A short explanation on how to make files downloadable on your website. This can be easily done by using some very basic HTML code.
Step 1
Upload the file to your server. This can be done by FTP, or by another method. Consult your hosting company for information how to do this. The file to the same folder the HTML-file which links to it is in. Doing this, it will be easier to link to the file.
Step 2
Open the webpage you want the filename to appear on in a basic text editor, such as notepad.
Step 3
Choose a place where you want the download link to be. You have two options:
- A word on which people can click to download --> go to step 4
- An image on which people can click to download --> go to step 6
Step 4
Enter the following code on the place you want the link to be:'''''word'''''
Step 5
Change the yourfile.xxx to the name of the file you want to link to, and the word to the word you want your visitors to click on. --> go to step 8
Step 6
Enter the following code on the place you want the link to be: <a href="yourfile.xxx" target="_blank"><img src="yourimage.xxx" alt="title_of_image" /></a>
Step 7
If you don't want that annoying box around an image than type this yourfile.xxx " >
yourimg.xxx " alt=" yourimage ">
Step 8
Change the yourfile.xxx to the name of the file you want to link to, the yourimage.xxx to the image (which is also uploaded in the same folder your HTML file is in) you want your visitors to click on, and the title_of_image with the word you want the visitors to see when keep their pointer over the image for some time.
Step 9
Finished! Save the HTML file, upload it to your server and it should all work fine!
Tips
- Get some basic HTML knowledge, for example by visiting http://www.w3schools.com/html/ or http://www.w3schools.com/xhtml/ (the XHTML page is recommended)
- HTML is not as complex as you think. Each link points only to a specific file that your browser handles on a file type basis. For example, a link pointing to an HTML document will open in your default web browser, while linking to a PDF file will cause the downloaded file to open the default PDF viewer (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or CoolPDF Reader).
Warnings
- Be sure to test your file before uploading it, otherwise it may be possible it doesn't work correctly and your visitors will be stuck.
- Make sure that if the file is copyrighted you have permission from the owner!
