Dreamweaver CS3: Preview in Browser & File Upload/ FTP

Step 10: Dreamweaver CS3 Tutorial - Test & Upload to Hosting Server

Once the site is complete in Dreamweaver you are ready to upload/ FTP the files to your server and go live. Before that however, you should preview the site in various browsers (at least FireFox and Internet Explorer) to make sure it is working all right.

Preview in Browser

1. File > Preview in Browser > select the browser of choice
2. View each page
3. Click on all the links

Note: If you use Site Relative paths (as you must in server side includes), the "Preview in Browser" feature will not work. You will need to test on a web server locally or upload to your remote hosting server and test.

Other tools that Dreamweaver provides :

• Site > Check Links Sitewide
• Text > Check Spelling

Going Live

After you have developed and tested your site it is ready to go live. You will need to sign up with a hosting server. I recommend Hostgator

Once you sign up with a hosting server you they will provide you with your server details:

1. IP address or www.yoursitename.com
2. username
3. password

You can use Dreamweaver or any FTP software e.g. Filezilla to upload your files to the remote hosting server.

File Upload/ FTP in Dreamweaver

To enter your hosting details into Dreamweaver:

1. Fill in these details in the Remote Info Panel of the Site Definition [Files Panel > Last in the site name drop down - Manage Sites > Select the Site > Click Edit > In the Advanced Tab > Click the category "Remote Info"
2. Access = FTP (from drop down menu)
3. FTP host = enter your site url e.g. www.yoursitename.com
4. Enter your login and password
5. Click "Test" to check the connection

To upload your files into the remote hosting Server:

1. Click the "Expand to show local and remote sites" icon  in the Files Panel
   
2. In the expanded files panel click the 'connects to remote host' icon.
3. Once you connect you should see the remote folder and files on the left window.
4. To upload your files click the 'Put Files' Arrow icon in the site manager.
5. After uploading all the files test the site online using your site url e.g. www.yoursitename.com.

Your site is live now! Congratulations!