What is FTP?

FTP allows transfer of files between two computers which are on the Internet. FTP lets users upload and download files from another computer system on the Internet, or on a local network. You must be familiar with how to download and upload files and how to use FTP in the Million Dollar Blueprint. If you have never used FTP before, don’t worry, it’s as simple and moving files around on your PC.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is the best way of sending files from one computer to another over the internet and is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files. FTP is in common use for downloading data and programs from servers, and for uploading Web sites. FTP is commonly used to transfer web pages from the creator’s computer to the server where the web site is situated.

Whether you know it or not, you most likely use FTP all the time. The most common use for FTP is to download files from the Internet.

First you need to download and install an FTP Client. There are a number of free FTP Programs available on the web. I use SmartFTP myself. You can download the Trial version and if you are using it for personal use you don’t have to upgrade when the trial runs out.

There are other Free to download FTP Client Programs like CoffeeCup and FileZilla

FTP File Structure

An FTP site is like a large filing cabinet. The file structure on your server is similar to how files are organised on your computer so should look familiar to you.

The main folder is the ‘root’ directory, your domain. eg. http://your-domain
Under this you will setup your main site using either NVU to create a html site or wordpress to create a blog structured site. the pages of your site will appear as files in the main directory.

When creating a sub-domain through cPanel, (http://sub-domain.domain) the sub-domain will appear in the root directory as a folder. Within this folder you will set up another site using NVU or wordpress and these will appears as more folders and files within the sub-domain folder

Under the sub-domain you will be creating another folder to host your niche auto blog eg. http://sub-domain.yourdoman/auto-blog.

Here’s what it will look like… click on image to view full size.

The picture above is just a graphical representation of the server layout. It will actually look more like your computer does when veiwing it in windows explorer (if you aren’t using a Mac computer). Of course, when you first start all these files and folders won’t be there because you haven’t created them yet.

It is important to understand how to structure and organise your website hubs and portals when you get to that point in the Million Dollar Blueprint, and create a plan, but more about this later.

Using a FTP Client

Ftp has two parts: the client and the server. An FTP Client is software that is designed to transfer files back-and-forth between your computer and your FTP Server. FTP software will allow you to copy files from your computer to the web server and vice versa.

When you open the FTP program a connection dialog box will appear. if it doesn’t you should run the Site Manager or something similar. This is where you fill in the FTP Server longin details given to you by your webhost company.

There are two panes, one for your computer and one for the server. You navigate in the server pane to where you want to upload the file to, and navigate the client pane (your computer) to the file you want to upload. Then it is just a matter of either drag and drop (if your FTP software allows that) or clicking on the upload button, to trans fer the file.

Some FTP Programs have two panes for server and client giving you a total of four to veiw. One shows the folder structure and the other shows the folder contents. If you find this confusing and have the option to change the view, set it up so you see only one pane per server and your computer, this is usually just the folder contents.