There is a lot of confusion in the market about what “FTP site hosting” is. It is usually confused with the FTP service used for “Website Hosting”.
Even vendors like Network Solutions don’t get it. You will find them and many others marketing their “Website Hosting” service as “FTP Site Hosting”.
Although they both use the same method to transfer files (File Transfer Protocol), the actual services are extremely different.
What is “FTP site hosting”?
“FTP Hosting” is a service that allows one person to share and exchange large files with many other people over the Internet by using a secure online file storage system.
A key benefit of “FTP site hosting” is that the file transfer process actually bypasses the user’s email service. This means that the user is never restricted in size and/or file type.
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For example:
Let’s say I’m a distributor and it’s the end of the month. I need to send my monthly sales reports to my eight regional sales managers. However, I am unable to email the files because they are too large in size and are in .ZIP file format.
What should I do? It is easy! I use an “FTP hosting” service that allows me to set up several secure online file folders, one for each of my sales reps.
Once I’m done setting up the folders, which usually takes about five minutes, I simply upload the individual sales reports to each regional manager’s secure file folder. They can then download the files/reports whenever they want.
In the above example, a single user could manage all of their online FTP files and folders from any computer connected to the Internet. Also, because each of the online FTP folders is password protected, they wouldn’t have to worry about a sales rep. access another representative. information.
What is the main difference between “FTP Site Hosting” and the FTP service used for “Website Hosting”?
With “FTP Site Hosting”, a user can have between two and a thousand FTP accounts. Each account can be password protected and files, folders and accounts can be managed from any computer with an Internet connection.
This type of service is designed for the transfer of files between an individual and/or company and a multitude of individuals and/or companies.
On the other hand, the FTP service used for “website hosting” usually consists of a single FTP account that is used by a webmaster or website designer to transfer (upload) files to a website.
How much does “FTP Site Hosting” cost?
Your cost for “FTP Site Hosting” is typically a fraction of the cost of sending files via conventional methods like Fed-X, UPS, and the US Postal Service.
Best of all, when you send files via “FTP Site Hosting”, there are no pickup and delivery fees, damaged shipments, or lost media. Plus, you can access, upload, and download your files from any Internet connection.
You can expect to pay between $3.50 per week and $55.00 per month for the basic “FTP Site Hosting” service. Many of the service providers do not require a contract, which means you can terminate the service at any time without having to pay early termination fees.
Also, many of the providers will allow you to test their service before signing up. This is good because if you don’t like the service, you don’t pay.
Why would anyone need more than one “FTP Site Hosting” account?
If you have large files that you share with multiple clients and providers, you’re a good candidate for “FTP site hosting.”
By having multiple accounts and being able to password-protect each account, you can send and receive files to and from your customers and vendors without worrying about any of them seeing each other’s files.
The types of businesses that typically use “FTP site hosting” are engineering firms, designers, transcribers, printers, lawyers, artists, developers, medical offices, and businesses that need to transfer large files securely over the Internet.
How do I find a good “FTP Site Hosting” company?
Now that you understand the differences between “FTP Site Hosting” and the FTP service used for “Website Hosting”, you need to select a service that meets your needs.
How do you do it? It is easy! The best place to start looking is Google (http://www.Google.com). Just type the phrase “FTP Site Hosting” and a list of companies offering FTP service will appear. Simply scroll through the list and identify the companies that offer the type of service that best meets your needs.