How to Configure FTP/SFTP for Feed Upload?

CTX Feed can automatically upload your feed file to a merchant’s server using FTP or SFTP every time the feed is rebuilt. This is useful when a channel like Google Merchant Center asks you to push your feed to their server instead of them pulling it from your website.

For Google Merchant Center Before configuring FTP here, you need to create a feed inside your Google Merchant Center account first. Google will give you the FTP host name, username, and password from there. Set up the feed in Google first, then come back here to enter those details.

There Are Two Steps — In This Order

FTP setup in CTX Feed happens in two separate places. You must do Step 1 first — the FTP fields will not appear anywhere until you do.

Step1: Enable FTP Upload in CTX Feed Settings

Turn on the FTP feature for the whole plugin. This is a one-time switch that makes the FTP fields available. CTX Feed → Settings

Step 2: Fill In the FTP Details on the Make Feed Page

Once enabled, the FTP connection fields appear on each feed’s Make Feed page, next to the Advanced Filter section. CTX Feed → Make Feed (or edit an existing feed)

Step 1 — Enable FTP Upload in Settings

Go to CTX Feed → Settings in your WordPress dashboard. Find the FTP Upload option and set it to Enable. Save the settings.

That’s all you need to do here. This switch turns the feature on, so the FTP fields become available when you edit a feed.

Step 2 — Fill In the FTP Details on the Make Feed Page

Once FTP Upload is enabled in Settings, open any feed to edit it (or create a new one via CTX Feed → Make Feed). Scroll down, and you will see the FTP/SFTP fields appear on the right side of the page, next to the Advanced Filter section.

SFTP — Which One to Choose?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

The standard method. Works in most situations. Does not encrypt the data it sends. Use FTP when the merchant only supports FTP, or when your server does not have the SSH2 extension installed.FTP or

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

The secure version. Encrypts your login details and feeds data. Use SFTP when the merchant supports it. Requires the PHP SSH2 extension to be installed on your server.

SFTP requires the PHP SSH2 extension. When you select SFTP, CTX Feed will show a warning: “Enable PHP ssh2 extension to use SFTP. Contact your server administrator.” If SFTP fails, this is almost always why. Contact your hosting provider and ask them to enable the PHP ssh2 extension. If they cannot, use FTP instead.

What to Enter in Each Field?

All connection details come from the merchant or channel you are uploading to — not from your own hosting account.

1. Server Type (Required)

Choose FTP or SFTP — whichever the merchant specified. If they did not say, try SFTP first. If SFTP fails (due to the SSH2 extension not being available), switch to FTP.

2. Host Name (Required)

The address of the server you are uploading to. Given to you by the merchant. It looks like a web address, but without https:// at the front.

Examples: ftp.domain.com  ·  sftp.merchant-name.com

3. Port (Optional)

The port number used to connect. You usually do not need to fill this in — standard ports are used automatically. Only enter a number here if the merchant’s instructions tell you to use a specific port.

Standard defaults (leave blank unless told otherwise): FTP → 21  ·  SFTP → 22

4. User Name (Required)

The login name for the FTP/SFTP account given to you by the merchant. This is separate from your WordPress username or your hosting account login.

5. Password (Required)

The password for your User Name was given to you by the merchant. Copy and paste it directly from the merchant’s email or dashboard — a single wrong character will cause the upload to fail.

6. Path (Optional)

The folder on the merchant’s server where your feed file should be saved. If the merchant gave you a folder path or a Merchant ID number, enter it here. If they did not give you a path, leave this empty — the file will be placed in the root folder of the account.

Examples: /feeds/mystore/  ·  /12345678/

Transfer Mode — FTP only

This option only applies when using FTP (not SFTP). It controls how your server opens the connection to transfer the file.

Passive — use this first: Your server handles both sides of the connection. Firewalls rarely block this. Start with Passive — it works in most situations.

Active: The merchant’s server opens a connection back to your server. Some firewalls block this. Switch to Active only if Passive mode does not work, or if the merchant specifically asks for it.

After You Save

Save the feed. The next time the feed is rebuilt — either manually by clicking Update Feed on the Manage Feeds page, or automatically on your schedule — CTX Feed will upload the feed file to the server you configured.

To test it right away, go to CTX Feed → Manage Feeds, find your feed, and click Update Feed. If the connection details are correct, the file will appear on the merchant’s server in the folder you specified.

⚠️ If the upload fails, check these things
• Make sure the Host Name, User Name, and Password match exactly what the merchant gave you.
• If using SFTP: ask your hosting provider to enable the PHP SSH2 extension.
• If using FTP: try switching between Active and Passivemode.
• Some hosting providers block outgoing FTP connections by default. Contact them to allow it.

Your feed URL stays active. The CTX Feed always keeps a copy of the feed on your own server too. The FTP upload sends an extra copy to the merchant’s server — it does not remove your local feed file.