What is FTP, and why would I want to use it?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the quickest and easiest way to transfer images and other files to and from your account.

With FTP you can easily transfer lots of files (images, web pages, even a whole site!) from your computer to your Web Hosting account and the Internet — making it a convenient tool for building and managing your site. (In contrast, our Easy Upload tool allows you to transfer only 5 files or up to 5MB to your account at a time.)

You can also use FTP to save files from your account to your computer or to move files around or delete files you're no longer using. With the help of Password Manager, you can even make it possible for your coworkers or friends to transfer files into your account.

Important: FTP provides a direct path into your web site, so be cautious when providing access to others. FTP is also not compatible with certain other publishing tools. If you're using Yahoo! SiteBuilder or Microsoft FrontPage to build your site, for example, be sure to avoid manipulating your files with FTP, or you risk damaging your site.

To get started with FTP you just need to download a free FTP tool and set it up to work with your Web Hosting account.