FTP

File Transfer Protocol - FTP, is a standard internet protocol. It is the simplest way to transfer files between two computers. Using FTP gives you the ability to gain access to files on another computer. Not only can FTP be used for uploading data, but for downloading it as well. FTP is the method you will use to transfer web site files from your computer to the computer that hosts your site.

Types of FTP Programs

The two types of FTP programs are client and server. You will be using the client software. Since there are so many FTP client programs available, you will need to choose the one that best suits your needs and skill level. The two types of these programs are command line and graphical interface.

For beginners, the graphical type seems to be the easiest to work with. The interfaces of graphical programs vary, but the required information is almost always the same.

Here is a list of some popular FTP client programs: CuteFTP, Filezilla and SmartFTP for windows along with Fetch for Mac systems. No matter what you choose, just make sure to get a program that makes it easy for you upload, download and rename your files.

Transferring Your Files

To upload or download a file using your FTP client software, you will need to take some time to learn how to use it. Each FTP program is different, so read the FAQ page or instructions first.

Your first step is to setup your FTP software to access your host computer. Do this by entering the FTP host address that was provided by the hosting service you chose. The software will require you to enter your user ID and password.

There should be two options for a file type transfer. One will be ASCII and the other is binary. ASCII is used when transferring HTML files and binary is for graphics files.

Some of the newer programs offer an auto detect option which is very useful if you are new to transferring files. The rest of the information is usually set up by default and doesn't need to be changed. In a rare occurrence, your host will indicate any other information changes needed will be provided by your webhost.

Because each client program operates differently, it is hard to give all the exact steps required, but for the most part they are all relatively the same.

Steps to Take Before You Upload Your Website

Here are some important elements to look over before uploading your files to your server. It is vitally important to carefully proof read your pages. Most software has a built in spell checker, but even though a word is spelled correctly, it can still be used in the wrong tense or context.

Once you have proof read your content, have someone else do the same thing. Another set of eyes can find errors that you have overlooked and can also give input on potential changes that might need to be made. If there are any errors, making the changes prior to uploading them is better than having a visitor send you feedback about needed corrections.