The quickest way to upload your website and
updates is with FTP. There are several different options when it comes
to using FTP, and each method is different. This article will explore a
few of these options.
FileZilla
FileZilla
is a robust, free and open source FTP client with an interface similar
to Norton Commander and the Windows File Manager. It allows for simple
drag-and-drop file copying as well as advanced FTP features. Binary
versions are available for Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X.
Here's how to log in using FileZilla via FTP;
- Once FileZilla is open, type ftp.(your domain name) into the
"Address" box on the toolbar. (i.e. if your website URL is http://www.foobar.com,
you'd enter ftp.foobar.com there.)
- Enter your FTP login name in the "User" box. This would be
different than your email address and was assigned to you by Rapid
Systems or another administrator when the website space was allocated
- Enter you FTP password in the "Password" box. Again, this was
assigned to you by Rapid Systems or another administrator when the
website space was allocated
- Now click on the "Quickconnect" button to log in
Once logged in, you'll be presented with the contents of your site
in the "Remote Site" pane on the right of FileZilla. Located on the
left is the "Local Site" where the contents of your computer is listed.
In the "Remote Site" pane, double-click on the httpdocs folder. This is
where your website will be physically located. Any additions or updates
to your website will need to be uploaded into the httpdocs folder.
In the "Local Site" pane on the left, browse your computer to find
the file(s) you want to upload, then drag and drop them to the "Remote
Site" pane to upload to the web server. To download files from your
website, select the destination folder on the "Local Site" pane then
drag and drop from the "Remote Site" pane to the "Local Site" pane. The
top pane shows the FTP connectivity log. This is where any error
messages will be displayed. The pane at the bottom shows
upload/download progress. You can monitor the progress of file
transfers in this pane.
CuteFTP
CuteFTP is one of
the most commonly used FTP clients. It's interface is similar to
Windows Explorer which offers an interface familiar to most people. An
evaluation version is available for download with the registered
version priced between $39.99 to $89.99, depending on the version
purchased.
Here's how to log in with CuteFTP;
- Launch CuteFTP and click on the Site Manager icon in the upper
left corner of the CuteFTP tool bar (it looks like an open book).
- In the Site Manager window, click New and choose FTP Site from
the dropdown menu.
- Fill in a label for the site (such as your website URL), the
host address (ftp.yourdomain), your FTP user name, and password and
then click the Type tab.
- Select FTP from the Protocol type dropdown menu.
Once logged in, you'll be presented with the contents of your site
in the pane on the right. Located in the left pane is the contents of
your computer. In the right pane, double-click on the httpdocs folder.
This is where your website will be physically located. Any additions or
updates to your website will need to be uploaded into the httpdocs
folder.
In the left pane, browse your computer to find the file(s) you want
to upload, then drag and drop them to the right pane to upload to the
web server. To download files from your website, select the destination
folder in the left pane then drag and drop from the right pane to the
left pane. The pane at the bottom shows upload/download progress. You
can monitor the progress of file transfers in this pane.
Internet Explorer 6/7
Internet Explorer's FTP Interface
Internet Explorer has the capability to upload to FTP and presents it
in a way that looks like a standard Windows Explorer folder.
Here's how to log in using Internet Explorer;
- Enter your FTP login name in the "User name" field. This would
be different than your email address and was assigned to you by Rapid
Systems or another administrator when the website space was allocated
- Enter you FTP password in the "Password" field. Again, this was
assigned to you by Rapid Systems or another administrator when the
website space was allocated
- Click on the "Log On" button.
Once logged in, open the "httpdocs" folder on the server. This is
where your website will be physically located. Any additions or updates
to your website will need to be uploaded into the httpdocs folder. Now
open the folder where the file(s) you want to upload is located then
drag-and-drop the file(s) into the FTP window just like you would
locally.
FAQ
- The pictures I've uploaded are corrupted!
- This will happen if the FTP client is configured to upload
in ASCII mode. Change the transfer type to Binary (or auto) and
re-upload the images.
- I get a FTP Folder Error in Internet Explorer
- Double check your URL for any typos. This may solve the
problem. But, sometimes, Internet Explorer may assume that the FTP
server will accept anonymous login by default, which may produce this
error. Try typing in the address as ftp://user:password@yourdomain/httpdocs
- I don't know my user name and/or password!
- Call our helpdesk at (813) 232-4887 for assistance.
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