You've heard me mention FTP a couple of times. FTP means File Transfer Protocol which was developed years ago before most of us were using the Internet. Computers automatically have the ability installed when you buy them and are capable of using this protocol to transfer files over a network to another computer.

FileZilla is an FTP client that is really only a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that enables us to make use of this tool that has already been built into our computer.

You can actually use a DOS window to connect to remote computers and transfer files, but most people (these days) are not comfortable working in DOS.

You can download FileZilla from here: http://filezilla.sourceforge.net

You will see above that I've identified the different panes with a red number to explain which section I am talking about.

Number 1 at the very top is the address bar, which means this is where you put your FTP connection information. In "address" I typed "homebusiness-websites.com" (my domain name) and the following two fields will be the username and password assigned to your hosting account when you registered. These go in these fields. The "port" number can be left blank. If you have the other information the program will find the correct port when you connect to your hosting account.

Number 2 isn't something you really have to pay too much attention to you. In order for your FTP program to connect with your hosting account, the two computers need to pass information back and fourth. This just shows you what information is being passed. As long as there is a connection, you don't need to be bothered with anything else in this area

Number 3 shows the drives and folders on you computer. You can click through on the folders to navigate to the folder/directory where your website files are stored. When it is opened, the individual files and sub directories will be displayed in the window below (number 4).

Number 4 shows the individuals files and folders that you will want to transfer to your hosting account. Double-clicking on them will automatically transfer them. Or you can select them by holding down the "Ctrl" key and highlighting them by left clicking with your mouse on the files you want to transfer. If you have some files highlighted this way, a right-click will open a popup menu that allows you to choose the upload command. You will see these files appear in number 5.

Number 5 (if you're connected to your host) will list the files and folders you are allowed to access on your server. Any files you upload from number 4 will appear in this window. If this is a new website, and you're using Linux hosting account there is a good chance when you view the folders on your server you will see a directory called "public_html". This is where you will put your files.

Number 6 simply shows you the status of files being transferred. Again, this is something you shouldn't have to pay too much attention to.