File Access (WebDAV)

WebDAV is an application that allows you to upload files to your store's server.  It is a powerful way to quickly and efficiently upload images, custom fonts and products, as well as content such as PDF's, audio files and downloadable files. WebDAV is also useful for backing up certain store content such as your products, images, and customer lists.

Common uses for WebDAV include uploading and linking to files in your store and backing up your store.

• Your user account must have Enable WebDAV checked.
• You must have a WebDAV client, such as Cyberduck.
  • If Cyberduck is used, your user account must have the Manage Settings permission enabled to download the Cyberduck Connection File from Settings › File access (WebDAV).
• The maximum file upload size is 512 MB.

You will need a WebDAV client to connect to your store from your computer. There are many WebDAV clients to choose from, both free and paid. We recommend Cyberduck, which prefills most of your store information. You will need to download the client program separately, and if you are using a WebDAV client other than Cyberduck, you can connect manually.

To connect manually with a WebDAV client, you will need to locate your store's unique WebDAV information and ensure that user account permissions have been enabled.

1. Go to Settings › File access (WebDAV).

2. You will see the following login information:

• WebDAV Path — the path (server) of your store, which will be your store's permanent URL followed by /dav
• WebDAV Server Type — the type of server used
• WebDAV Username — the store owner's email address
• WebDAV Password — a long string of random numbers and letters

3. Add the information provided into the appropriate fields in your WebDAV client of choice. 

If you need to allow another user to access WebDAV, you can do so by adding or editing a user in Account Settings › Users. Scroll down near the bottom then check the box to enable WebDAV.

When logging into WebDAV as this user, use the new user's email address for the user name and the password in that user's WebDAV section found in Account Settings › Users. The Path and Server Type will remain the same.

Cyberduck is a free WebDAV software client that allows you to access your store's files remotely. It is available for both Windows and Mac OS. You will need to download and install Cyberduck before attempting the login instructions below. You can connect using single-click login or connect manually.

Single-click Login

The Cyberduck connection file allows you to download a Duck file to your computer. Clicking on the file will open Cyberduck with all of your login information pre-populated, except for the password. Follow the steps below to download the Duck file.

Go to Settings › File access (WebDAV) and click Download next to Cyberduck Connection File.

A file called "[store-url].duck" will be downloaded to your computer. Locate and double-click this file. When CyberDuck loads, enter your password (found in Settings › File access (WebDAV)) when prompted. We recommend copying the password by clicking Copy To Clipboardand then using CTRL + V to avoid adding additional spaces before and after the password.

Connecting to Cyberduck Manually

If you don't wish to download the Cyberduck connection file, you can follow the steps listed below to connect to Cyberduck.

In your BigCommerce control panel, go to Settings › File access (WebDAV). You will see your WebDAV login information listed under the WebDAV tab.

Open Cyberduck, and click on Open Connection. In the popup window, select WebDAV (HTTPS) from the dropdown as the connection type.

Enter the login information from the BigCommerce control panel into Cyberduck.

• Server — Enter the WebDAV Path. The port 443 will fill itself in, and /dav will move to the Path field.
• Username — This is the email address listed under WebDAV username.
• Password — This is the WebDAV Password.

You may need to uncheck the Anonymous Login check box to input your username and password

Click Connect. When the login is successful, you will see your store's folders.

Once you are logged in, make sure you have set the following settings:

• Under Edit › Preferences in the General tab, ensure that the checkbox next to "Save Workspace" is unchecked.

• Click on the Transfers Tab. You want to ensure that Transfer Files is set to Open multiple connections.

The WebDAV folders that appear in the root directory (called dav) are listed below, as well as subfolders that are directly linked with a particular functionality in BigCommerce.

Note that WebDAV is case-sensitive. The folders listed below are given in their correct lowercase format.

• channel_email_templates — Store customized email templates specific to a channel in your store. This is for legacy email templates, Transactional Email templates are not stored in WebDAV.
• content — Store files not related to design or products, such as PDFs. See Uploading and Linking to a File in Your Store.
• email_templates — Store customized global email templates. This is for legacy email templates, Transactional Email templates are not stored in WebDAV.
• exports — Download CSVs you have saved to the server
• import_files — Store large CSV files you want to import from the server
• product_downloads — Store digital product files in this folder. After being uploaded, they are renamed and randomly assigned to subfolders.
  • import — Upload digital product files to this folder. Then create your product and select Use a file already on the server.
• product_images — Store product images in this folder. After being uploaded, they are renamed and randomly assigned to subfolders.
  • configured_products — Store files uploaded by customers when using a File Upload option. We recommend deleting these files once the order is complete.
  • import — Store product images to be uploaded via CSV import. See Importing Product Images. This folder may need to be created manually.
  • uploaded_images — Sync images with the Image Manager.
• template — Store custom assets for Blueprint themes. All custom assets should be placed inside their designated subfolders. By default, this folder will be blank.
• mobile_template — Store custom assets for the Blueprint mobile template. As with the template folder, this folder will be blank, and all custom assets should be placed inside their designated subfolders.

The template and mobile_template folders will only appear for stores using legacy Blueprint themes. Stores using Stencil themes will not have access to these folders.

How do I edit the root directory?

Although you can edit the contents of folders within the root directory (the dav folder), you cannot add or edit anything on the root directory itself. This is because all BigCommerce stores share the root directory.

Why are my assets not loading properly?

WebDAV is case-sensitive, so all references (including folders and files) must match exactly. Failure to do so will result in assets either not loading or being duplicated.

Why am I receiving the error message "Unexpected response (403 Forbidden)"?

If you are attempting to upload a file in /dav by clicking and dropping files to a child folder, you will receive this error. Click and open the folder you want to upload content into, and then click and drop the file. This can also occur if you are uploading a file with special characters in its name that are not allowed by WebDAV. WebDAV allows the following special characters in file names: . ! @ # $ % ^ & ( ) - _ { } '

Why am I being asked to log in again after I upload a file?

When you are uploading your files, be sure they do not have /dav listed before /content. If your upload starts with /dav/content, you will be prompted to log in again to view the file. This will fail, as the login window comes from WebDAV and not BigCommerce.

I'm using a Stencil theme. How do I upload custom template content?

Custom template theme content uploaded into WebDAV is a feature for Blueprint themes only. For Stencil themes, custom theme assets are included in the theme folder, accessible via Storefront › Themes › Advanced › Edit Theme Files.