How to Upload to a Website

Newly designed websites must be uploaded to the web host.

Once a website has been designed by your programmer and web designer, you need a way to upload it so your visitors can view your content. Your web designer should be able to upload the website for you. However, you can make changes and upload your complete website yourself. Uploading a website is a process that can take several minutes to several hours depending on the size of your files and how much content you need to upload.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Make sure you have a web host. A web host is responsible for maintaining the servers that house the content and traffic of your website. Depending on how much website content you have and how much space the content requires will determine the cost of your web host provider. Web hosts are highly competitive and can charge as little as $3 to over $100 per month. Start with a lower web hosting plan and if your content exceeds the package you purchased, the web host will request you to upgrade to a more expensive package.

2. Register a domain name for your website. If you upload your website to your web host with no domain name there will be no way customers will be able to find your site. Your domain name is the web address your subscribers will type into their Internet browser to reach your website. The cost for a domain name can be as little as $1.99 to over $14 per year.

3. Download a FTP software package. FTP stands for file transfer protocol. FTP is the intermediary between the website files on your computer and the server of your web host. You need to be connected to the Internet when using FTP. You can find free or paid FTP programs online or at your local office supply store (see resources).

4. Determine the FTP server name for your website. When you purchase your web hosting package you will be issued a FTP server name and password. Your web host will also tell you where to install your website content. Typically the folder is titled "public.html." for website content.

5. Open your FTP software, click on the option for uploading a new website, then type in the FTP username and password that was provided to you by your web host. You will see the main folders on your web host where your website content can be uploaded.

6. Drag and drop your website content into the designated folder for your web host. Depending on your content, it may take an extended amount of time for each file to upload. Try to keep a steady Internet connection while upholding. Avoid using dial-up.

References

• Hosting: How tio upload my files using a FTP program

Resources

• ftpsoftwarereview: Ftp Software reviews