How to Upload a Website to Hostinger in 2026

Have you built a website on your computer and want to make it available on the internet? You can upload your website files to Hostinger and connect your domain so visitors can access your website from anywhere.

Hostinger provides several ways to upload a website, including its browser-based File Manager, FTP or SFTP clients such as FileZilla, and website migration tools. The best method depends on your website size, technology, and whether you have a complete website backup.

In this guide, you will learn how to upload an HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, or WordPress website to Hostinger. We will also explain where to place your files, how to import a database, and what to check before making your website live.

1. What You Need Before Uploading a Website

Before uploading your website, make sure you have the necessary files and hosting access. Preparing everything in advance can prevent errors during the deployment process.

• Active Hostinger hosting plan: Your account must have a hosting service that supports your website technology.
• Domain name: You can use a domain registered with Hostinger or another domain provider.
• Website files: Keep your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, PHP files, and other required assets together.
• Database backup: If your website uses MySQL or another database, prepare its export file as well.
• Upload tool: Choose Hostinger File Manager, an FTP client, or another supported method.
• Website configuration: Keep a record of the database credentials, application settings, and other configuration details you may need to update.

Which files should you upload?

The files depend on the type of website you have developed. A simple static website may contain HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and image files. A dynamic website may also need PHP files and a database.

For example, a basic HTML website might have this structure:

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

Keep the main entry file, such as index.html or index.php, in the correct website root directory. Do not upload only the HTML file if your website also depends on CSS, JavaScript, images, fonts, or other assets.

2. Choose the Right Method to Upload Your Website

Hostinger supports multiple website upload methods. You do not need to use all of them. Choose the option that best matches your website and file size.

3. Prepare Your Website Files for Upload

Before opening Hostinger, organize the website files on your computer. This makes it easier to upload the correct folders and avoid missing files.

4. How to Upload a Website to Hostinger Using File Manager

Hostinger File Manager lets you upload and manage website files directly through your browser. You do not need to install an FTP application on your computer.

Hostinger's current documentation lists File Manager as supporting uploads up to 100 GB. If your archive is larger, consider FTP or another supported transfer method.

public_html/
├── index.html
├── about.html
├── contact.html
├── css/
├── js/
└── images/

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

For more details, read Hostinger's official website creation and upload instructions and File Manager guide.

5. How to Upload a Website to Hostinger Using FileZilla FTP

If you have many individual files or a large website backup, FileZilla is another useful option. It is an FTP client that transfers files between your computer and the hosting server.

Hostinger supports FTP for eligible web and cloud hosting websites. SFTP is also available on supported plans and provides encrypted file transfers. FTP access is not available for Hostinger AI Builder websites.

Step 1: Download FileZilla

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

Install the application and open it on your computer.

Step 2: Find your Hostinger FTP details

1. Log in to Hostinger.
2. Open Websites and select your website.
3. Click Manage site.
4. Find Files → FTP Accounts in the dashboard.
5. Review the FTP hostname, username, and connection details.
6. If necessary, create or reset your FTP password.

Keep these details private. Do not share your FTP password with anyone who does not need access to your hosting account.

Step 3: Connect FileZilla to Hostinger

Open FileZilla. The Quickconnect bar at the top allows you to enter the connection information.

For a secure SFTP connection, select the SFTP protocol and use the hostname, port, and authentication details provided for your hosting account. Do not assume that the standard FTP port applies to SFTP.

Step 4: Locate your website files

FileZilla displays two main panels:

• Left panel: Files and folders stored on your computer.
• Right panel: Files and folders stored on your Hostinger server.

On the left, navigate to the folder containing your prepared website files. On the right, open the correct domain's public_html directory.

Step 5: Upload your files

1. Select the website files and folders in the left panel.
2. Right-click and choose Upload, or drag and drop them into the remote directory.
3. Wait for FileZilla to complete the transfer.
4. Review the transfer queue and check for failed files.
5. Confirm that the files appear in the correct remote directory.

6. How to Upload a Website Database to Hostinger

If your website uses a database, uploading its files alone will not be enough. You must also create or select a database on Hostinger and import your database backup.

This is important for WordPress, PHP applications, and other dynamic websites that store content or user information in a database.

Step 1: Create a database in Hostinger

1. Open your website's hosting dashboard.
2. Find the Databases section.
3. Open the MySQL database management option.
4. Create a new database and database user if required.
5. Save the database name, username, password, and hostname.

Step 2: Open phpMyAdmin

From the database section, open phpMyAdmin for the database you want to manage. This browser-based tool allows you to import SQL database backups.

Step 3: Import your SQL file

1. Select the correct database in phpMyAdmin.
2. Open the Import tab.
3. Choose the SQL backup file from your computer.
4. Check the import format and other displayed options.
5. Click Import or Go, depending on the interface.
6. Wait for the import process to finish and check for errors.

Hostinger documents phpMyAdmin for database imports up to 256 MB. Larger databases may require SSH or another supported import method, depending on your plan.

Step 4: Update your website configuration

After importing the database, update your website's configuration file with the new database details.

For a typical PHP application, the configuration may contain values similar to these:

DB_HOST=your_database_host
DB_NAME=your_database_name
DB_USER=your_database_user
DB_PASSWORD=your_database_password

The actual configuration format depends on your application. WordPress, for example, stores its database settings in wp-config.php.

For further instructions, read Hostinger's website backup upload guide.

7. How to Upload a WordPress Website to Hostinger

If you already have a WordPress website hosted elsewhere, you can move it to Hostinger. A WordPress migration involves transferring both the website files and the database.

There are several ways to do this, depending on your current hosting provider and the type of backup you have.

Method 1: Use Hostinger's migration option

1. Log in to your Hostinger account.
2. Open the Websites section.
3. Click Import site or the available migration option.
4. Choose the appropriate migration method.
5. Provide the website address and requested access details.
6. Submit the migration request and follow the instructions.
7. Test the migrated website before updating your domain's DNS.

Method 2: Manually upload WordPress files and database

1. Create or prepare the destination website in Hostinger.
2. Upload the WordPress files to the correct website directory.
3. Create a new database and user in Hostinger.
4. Import your WordPress database using phpMyAdmin or another supported method.
5. Update the database credentials in wp-config.php.
6. Check the website URL and WordPress configuration.
7. Test the website before pointing your domain to the new hosting account.

WordPress migrations may also require updating URLs stored in the database, checking serialized data, and regenerating permalinks. Use a migration tool or follow a platform-specific migration guide if you are not comfortable making these changes manually.

8. How to Connect Your Domain After Uploading

Once your website files are uploaded and configured, you need to make sure your domain points to the correct hosting account.

If your domain is already connected to Hostinger, you may not need to change anything. If it is registered elsewhere, you may need to update its nameservers or DNS records.

Option 1: Change nameservers

Use the nameservers displayed in your Hostinger dashboard and update them at your domain registrar. This method directs DNS management to Hostinger.

Option 2: Update DNS records

If you want to keep DNS management with your current provider, update the necessary records using the exact values Hostinger displays. This commonly involves the domain's A record and, where applicable, a record for the www hostname.

Verify the connection

1. Open the domain management dashboard at your registrar.
2. Check the current nameserver or DNS settings.
3. Apply the values provided by Hostinger.
4. Wait for DNS changes to propagate.
5. Visit your domain to confirm that the uploaded website loads.

DNS propagation may take up to 24 hours, although many changes become visible sooner. If you use an external email provider, preserve its MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records when changing DNS settings.

Read the Hostinger domain connection guide for the current instructions.

9. How to Check Your Website After Uploading

Uploading files does not automatically guarantee that your website will work correctly. Test the website before sharing it publicly.

• Open the domain: Visit your website using its custom domain.
• Check the homepage: Confirm that the correct index file loads.
• Test navigation: Open internal pages and check that links work.
• Check images: Confirm that all images and other media files load correctly.
• Test CSS and JavaScript: Make sure styling, menus, and interactive elements work.
• Test forms: Submit contact forms and check that the expected response occurs.
• Check mobile layout: Open the website on a phone or use browser responsive mode.
• Enable HTTPS: Confirm that the SSL certificate is active and the secure version loads.
• Check database features: Test login, search, dynamic pages, and other database-backed functions.

Useful deployment checklist

• All website files uploaded successfully.
• Main index file is in the correct document root.
• Assets and folder paths are correct.
• Database imported successfully, if required.
• Application configuration updated.
• Domain points to the correct hosting service.
• SSL certificate is active.
• Desktop and mobile layouts tested.
• Backup created after successful deployment.

10. Common Website Upload Problems and How to Fix Them

Problem 1: The website shows a 403 or 404 error

Check whether your website files are in the correct document root. Confirm that an index file exists and that file and directory permissions are appropriate. Also check whether your domain is connected to the correct website.

Problem 2: The domain displays a default or coming soon page

Your website files may have been uploaded to the wrong directory, or the domain may still be pointing to another server. Check the domain-specific public_html folder and verify the DNS records.

Problem 3: The website loads without CSS or images

This usually happens when file paths are incorrect or the required assets were not uploaded. Check the references in your HTML files and make sure the folders and filenames on the server match them exactly. Remember that server filenames can be case-sensitive.

Problem 4: The ZIP archive does not extract

Check whether the archive is supported and whether the upload completed successfully. Try extracting it again through File Manager. If the archive is very large, use FTP or another supported transfer method and extract it using the available server tools.

Problem 5: FTP connection fails

Verify the hostname, username, password, and port in Hostinger's FTP Accounts section. Confirm that your website type and hosting plan support FTP access. For SFTP, select the correct protocol and use the SFTP connection details rather than standard FTP settings.

Problem 6: Database connection error

Check the database hostname, database name, username, and password in your application's configuration. Make sure the database was imported successfully and the application is using the correct credentials.

Problem 7: The website works on your computer but not on Hostinger

Your local development environment may differ from the hosting server. Check PHP versions, dependencies, file paths, environment variables, database configuration, and application requirements. For React or Vite projects, make sure you uploaded the production build rather than only the source files.

Problem 8: Some files fail to upload

Check the File Manager or FTP transfer status for the failed filenames. Try uploading the affected files again, check your connection, and use FTP or SFTP if the browser upload is unreliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Editorial note: Hostinger's dashboard layout, upload limits, supported protocols, and hosting features can change. Check your account and the current official documentation before following plan-specific instructions.