Adding a website to Hostinger using the File Manager is the quickest way to get your site live without any extra software. You log into your hPanel, open the File Manager inside the Files section, upload your website files to the public_html folder, and assign the correct permissions. The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes for a basic static site, and it works for HTML, PHP, CSS, JavaScript, and CMS files as long as they are already built.
This guide covers every step from logging in to checking that your site loads, including the common pitfalls that trip up first-time users.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Time required | 10–15 minutes (uploads may take longer for large sites) |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| What you need | A Hostinger hosting account with an active plan, a domain name pointed to Hostinger’s nameservers, the website files you want to upload (zipped or unzipped), and your hPanel login credentials |
| What you will achieve | A live website that loads at your domain after uploading and setting the correct file permissions |
Before you start
Make sure you have all of these ready before you open the File Manager. Skipping any one of them is the most common reason the process fails.
- An active Hostinger hosting plan. If you haven’t purchased one yet, you can start with the entry-level plan and upgrade later.
- Your domain name must be pointing to Hostinger’s nameservers. If you registered the domain elsewhere and haven’t changed the nameservers, your files won’t show up at your domain. Hostinger’s help center explains how to update nameservers.
- The actual files for your website. This could be an entire HTML site, a PHP-based CMS like WordPress (though WordPress is better installed via the auto-installer), or a set of static pages. Have them on your computer, preferably in a
.ziparchive for faster upload. - Your hPanel login details. You received these in the welcome email after signing up. If you lost them, use the “Forgot password” link at hostinger.com.
One honest warning: do not delete the default public_html folder or the .htaccess file that may already be inside it. If you remove public_html, the server won’t know where to serve your files, and your site will show an error. If you delete .htaccess, you might lose URL rewriting rules that your hosting environment sets automatically. Leave those alone unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
How to add a website in Hostinger with File Manager, step by step
Step 1: Log in to your Hostinger account
Go to hostinger.com and click the “Log in” button at the top right. Enter your email address and password. You will land on the hPanel dashboard automatically.
If you have multiple hosting subscriptions, make sure you are on the correct one. The dashboard shows the active plan at the top.
Step 2: Open the File Manager
In the left sidebar of hPanel, find the section labeled Files. Click it, then click File Manager. A new browser tab or window opens showing the file structure of your hosting account.
Hostinger’s File Manager works inside the browser. You don’t need to install anything.
Step 3: Navigate to the public_html directory
You will see a list of folders. The one you need is called public_html. It might also be labelled as public_html or sometimes just html on older accounts.
Double‑click it to open that folder.
This folder is the document root of your main domain. Any files you put here will be visible at your domain’s root (example.com).
Step 4: Upload your website files
Click the Upload button at the top of the File Manager toolbar. A popup window appears. You can either drag and drop your files into the popup or click the Select Files button to browse your computer.
- If your files are in a
.ziparchive, upload the archive first. After it finishes, right‑click it inside the File Manager and select Extract. The files will unpack into the current directory. - If your files are already unzipped, upload them all at once. Select multiple files by holding the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) key.
Wait time: Upload speed depends on your internet connection and the total file size. A 5 MB site uploads in a few seconds. A 500 MB site with many images may take 5 to 10 minutes.
Do not close the browser tab while the upload is in progress.
Step 5: Set the correct file permissions
After the upload finishes, select all the files and folders you just uploaded. Right‑click and choose Change Permissions from the menu.
- Folders (directories) should be set to 755.
- Files (like index.html, style.css) should be set to 644.
- Some PHP scripts or configuration files may require 600 or 640, but those are rare. Stick with 755 for folders and 644 for files unless the documentation of your specific CMS tells you otherwise.
Important: Never set any file or folder to 777. That makes them world‑writable and is a security risk. Hostinger’s security system may automatically revert 777 permissions anyway.
Step 6: Confirm the index file exists
Your website needs a default entry point file. Common names are index.html, index.php, or default.html. If your site runs on WordPress, you should have an index.php inside public_html.
If you uploaded a static HTML site, make sure the main file is named index.html and sits directly inside public_html, not inside a subfolder.
If your main file is inside a subfolder (for example, public_html/my-site/index.html), your site will only load at example.com/my-site, not at example.com. Move the files up one level.
Step 7: Test your website
Open a new browser tab and type your domain name (example.com). Hit Enter. If everything is in order, your website appears.
If you see a blank page or an error, go back to the File Manager and double‑check the file names and permissions. A common mistake is uploading a folder that contains the actual site files instead of the files themselves. For example, a .zip archive often creates a folder with the archive name inside it.
After extracting, you may find the site inside public_html/website-folder/. You need to move the contents up to public_html/.
Wait time: DNS propagation can cause a short delay after you first point a domain to Hostinger. Even if the files are correct, your site may not load immediately from all locations. Propagation usually completes within a few minutes but can take up to 24 hours in rare cases.
If you are sure the files are right, wait an hour and try again.
Step 8: (Optional) Make a test page to verify uploads work
If you are still having trouble, create a simple text file named test.txt with the word “Hello” inside, upload it to public_html, and then visit example.com/test.txt. If you see “Hello” in the browser, you know the upload and file structure are correct. Then delete that test file once your real site works.
What to do if something goes wrong
Problem: I upload my files, but the page shows “Hostinger” or “Index of /”
Fix: That means the public_html folder either has no files or the files are inside a subfolder. Go back to the File Manager and confirm that index.html or index.php sits directly inside public_html. If it’s inside a subdirectory, use the Move function (right‑click the folder, select Move) to shift all contents up one level, or re‑upload directly into public_html without creating a parent folder.
Problem: I get a 403 Forbidden error
Fix: This almost always means a file or folder has the wrong permissions. Check that folders are 755 and files are 644. If you set anything to 777, change it back.
Also make sure your index.php or index.html is readable (644).
Problem: The upload fails halfway through or I see “Connection lost” in the File Manager
Fix: Large uploads can time out if your internet connection is unstable or the file is too big for the browser uploader. Split large archives into smaller ZIP files (under 100 MB each), upload them one at a time, and extract them after each upload. Alternatively, use an FTP client like FileZilla, but that is outside the scope of this guide.
Hostinger’s help center recommends keeping individual file uploads under 256 MB via the File Manager.
What happens next
Your website is now live on Hostinger’s servers. From here you can manage it entirely through hPanel. You might want to set up an email address for your domain, add a free SSL certificate under the SSL section to enable HTTPS, or connect a different website platform.
If you built your site with WordPress and want more flexibility, consider switching to Hostinger’s managed WordPress hosting, which includes automatic caching and updates. For a simple brochure site, the File Manager method works perfectly and costs nothing extra.
Now that your site is live, you can focus on getting visitors. A good next step is to check your site’s speed in Google’s PageSpeed Insights and optimise your images. Hostinger’s servers already use LiteSpeed caching, so performance is usually solid out of the box.
If you’re on a budget and want to keep your hosting costs low, take advantage of the current discount. The Hostinger coupon page shows the latest deals, including 85% off and a free domain for new accounts. That can save you a lot compared to the regular renewal price.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the File Manager to install WordPress?
Yes, but it’s not the best method. You can manually download WordPress from wordpress.org, upload the zip to public_html, extract it, and run the installation script. However, Hostinger’s hPanel has a one‑click WordPress installer under the Website section that handles everything automatically, including the database.
Use that instead for a cleaner setup.
Do I need to know HTML to add a website using the File Manager?
No. You just need the files someone else built. If you have a ready‑made template, a website builder export, or a CMS backup, the File Manager handles the upload.
You do not need to edit the code.
What happens to my old website files when I upload new ones?
The File Manager overwrites files with the same name when you upload into the same folder. If you upload a new index.html, the old one is replaced. Files you do not touch stay in place.
To start completely fresh, delete all contents of public_html before uploading your new site. Be careful not to delete hidden files like .htaccess.
How long does it take for my website to go live after uploading?
Once the upload finishes and the files are in the right place, the website is technically live immediately. However, if you just changed your domain’s nameservers to Hostinger, DNS propagation can take a few minutes to several hours. You can test using a propagation checker tool or visit your site from a device that is on a different network.
Why does my domain show an error even though the files are uploaded?
Several reasons are possible. The domain may not have propagated yet. The public_html folder might be empty.
The index file might be misnamed (for example, Home.html instead of index.html). Or your hosting plan may have expired. Check your hosting account status first, then verify the file list in the File Manager.
Closing
Getting your website live on Hostinger with the File Manager is a straightforward task once you know where everything goes. If this is your first time buying hosting, make sure you pick a plan that matches your expected traffic, the entry‑level plan covers most small personal or business sites. For a limited time, you can get 85% off your first plan plus a free domain through the Hostinger coupon code page.
It is a practical way to start without overpaying.
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