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How to upload your website with the cPanel File Manager

September 2, 2026
cPanel

Publishing a website means putting its files in the right folder on the server. cPanel does this in your browser, with no FTP program and no command line.

1. Where the files go

The folder is public_html. Everything inside it is visible on the internet; everything outside it isn't.

  • For the main domain, files go directly into public_html.
  • For an addon domain, they go into public_html/domain-name — the folder is created automatically when you add the domain.
⚠️Common mistake: Uploading a folder named after the site into public_html. The site then answers at yourdomain.com/my-folder instead of yourdomain.com. The content has to sit loose inside public_html.

2. Uploading the files

  • Log in to cPanel and, under Files, click File Manager.
  • In the left column, click public_html.
  • Click Upload in the top bar. A new tab opens.
  • Drag the files into the indicated area or click Select File.
  • Wait for each file's bar to reach 100% and go back to the File Manager.

3. The shortcut for big sites: upload a .zip

Uploading hundreds of files one by one is slow and fails halfway. The fast way:

  • On your computer, compress the site's contents into a .zip file — the files, not the folder containing them.
  • Upload just that .zip to public_html.
  • Back in the File Manager, right-click the file and choose Extract.
  • Confirm the destination as /public_html and click Extract Files.
  • Delete the .zip after extracting. It keeps taking up space and stays accessible from the internet.

4. The start file must be called index

The server looks, in this order, for index.html, index.htm and index.php. If none exists, visitors see a file listing or a 403 error instead of the site.

If your home page is called home.html or site.html, rename it to index.html: right-click the file → Rename.

5. If the hosting's default page shows up

New hosting comes with a sample file in public_html, usually index.html or default.html. It takes priority over yours. Delete it before uploading your site, or visitors will keep seeing the sample page.

6. Permissions

In most cases you don't need to touch them. When something won't open, the correct defaults are:

  • Folders: 755
  • Files: 644

To adjust: right-click → Change Permissions.

⚠️Never use 777: Permission 777 makes the file writable by any process on the server. It's the most common way sites get hacked — and it's almost never the real fix for the problem that led someone to suggest it.

7. Uploading via FTP, if you prefer

For frequent updates, an FTP program like FileZilla is more comfortable. Create the account under Files → FTP Accounts in cPanel and connect with:

  • Host: the server address, or your domain if it's already pointed.
  • Port: 21.
  • Username and password: those of the FTP account you created.

8. After publishing

Need help?

Open a ticket at financeiro.redhosting.com.br or contact support on WhatsApp at +55 11 98833-3902.

Frequently asked questions

Which folder should I put my site's files in? +
In public_html, for the main domain. For an addon domain, in public_html/domain-name.
I uploaded everything and the hosting's default page shows up. Why? +
There's a sample file in public_html that takes priority over yours. Delete the index.html or default.html that came with the account.
My site shows a file listing instead of the page. What's missing? +
The start file must be called index.html, index.htm or index.php. If your page is called home.html, rename it.
How do I upload a site with lots of files? +
Compress the contents into a .zip, upload only that to public_html and use the File Manager's Extract option. Delete the .zip after extracting.
Should I use permission 777? +
No. The correct defaults are 755 for folders and 644 for files. Permission 777 makes the file writable by any process on the server and is one of the most common ways sites get hacked.