FTP SOFTWARE PROGRAMS 

To Upload A File To My Website

Once you've created your web pages, files or entire website, you will need to "send" or upload these files or web pages to your host account. For this, you will need a FTP which stands for File Transfer Protocol.

There are a number of FTP Software Programs for you to choose from. One or two are totally free FTP software programs which you can download and use. There are others that may be free for a 30-day trial period but once that period is over, if you decide to continue to use it, you will have to purchase the software by paying a one-off fee.  However, even these are very reasonably priced and are well within the budget of most people who aspire to have a website presence!

Which are the FREE FTP Software Programs
 for uploading your files
or
pictures to your website?

Since I am, personally, rather wary of freeware products unless they come with iron-clad guarantees that they won't infect my PC, I'm restricting my list to include just one totally free FTP Client software about which I have heard good reports.  However, as with all downloads and purchases, I would strongly recommend that you carry out your own research before making a decision regarding any product that is listed for your convenience, here, or elsewhere.

AceFTP Freeware - As the name suggests, this software is totally free.  You can download it and use it immediately without paying a cent! For more information about this product, visit the product site by clicking here.

SmartFTP  - "SmartFTP is a FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client, according to the producers of the product, "which allows you to transfer files between your local computer and a server on the Internet. With its many basic and advanced features, SmartFTP also offers secure, reliable and efficient transfers that make it a powerful tool. SmartFTP can be used for:

• Web site publishing and maintenance;
  

• Upload and download of images, documents, movie and music files;
  

• Share your files with your friends and co-workers;

• Backups of local or remote files."

If you qualify as a non-profit organisation, or a student or intend downloading this software for your own personal use, you may use SmartFTP Client as a free download.  The product will not be licensed and you will not be provided with any maintenance or support.

Alternatively, if you are going to use it for commercial websites, for a relatively small, one-time fee, you can buy the fully licensed version which comes with the benefit of maintenance and support.  You can, if you wish, download and use the software for a full 30-day period without charge!  The software sits on your hard drive and there is no expiration date, either. Click here to investigate further.

I have bought a copy of this software - very easy-to-use, incidentally - and I have used it for uploading special scripts and software to my host account.  For all other and routine file transfers, I use the built-in FTP facilities which come with my WYSIWYG web editor - XSite Pro.

CuteFTP Client - This FTP software does much the same things as the above item. There is a Standard and a Professional version of this software.

The software producers claim "CuteFTP Professional is an award-winning FTP Client for securely and reliably transferring files over industry standard protocols including FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS and SSH.  It's the right choice when you want the ultimate in power, performance and security."

I have not used this product so I cannot provide more information or recommend it, although this and other FTP Client software programs that appear, here, are also mentioned by many internet marketing experts. If you wish to find out more about the various features of the Standard and Professional versions (including the version for use on Mac), click here!

WS_FTP - This software is produced by Ipswitch and they offer a number of FTP Client programs from the Home version to those intended for Server Managers.  Unless you are a webmaster with networks to manage, you may wish to consider only two of those products listed on the site: the Home and the Pro Versions.

The Home version is a basic software program that offers, among other features, the standard security.  However the Pro version does have bells and whistles included and will give you the extra peace of mind when transferring your files, web pages, images, or anything else that you may care to transfer to your web host account.

I have tried this software and it is as easy to use as the others.  When you visit the site by clicking on this link "Overview," you will see the details of the Pro version with images of the Home version, also.  If you, then, select the "Pro vs Home" Tab, just above the description, you will see a chart of both packages showing what is included in each of the two packages.