How do I publish my website?
The basic steps
First, you need a web host — a service that stores your site's files on a server and makes them available online. Popular options include shared hosting (like Bluehost or SiteGround), cloud platforms (like Netlify, Vercel, or GitHub Pages), and website builders (like Squarespace or Wix).
Next, you upload your website files to the host. If you built your site with plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you can drag and drop files into the host's file manager or use an FTP client like FileZilla. If you used a static site generator (like Hugo or Jekyll), you'll typically connect your Git repository to a platform that builds and deploys automatically.
Finally, you point your domain name to the host. This usually means updating your domain's DNS records — either by changing nameservers or adding an A record or CNAME record. Your host will give you the exact values to use.
- Choose a hosting plan that fits your site's size and traffic.
- Upload files via file manager, FTP, or Git-based deployment.
- Set up your domain's DNS to point to your host.
- Wait for DNS changes to propagate (can take a few minutes to 48 hours).
- Test your site by visiting your domain in a browser.
Common publishing methods
If you're using a website builder, publishing is often a single click — the platform handles hosting and domain setup for you. For static sites, GitHub Pages, Netlify, and Vercel offer free tiers and deploy automatically when you push changes to your repository.
For dynamic sites (like WordPress), you'll typically install the software through your host's control panel (e.g., cPanel) and then use the built-in editor to publish content. The host manages the server, database, and backups.
No matter the method, you'll need to ensure your files are in the correct directory (often called public_html or www) and that your home page is named index.html or index.php.
Common mistakes
- Thinking you need to buy a domain before you can publish — you can often use a temporary subdomain from your host first.
- Uploading files to the wrong folder, so your site doesn't appear at the root URL.
- Forgetting to update DNS records, which means your domain still points to a parking page.
