If you have a website and you didn’t design it your self or if your new to the web world there are a few things you will need to have and need to know. Note: this article is directed more towards the “newbie” webmaster.
For anyone and everyone that owns a website.
What do I need to know?
When you are looking into maintaining or running a website there are a few things you will need to know. For starters here are a few things you need to know:
There are many more things that you need to know when you own a website. Listed here is just shortened view of important things that you need to know.
If you know of or want to know more about questions for maintaining and running a website go ahead and email me: Charles@CharlesNixon.com
What do I need to have?
Now that you know the broad spectrum of frequently asked webmaster questions you need to know what software is required in order to access the files on your website, update them, fix them, and delete them.
If your hosting package requires you to use FTP or has the option to use FTP than you need to use a FTP program.
What is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and it is a for you to send and receive files over the internet.
Useful FTP Programs:
Smart FTP
This is a very easy to use FTP program. This is the one that I currently use. It allows you to access your website easily and has a very nice and user friendly setup. It is free for 30 days (well it says 30 days but just bugs you every time you open it after that till you purchase it. I’m at 80 days and counting note: I do have the full version… just havent got around to re-installing it) http://www.smartftp.com/
WS_FTP
Great FTP program.. (I used to use it) has a free 30 day trial period also. I disliked the interface. Has a older microsoft windows 98 type look. (well that was when I used it). It now has a newer look but I havent got around to checking it out. If you try this one let me know how it goes.
http://wsftp.com/products/ws_ftp/home/index.html
After you are able to download and use your files you are going to need programs to edit them. If you are a code junkie you are most likely going to use notepad the most. But most of us arent code junkies so here are some good programs for editing html, php, css, and many other files.
Useful Editing Programs:
Macromedia Dreamweaver
Awesome program… Not much more to say. Except that quality comes with a price. Costs $399. BUT it does have a 30 day trial… Great program (recommend the newest version mx 2004) Has a load of high quality features. Worth checking out!
http://macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/
Microsoft Frontpage
Another great program with high quality features like dreamweaver. Also worth checking out. (I used to use front page and prefer dreamweaver over it… but everyone has different preferences so try them out for their 30 day free trials to see which one is more for you) http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/
HTML KIT
Of course I had to have a program that was free on the list So here it is! This is a great program and has many features that frontpage and dreamweaver has and best of all its free. I use this program all the time when im not on any of my own personal computers. Note: Its also very small! Around 8-9MB http://www.chami.com/html-kit/
If you know of or want to know more about FTP programs, code editing programs, or graphics design programs go ahead and email me at: Charles@CharlesNixon.com
Charles Nixon – Website Designer Driven by Creativity
Building websites to increase sales, and build web presence
Did you start your business to create a website? or to run
your business? With competitive pricing and your project
delivered on time and on budget CharlesNixon.com may be the
web design firm for you!
http://www.CharlesNixon.com/
Charles@CharlesNixon.com
