What is File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a way to move files between a computer and a server over the internet. It’s commonly used to upload or download things like images, documents, or product data to and from a website or system.

A brief history

FTP has been around since the early days of the internet, created in the 1970s as a simple way to transfer files between computers. At first, it was mostly used by developers and researchers sharing data on large, central systems. As websites and digital infrastructure expanded, FTP became a standard tool for uploading files to servers. While newer methods now offer more secure alternatives, FTP is still widely used in ecommerce and PIM (Product Information Management) to bulk upload product data, sync catalogs across systems, and transfer large image or asset files between platforms.

Good to know

Not all FTP connections are created equal. Standard FTP doesn’t encrypt your data, which means it can be intercepted during transfer. That’s why many platforms now use SFTP (Secure FTP) or FTPS (FTP Secure) to protect sensitive product information. If you’re sharing product catalogs, media files, or data feeds with partners or internal systems, make sure your FTP setup is secure and that access permissions are clearly managed.

Know more

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my team is using FTP?
If your team transfers files between systems manually or on a schedule, especially product data, images, or inventory spreadsheets, there’s a good chance FTP is involved. You can check with your IT or development team to confirm which transfer method is being used.
What's the difference between FTP and SFTP?
FTP transfers files without encryption, while SFTP adds a secure layer using SSH (Secure Shell). If you're handling sensitive product data or anything with customer information, SFTP is usually the safer choice.
Should I stop using FTP?
Not necessarily. FTP is still widely supported and often gets the job done for moving non-sensitive product content. But if security is a concern or you're scaling up your data operations, switching to SFTP or API-based transfers might be worth considering.