What is FTP and how do you use it?

Ftp basically is a file management system that transfers file from your hard drive to your web server. In order to build your own website, you will have to learn how to use this.

It may be daunting at first, but it really is simple after you use it a few times.

I recommend using filezilla
http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=server

And best of all, it is free.

When you download filezilla, run the downloaded executable file and install on your system. When you’re finished, open the software

Now you’ll need to add information to connect to your web server. Assuming you have already purchased web hosting plan. If you have done this, you will need to do this because your webpage needs a place on the web to sit.

Now go under “file”, then under “site manager”

Click the button “new site”.  Here you need to add the following information provided by your web hosting company.

Host: (often referred to as  hostname)
User: (or username)
Password:

And on the left side, you can label this anything you want. This is what you’ll click when you want to return into your site if you shut down the programme.

Now you have entered your information, click on “connect”.

Now you’re in! Each web hosting company displays its information differently. Some just have the top file as “/”, and the files under that. But most have “/” which you have to double click on, and then double click on “public_html”.  

The public_html is where you take your files from your hard drive, and move them on to this folder.

IMPORTANT: if you plan to have more than 1 site on your webhosting plan, you will need to create a folder and name it what you like. Then drag your files into that newly created folder.

To create a folder, right click on “public_html”, and click on “create directory”.

Now find the files you want to upload using the left side of the filezilla screen. This is your hard drive. And drag them to the right side of the screen; this is your web server.