Publish: FTP

After configuring the settings for your connection, the next step is connect and transfer your files. Most FTP programs are set up the same way, so let's take a look at CoffeeCup.

The window is split into two panes. The left side (My Computer) shows the local files on my hard drive. The right side (My Site) shows the remote files on the server. Since we aren't connected yet, the My Site side is empty. The drop down menu on the local side allows you to browse to the files and folders you want to transfer to your server.

Below is how things look with my local or root folder selected in the My Computer side. At this point, we would connect to the server by hitting the Connect button near the top of the screen (see above).

Once connected (below), the view changes a bit. The local files are still there, but now we have files and folders on the remote or server side. Notice there are three folders and one file on the remote. The folders were put there by this particular host and are required for the account. This host automatically connects me to the correct folder I need to be in, so I didn't have to tell my FTP program where to go.

The goal here is to get the folders on the local side to the folder on the remote side. This is simply a matter of selecting the local folders, and clicking on the Upload button on the program. Doing so will start the transfer process.

Once the files have been transferred, the remote side is updated as shown below and my files have been put on the server. Since the index.html page is the page a web browser will look for first, it HAS to be placed in the folder specified by your host (the folder your FTP program connects to). This is where first timers usually make a mistake and wonder why the "Page Not Found" error pops up in their browser.

To ensure this doesn't happen, always use the set up below when developing the site structure on your local drive. In this case the My Site folder is known as the root folder because it is the origination or source of all other files. The same can be said about the folder your FTP program connects to on the server. Your index.html page must always be placed in the root folder on the server so it's good practice to keep it in the root folder on your hard drive.

After your files have transferred, disconnect from your server and visit your web site. Once you get the hang of the initial set up, transferring your files is really simple. Just remember to stay organized so when you update your site you can do it with ease.