How to Upload an HTML Website to Hostinger in 2026

Have you created a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and want to make it accessible on the internet? You can upload your project to Hostinger and publish it using your own domain name.

You do not need WordPress, a complicated content management system, or advanced server knowledge to publish a basic static HTML website. Hostinger allows you to upload your website files through its browser-based File Manager or an FTP client such as FileZilla.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to prepare your HTML project, upload its files to Hostinger, organize them inside the correct public_html directory, connect your domain, and check that everything works correctly.

1. What You Need Before Uploading an HTML Website

Before uploading your website, make sure you have the following items ready:

• Hostinger hosting account: You need an active web hosting plan that supports custom HTML websites.
• Domain name: You can use an existing domain or register a new one.
• HTML files: Your main pages, such as index.html, about.html, and contact.html.
• CSS files: Stylesheets that control your website's appearance.
• JavaScript files: Scripts used for menus, forms, animations, and other interactive features.
• Images and other assets: Logos, banners, icons, fonts, and other media used by your website.
• Upload method: Hostinger File Manager or an FTP client such as FileZilla.

Example of a basic HTML website project

Your website folder may look something like this:

my-website/
│
├── index.html
├── about.html
├── services.html
├── contact.html
│
├── css/
│   └── style.css
│
├── js/
│   └── script.js
│
└── images/
    ├── logo.png
    ├── banner.jpg
    └── about-us.jpg

Keep all the files your website depends on. If your HTML references a stylesheet in the css folder or an image in the images folder, those folders must also be uploaded.

2. Prepare Your HTML Website Files

Before transferring your project to Hostinger, check that the website works locally and that its files are organized correctly.

<!-- CSS file -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="css/style.css">

<!-- JavaScript file -->
<script src="js/script.js" defer></script>

<img src="images/logo.png" alt="Website logo">

3. How to Upload an HTML Website to Hostinger Using File Manager

Hostinger File Manager is the easiest method for many beginners because it allows you to upload website files directly through your browser. You do not need to install an additional FTP application.

4. Correct Folder Structure After Uploading

One of the most common mistakes beginners make is uploading their website into the wrong directory or leaving the files inside an additional folder.

For example, suppose your website folder is named my-website. You upload the entire folder into public_html and extract it there. Your resulting structure might look like this:

public_html/
└── my-website/
    ├── index.html
    ├── about.html
    ├── css/
    ├── js/
    └── images/

In this situation, your homepage may be available at a URL ending in /my-website/, rather than directly at your main domain.

If you want the website to load directly when someone visits your domain, arrange the files like this:

public_html/
├── index.html
├── about.html
├── services.html
├── contact.html
├── css/
│   └── style.css
├── js/
│   └── script.js
└── images/
    ├── logo.png
    └── banner.jpg

5. How to Upload an HTML Website Using FileZilla

If you have a large number of files or prefer transferring them from a desktop application, you can use FileZilla. It is an FTP client that connects your computer to your Hostinger hosting account.

Step 1: Download FileZilla Client

Visit the official FileZilla website and download FileZilla Client for your operating system.

Install the application and open it.

Step 2: Find your FTP details in Hostinger

1. Sign in to Hostinger.
2. Open Websites.
3. Find your website and click Manage site.
4. Search for FTP Accounts in the hosting dashboard.
5. Open the FTP Accounts section.
6. Find the hostname or IP address, username, and other connection details.
7. Create or reset an FTP password if required.

Step 3: Connect FileZilla to Hostinger

Open FileZilla and enter your connection details in the Quickconnect bar.

Click Quickconnect. If the connection is successful, FileZilla will display the server's directory structure in its right-hand panel.

Step 4: Find your local website folder

FileZilla has two main panels:

• Left panel: Your computer's local files.
• Right panel: Your Hostinger server files.

Use the left panel to locate your HTML project folder. On the right, navigate to the correct domain's public_html directory.

Step 5: Upload the HTML files

1. Select the files and folders you want to upload in the left panel.
2. Right-click and choose Upload, or drag and drop the selected items.
3. Wait for the transfer queue to finish.
4. Check for failed transfers.
5. Confirm that index.html and all supporting folders are visible in the remote directory.

After uploading, open your domain in a browser and check the website.

6. How to Connect Your Domain to the HTML Website

Uploading website files and connecting a domain are two different tasks. Even if your HTML files are correctly uploaded, your domain must point to the hosting service before visitors can access the website through that domain.

If your domain is registered with Hostinger

If your domain and hosting plan are already associated with the same Hostinger account, the domain may be connected automatically during website setup. Check its connection status in the dashboard.

If your domain is registered with another provider

You can connect it by changing the nameservers or updating the required DNS records.

• Nameserver method: Change the nameservers at your domain registrar to the exact values displayed by Hostinger.
• DNS record method: Keep DNS management with your existing provider and update the A record or other records using the values Hostinger provides.

Follow the domain connection instructions in your Hostinger dashboard. Avoid copying random IP addresses or nameservers from unrelated tutorials because the correct values depend on your hosting setup.

How long does domain connection take?

DNS changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate, although many updates become visible sooner. During this period, your domain may not work consistently from every network.

For detailed instructions, see Hostinger's domain pointing guide.

7. How to Enable SSL and HTTPS for Your HTML Website

After connecting your domain, make sure your website uses HTTPS. An SSL/TLS certificate helps encrypt the connection between your website and its visitors.

Steps to check SSL in Hostinger

1. Log in to your Hostinger account.
2. Open Websites and select your website.
3. Click Manage site.
4. Find the SSL or Security section.
5. Check whether an SSL certificate is active for your domain.
6. Follow the displayed instructions if activation is required.
7. Visit your website using its HTTPS address.

Once HTTPS works, check that your HTML pages, images, stylesheets, and scripts do not reference insecure HTTP resources. Mixed content can cause browser security warnings or prevent some resources from loading.

8. How to Test Your HTML Website After Uploading

Do not assume the upload is complete just because File Manager or FileZilla reports success. Open the website in a browser and test its pages and assets.

Check these important items

• Homepage: Open your domain and confirm that the correct index.html page loads.
• Navigation: Click every menu item and internal link.
• CSS styling: Check fonts, colors, spacing, layouts, and responsive styles.
• JavaScript: Test dropdown menus, buttons, sliders, and other interactive features.
• Images: Make sure logos, banners, and other images load correctly.
• Forms: Test contact forms. Remember that a static HTML form needs a backend or third-party form service to process submissions.
• Mobile layout: Test the website on a phone or use browser developer tools.
• HTTPS: Confirm that the secure version of the website loads.

Useful browser checks

If a page looks different from your local version, open the browser's developer tools and check the Console and Network tabs. They can help identify missing files, incorrect paths, JavaScript errors, and failed requests.

Also try opening the website in a private browsing window to rule out an outdated cached version.

9. Common Problems When Uploading an HTML Website to Hostinger

Problem 1: The website shows a default Hostinger page

Check whether your HTML files were uploaded to the correct domain directory. The default page may still be present, or your index.html file may be inside an extra folder. Confirm that your own homepage is in the document root and remove or rename conflicting default files only after making a backup.

Problem 2: The website shows a 403 Forbidden error

Check that you are using the correct document root and that your homepage exists. Incorrect file permissions or server configuration can also cause a 403 error. Avoid changing permissions randomly; use the recommended settings or Hostinger's troubleshooting instructions.

Problem 3: The website shows a 404 Not Found error

Verify the requested filename and URL. Make sure the page exists in the correct folder and that internal links use the right paths. Check uppercase and lowercase letters in filenames.

Problem 4: CSS is not loading

Check the stylesheet reference in your HTML file. For example, if your stylesheet is stored in css/style.css, the HTML should point to that exact location. Also check that the CSS file was uploaded.

Problem 5: Images are missing

Confirm that the images folder exists on the server and that the image paths match the actual filenames. Check file extensions and uppercase or lowercase differences.

Problem 6: JavaScript features are not working

Open your browser's developer console and check for JavaScript errors. Verify that script paths are correct, the files were uploaded, and the scripts are compatible with the browser.

Problem 7: The homepage opens, but other pages do not

Check the links between your HTML pages. A link such as about.html works only if that file exists in the expected directory. If you have placed pages in a separate folder, update the link paths.

Problem 8: The domain does not open the uploaded website

Check the domain's nameservers and DNS records. Confirm that the domain points to the correct Hostinger hosting service and allow time for DNS propagation if you recently changed its settings.

10. Final Checklist Before Publishing

Use this checklist to make sure your HTML website is ready for visitors:

• All HTML pages are uploaded.
• The homepage is named index.html.
• CSS and JavaScript files are in the correct folders.
• All images and other assets are uploaded.
• Files are directly inside the correct website document root.
• Internal navigation links work.
• Domain points to the correct hosting account.
• SSL certificate is active.
• Website works on desktop and mobile.
• Browser Console has no important errors.
• A backup of the website files is saved locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Editorial note: Hostinger dashboard labels, supported hosting features, and upload methods can change. Check your current hosting dashboard and official documentation for the latest instructions.