Frequently Asked Questions - What is FTP?


What is FTP? Do I need it?

[FTP] FTP stands for "file transfer program." It is a program that allows you to transfer local files from your computer, to your website on the Internet. You do not need an FTP program if we are maintaining your website. If you wish to maintain sections of the website (subdomains or web user accounts), then you need an FTP program to upload your content to the website. Examples of subdomains include test.<your-domain>.com and examples of web user accounts include www.<your-domain>.com/~<your-user>/. Web user accounts are mostly used for Chapter websites for non-profit organizations.

As a business decision, we do not give access to the main website. Please our policy in FAQ - Why Can't We Have Access to Source Files?

FTP provides direct access to the server, and is not like a WordPress control panel which forbids FTP access. There is browser based FTP access for Mozilla Firefox users. See FireFTP below.




What FTP software do you recommend?

For paid software that works on both Windows and Mac based computers, we recommend CuteFTP. CuteFTP has a built-in Connection Wizard that will walk you through connecting to an FTP site in seconds and its user-friendly interface will have you transferring files in no time, even if you are a beginner. Free trial software is available for downloading. Note: Mac users should download Cute FTP Mac Professional and not Cute FTP. www.cuteftp.com

[CuteFTP]

A good free FTP program is FileZilla at filezilla-project.org.

[FileZilla]

For Macintosh computers, we also recommend Fetch. Fetch is an easy-to-use, full-featublue FTP client for the Apple Macintosh. Free trial software is available for downloading. www.fetchsoftworks.com

[Fetch]

For FireFox browser users, there is a free basic FTP add-on called FireFTP. fireftp.mozdev.org

[FireFTP]