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There is a lot of confusion in the market place about what FTP Site Hosting
is. Its typically confused with the FTP service used for Website Hosting.

Even providers like Network Solutions dont get it. Youll 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 Site Hosting is a service that allows one person to share and exchange
large files with many other people via the Internet through the use of a secure,
online file storage system.

A key benefit of FTP Site Hosting is that the file transfer process
actually bypasses a users email service. This means that the user never has
file size and/or file type restrictions.

For example: Lets say Im a distributor and its the end of the
month. I need to send my monthly sales reports out to my eight regional sales
managers. However, I cant send the files via email because their size is too
large and they are in a .ZIP file format.

What do I do? Its simple! I utilize an FTP Site Hosting service that
allows me to set up multiple secure file folders online, one for each of my
sales reps.

After Im done setting up the folders, which usually takes about
five-minutes, I simply upload the individual sales reports to each regional
managers secure file folder. They can then download the files/reports at their
leisure.

In the above example, a single user would be able to manage all their online
FTP files and folders from any computer connected to the Internet. In addition,
because each of the online FTP folders is password protected, they would not
have to worry about one sales rep. accessing another reps. 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 the files, folders, and
accounts can be managed from any computer that has an Internet connection.

This type of service is designed for transferring 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 generally
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 such as Fed-X, UPS, and the US Postal
Service.

Best of all, when sending files via FTP Site Hosting, there are no pickup
and delivery charges, no damaged shipments, and no lost media! In addition, 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 basic
FTP Site Hosting service. Many of the service providers dont require a
contract, which means you can terminate the service at any time without facing
early termination fees.

Also, a lot of the providers will allow you to test their service before you
subscribe. This is nice because if you dont like the service, you dont
pay.

Why would someone need more than one FTP Site Hosting account?

If you have large files you share with multiple clients and vendors, youre a
good candidate for FTP Site Hosting.

By having multiple accounts and being able to password protect each account,
you can send & receive files to & from your clients and vendors without
worrying about any one of them seeing the others files.

The types of companies that typically use FTP Site Hosting are engineering
firms, designers, transcriptionists, printers, lawyers, artists, developers,
medical practices, and businesses that have a need to securely transfer large
files via 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 fits
your needs.

How do you do it? Its simple! The best place to start looking is Google
(http://www.Google.com). Just type in the phrase FTP Site Hosting and a list
of companies offering the FTP service will be displayed. Simply work your way
through the list and identify the companies that offer the type of service that
fits your needs the best.

If you would like to learn what questions to ask and what to look for in a
service provider when selecting an FTP Site Hosting company, just read the
article titled target="_new" href="http://www.ezinearticles.com/?FTP-Hosting-Service-Selection---Seven-Tips!&id=93216">"FTP Hosting Service Selection - Seven Tips!".

Adam is a Network Engineer with "InstantFTPsites.com". You can learn more about "FTP Hosting" services online at http://www.InstantFTPsites.com

2006 InstantFTPsites http://www.InstantFTPsites.com You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the "Author Biography").