If you work online, you need WebDAV. WebDAV shares can be set up securely below the web root on you...r server, giving you all kinds of options for collaboration online. Colleagues, server backups: there are lots of possibilities. And because WebDAV integrates so well with almost any modern OS, it’s a very quick way to transfer data between computers, no matter where they are. It’s also secure: even more so if you set up SSL and use WebDAV over https rather than plain http. Before you pay money for third party file hosting solutions, have a look at WebDAV and see if it’s suitable for your needs.

WebDAV is included with Cpanel

If you already have a Cpanel server, chances are you already have WebDAV - but you may not realise it. If you don’t already have a server or you’re looking to switch, it’s worth looking for a host that has Cpanel installed as standard, since it makes things much easier in the beginning, and you can be reasonably sure that your WebDAV service will be complete.

In Cpanel 11, WebDAV is included under a rather unassuming ‘Web Disk’ icon in the ‘Files’ menu. Setting up a new WebDAV account is rather like setting up an FTP account. Cpanel needs a few details: a login name and domain, a password and a directory for the share. Remember to choose a directory below public_html if you do not want the files in your directory to be publicly accessible.

Cpanel will then provide an easy setup file for the operating system you are using, and you’ll be able to drag and drop files onto your server immediately. If you’re using a Mac, you can simply Connect to Server in the Finger and enter http://domainname.com:port into the address bar. Either way, the Cpanel Web Disk application is a very easy way to get started with WebDAV. Once you have one share, you can set up more for friends, family and teams, or create an iCal server.

Cpanel, Windows 7 and Web Disk don’t work

Choosing a Cpanel host is a good first step, but if you run a more recent version of Windows, you may have some problems connecting to your Web Disk.

Cpanel, Windows Vista and Web Disk don’t play well together until you install a Microsoft patch. Search Google for ‘Software Update for Web Folders’ - KB907306.

Even worse news for Windows 7 users: Web Disk won’t work at all. If you use Cpanel, you’ll need to look to a third party like WebDrive for your WebDAV software - or stick with old-fashioned FTP.

WebDAV is great for web developers

Are you forever uploading new iterations of websites and layout designs to remote servers? Mapping a WebDAV drive is a quick and easy way to make file transfers very straightforward. If you regularly share mock-ups and ‘work in progress’ and you find FTP a chore, a WebDAV share could provide a very elegant solution and save you a fair bit of time: you simply drag and drop the files to give your clients the new version.

WebDAV is also ideal if your company has a firewall rule which blocks FTP, and it’s also more secure and generally a fair bit quicker (depending on your internet connection speed).

Check your bandwidth provision WordPress Hosting: Which is the Best WordPress Host?

The space you’re permitted to use for WebDAV will vary according to your hosting provider. Storage space is fairly easy to quantify, but bandwith can be more troublesome. If you upload a lot of large files, a limited plan soon becomes very limited indeed.

Go for a host which offers ‘unlimited’ bandwidth. There may still be a few caveats attached to the ‘unlimited’ offering, but anyone who uses their hosting account reasonably and normally shouldn’t run into too many problems.