How to Upload a Website to Hosting

You have created your first website and are ready to share it with the world – excellent! But the question arises: How do you upload the website to hosting and make it accessible to all internet users? This article will thoroughly examine each step of this process so you can upload your finished website to hosting without any problems and start its entire operation.

1. What the Website Upload Process Includes

The process of uploading a website to hosting includes several vital stages:

1. Choosing the right hosting provider.
2. Registering a domain name and linking it to the hosting.
3. Preparing your website files for upload.
4. Uploading files to the hosting server.
5. Configuring the database and other necessary parameters.
6. Checking the website's functionality after upload.

Each step is essential to successfully place your website on hosting and ensure its proper operation.

2. Choosing the Right Type of Hosting

Choosing the right hosting is the first step to successfully uploading your website to hosting. There are several types of hosting, each suitable for different kinds of projects:

When choosing to host, pay attention to the following parameters:

• Disk space volume;
• Bandwidth capacity;
• Support for necessary technologies (PHP, MySQL, SSL, etc.);
• Quality of the provider's technical support.

3. Registering a Domain and Linking it to Hosting

A domain name is the unique address of your website on the internet, for example, www.yoursite.com. To register it:

1. Choose a domain name that reflects the essence of your project.
2. Check the availability of the domain through registration services.
3. Register the domain by paying the required fee.

After registering the domain, you need to link it to your hosting:

1. Obtain the DNS servers from your hosting provider.
2. Change the DNS settings with the domain registrar by specifying the servers that were obtained.
3. Wait for the DNS records to update, which can take a few hours to a day.

This step is critical to ensure your domain correctly points to the server where you plan to host your website.

4. Preparing the Website Files

4.1. Checking the Website Files Before Upload

Before uploading your website to hosting, make sure it works correctly on a local server:

• Check all links and file paths;
• Ensure the scripts and forms work correctly;
• Check the website display in various browsers.

This will help avoid problems after uploading the site to hosting.

4.2. File Structure and Main Folders

The standard website structure includes:

• The public_html or www folder, where all website files are placed;
• Subfolders for images, styles, scripts, and other resources;
• Configuration files (for example, config.php), where database settings and other parameters are specified.

Organize the files so they are easy to find and manage after uploading the site to hosting.

5. Using FTP to Upload Files

5.1. What is FTP and How It Works

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a protocol used to transfer files between a user's computer and a server. It allows:

• Uploading and downloading files from the server;
• Managing files and folders on the server;
• Ensuring the security of data transmission (when using FTPS or SFTP).

5.2. FTP Programs

• FileZilla (free and user-friendly);
• WinSCP (for Windows, supports SFTP);
• Cyberduck (for macOS).

5.3. Steps to Upload Files via FTP

1. Download and install an FTP client on your computer.
2. Obtain FTP access from your hosting provider (server address, login, password, port).
3. Launch the FTP client and create a new connection by entering the access data.
4. Connect to the server and navigate to the public_html folder.
5. Select your website files on the local computer.
6. Drag and drop the files into the public_html folder on the server.
7. Wait for all files to upload completely.

6. Uploading the Website via Hosting Control Panel

6.1. Example of Using a Control Panel

Control panels, such as cPanel, Plesk, or ISPmanager, provide a web interface for managing your hosting.

6.2. Uploading via File Manager

1. Log in to your hosting control panel using your login and password.
2. Go to the "File Manager" section or a similar one.
3. Find the public_html folder or create it if it does not exist.
4. Click the "Upload" button.
5. Select the files or archive with your website files on your computer.
6. Start the upload and wait for it to complete.
7. If you uploaded an archive, extract it using the file manager.

This method is convenient if you do not want to use an FTP client or cannot install one.

7. Configuring the Database

If your website uses a database (for example, for CMS like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal), you need to:

7.1. Creating a New Database via Control Panel

1. Go to the "Databases" section.
2. Click "Create Database".
3. Specify the database name, user, and password.

7.2. Importing the Database Dump

1. Launch phpMyAdmin or a similar tool.
2. Select the created database.
3. Click "Import" and choose the dump file (.sql).
4. Wait for the import to complete.

7.3. Configuring Your Website's Configuration File

1. Open the config.php, wp-config.php, or similar file.
2. Specify the database name, username, and password.
3. Save the changes and upload the file to the server.

After this, the database will be ready to work, and your website will be fully functional on hosting.

8. Checking the Website After Upload

After adding the website to hosting, it is important to ensure its correct operation:

• Open the website in a browser using your domain name;
• Check the main pages, forms, and functionality;
• Ensure correct content display and absence of errors;
• Check the database operation if it is used.

If you encounter problems, go back to the previous steps and make sure everything is set up correctly.

9. Configuring SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate ensures a secure connection between the server and the user. To install SSL:

1. Order an SSL certificate from your hosting provider.
2. Install the certificate via the hosting control panel.
3. Configure the website to work over HTTPS:
   • Update the links in the website code, replacing http with https.
   • Set up redirects from http to https in the .htaccess file.
4. Check the certificate using a browser or online services.

Configuring SSL will increase users' trust in your website and improve its positions in search engines.

FAQ

What should I know before hosting a website?

Before hosting a website, it is important to prepare all files and data, choose a reliable provider, and ensure compliance with technical requirements. This will help avoid problems during upload and ensure the stable operation of your website.

Can I host a website on a personal computer?

Technically, this is possible, but not advisable. A home computer does not provide the constant availability and security that professional hosting offers.

Can I host my website by myself?

Yes, you can upload your finished website to hosting by following step-by-step instructions. This will allow you to save on specialist services and gain valuable experience in managing a website.