FTP

FTP Is Number Uno

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is one of the most important concepts to understand and utilize when it comes to web hosting. Essentially, the file transfer protocol is the most widely-used method of moving data from one place to another online. It is also, by far, the easiest way to move your website content from your personal computer to your host’s server, so knowing how to use a FTP client will save you a lot of time and effort.

FTP Clients Are Easy

Some hosts offer a file manager to upload your content to their server, but using FTP is much easier. While most web browsers come with built-in FTP functionality, it is best to use a standalone FTP client such as Filezilla. Regardless of which FTP client you end up choosing, there are only three pieces of information you will need to know: The hostname, username, and password for your FTP account.

Do You Have Your Information?

99% of the time, the hostname will simply be your domain name, or ftp.yourdomain.com. The username and password fields will simply be whatever you or your web host have set for your domain’s FTP login credentials. If you do not know them, you can simply login to your control panel and define a new username and password, or contact your hosting support to have them change or retrieve it.

Just Drag And Drop

After connecting, you will be presented with a number of folders. These folders represent the different sections of your domain’s web hosting space, with “httpdocs” or “public_html” being the directories designated for holding what is visible to the Internet. With most programs, you can simply drag and drop the files from your computer into the folders on the remote server. After the upload has finished, those files will have been successfully copied to the remote server, and are available for viewing online.

Advanced Options For Advanced Users

Utilizing your FTP program, you can also modify the permissions on your files and folders. This is an advanced operation, however, and if you are unsure of what permissions to assign, always consult with your web host first to prevent a potential security breach. Most of the time, you will not need to modify file permissions, as they are set automatically when you upload your content. Photo by Senorita