How to Edit HTML Sites

HTML is an easy computer programming language to understand.

There are a few best practices to keep in mind when editing HTML. The HTML, for instance, should always be created, edited and stored on your computer and, from there, uploaded to the server that hosts your HTML. Having the right software for editing can also be a big help. Programs like Notepad that come with your operating system are fine for editing HTML, but free programs like Notepad++ make editing far easier, and are used by most professional Web designers.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Connect via FTP to the server that hosts your website. The best way to do this is with third-party FTP software, such as the free FileZilla. Your FTP software will require, at the very least, your username, your password, a port and your hostname, which will often be your website's URL or your website's URL with "ftp" (rather than "http") in front of it. If you don't know this information or if the FTP software fails to make a connection, it is best to contact your hosting service for instructions. Alternatively, browse your hosting service's website for support information. For example Dreamost, a popular hosting service, has detailed information on using FileZilla to connect with their servers on their website.

2. Download the HTML files of your site along with any other relevant files via your FTP software. Most FTP software will have one pane for your local computer and another for the server, and dragging and dropping between the two panes is one easy way to transfer the files.

3. Open the HTML files you wish to edit with a text editor. A program like Notepad, which comes with the Windows operating system, will work, but many professional Web designers use more robust software, such as Notepad++, which is a popular and free code editor. Text editors designed specifically for coding, like Notepad++, use different text colors for different syntax and allow you to work with several different documents at once, which makes editing code like HTML substantially easier.

4. Save your work once you are done editing and use your FTP software to upload any files that you made changes to. Make sure to upload the files to their appropriate place on the server.

References

• w3schools: HTML - Getting Started
• FileZilla; FileZilla Client Tutorial; April 2011
• Dreamhost; Using the Site Manager to Set Up a New Connection Profile; December 2008

Resources

• Notepad++: Download Notepad++
• FileZilla: Client Download