A website project is currently being hosted on a virtual hosting platform. I, as the sole developer, work on both a MacBook and a large home desktop computer. When I need to work remotely, I use my MacBook and then transfer the files to FTP hosting. When working from home on the desktop, I have to retrieve the files from the hosting and continue working.

Is there any way to optimize this process with fewer costs, such as working remotely and transferring files to and from FTP?

Convenience is crucial for both Mac and Windows users, and simplicity is highly desirable...

Yes, there are several ways to optimize your workflow and reduce costs while working remotely and transferring files to and from FTP. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Version Control Systems: Consider using a version control system like Git. By hosting your code on a platform like GitHub or Bitbucket, you can easily synchronize your code between your MacBook and the desktop computer. This way, you can avoid the need for manual file transfer each time you switch devices.

2. Cloud Storage Services: Utilize cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive. These services provide seamless synchronization across multiple devices, allowing you to work on your files without the need for manual transfers.

3. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): Choose an IDE that supports remote development through SSH. With this setup, you can directly edit files on your virtual hosting platform from your local machine without having to download and upload files manually.

4. Remote Desktop Connection: Set up a remote desktop connection to your desktop computer at home. This way, you can access your desktop environment and work with the files directly without the need for file transfers. Tools like Chrome Remote Desktop or Microsoft Remote Desktop can help you achieve this.

suggestions to optimize your workflow and simplify the process of working remotely and transferring files:

1. Continuous Integration/Deployment (CI/CD): Implement a CI/CD pipeline using tools like Jenkins, Travis CI, or CircleCI. This allows you to automate the deployment process, reducing the need for manual file transfers. With every commit or push to your version control system, your website can be automatically built and deployed to your FTP hosting.

2. Containerization: Consider containerizing your website using Docker or similar technologies. With containers, you can package your application and its dependencies into a portable, isolated environment. This allows for consistent deployment across different environments and reduces the need to transfer files manually.

3. Remote Code Editing: Use code editors that support remote editing capabilities. Editors like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom have extensions/plugins that allow you to edit files directly on remote servers via SSH or FTP/SFTP protocols. This eliminates the need for file transfers while maintaining a seamless development experience.

4. Cloud Hosting Services: Instead of using virtual hosting platforms and FTP hosting, consider migrating to cloud hosting services like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure. These platforms offer various services, such as Elastic Beanstalk, App Engine, or Azure Web Apps, which simplify deployment and eliminate the need for manual file transfers.

5. Infrastructure as Code: Embrace Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform or CloudFormation to automate the provisioning and management of your infrastructure. These tools enable you to define your server configuration and deployment in code, making it easier to replicate and manage your environment across different machines or hosting providers.

There are several version control systems available that offer the option to commit changes even when you are offline, such as Mercurial, Git, and Bazaar.

Distributed version control systems like Mercurial, Git, and Bazaar provide the ability to commit changes even without an internet connection, making them suitable for working on the go or in remote locations.

My recommendation would be GIT, which allows you to commit without requiring access to network storage. This means you can work independently and later synchronize your work.

GIT also provides an efficient version control system, enabling easy tracking of changes made to files and collaboration with others.