Small Business Design Resources

How to install and use FireFTP

Installing an FTP client is beneficial when you want to transfer large files from your computer to your web server. To learn more about it, please see what is FTP. See the video or steps below on how to install and use the popular free FTP client for the Firefox browser called FireFTP.

Here are the steps to summarize how to install and use FireFTP:

1. Go to google.com,  type in FireFTP and select the first choice or go directly to http://fireftp.mozdev.org/

2. In the green box click on Download FireFTP, select Allow if you get a message in your browser.

3. After the install is complete, make sure to restart your Firefox browser otherwise you won’t see the new plugin.

4. When the browser restarts you can find your FireFTP plugin in the Tools menu above.

5. To create a new account, go to the top next to the Connect button select the pull down to Create an Account.

6. Type in your host, which is your domain name and the password that was given to you by your hosting company.

7. Select Connect and now you’re in.

8. Left side is your computer and the right side is the web server.

9. Use the appropriate left or right green arrow to transfer the files between the two windows.

What is a FTP?

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. FTP is used for downloading and uploading files from the web, such as documents, images and mp3. Basically it’s your computer connecting to a server and getting or placing files on that server. On the back end, it works just like the folder system on your home computer. You can create, name, and delete folders and sub folders.

How can I use a FTP? You will need to download a software that is referred to as a FTP client. There are many FTP clients to chose from, but one that I like to recommend is a free, secure, cross-platform that is an add on to the Firefox browser called FireFTP. See how to install FireFTP plugin on your computer.

To have access to a particular web site’s FTP, you would need to request the login and password from the web site designer.

Why can’t I use my e-mail to send files? You can still use e-mail to send files, but a FTP is a great alternative. With e-mail you can send only a hand full of documents at a time. Many servers wont send e-mails that are too big in file size. Plus, attachments in an e-mail need to be encoded and that increases the file size. With FTP on the other-hand, you’re able to send bigger files and they’re not encoded.

When would I need to use a FTP instead of e-mail? For example, when you’re working with a web designer to build your web site, the designer will ask you to upload your images or any relevant files to them using their FTP. You will then be provided with a login and password to upload your files.