How to Update a Website With FTP

The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standardized network protocol that allows you to copy files from one computer to another over the Internet or a local network. Although some websites hosted on remote servers allow you to upload web pages and other files through a browser-based interface, nearly all give you the ability to upload content by way of an FTP program installed on your computer. Once you understand how these programs work, updating your site via FTP becomes a quick process.

FileZilla

• 1

  Enter the name of your FTP server in the "Host" field near the top of the window, provide your username and password in the corresponding fields, and then enter the port number associated with your FTP server in the "Port" field. Contact your website hosting company or system administrator if you do not know this information.

• 2

  Click the "Quickconnect" button.

• 3

  Look to the right side of the window, locate the root folder containing your website files, and then open it by double-clicking its icon. This folder is most often named "www," "public_html" or "wwwroot." If you need to access a sub-folder within the root directory, double-click the sub-folder's icon.

• 4

  Look to the left side of the window, and navigate to the folder containing the website files you want to upload.

• 5

  Highlight one or more files, right-click any highlighted file and then select "Upload." New files will be uploaded automatically. If you are overwriting an existing file, the program will prompt you to confirm or cancel your choice.

SmartFTP

• 1

  Enter the name of your FTP server in the "Address" field near the top of the window, provide your username and password in the corresponding fields, and then enter the port number associated with your FTP server in the "Port" field. Contact your website hosting company or system administrator if you do not know this information.

• 2

  Click the "Connect" button.

• 3

  Look to the Remote Site window at the center of the screen, locate the root folder containing your website files, and then open it by double-clicking its icon. This folder is most often named "www," "public_html" or "wwwroot." If you need to access a sub-folder within the root directory, double-click the sub-folder's icon.

• 4

  Click the "Local Browser" button. Use the resulting window to navigate to the folder containing the website files you want to upload.

• 5

  Highlight one or more files, click and hold on any highlighted file and then drag the files from the Local Browser window to the Remote Site window. New files will be uploaded automatically. If you are overwriting an existing file, the program will prompt you to confirm or cancel your choice.

CuteFTP

• 1

  Click "File" in the top menu bar, select "New," and then click "FTP Site." In the resulting window, give the site a name in the "Label" field, enter the name of your FTP server in the "Host Address" field, and provide your username and password in the corresponding fields. Contact your website hosting company or system administrator if you do not know this information.

• 2

  Click "Connect."

• 3

  Look to the right side of the window, locate the root folder containing your website files, and then open it by double-clicking its icon. This folder is most often named "www," "public_html" or "wwwroot." If you need to access a sub-folder within the root directory, double-click the sub-folder's icon.

• 4

  Look to the left side of the window, and navigate to the folder containing the website files you want to upload.

• 5

  Highlight one or more files, right-click any highlighted file, and then select "Upload." New files will be uploaded automatically. If you are overwriting an existing file, the program will prompt you to confirm or cancel your choice.