FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
or
"How do I get my web site from my computer onto the Internet"
It's really quite easy to "launch" your web site. All you need is some details from your web host and
a simple type of software called an FTP Program.
Typically you need:
- username
- password
- ftp address (usually the same as your domain name)
If you use MS Frontpage you won't need an ftp program because FP has a 'publish web' option in the file menu. The disadvantage of this is you can't just upload a single page, it has to be the whole site - at least that's how it was with the last version of FP I used (v.2002). Another disadvantage is if you make a horrible mistake in the PC copy of your website you can't use FP to download your site from the server to replace your damaged PC version.
The ftp program I use and find very good is ACEftp. It is a free program that carries a few ads but does the job very well.
Go here to get it: FREE
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Software Program
You will also find there directions on how
to install it, operate it and so on. This type of free software
is called "shareware" and if you plan to keep on using
it you are required to register (after a couple of weeks).....don't
worry, however, because it will still be free.
TIP 1: It's
not necessary to FTP your site every time you make changes.
You can do it directly from your web browser. Look at the
toolbar at the top of your browser and you will see there
are icons for "back", "forward", "stop",
"refresh" etc. Look further to the right and you
will see there is also an "edit" icon. Visit your
web site on the Internet and while you are looking at it
click on the "edit" button. This action should
load the site directly into your web building software for
you to make changes. When you save your changes, instead
of them being saved to your PC hard drive they will be saved
directly to your web host's server where your site is (you
will need to enter or username and password when prompted).
I suggest however, that immediately after, you choose Save As.. and replace the file you modified in your PC as well.
TIP 2: I'm going to contradict
myself here but.....avoid doing what I described in TIP
1 too often without backing up the most current version
of your web site. I say this because if you always save
straight to the server than the copy of your web site
which resides on your hard drive will be an older version.
If anything ever happens to the servers at your web host
your site may vanish (a nightmare scenario but I've know
of at least one person it happened to). Likewise, if you
prefer to make changes on your desktop and then FTP do
it often. That is, don't just wait until the end of your
session to FTP, do it during as well.
TIP 3: If you have a webmaster or someone uploading content to your site, give them a temporary ftp account that you create for them, its easy to do and most web hosts allow it (ask support for help). That way when they are finished you can cancel the account and they will not be able to access your web server. If your host doesn't allow more than one account, reset your password (I change it to the name of the company or person uploading files for me) and then change it back once they have finished.
Recommended Resource: SiteBuildIt!
- Perfect if the sound of anything technical freaks you out.
SBI! is a product of Ken Evoy's
SiteSell empire. It is an all in one package and
what some people say represents the future of web hosting.
SiteBuildIt is an absolutely brilliant tool (combination
of many tools really) for beginners and experts alike.
There are heaps of features:
-
SBI! is an online
service that provides you with an easy point and click
interface for creating your own attractive and professional
web site
-
SBI! includes brainstorming
tools for choosing your theme and keywords
-
SBI! incorporates
tools for search engine optimization
-
SBI! auto submits
your web site to the search engines and tracks search
engine spiders and provides ranking reports
-
SBI! has it's
own servers so you never need to FTP
-
SBI! includes domain
registration
-
SBI! includes web
hosting of unlimited pages
-
SBI!! permits unlimited
bandwidth
-
SBI includes unlimited
autoresponders (a tool for sending email automatically
when someone subscribes to your ezine, newsletter,
tips etc)
-
SBI! includes ad-campaign
management
-
SBI! includes click
through analysis
-
SBI! provides you
with a linking service (very important for search
engine rankings)
|
Written by Murray Hughes
007 Work From Home
Licensed To Make Money! - Learn FREE. Savage The Internet And Explode
The Bank. |
