Finally, some FTP help for the rest of us!

Now that you've built your web page, your ready to upload your HTML files to your web host. You are ready for the world to see all your hard work! Uploading can be a confusing process for some, but hopefully after you read through this section, you'll see it's quite easy. With that being said - let's get started!

What exactly is uploading?

Uploading is the process of transferring files from one computer to another, most often a larger computer system that is set-up to receive files. OR you can look at it this way, it's the opposite of downloading (which I'm sure everyone has done by now!) which is to receive files from another computer (again usually a larger computer system) to your own.

How do I know what to upload?

You will upload all HTML files, all graphics such as a background gif, buttons, animated gifs, pictures, banners, sound files - in other words everything that makes up your web page!

Where do I upload to?

Your web host - whoever it may be! Your web host provides the space for your files to reside on, be it your ISP (Internet Service Provider) such as AOL, Mindspring, Prodigy, etc. Or it could be a separate web host such as Angelfire, Xoom, Geocities - you get the picture. After you sign up with the host of your choice, you then upload all your web page files to your assigned space and then link to these files on your web page. It's as simple as that.

How often do I upload?

Each and every time you update your website - that is if you want everyone else to see your updates. Decide to change the font style? Edit your web page, then upload. Time to change your background color? Edit - Upload. Suddenly come to your senses on that high school pic you have on your website? Edit (quickly!) - then UPLOAD! It's a never ending process - that's why it's so important to completely understand HOW TO UPLOAD YOUR WEBPAGE.

How do I upload my web page?

The most common way to upload is by using a uploading utility such as FTPDummy! or Uploader!. After downloading an FTP program, you will need to connect to your web host so that you can transfer your files. Once you open the program, you will click on SETTINGS so that you can enter your website information including your FTP Site address, username, and password. Let's go step by step through each screen:

1. FTP SITE ADDRESS - Most of the time this Address is ftp.yourhost.com. For example if you were uploading to Angelfire, you would enter ftp.angelfire.com. OR if you have your own domain, usually you enter your domain name here, such as www.dummysoftware.com. OR you might enter your assigned IP Address which will look something like this: 123.321.123.321 - in other words a series of numbers. Remember, get this information from your web host - it's very important!

3. USER ID - When you sign up with your web host, you are usually asked to pick a User ID and password. So unless instructed otherwise, enter your User ID here.

4. PASSWORD - In case you haven't guessed yet - enter your password here. Be sure to check the "Save Password" box so you won't have to do this again!

You will end up with a screen like the one above.

Now click "OK" - your information (hopefully) is correct and your all set to connect to your host. Now click CONNECT on the main screen to connect. You should see a small window pop up as it connects to your account.

If it won't connect, don't despair. - Check and double check your uploading information that you've entered. - Read over the FAQ section on your web host website. - Write to the tech support email address supplied by your web host.

If you were successful in connecting - you've just crossed the biggest hurdle of all. Congrats! You won't have to go through that again.

Now that you've connected - you will see the files on your web hosting account (if you are using FTPDummy!).

To choose files to send, click on UPLOAD and find the files on your computer that you want to send over to your web host. You may need to follow your web host instructions on exactly where to place your website (in that case, just double-click on the folder icons until you have moved into the proper folder to upload), it varies from host to host. However, usually you can just hit upload and it will work fine.

But a tip on where to place it is when you see index.html, you are in the right directory. index.html is usually the default or main file of your web page. Sometimes it's index.htm or it may be default.html.

Back to the uploading - after you've just clicked UPLOAD, now highlight the files you want to send (that are part of your web page), and click OPEN or OK. You will then see a progress meter or file queue as your files are transferred over. Continue doing this with the rest of your web page files. Let's say your main HTML file is named simple.html, you will now want to rename that index.html and upload over the index.html file that is currently there. To rename a file, highlight the file on the web host display, right-click on it and click the Rename menu item in the small menu that pops up. A small box will come up asking you for the new file name.

Is that all there is to it?

Yes - it's that easy! Now type in the url of your web page and take a look! Hopefully you uploaded everything and your web page is there for everyone to see. Now when you edit or add to your web page, you will need to upload only the edited HTML file. If you add new graphics to your web page, be sure to upload those as well.

Are there other ways to upload?

Some web hosts allow you to upload directly from their website - usually they have some sort of File Manager. You end up doing the same thing, transferring files from your computer to your web host. All offer you instructions on how to upload using the file manager, just take it one step at a time.

I hope this section on uploading has helped you in some way. It's a very important step in successfully managing your website because you will do it again . . and again . . and yet again!

Good luck to all of you with your websites and happy uploading.

FTP Tutorial and Help October, 2000