What Does FTP Stand For?

To FTP or not to FTP? Well, of course you should FTP.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. Simply put it is the means by which you transfer your newly created web pages, files and folders to your hosting company's server.

There are three main ways to FTP.

Hosting Companies Control Panel

Some web site hosting services offer a web based interface that lets you transfer files the drag-and-drop method. It usually works something like this:

You log in to the hosting company's control panel. The control panel is where you set up email, get help and support, view invoices and such.

Just like when working on your computer you browse or locate the file you want to transfer (exactly the same way as if you were trying to open a file). Instead of opening the file, you click on it once and drag it to your allocated space with your hosting provider. Simple as that.

FTP Using Your HTML Editor

More and more HTML editors (web page building programs) offer built in FTP functionality. Like before you find, select and drag-and-drop.

Main difference to using your hosting provider's control panel is that you need a server address, a user name and a password. These will be given to you by your web site hosting service.

User name and password is self-explanatory. The server address is your street address on the World Wide Web. The server address can take many forms but is most of the time simply your URL or domain name.

FTP Software Program

I use a FTP software program. There are many FTP programs available. You can even download free trial versions - see ftp resource page.

FTP programs are in a way a mix between the two earlier methods. The program runs on your computer, so you need the user name, password and server address.

After you login with these details you will see two windows on your computer. One will be a view of your computer. This is where you browse to locate the files you want to transfer. The second is a view of your server space: this is where your web pages, file and folders "live".

Now it is a simple matter of drag-and-drop to and from your two windows.

There you have it. As always, questions, comments and the like are always welcome.