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FTP, what is it and how do you use it?

A FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client is the means of connecting to a computer or website to download or upload files. The server your website is hosted on allows you to connect directly to it via FTP, this allows for loading and downloading any file image stored there. First you’ll need a way to download your listing page and upload it when it’s complete. There are many shareware programs available. Many are not all they are cracked up to be. I’ve found the most reliable one so far to be “Smart FTP“, they offer a 30 day trial and you can continue to use it past the trial if it’s for personal use or purchase a copy for very cheap. Dreamweaver and some other html editors may have an FTP built in, if you have one of these programs feel free to use them. Once you’ve decided on a FTP you’ll input your hosting accounts login data and it’ll connect you.When you signed up at with your host you were given this information in one form or another:

User ID: ID you log into your account with
FTP login: This is what the FTP address is, either an IP address, specific FTP address or use your domain ftp.yourdomain.com
FTP login ID: UserID for FTP if different than your main account login
Password: yourpassword

Keep this information in a safe place! Now you have all the means to log in! If useing Smart FTP, once logged in you’ll have 2 windows. If you don’t please refer to the tutorials at Smart FTP for further information. One will be the directory on your host showing your pages and one will be your computer directory. Computer directory = local host, hosting directory = remote host. First you want to create a place on your own computer where you are going to store your files. You want to create a backup of all your work. Once you have a place to drop your files, find it in your computer directory window on SmartFTP. Click on the file you want to edit and drag it into your folder on your computer. Congrats, you have just downloaded your page! Now you’re ready to get to work! After you are done editing your page you reverse that drag and drop and drop your edited page into the hosting directory and click “overwrite” when it prompts you to. Thats it!

Are you a Firefox user? Then you may want to check out FireFTP, the Firefox add-on for uploading and downloading to your host. FireFTP

3 Responses to “FTP, what is it and how do you use it?”

  1. Ali Says:
    January 22nd, 2007 at 4:55 pm

    Thank you for this…I downloaded FireFTP and tried using it. I don’t quite understand it and tried to publish my page using it, but it didn’t work. I’m still clueless. :::shrug:::

  2. Kristine Says:
    January 22nd, 2007 at 5:07 pm

    Hey Ali, when I get a chance I’ll download it and work on posting a step by step tutorial. I use SmartFTP currently. If you have spare time feel free to email me your specific issue and perhaps I can help you figure it out. :)

  3. Web Savvy Mama Says:
    February 27th, 2007 at 8:08 pm

    […] Need a recap on these basic skills? View my FTP guide here: FTP Guide View my HTML crash course here: HTML Guide […]

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