IONOS web-based file manager allows file uploads, it enforces a strict 20 MB file size limit, which prevents uploading the full ~58 MB uncompressed WordPress package or single archive. Using FileZilla resolves this bottleneck. The downloaded WordPress zip file is extracted locally. Within FileZilla, the user connects via Quickconnect using the SFTP host, username, password, and port 22. After navigating to the local extracted folder and the remote target directory (`/clickandbuilds/wordpress/`), all files (~8,600+ items across wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes, and root PHP files) are selected and queued for transfer.

• IONOS Webspace Explorer has a 20 MB per-file upload ceiling, making web uploads tedious.
• FileZilla transfers all 8,600+ files directly without requiring manual zip chunking.
• Ensure transfers are fully completed in FileZilla before proceeding to the web installer.

Ctrl + A (select all files in local directory)

Routing Subdomain to the Webspace Folder

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Once the files are uploaded, the subdomain must be mapped to point directly to the new directory. Under 'Domains & SSL', locate the newly created subdomain, click the settings gear icon, and select 'Adjust Destination'. Choose 'Connect to Webspace', navigate the tree to `/clickandbuilds/wordpress/`, and click 'Save'. This routing directs incoming web traffic on that subdomain straight to the WordPress directory.

• A subdomain must be explicitly routed using 'Adjust Destination' > 'Connect to Webspace'.
• Select the precise folder where WordPress core files reside (`/clickandbuilds/wordpress/`).
• Allow DNS/internal routing changes a brief moment to update before loading the domain.

Provisioning a MariaDB Database and Running the Web Setup

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WordPress requires a relational database to function. Within the IONOS Hosting section, open 'Databases' and select 'Create Database'. Specify a description, choose MariaDB, set a strong database password, and note the generated Database Name (e.g., dbs8695868), Host Name (e.g., db5010262276.hosting-data.io), and User Name (e.g., dbu4470652). Next, visit the subdomain URL in a browser to trigger the WordPress setup wizard (`wp-admin/setup-config.php`). Enter the database credentials, submit the form, and execute the installation. Complete the final setup by specifying the Site Title, administrative username, password, and email address, followed by logging into the WordPress dashboard.

• IONOS uses external database hosts (e.g., db*.hosting-data.io) rather than 'localhost'.
• Database name, username, password, and host must match the IONOS database panel values exactly.
• Upon successful database validation, WordPress finishes installation and redirects to `/wp-login.php`.

wp-admin/setup-config.php