File Transfer Protocol (FTP) using Filezilla

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) using Filezilla

Filezilla is a very useful web tool that I have found is often taken for granted.  Filezilla is an FTP software used generally for uploading and downloading web files.  It uses the same credentials as cPanel to login and, in my personal opinion, is easier to use and just takes a moment to set up.

Start off by downloading Filezilla from https://filezilla-project.org.filezilla

Using Filezilla in a public terminal

When you are on a public terminal such as at an internet cafe it is always best to just use the QUICKCONNECT option.  Quickconnect does not save usernames and passwords which makes it ideal in this scenario.

Fill it in as follows:

quickconnect

  1. HOST:  ftp.yourdomain.extension (type FTP followed by your domain)
  2. USERNAME: type in the username provided by your hosting provider.
  3. PASSWORD: type in the password provided by your hosting provider

Your username and password are the same as those you use to login to your hosting site’s cPanel.   Now Click CONNECT.

Look at the transfer window and wait for it to say STATUS: DIRECTORY LISTING SUCCESSFUL.

Setting up Filezilla on a private computer

If you are working from your own computer it is advisable to just set it up so that you don’t have to type everything again each time you need to access your server.  What do you need to do?

  1. Click on the SITE MANAGER icon on the toolbar or go to File > Site Manager or … just press CTRL+S. This will open the Site Manager.
  2. Once there click on NEW SITE and customize it. rename new site
  3. In the GENERAL tab:
    1. input your host
    2. change logon type to normal
    3. type in your username
    4. type in your password.site setup
  4. Go to he ADVANCED tab:
    1. In default local directory point it to the folder of your website
    2. In the default remote directory point it to public_html
    3. CONNECT.

Look at the transfer window and wait for it to say STATUS: DIRECTORY LISTING SUCCESSFUL.

Uploading your site or part of your site to your server

  1. On the left you will see the window for the local site, clickthrough until you reach the folder that contains your web project.
  2. Click on the file/s or folder/s you want to upload.
  3. On the right go to PUBLIC_HTML … this is where you will upload your website.

When uploading for the first time simply right-click the folder of your website then click on UPLOAD SITE.

And you’re done!

Downloading your site or part of your site to your server

When downloading from your server do it in reverse.

  1. On the remote server on your right make sure you are in PUBLIC_HTML.
  2. On the left (the local site) make sure you are in the folder containing the folder of your website (if you want to download the entire site) or within the website folder (if you want to download parts of the site only).

And that’s it!  It’s that easy!  The only thing left to do is monitor the transfers window in case there are any failed transfers so you could process them again.

How to set up your website on Adobe Dreamweaver CC

How to set up your website on Adobe Dreamweaver CC

dw intro screen

Setting up a website before actually starting one is a step that many people not familiar with Adobe Dreamweaver forget to do. This is also called site management.

Because I am using a Mac the screenshots I will be showing you hear are all for a Mac but, trust me, there is very little difference between the interface for Windows or Mac OS.  When you open Dreamweaver for the first time it will look something like this.

dw manage sites

If you haven’t set up your site yet then you need to set it up now.  Note the Manage Sites link at the right side of the dropdown in the Files tab.  This will only appear if the dropdown is in Computer or Desktop.

If you don’t see it there, no to worry, you can also click on the link found within the dropdown.  Let’s click it now.  This will open the Manage Sites window.

DW Manage Sites Window

Click on NEW SITE.  This will open the SITE SETUP window.

site setup

site

In this window you will be required to enter your sitename and the local site folder (where you will save your website on your computer).

For the purpose of this exercise let us call your site web and set your local site folder to match your sitename.  By default Dreamweaver will try to save your website in your Documents folder.  You should allow it to save there.  At this point, you can just click on SAVE.  This will bring you back to the manage sites window and will display the site you just set up.  Technically your site is already ready to be used.

choose your site

choose your site

But let’s go back and double click on web.  This will open the site setup window again.

Setting up FTP via Adobe Dreamweaver CC

In the site setup window go to the servers tab.  Click on the + sign to add a new server.  This will open the BASIC SERVER SETTINGS.

dw servers

basic-serverHow do you know what settings to put in?  Check the email that your web host sent you.

  • SERVER NAME – this is usually the name of your site
  • FTP address – for most servers it is ftp.yourdomain.com (meaning ftp followed by your domain name) but you still need to check the email your web host sent you.  Zoom.ph, for example, has a different FTP address
  • USERNAME – again, check the email your web host sent.  It will be there and usually labeled cpanel/FTP username
  • PASSWORD – same as with the username
  • ROOT DIRECTORY – for most it will be public_html.  For some it will be just /.  Just as I mentioned above, please check the email your web host sent.
  • WEB URL – you can just ignore this, it doesn’t really matter.

successTo check if you put in the right settings click on TEST.  If successful you will see this window.  Only thing left is just to click on SAVE.

On the SERVER window you will now see your server.  Click on SAVE again.

servers-listed

This will bring us back to the Manage Sites window and the cache for your site will be created.

cache

Make sure the name of your site is highlighted in the list and just click on DONE. We’re now ready to start on the website itself using Adobe Dreamweaver CC.

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