This explains how to setup FTP to upload your
files from your computer to your website. We recommend using
WS FTP Pro or
WS FTP LE
(free). Other FTP programs can be used and will follow similar
steps as are shown below. We offer instructions specifically for
configuring WS FTP LE below.
Important: If you are using any FTP
Program, be sure you are uploading to the correct directory and that
your home page is called index.html. Otherwise, you won't be
able to view your pages after you upload them. If you can go "up" a
directory when you log in using FTP, go up as far as you can and
then into the /web folder.
-Correct Directory to Upload:
/www/ or /public_html/
-Incorrect Directory to Upload: /
-Correct Home Page Name:
index.html or index.htm (if index.html has been
deleted)
-Incorrect Home Page Name: Main.html or homepage.html or
index.HTML (must be lowercase .html and lowercase index)
-Correct Host Name: xyz.com or 207.23.23.12
(use your domain or IP address)
-Incorrect Host Name: ftp.xzy.com or ftp.207.23.23.12
-Remote Host Directory: /www
Login Information
The following information is contained within
your account activation notice and is needed to connect you to your
website via FTP:
Your User Name........(case sensitive)
Your Password..........(case sensitive)
Your Host Address.... yourdomain.com or your IP address
("IP address" is the numerical address assigned to every account.
For the first few days, until your domain name is registered or
transferred, this will be the only way you can connect).
Using WS_FTP
Each time you run WS_FTP the Session Profile
window will be displayed. A profile contains the information needed
to connect to your website. Creating a profile now will eliminate
the need for you to configure the software each time you wish to
connect to the web server via FTP. To create a profile, click the
"New" button and enter a generic profile name at the top of the
Session Profile window, such as "My Website." Next, enter your Host
Name/Address (yourdomain.com), User ID (User Name), and Password for
your website as illustrated in Figure 1A.
Double click on www to get to your web directory. This is
where all your files will be downloaded, and/or you will create
subdirectories. The one unique system directory that you may want to
use is cgi-bin; this directory is reserved for custom Perl/CGI
scripts. To make your home page load automatically, name the HTML
document "index.html" in lowercase and upload it to the /www
directory of your account. If you access your site (www.yourdomain.com)
and see a page that says, "Welcome to your hosting account" that
means you have not uploaded your "index.html" file correctly.
To upload a file or files, simply highlight the file(s) on the left
and click the right arrow button (->) in the center of the window.
Be sure to upload HTML documents and scripts in ASCII mode
and images in Binary mode. To transfer a file to a
subdirectory, double-click the appropriate subdirectory to open it
before transferring the desired file(s). To create a new directory,
click on the MkDir button when you are inside the www
directory or subdirectory.
As soon as a file is uploaded to the web server, it is available for
all to see. If, after uploading a file, you are still unable to see
the updated file via your browser, try hitting the "Refresh" or
"Reload" button. If that fails, you need to clear both disk and
browser cache. This function can be found by selecting Options
- Network Preferences in Netscape, and Tools -
Internet Options in Internet Explorer. Remember that you
must first be connected to the Internet through your local Internet
service provider in order to connect to the web server.
HINT: If you're behind a firewall, router or sharing systems
(NAT) make sure "Passive Mode" is enabled in WS_FTP! Not
doing so will cause you trouble accessing your site via FTP!