Default Webspace Folders
When your hosting account is created, three folders are automatically set up in your webspace. Each serves a specific purpose and it’s important to upload files to the correct location. The structure differs slightly depending on whether you are on Windows (Plesk) or Linux (cPanel).
Windows Hosting (Plesk)
- WWWROOT: Upload your website files here. This is the public folder your domain points to.
- DB: Store your databases here (e.g., Access). Scripts can access this folder, but it is not directly web-accessible.
- LOGS: Contains automatically generated log files for your website. You can download or clear them via Plesk.
Place your index.htm or index.html file inside WWWROOT along with all other site content.
Linux Hosting (cPanel)
- public_html: Equivalent to WWWROOT. This is the folder your domain points to. Place your
index.htmlorindex.phphere. - Databases: Managed via MySQL/MariaDB in cPanel. There is no dedicated DB folder — databases are created and accessed through cPanel tools.
- logs: Log files are accessible via cPanel’s Metrics tools (Raw Access Logs, Error Logs). They are not stored in a visible FTP folder like Windows.
When connecting via FTP, you’ll usually see public_html as the main folder for your site.
Best Practices
- Always upload your website files to WWWROOT (Windows) or public_html (Linux).
- Keep databases secure — use DB (Windows) or cPanel’s MySQL tools (Linux).
- Regularly review and download your LOGS (Windows) or check Metrics (Linux) for analytics and troubleshooting.
- Do not place sensitive files in the public web root unless they are meant to be accessible.
✔ Tip: Understanding your hosting directory structure helps prevent errors and ensures your website runs smoothly.