Publishing or uploading your web pages to the internet, is the final step, you need, to be visible on the world wide web.

The web hosting company you purchased hosting from will set up a special space on their servers. It's in this space your web site files will be placed. So when someone types in your domain name, (example: my_web_site.com) they will be able to see it on the internet. Below are several ways to upload/publish a web site to your server.

1. If you Use an on-line program like Bummer Hosting Solutions' free Web Site Builder DEMO, you don't have to worry about uploading your web site. Your web site will be uploaded for you automatically in real time! There is no software to purchase or install on your computer.

2. For people who develop their websites on their computers, they will have to purchase FTP software such as Ws_Ftp Pro or Cute FTP. The software costs about $40. Some software programs like Microsoft Front Page and our Web Site Builder will have built-in FTP software (Publishing software). Firefox also has an FTP program extension you can download for free called FireFTP, which is excellent!

3. Setup FireFTP for free. See directions below...

FireFox has an FTP client that works perfectly.You would need to download and install the Firefox browser first, which is also free, if you do not have it. It is always good to have more than one browser (other than I.E.). Firefox is very popular and an extremely versatile browser. Firefox has an FTP you can add to it for free. To download Firefox browser, go here: FireFox Once you download and install the browser, you can setup the FTP, by going to "Tools' >"add ons", that will bring you to Firefox's webpage, from there type in "fireftp" into the search bar. It will bring up the "add on" Fireftp. Now download and install that. You will have to restart the browser to complete the install (It will tell you when).

Then once you restart the firefox browser, in order to open the Fireftp, you go to "Tools" and then to where it says "FireFTP". This will open up your new FTP client into a new window. You will need to configure the FireFTP program now.

To Configure: (have the FireFTP open)
* On the top left side click on "Manage Accounts"-> Then "New" -> Now type in your HOST URL: yourwebsite.com in the box called "Host:".
* Then, type in your ftp user and then pw, in the spot that calls for them.
* Then click on the tab "connection", Find where it says "REMOTE:", to the right side of REMOTE, type in the directory given to you in your Tech Support FTP Welcome letter.
* If you know what your local path is, you can add it where it says "Local", meaning where your files are stored locally (on your computer), i.e: desktop/mywebsitefolder.com . If you do not have the Local set from your computer, you will need to browser to find it when you are ready to upload or download files.
*Then press "ok".

* When you are ready to upload or download your website, simply go to Manage accounts, find your Host URL. Unless you have added another URL, yourwebsite.com should be the only one showing. Click Connect. Again, if you haven't located the local folder on the left side, you will need to do so. You should always keep a backup of your website just in case your host goes down, your webmaster disappears or in the event of a major catastrophe. Things happen. Not having a backup to protect yourself is no fault of anyones but your own. Many people have had to learn that the hard way. To backup the website, simply make a folder on your desktop or where ever ON your computer. Then either download a copy to it from the webserver, or make a copy of your current website, and store it in a separate place. Having several backups is even better than having just one. Keeping your backups on a separate harddrive is highly recommended. Reason? If you lose your harddrive that stores your backup, and you don't have another backup anywhere else, you're in big trouble.

Once you have connected and are ready to upload your content, then highlight what you will upload on the left side (your content on your local computer) and upload it to the remote server by clicking the arrow facing the remote server ->. To download any content, you will do the opposite and click <- the opposite arrow to your computer. Just be sure of where you are uploading or downloading on each end.

FYI, On FireFTP:
The left side of the program is your local computer (You), and the right side of the program is the remote server (your hosting companies web server where your files are stored)

4. If you have a webmaster, they should do all the work for you. That's what you are paying them for. So you don't have to worry about a thing. They will upload your web site files for you at no charge. And yes, they usually use FTP software! We advise you to ask for a backup of your website as well.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.