Pre-Publishing Checks

The following checks made prior to uploading your site will save you a lot of grief in the long run.

Once you are ready to upload - create a folder (& sub-folders) to mirror your site. Place only your files to be uploaded in this/these folders. This will be your record for your site - and it should reflect the contents uploaded to your site at all times. The only exception to this is when you add new files immediately prior to testing and uploading. Please note that a directory is the same thing as a folder.

Check that you home page filename is exactly as specified by your ISP. Unlike within PC's - file handling is case sensitive. Also pay attention to its extension - should it be .htm or .html - get it wrong and you wont be able to access your site. Whilst .htm & .html are interchangable functionally you should stick to one or the other - according to what is specified for your home page.

Check your image sizes - if any are greater than 50kb you should look at reducing them in some way. i.e. shrinking - cropping - reduction.
Although as a general rule you should aim at no greater than 15kb unless it is to be viewed as a separate image.

Carefully check all the filenames for uploading. Are they totally in lower case and without spaces. Replace all spaces with _ underscores.
WARNING - once filenames with spaces are uploaded - they are very difficult to remove.
This is also the time to check file extensions - paying particular attention to extensions. It is very easy for .htm & .html to become exchanged accidentally.

If you change filenames in any way - you must reflect these changes in any links to these files. EditPad has the capability of Find & Replace over multiple files - and you will find it less prone to error if you adjust any links each time you change a filename.

Test your pages by dropping them onto a browser and ensuring all images appear. Also click on all links in turn - using your Back-button between each link. Links to other sites can only be checked after uploading.
Whew - you are now ready to upload - well almost!