What is FTP

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is the simpliest and most reliable way to transfer files from a remote host to your local PC or from your local PC to a remote host. When constructing a web page on your local PC, you will need to transfer that page to your web host so that others can visit the page using their browser.

Some WYSIWYG editors have a built-in FTP program and while using the editor you can simply drag and drop files (usually referred to as "publishing") much the same way you do when you drag and drop files on your local PC using a file manager. The fact that the FTP program is built-in really doesn't do much for teaching you that there are really two separate tools involved: editing a file (using your HTML editor) and FTP'ing the file (using your built-in FTP program).

For the purpose of teaching you how to build your own web site, we will view these two programs separately. Therefore, aside from the text editor you are using to build your web site, mastering a stand-alone FTP program is essential.

Download and Install FTP

I've used many FTP programs in the past: some free and some I've paid for. I've always returned to the FREE ones and there are only two that I like. The FTP Program I recommend you download and install right now is FileZilla. FileZilla has a file manager like interface that is easy to learn and easy to use.

Download and Install FileZilla!

After installing FileZilla, locate the application and start it up. If you can't locate it, try clicking Start > All Programs > FileZilla to locate the program manually.

Look through the menu options and locate the File > Site Manager option, Edit > Settings option, Transfer > Transfer Type option, and the Help option. Spend a little time reviewing the Help option. Try to setup your view such that your local PC files are displayed in the left panel and the remote files are displayed in the right panel (there won't be any files in the remote panel yet because we haven't connected to a server). Get comfortable with what you are seeing.

When you registered for these tutorials, I sent you three pieces of information: the host address, your username and your password. We will use this information to connect to your hosting account.

Configure FTP

Using FileZilla, select the File > Site Manager option. In the File dialog box, locate and click the "New Site" button. Highlight and write over the default name and enter something like "My Site" and hit enter. In the dialog box, on the right hand side, enter the host address, username and password that I've sent to you in the fields that are provided. Additional options that you should set are: LogonType=Normal, Check Bypass Proxy settings, and check the "default site" option. When ready, click the "Connect" button which connect you to your remote site. You should see the "Remote Site" file path on the right hand side.

Now, lets configure the left local panel. Navigate up or down the folder path until you see the Local Site path as C: (or some other drive letter if your default hard drive is not labeled 'C'. Right click anywhere inside the left panel and select "Create Directory". Enter a name for the new directory as "My Site" and click OK. You should see the new directory in the left panel.

Double click your "My Site" folder to navigate into the folder where you will be creating your web site files.

At this point, you should be able to connect to your default remote site (see it displayed in the right panel) and view your local site (see it displayed in the left panel).

Remembering Your Settings

Select the Edit > Settings option, locate and click the Interface Settings > Miscellaneous option on the left and click the "Remember last used folder option" so the next time you start the Site Manager and select your web site, FileZilla will automatically set you into your default site folder on your local PC.

More Practice

Get comfortable with the steps above. Spend some time working and struggling with this lesson until you are confident that you understand what we are doing. In summary, you should be able to do the following:

• Start FileZilla

• Use the File Manager to select your site and connect to the remote server and your local folder. On the local site you create your web site. On the remote site is where you will move the pages and images so that others can view your site using their browser.

Once again, Rome wasn't built in a day. Spend some time and master this lesson because it is one of the most important skills you will need to build your own web site.

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