File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a way that allows the transfer of files from one computer to another, generally with an FTP application (some programs also provide this kind of “service” – for example iweb on a mac sends everything you create directly on your server without having to install a separate FTP program) with the click of a button.

A regular FTP program will allow you to upload or download (send or receive) any type of file to (or from) your web server or hosting provider. The best FTP programs let you drag and drop files, and it is now possible to upload or download single files, multiple files or entire folders all at the same time (make sure you check for the features offered while comparing FTP programs, as these can really make a difference and save you a lot of time and frustration).

The first step you must take after choosing and installing your new FTP program, in order to be able to use it, is to set up your server information. You always need (at least) the following information:

- Host name/server: The IP address or domain name (it can but it doesn’t always include your domain name as is)
For example, it could be 123.456.789.01 or ftp.yourname.com

- a user name

- a password

You usually get this information from your hosting company (whoever takes care of the server where your website is parked).

Once you filled out all the info, click on connect (or test connection). If you entered the right information, you get connected right away. If one of the information you entered is invalid, you will get an error message and the program will tell you that it can’t connect to the server. Verify the information or contact your hosting service provider.

Once you get connected, you usually see three main windows. The left window usually shows the files on your computer. The right window shows the files on the server where your website should be. And the bottom window usually shows all the FTP activity going on in the program (the files being transferred, the status of the files, if they are paused, if they failed to transfer, etc).

If you grab a file from your computer (the left panel) and you drop it to the server (right panel), the files from your computer will replace what was on the server (if it has the same name). If it didn’t exist, it will just be added. WARNING! These changes are live and can’t be undone. Once a file has been replaced, you can’t get an older version of it back, so make sure before you even start sending files from one side to the other that you make a backup of both sides (from your computer and the server, preferably on an external media, like a cd or external drive) to make sure that if something goes wrong you can always send a previous copy of the files. And that way it always protects you and makes sure that if something happens (your computer dies, your web designer runs away with all your files, or whatever else) that you will always have a copy of your website in a working order.

As soon as you send your files to the server, you will see the changes online right away. Visit your website after every changes you make to be sure that everything you have uploaded is displayed correctly on the internet. You should also test it on different platforms (mac and windows, firefox, explorer,…)

The next time you open the FTP program, you will not have to redo all these steps. The FTP program saves this information so that you can quickly connect to the server with the click of a button. And that’s it!

To get more detailed information, read the help document provided with your FTP program (usually the last tab at the top).

You can now share your website with the world!!

Next subject will be: Basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) you can do yourself.