There are a couple things you need to do before you can use FTP:

1. Make sure you have some web hosting space that allows you to use FTP

2. Download some FTP software like the excellent Filezilla. The FTP software link here goes straight to the main download page. If you're a Windows user, choose the link that says "FileZilla Client". Mac and Linux users will need to scroll down a bit further for their versions.

Remember where you download the file to!

Once it's downloaded, run the setup program and you're almost set to go.

The first time you run Filezilla, it can be a little bit daunting. I'll create a video soon but for now I'll talk you through using it.

On the File menu, select Site Manager.

Then click the New Site button and give the site a meaningful name (it's only you who will see this name but if you have more than one host over time, it makes sense to use something more than New FTP Site).

Then you need to complete a few other details. You can get them from your host's control panel or the welcome email they sent you.

Host is normally your domain name, missing off the "www." part. Leave the value for Port at 21 unless your host has said anything different.

Leave "Server Type" as FTP.

Click the Normal button in the Logontype box.

In the User box you'll need to enter the user name assigned by your web host.

The account box is usually left blank.

The password box should contain either the FTP password you set or the one assigned to you by your web host.

Now you're ready to test your connection by pressing the "Connect" button.

If you've typed everything in correctly, you'll see a listing appear in the right hand window. If not, you'll get some kind of error message in the top window which should help you identify the problem.

The best FTP software is Filezilla.

It works with Windows, Apple Macs and Linux systems.

It's just as easy to use as any commercial program and, in my experience, is faster and more stable than most commercial FTP software.

Even if you've paid for a program like Coffee Cup FTP, you should give Filezilla a try.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol.

Put simply, it's the system that is used to transfer files from one computer to another across the internet.

You don't need to worry about the ins and outs - just know that it works simply and reliably.

That said, if you want all the glorious technical details, check out the Wikipedia article further down this page.