How to Upload a Site Using FTP

Easily upload your site to your hosting server through FTP.

One of the easiest ways to transfer site files that you designed and coded from your computer to your hosting provider's server is by uploading them through FTP (File Transfer Protocol). FTP is one of the most widely used network protocols that allow a computer to connect to a remote server. Through FTP you can easily upload large files onto your site and download site pages onto your computer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process of uploading a site with FTP.

Things You'll Need

• FTP Program (like FileZilla for Windows or Transmit for Mac)

Instructions

1. Obtain the necessary information from your hosting provider. Every hosting provider has specific FTP settings that allow you to upload your site files onto your account's specific location on their servers. Contact your hosting provider to obtain your FTP server information and the username and password you need to log in. You may also find your FTP information on your account information page.

2. Open your FTP program. In the "Address/Host Name/Server" field, enter your hosting provider's FTP server information. This could either be an IP address or your domain name. Enter your FTP username and password into the corresponding fields. Click "Connect." You should then be connected to your provider's server and should be able to see any files or folders that may already be on it.

3. In your FTP program there should be a window that displays the contents of your computer. Navigate to the folder that contains your site files. Select each file and drag it into the window displaying your hosting provider's server. Those files will immediately be uploaded onto your host server. This may take awhile depending on how many site files you upload.

4. Once all of your site files are uploaded, enter your domain name into your browser to check if your site appears. In order for your site to show up properly, the file for the first or initial page of your site must be named "Index" with a file extension of either .html, .htm, .shtml or .asp.

Resources

• FileZilla: Free FTP program for Windows
• Transmit: FTP program for Mac