How to Move from Your Existing Web Host to a New One Via FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a method that is used for exchanging files and documents over the Internet or through a network. FTP is also used for uploading website files. FTP can only be used with an active Internet connection.

In order to use FTP, you need a web browser like Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or Mozilla Firefox. However, it is highly recommended that you use a separate FTP client because of the increased security, features, and usability.

FTP clients are specifically designed to transfer files between computers and that makes them the ideal application for handling FTP operations. In addition to an FTP client or web browser, you will need FTP access with your web hosting service in order to upload and upgrade web pages via FTP.

If you intend on switching web hosts, you will need to transfer your website's files onto a new account. It is important to ensure that your web host offers FTP access. If it does not, you need to consider another web hosting service.

Step #1: Obtain and FTP Client
First thing you need to do before you transfer your website, is to backup your website's files first. To backup your website, you will need to download all of your site's files and save them onto your computer. Your website files can be accessed with an FTP client. For free FTP clients, I recommend using either Core FTP, SmartFTP, or FileZilla.

Step #2: Back-up your Website's Files
Once you have opened your FTP client, you need to enter the username and password of your FTP account. Once entered, you can now navigate to your site's folders. You need to select all files in your site's directory and copy them to your hard drive. Now that you have your website's files on your computer, you can transfer them to your new web host.

Step #3 Restore your Files to your New Web Host
First, retrieve the username and password of your FTP account. Once you know this information, you can access the domain via FTP. Now you need to open your FTP client. Enter the username and password of your FTP account that you retrieved earlier. Now that you have connected to your website, you can now upload your website's files. To do this, you simply need to select all of the files that were on your old website's directory, and upload them to your domain. Once the new directory has been created, your website has been successfully restored.

And you are done!