ftp help.please

site won't show

[amandapearl]

I realize I must be doing something wrong that's probably obvious but don't know what it is. lol I've made sites before but never had to use FTP. I used the htmlkit ftp and finally figured it out (not very familiar with it yet either. lol) The site I made isn't mine but one I made for a family member and it's just a free site at Bravenet. After thinking it had been transferred ok, the site appears when I view it there but when I use the address they gave me for her site the site at first came up with an error page saying it was under construction and now says the file is empty. I know all you guys are way smarter than I and this must appear really stupid but would appreciate anybody's help in figuring out what the problem is.:) Also, anybody use a good ftp that's free other than the htmlkit one?

[bill]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld amandapearl.

It's very possible that your browser still had the old page in its memory cache and didn't bother asking the server for the latest copy. If you refresh the browser a few times the page should show up.

[martinibuster]

If that doesn't work, you may want to check your host providers faq pages for how to ftp a site. Some webhosts request that you upload to a specific folder, i.e. /yourwebsite/documents/
while others you just need to ftp it to the root, like this: /yourwebsite/

For different web hosts, it is always a good idea to take a look at their support or faq pages, they usually have instructions on how they want you to do it. It's not always the same.

fwiw, it's maybe as bill said, it's stuck in your cache. Happens to me sometimes, and although I clear my files and history, it still shows the old page. It's happening to me right now, and I had to open up Opera to see the new page. lol

Good luck.

[amandapearl]

Bill and Martinbuster -
Thanks for the nice welcome and thanks to both of you for answering my question. I guess what I did with the ftp was right:) I had tried refreshing the page several times after it was transferred and it didn't change anything but yesterday afternoon just out of curiousity lol I checked and ....ta da. it was there:) I tried editing some with their editor and same thing happened with their visual editor showing the changes but not the web site. lol This morning, though it's there. Evidently there must be a delay for changes to show? Is this the normal procedure when using FTP or are things supposed to happen as you do them? I'm used to just using the editor where I have my site and it changes immediately.:)
While I've got your attention:) Since I've never hosted a site anywhere other than where my site is and now where I have my neice's site. Do most sites have editors where you edit your pages or do you make changes from your own computer then keep FTP'ing them the changed pages? You can stop giggling now. lol :) I know I sound like a dummy :) All you guys at these forums are soooooo much smarter than me when it comes to all this, but I figure I'll learn from you:)

[bill]

Evidently there must be a delay for changes to show? Is this the normal procedure when using FTP or are things supposed to happen as you do them?

FTP is pretty instantaneous usually. Free hosts might have some different systems in place. If you clear your browser cache and refresh the page, and your changes still aren't there then they may have some sort of delay in place.

Do most sites have editors where you edit your pages or do you make changes from your own computer then keep FTP'ing them the changed pages?

The majority of hosting companies simply rent you server space. There may be a graphical control panel for you to manage your account, but they don't usually have page editors as you're describing them. A lot of the free hosts for beginners have these systems.

What most do is make pages on their local PC and then FTP them up to the server. If you want a page editor you might want to look into a CMS (Content Management System) where the site design and code is set and all you have to do is add content. You can get these pre-made or you can hire someone to make one for you.

[amandapearl]

Thank you very much for your help:) Hmmm I'm not used to being in a forum and not having the previous answer to look at lol so see if I remember what you said.... Since most sites that host web sites don't have the editors ...If I had a site that had coupons that changed constantly, I would originally ftp my pages of my site or the entire folder to the place that is hosting the site and then have to have a copy of those pages on my computer to make the changes. Each original page that had been ftp'd would then have to be deleted and I would ftp the most recent page that I had made with the new changes? Is that correct? I would be using the ftp every day, then? When a hosting site talks about transfer amount (not sure if that was exactly what it was called)is that what they're talking about. I think I've been spoiled by starting out on a free site that has an editor where I make changes constantly all day long on it. I make the changes in html but it's all just done on their editor and I haven't had to use any ftp til now. Really appreciate your help. Just sorry I sound like such a dummy lol You mentioned something about control something or other and don't know what that means.

[bill]

...and I would ftp the most recent page that I had made with the new changes?

Yes. Basically you just load the new page on top of the old page, and the FTP software will overwrite the server copy with your new updated copy.

When a hosting site talks about transfer amount ...is that what they're talking about.

That's included usually. They put up limits for the people with super high volume sites, or the guys who throw up huge music or video files. Bandwidth costs money. It's the amount of data transferred in and out of your site.

You mentioned something about control something or other and don't know what that means.

CMS. Search for it in your favorite search engine. If you'd like to try one out there are several free ones over at the OpensourceCMS.com site. You can try out their control panels and see if you like them.

[amandapearl]

Thanks a lot for answering my questions:)