Uploading Your Site
to The Web
What is an FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It’s the main piece of software you use when you load the website you’ve created on to the internet.
I like to think of the FTP as the platform in between your computer and your web host’s server (in my case Dreamhost). So, in basic terms, the FTP takes all of your website’s files and puts them on the server which allows them to show up on the web.
Where to Download an FTP
Don’t worry about downloading an FTP because they’re mostly free. I use a very good one called Filezilla. It’s very simple to use and quick to upload. If you click the link to the Filezilla website you can download it. Just follow the steps they give you, it’s a quick and easy process.
Using an FTP
The process is actually very simple. Try not to get confused by some of the terms that are used, I’ve been doing this for a long time now and I still don’t know what most of it means. As long as you know the different steps you’ll be fine.
Step 1 – When you first signed up to your webhost (Dreamhost for example) they would have sent you an email with your FTP details in it. If not, there should be somewhere in the members sections that tells you your FTP logins. There should be three pieces of information: Hostname, Username and Password.
Step 2 - When you have these, you need to enter them in to the appropriate fields on Filezilla. Then you just need to press connect. I sometimes find that the connection might not work first time with a new login. I normally just close it down then try again and it works fine.
Step 3 – The last step is dragging and dropping your files into your web hosts window. On the left side you should have a window that corresponds to your computer (it will show files from your system). You need to drill down in your window and select your websites files. Then you simply drag and drop them into the right hand window to the file with your websites name. (see below)
After this you should be able to find your website on the internet. The lag between uploading your site and it actually appearing shouldn’t be very long.
Create a Website / Section 1 / Finding a Niche
Create a Website / Section 2 / Is there a Market?
Create a Website / Section 3 / Register a Domain
Create a Website / Section 4 / Selecting a Web Host
Create a Website / Section 5 / Building Your Website
Create a Website / Section 6 / Your Website Structure
Create a Website / Section 7 / Uploading Your Site