SSH access is a secure, encrypted way to log into your web server from a terminal so you (or your developer) can run commands and manage the site beyond what a hosting dashboard allows.
SSH stands for Secure Shell, and it’s mostly used for technical work that is faster or only possible from the command line, like inspecting server logs, fixing file permissions, running software updates in bulk, or working with developer tools.
When you would actually need SSH
Most business owners in Orlando never touch SSH, but it becomes useful when your site has custom features, high traffic, or anything that needs hands-on troubleshooting. Common “we need SSH” moments include:
- Your site throws errors and the admin area is inaccessible, so a developer needs to read logs and pinpoint the failure.
- You’re doing a larger migration, domain change, or HTTPS switch and need a fast search-and-replace, cache purge, or database export.
- You run WordPress with advanced tooling (WP-CLI), or a custom stack (Laravel, Node, headless CMS) that is managed through commands.
- You need to set up scheduled tasks (cron jobs), server-side redirects, or maintenance scripts.
- You’re cleaning up after a hack or malware event and need to scan files, quarantine suspicious code, and harden permissions.
When you probably do not need SSH
If your website is a typical brochure site, lead gen site, or standard WordPress build, you can usually handle everything with the host dashboard and the WordPress admin, including plugins, themes, users, backups, and basic file edits.
For file transfers only, SFTP access is often enough and it’s a safer default because it focuses on moving files rather than running commands.
If your developer is asking for SSH to work on changes safely, a staging site is often the better workflow so production stays stable while updates are tested.
How we handle SSH safely
SSH is powerful, so we treat it like giving someone the back-office alarm code. We typically grant it only when there’s a clear need, and we set it up with a separate user account, limited permissions, and certificate-style login using a public/private cryptographic pair instead of simple passwords. For many Central Florida businesses in dental, legal, and healthcare, that “minimum access” mindset is especially helpful because you want fewer people touching production.
If you’re on our WordPress hosting, we can coordinate SSH access with your developer when it’s justified and then remove it when the work is done.
If you’re planning a build that will require regular developer access, our web design team can map out a setup that keeps updates smooth without turning your hosting into a risk.
