How to Publish a Website on Linux and Windows Hosting: Step-by-Step Guide

Launching your website is one of the most exciting steps after building it. But if you’re new to web hosting, you might be asking: Where should I upload my website files? The answer depends on whether you’re using Linux hosting or Windows hosting.

• On Linux servers (using DirectAdmin or cPanel), your main directory is public_html.

• On Windows servers (using Plesk), your main directory is httpdocs.

These folders are the “entry points” to your website. Anything you upload inside them will be visible to the world when visitors type in your domain. Let’s walk through how to publish your website on both platforms.

Publishing a Website on Linux Hosting (public_html)

Linux hosting is the most popular option for websites, especially if you’re using PHP, MySQL, or CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal.

Step-by-Step: Uploading to public_html

1. Log in to DirectAdmin or cPanel
   Use the login credentials provided by your hosting provider.

2. Access File Manager
   Open File Manager and look for the public_html folder.

3. Upload Website Files

   • Add your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and image files.

   • If your site is compressed as a .zip, upload it and click Extract.

4. Check File Placement
   Place your homepage file (index.html or index.php) directly in public_html.

   Example:

    

   public_html/index.html

   public_html/about.html

   public_html/assets/

5. Preview Your Website
   Enter your domain in a browser — your website should now load correctly.

Publishing a Website on Windows Hosting (httpdocs)

Windows hosting is often used for ASP.NET applications or websites that need a Microsoft SQL database. The upload process is almost identical, but uses the httpdocs folder.

Step-by-Step: Uploading to httpdocs

1. Log in to Plesk
   Access your hosting account’s Plesk control panel.

2. Open File Manager
   Navigate to File Manager and open the httpdocs folder.

3. Upload Files

   • Use the upload button to add your site’s files.

   • If using a .zip archive, upload and extract it.

4. Verify File Placement
   Your home page should be named index.html, index.aspx, or default.aspx.

   Example:

    

   httpdocs/index.aspx

   httpdocs/contact.aspx

   httpdocs/styles/

5. Visit Your Domain
   Type your website address into a browser to confirm it’s live.

Uploading Your Website via FTP (Works on Both Linux and Windows)

If you prefer not to use File Manager, you can publish your site using an FTP client like FileZilla.

• For Linux hosting, upload your files to public_html.

• For Windows hosting, upload your files to httpdocs.

FTP is the best method for websites with large media files or lots of pages.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Website Launch

• ✅ Always name your main file index.html, index.php, or index.aspx.

• ✅ Keep your file structure clean (e.g., /images, /css).

• ✅ If your site uses a database, update your configuration file with the correct credentials.

• ✅ Enable SSL (HTTPS) for better security and search engine optimization.

Conclusion: Linux Hosting vs Windows Hosting

Publishing a website is simple once you know where to upload your files:

• Linux hosting → public_html

• Windows hosting → httpdocs

Whether you use DirectAdmin, cPanel, Plesk, or FTP, the key is placing your files in the correct directory. Following this guide ensures your website goes live smoothly and is accessible to your visitors.

By understanding the difference between Linux hosting vs Windows hosting, you’ll know exactly where your files belong, making your launch process seamless and SEO-friendly.