AA Imagination - Using SmartFTP, Web Hosting, Domain Names

Using Smart FTP

FTP Stands for File Transfer Protocol. SmartFTP is just one FTP program that can be used to transfer (upload) your files to the Internet.

Note 1: You may need to disable your firewall before using SmartFTP (See bottom of page to learn how to do this).

IMPORTANT - If you have created your website using Microsoft FrontPage, DO NOT upload your website using an FTP program to upload as it may corrupt the FrontPage Extensions. Instead use the Publish feature included in FrontPage.

To use SmartFTP:

Download SmartFTP from www.smartftp.com and install it on your computer.

Start SmartFTP and from the menubar, choose File / New Remote Browser.

Enter your user information as supplied to you when you signed up for your web hosting into to the New Remote Browser's property box and click OK button. See details below.

Host:	yourdomain.com	Enter your domain name in the Host textbox (DO NOT use www in front). You can also use the IP address of your server
Username:	yourdoma	Enter your username provided when you signed up here
Password:	**********	Enter your password provided when you signed up here

Note: It is best to enter /public_html in the Path textbox so you to not have to navigate through this directory every time you logon. Leave all other details as they are set by default.

From the menubar, choose File / New Local Browser.

Notice the public_html folder. By entering /public_html in the Path text box as described in step 3, you will automatically start within this folder when you log on. This is where you store all your files for your web site. If you are not already in this directory, double click the public_html folder now.

IMPORTANT - Never delete any files that you did not create (system files). This includes both inside and outside the public_html folder.

Navigate the local browser to locate the files you wish to upload.

Select the file(s) you wish to upload in the Local Browser and drag and drop them in your public_html folder in the Remote Browser using your mouse. Be careful not to drop files onto one of the other folders with in the public_html directory.

Tip - To multiple select files as below, hold down shift or ctrl keys while clicking on desired files. To select all files, press ctrl A.

If you up updating your web site go to step 11.

You will now see SmartFTP begin to up load your files with ftp commands scrolling on screen in bottom plane of the remote browser. Please wait until this process is completely finished, if you don't not all of your files will upload and your website will not function correctly.

Should now see your files inside the public_html folder as below.

If you are updating your website or a file already exists, you will receive a message similar to below. Click Overwrite button and steps 9 and 10 should happen.

IMPORTANT - Be careful what you overwrite as this process will permanently delete the existing file.

That's it all done. Now open up a web browser and type in your domain name now to test your website.

Deleting Files

To delete a file, simple right click the file you wish to delete and chose Delete form the pop up menu (see below).

A message box will appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Click the Yes button to finish deleting the file.

Help Menu

You can learn more about Smart FTP by using the Tutorial found in the Help menu. To access help:

From the menu bar, choose Help and select Contents from the pop up menu.

Now click the Tutorials link and then select View next to your required topic.

Firewalls

If you have a firewall installed on your computer, it may be blocking your FTP access. Refer to your firewall manufacture for details on how to allow access or simply temporarily disable your firewall while you upload your web site. If you use Norton Personal Firewall or ZoneAlarm Firewall, there are tutorials on how to allow FTP access through firewall in the tutorial assessable though the Help Menu.

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