File Transfer Protocol overview
File Transfer Protocol, also known as FTP, is a method of moving files between computers, and in relation to your website it is the process of transferring files between your PC and your hosting account. Although FTP can do more than just this, file transfer is the main use of FTP. FTP is a fast, secure and easy way of uploading files to your hosting area, and there are many programs you can set up on your PC to do this. Some of the more popular programs for FTP are FileZilla (free), SmartFTP, and CoreFTP (free).
FTP is secure because, when connecting to the webserver that the stored files are on or will be transferred to, the FTP program requires a username and password to gain access to that area. When setting up your hosting account, your web host will provide you with the FTP information you need to connect to your hosting area to begin transferring your files, including the username and password. In most cases, you will be able to add additional FTP users and limit the areas of your account that they can access.
We'll use Core FTP Lite as an example of setting up an FTP account for our sample site, www.thepaperclipdepot.com. Once you download and install Core FTP, opening the program brings you to this page. On the left you will see files located on your PC, and on the right you will see an open area, representing the server file area, which we need to connect to.
To set up a new FTP account, you will next go into the site manager to enter the websites FTP information. Here, you will need your FTP url, your username and your password provided by your web host.
Once these are entered, the information is saved, and clicking "Connect" will connect the program to your hosting area. The upper area shows that you have connected to your server space and the right area shows the file area of your server space, which is currently empty. On the left, you use the "folder" icon or drop down menu to navigate to the folder where your website files are stored.
To upload your folders and files, you simply right click the folders/files in the left window, click "Upload", and the files transfer to your server space.
If needed, you can also download files from the server space to your PC by right clicking items in the right window and clicking "Download". The right window also lets you create new directories, rename files and delete files. One other element often required is what is called "setting permissions", which keeps folders and files more secure for dynamic languages. This is done by right clicking a folder or file, then clicking "Properties". Next, you will be able to set a numeric value which controls access ability for the folder/file.
These are the basic uses of an FTP program, and for most new web site owners will be all you will need to understand and work with. If you are not comfortable with FTP or have trouble using it, remember that your hosting areas Control Panel will have a "File Manager" system, which will help you to do many of the same things as FTP, although in a slightly different way.