How to Upload Web Pages to an Internet Service Provider

Many Internet service providers offer free Web page to their subscribers. If you take advantage of this service, you will need to upload your Web pages to the ISP's server when your pages are ready to publish. You can choose between two methods to do the upload.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• FTP Programs
• Web Browsers

Upload Through Your Browser

1. You will be able to upload through your browser provided that your ISP and browser permit that function.

2. You will need to know your own Web address (where you want the files to be uploaded to), your ID (user name) and password before you can upload to your ISP's server. Your ISP will provide this information if you don't have it available.

3. Open the browser and look for a function that will allow you to upload files to the Web. This could be Upload, Web Wizard, FTP, etc.

4. Move through the folders on your disk until you have selected the Web pages that you want to upload.

5. Initiate the upload, entering your Web address, ID and passwords when prompted.

6. Follow any specific instructions provided by your ISP.

7. Enter the URL of your Web site in the Address window of your browser. Click Enter. Your uploaded Web site should display in the browser window.

Upload Using an FTP Client

1. Open your FTP client. Enter the information that you need to access your site. This will include your Web address (where you want to put the files you're uploading), your ID or user name, and your password. Your ISP will provide you with this information if you don't have it available.

2. When your FTP client has connected with your ISP's Web server, you will see two windows, both showing a file structure. The window on the left represents the folders and files on your own computer or disk. Move through the folders until you locate the Web pages to be uploaded. Select your files.

3. The window on the right represents your files on the ISP's Web server. If this is your first upload, this window will probably be empty.

4. Drag your selected files in the left window and drop them in the right window.

5. The files will upload and their names will appear in the right window.

6. Open your browser and enter the URL (address) of your Web site. Your Web page should appear.

Tips & Warnings

• It is a good idea to name your first page "index.html." If you use this name, people will be able to access your site without knowing the file name of your first page. For example, this URL would work: http://www.ISPsite/mysite/

• If you name your first page something else, visitors will need to use this longer URL: http://www.ISPsite/mysite/mypage.html

• FTP clients are software programs that allow you to upload files to Web servers. They allow you to perform more complex tasks than are possible when uploading from a browser.