Hosting And File Transfers

Hosting and File Transfers ...

An important thing to understand is that, for the most part, you cannot host images for your listing template on your own computer. Whether these are pictures of the items you are selling, or template graphics (the images used in the template design itself), you must put your files on an Internet accessible hosting server. In some rare instances it may be possible for you to have a server running on your own computer and, if your connection to the Internet is permanent (24/7), you can host from there. This is, however, not typical.

Don't be confused. You may be able to see the graphics or pictures in your own listing if the images are on your computer. They may show up for YOU, but others will not see them. The image files need to be on a suitable server in order for everyone to see them.

Most selling sites like eBay or Main Street Mall Online allow you to upload pictures to their server to include in your listings. Some, like eBay, charge extra for this service. Some sites, like Main Street Mall Online, allow you to upload minimal components for your listing template design but none that I know of allow unlimited file storage for the graphics used in your template design. You will need a hosting server for at least that and, if you want to save money on hosting multiple pictures for your item, a place for that as well.

You may be able to host your files on your website hosting space if you have one. Be careful with this, however, as some hosting sites restrict doing this because of the high traffic impact this can impart due to busy selling sites. You may find, once again, that you can view the images in your listings but others cannot.

There are good free hosting sites but, in many cases, you will want a commercial site because of the extra features it offers. As with anything else you need to shop around to find the service that offers what you need at a fair price. Remember that cheapest isn't always best but also free isn't always bad either.

Transfering files from one computer to another over the Internet uses a process called File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The term FTP has become both a noun and a verb in modern computer-speak. We no longer say transfer a file. We now say FTP a file.

Just like so many other things, in order to FTP a file, there is a program for that. In fact, like HTML editors and graphics manipulation software, there are lots of FTP programs to choose from. There are combination FTP functions in some other programs. Your HTML editor may have the built-in ability to transfer your files (web pages, templates and/or graphics) to your hosting server. It would use FTP to accomplish this. Your browser likely supports FTP transfer. Try typing this address into your browser's address linke and clicking the Go! button (or arrow) and see what happens:

ftp://wizardsplace.com/

You will likely get a login request. If you knew the login ID and password you would be able to FTP files from your computer to my server using your browser. Click cancel or use your browser's back button to clear the transfer request.

I do believe, however, that having an FTP program that is dedicated to the process of uploading and downloading files is a good idea. It gives you better visualization of, and control over, what you are doing. There are a great number of programs to choose from. I favor WS_FTP and AceFTP but there are many other good ones. Here are a few:

WS_FTP (shown above) is an old favorite. It has been around a long time. There is a commercial version and a feature-rich home edition (free) that is more than enough for most people. I have used WS_FTP for years.

I also like, and use, AceFTP (shown above). It is easy to use -- perhaps a little more intuitive for the beginner -- and a solid work horse. There is a commercial version as well as a free version which is adequate for most needs.

I have tried CuteFTP (shown above) and would gladly use it if I wasn't already happy with the two programs I have. There is a free trial version.

I evaluated the entire suite of Coffee Cup software some time ago and I liked it. One of the nice things is that there is continuity and similarity across the various programs so the learning curve of adding each new program is reduced. These are all solid entries and worth a look. The FTP program (shown above) is excellent. A free trial version is offered.

I have not used File Zilla (shown above) but have heard many good things about it. It is part of the free Open Source concept which I strongly support. It is, of course, free.

Smart FTP (shown above) is another easy-to-use FTP program available in a dozen or more languages and offering some interesting features.

Each of these, and many other available FTP programs, offers diffent features and have different looks, but they all do basically the same thing: move files from computer to computer over the Internet. At the heart of each of them is the file transfer screen:

There may be different controls or buttons, some may support drag and drop and some will have a little different look, but all of them use a two-window section of the screen that typically has a standard navigation box for your computer on the left and a standard navigation box for the remote (host or server) computer on the right.

To transfer files you locate the file on your computer (to upload) or on the host computer (to download) and then drag it, or click a button to send it, to the other side. The program does the rest and you have a copy of the file from your computer onto the host, or from the host onto your computer. It is easy and as fast as your Internet connection.

A good FTP program makes working with file hosting a breeze!