Using Ftp Software

By Author: Elad Domb
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Whether you currently operate your own website or are thinking of getting your first site off the ground, chances are you've come across the term FTP. But what is FTP, and what can it do for you and your website?

FTP stands for "File Transfer Protocol," and it describes a method of transferring files between computers on a network. It can serve a variety of purposes, such as exchanging files between computer accounts, between online archives, and more. For the purposes of this article, we'll be looking at how to use FTP and FTP software when creating and maintaining a website.

An FTP program, also known as a client, is software that facilitates the movement of files from one computer or network to another in a user-friendly fashion. When you create the content for your own website on your computer using your chosen site-building software, your next step is to transfer that content to the server that hosts your site. One of the most efficient ways to make this transfer is with FTP software.

So how does an FTP client work? Your first step is to register an account with a web-hosting provider, securing your ...
... domain name, storage space, and everything else you'll need to have in place before your site is up and running. Make sure that your provider offers FTP service, of course.

Your next step is to install an FTP client on your computer. Some web-hosting providers offer an FTP client as part of the package. Even if your provider doesn't offer an FTP client, you still have plenty of options. Many FTP clients can be downloaded for free, and even premium FTP clients often allow you to try the software for a set period before deciding if you want to make the purchase.

So now that you've got your FTP software, how do you use it? When you initially run your FTP client, you'll need to enter some preliminary information in order to synch the client with your web-hosting provider. The software will ask for your "host name" which is the name of the server that hosts your site. You'll be able to learn this address from your provider if you don't have it already. Chances are it would have been included in an email from your provider when you first registered your site. The "host name" will look similar to a web address, with "ftp" replacing "http," making it read like this: "ftp.yourprovider.com."

Once your FTP client is in synch with your provider, your next step will usually be to enter the Username and Password assigned to your account. Once you've entered this information, you'll be able to connect to your account on your web host's server. Once you've made a connection, you should see the basic folders and files for your website appear on one side of the screen.

On the opposite side of the screen, you'll be able to access the folders on your own computer. In order to keep things as streamlined and easily accessible as possible, it's a good idea to name and structure your own files and folders so they match the layout on the server. For example, have a folder named "Images" and one named "Audio Files." Once you've got everything lined up, you can start transferring files and bring your site to life.

With most FTP software, transferring files at this stage should be extremely easy. Just locate the file on the "Your Computer" side of the screen, and drag it to the corresponding folder on the server side of the screen. It works both ways too; just in case you've lost your local copy of a file that was uploaded to the server, you can easily retrieve it by dragging it back to your computer.

Once you've uploaded your web pages and related files, you'll want to visit your site to check out the finished product. If anything is amiss, don't worry; your FTP client can also help you out here. Using your FTP client you can move, delete, rearrange, and rename your files, allowing you to quickly remedy things like broken or erroneous links. With the right FTP software, building and maintaining your own site is a snap.
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