How to Back-up a Website Using an FTP Client

Anyone who has lost a document or any other file to a crashed computer or viral attack understands the need to back up important files and folders. However, when it comes to backing up website files, some webmasters rely on their web host for this essential function. However, while most web hosts offer this service as part of their packages, they do not guarantee it (this is often stated in the fine print). The most reliable and effective way to back up your website is to do it yourself, and do it frequently. Using an FTP client makes this task a simple process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Back-up Website Files

1. Download an FTP client. Two free FTP clients are Core FTP and FileZilla (see Resources below). Follow the instructions to install the downloaded application.
2. Open your FTP Client and enter the user name and password for your account. Enter or click on the "Connect" button to access the account. Navigate to the directory that holds your website files and folders.
3. Select all of the files and folders in your website directory. Click and then drag the selected files to a designated folder on your hard drive. This is typically in the left hand pane of the FTP screen. Alternatively, you can copy and paste the files to the folder on your hard drive. Your website files begin to download to your hard drive, where they will now be backed up.

Restore Backed-up Files

4. Open your FTP Client and enter the user name and password for your account. Enter or click on the "Connect" button to access the account.
5. Select all of your website's files and folders from the location where you backed them up.
6. Click and then drag the selected files to the directory that you want to restore your web files to. This is typically in the right hand pane of the FTP screen. Alternatively, you can copy and paste the files from your hard drive to your website's directory. Your website's files will be uploaded to your domain and your website successfully restored.

Tips & Warnings

• The click and drag method of copying your files to your hard drive is a quick way to get this done. However, if you have a large number of files, this may take quite a while to download.