While many people think that the hard work may be over once their site is up and live, for many this is just the beginning. There will at some point, for any site, be a need to change the layout, update options and amend content. While there are two main ways to do this, via FTP access or the Control Panel system, there are differing opinions as to which is easier and which is safer.

Each option offers different elements, which include :-

FTP Access

This is the access which is favoured by many professional coders, and allows you to see the code in its full glory, and also save back up copies, etc. On the negative side it can take a little while longer to access, due to opening another program, signing on, opening folders, etc.

One major plus point for FTP access is the vast array of additional options available, on even the most basic of editors. They can take away a lot of the hard coding required in the Control Panel option, where there are no short cuts, and code needs to be added in its raw form.

Control Panel Access

The Control Panel has become the most popular of hosting entry points, offering statistics, file management systems and additional content including the likes of Word Press, etc. The file management system allows you to open, access and check what an actual page will look like live, although it does have limited use if you want to change large chunks of code.

Unlike many FTP editors, there are no short cuts which will add the raw code for you, you need to add it yourself, and there is more chance of making errors and possibly deleting files by mistake. However, Control Panel access is often a lot quicker, and if you know what you want to change it is possibly the best method.

Conclusion

A lot of the factors regarding which system you use to amend your files, site, etc will be dictated by your general competence and experience. Mistakes can easily be made in the Control Panel, but if it is a quick fix you want to make, it can prove the best option.