Buzz
This article guides you through the process of publishing your website on a domain you’ve purchased. While the exact steps may vary depending on your hosting service, typically, you’ll need to upload your website files to the hosting service to make them accessible on your domain. You can use the hosting service’s control panel for file uploads or set up an FTP server on your Windows or Mac computer for a quicker solution.
Steps
Preparation for Publishing
Understand how web hosting works. To publish a website, you must first purchase a web address (also known as a domain). This is done through a web hosting service that maintains your website, keeps it running, and provides the necessary resources to upload your website files.
Decide which hosting service to use. Before registering and purchasing a custom domain, you need to choose a hosting service.
- Popular hosting services include GoDaddy, Squarespace, and Google Domains.
- There are countless web hosting services available, so don’t feel restricted to any one provider if it doesn’t meet your needs.
Purchase a domain and hosting service. After selecting a hosting service, follow the steps to register and buy your domain.
- Keep in mind that your first choice of domain might already be taken. If so, you’ll need to choose an alternative.
Gather your website files. Common website files typically include an HTML index file and a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), but they may vary depending on the language and design you’ve chosen.
- Compiling all your website files in one place makes it easier to upload them simultaneously when needed.
Publishing via Control Panel
Log in to your hosting service. Access the hosting service’s website using your preferred web browser, then log in to the account you used to purchase the domain and hosting service.
Locate the file manager in your hosting service. The steps may vary depending on your hosting provider, but typically, you’ll find it under the Tools or Web Hosting section (or a similar category).
- On some hosting platforms, you might need to click on Edit Website.
Open the file manager. The process differs across hosting services, but generally, you’ll click on File Manager (or a similarly named option) to access the correct page.
Click the Upload option. This usually opens a new page.
- If clicking Upload opens your computer’s File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), you can skip the next step.
Click Upload Files. This option is usually located near the middle of the page and opens the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
- Your hosting service might have a slightly different option, but the process is essentially the same.
Select your website files. Navigate to the folder where your website files are stored, then click and drag the files you want to upload.
- You can also hold Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ Command (Mac) while clicking to select multiple files.
Click Open. This button is located at the bottom-right corner of the window. Your files will then be uploaded to the hosting service.
- If you’re using a Mac, you might need to click Choose at this step.
Click Upload. This option is usually found below the files. This step uploads the files to your hosting service’s website folder, applying the changes to your site.
- Your hosting service might prompt you to follow on-screen instructions after uploading, so ensure you complete the process as directed.
Access your website. Open your domain address in a web browser. Once your website files are successfully uploaded, your site will go live.
Publishing via Windows
Understand when to use this method. If you’re only testing your website’s design and functionality without uploading files to a web hosting service, you can use your computer’s built-in FTP feature to temporarily host the site.
- Your website will go offline as soon as your computer loses internet connection or is turned off.
Find your hosting service’s FTP details. Before uploading your website, you’ll need the username, password, and server address for your hosting service’s FTP. These details are usually found in the "FTP" section of your hosting service’s control panel.
- If your hosting service doesn’t support FTP, you’ll need to use the hosting service’s control panel.
your website files. Click and drag to select the files you want to upload, then press Ctrl+C.
Open This PC. Type this pc, then click This PC at the top of the Start window.
Create a new FTP folder. Follow these steps:
- Click the Computer tab at the top-left corner of the window.
- Click Add a network location, then click Next twice.
- Enter your hosting service’s FTP address and click Next.
- Uncheck "Log on anonymously," enter your FTP username, and click Next.
- Name the network, click Next, and finally click Finish.
Enter your password. When prompted, type the password listed in your hosting service’s FTP page.
- This is usually the same as your hosting account password.
Open the server folder. Double-click on "public_html", "root", "index", or a similar folder within the main directory of your hosting folder.
- If you’re unsure which folder contains your website files, refer to your hosting service’s FTP page for detailed instructions.
Paste your website files. Click on an empty space in the folder, then press Ctrl+V to paste the files into the folder.
Access your website. Open your domain address in a web browser. Once your website files are successfully uploaded to the FTP folder, your site will go live.
Publishing via Mac
Understand when to use this method. If you’re only testing your website’s design and functionality without uploading files to a web hosting service, you can use your computer’s built-in FTP feature to temporarily host the site.
- Your website will go offline as soon as your computer loses internet connection or is turned off.
Find your hosting service’s FTP details. Before uploading your website, you’ll need the username, password, and server address for your hosting service’s FTP. These details are usually found in the "FTP" section of your hosting service’s control panel.
- If your hosting service doesn’t support FTP, you’ll need to use the hosting service’s control panel.
your website files. Click and drag to select the files you want to upload, then press ⌘ Command+C.
Create a new FTP folder. After opening Finder, follow these steps:
- Click Go at the top of the screen.
- Select Connect to Server... from the dropdown menu.
- Enter your website’s FTP address and click Connect.
- When prompted, enter your FTP username and password.
Open the server folder. Double-click on "public_html", "root", "index", or a similar folder within the main directory of your hosting folder.
- If you’re unsure which folder contains your website files, refer to your hosting service’s FTP page for detailed instructions.
Paste your website files. Click on an empty space in the folder, then press ⌘ Command+V to paste the files into the folder.
Access your website. Open your domain address in a web browser. Once your website files are successfully uploaded to the FTP folder, your site will go live.
Tips
- You can also use FileZilla to upload your website if you prefer not to use your computer’s built-in FTP feature.
Warnings
- Uploading your website files to a computer acting as a server isn’t a good long-term solution unless you plan to keep the computer running 24/7.
