How to Deploy an HTML Website on Hostinger for Free (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you've built a plain HTML website and want to get it online without paying for a complex server setup, Hostinger is one of the best options available. Even on a basic or WordPress hosting plan, Hostinger fully supports static HTML websites. In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to deploy your HTML site on Hostinger in just a few minutes.

What You Need Before You Start

Before getting started, make sure you have the following ready:

• A Hostinger account with an active hosting plan
• Your HTML file (make sure it is named index.html)
• Any assets your page uses, such as images, CSS files, or JavaScript files
• Access to hPanel (Hostinger's control panel)

Step 1 — Log Into hPanel

Go to hostinger.com and log into your account. From your dashboard, click on Manage next to your hosting plan to open hPanel.

Step 2 — Open the File Manager

Inside hPanel, find and click on File Manager. This is a built-in tool that lets you upload, edit, and manage all files on your server without needing FTP software.

Step 3 — Navigate to the public_html Folder

Once inside File Manager, you will see a list of folders. Click on public_html — this is the root folder of your website. Any file you place here will be publicly accessible through your domain.

Step 4 — Upload Your HTML File and Assets

Click the Upload button inside the public_html folder. Select your index.html file and any images or other assets your page depends on. Wait for the upload to complete.

After uploading, your public_html folder should look something like this:

public_html/
├── index.html
├── image1.jpg
└── image2.jpg

# just an example of your files

Step 5 — Make Sure Your File Is Named index.html

This is the most important step that most beginners miss. The web server looks for a file named exactly index.html as the default entry point of your website. If your file is named anything else — such as design.html, home.html, or page.html — the server will not know what to load and will return an error.

To rename your file in File Manager, simply right-click on it and select Rename, then type index.html and save.

Step 6 — Set the Correct File Permissions

File permissions control who can read or execute your files. Incorrect permissions are a common cause of errors. To set them correctly:

1. Right-click your index.html file in File Manager
2. Select Change Permissions
3. Set the value to 644
4. Do the same for your image files and any other assets

Also make sure the public_html folder itself has permissions set to 755.

Step 7 — Visit Your Domain

Open your browser and go to your domain or your Hostinger temporary domain (e.g., yoursite.hostingersite.com). Your HTML website should now be live and loading correctly.

Common Error — 403 Forbidden

If you see a 403 Forbidden error after uploading, here are the most common causes and how to fix them:

1. Your file is not named index.html This is the number one cause. Rename your file to index.html exactly.

2. File permissions are incorrect Make sure your files are set to 644 and your folders to 755 as described in Step 6.

3. A .htaccess file is blocking access In File Manager, enable Show Hidden Files and check if a .htaccess file exists. If it contains WordPress rules or restrictive directives, delete it or clear its contents.

4. An old index.php file exists If your hosting was previously used for WordPress, an index.php file may still be sitting in public_html and taking priority over your index.html. Delete it if you no longer need WordPress.

Should You Use the Hostinger Temporary Domain Permanently?

Hostinger gives every site a free temporary domain like yourname.hostingersite.com for testing purposes. While it works as a live URL, it is not recommended as a permanent address for several important reasons:

• The temporary domain is tied to your hosting plan and can disappear if your plan changes or expires
• It looks unprofessional and reduces visitor trust
• Search engines like Google do not treat it as a serious domain, which will hurt your SEO rankings
• You cannot create a professional email address with it

For a permanent setup, register a real domain name and connect it to your Hostinger hosting through hPanel. Domains are available starting from as little as a few dollars per year.

Final Thoughts

Deploying a plain HTML website on Hostinger is straightforward once you know the steps. The most important things to remember are: always name your main file index.html, set correct file permissions, and clean up any leftover files from previous installations. Whether you are building a portfolio, a landing page, or a simple business site, Hostinger's hosting plans provide everything you need to get your HTML site online for free.

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BY AZZANI