How to Build a Website on Hostinger - Step Guide

in web-developmenttutorials · 7 min read

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A practical, step-by-step guide for beginners and developers on how to build a website on Hostinger using hPanel, WordPress, or static HTML with

Overview

how to build a website on hostinger is a practical process you can complete in a few focused sessions. This guide walks beginners, entrepreneurs, and developers through choosing a plan, registering a domain, deploying a site using Hostinger hPanel, installing WordPress or uploading static HTML/CSS/JS, securing the site with SSL, and validating performance.

What you’ll learn and

why it matters:

you will learn account setup, DNS and domain linking, file deployment via File Manager or FTP, database creation, WordPress auto-install, basic HTML/CSS/JS setup, and essential security and speed tweaks. These steps matter because they get your site live, secure, and discoverable, while giving you control for future growth.

Prerequisites and time estimate: a computer with a web browser, a payment method for hosting/domain, basic familiarity with files and text editors. Total time varies: simple static sites can be live in 30-60 minutes; WordPress sites typically take 60-120 minutes to configure. Expect about 3-5 hours for a polished initial site with content.

Step 1:

Register Hostinger account - how to build a website on hostinger

Action: Create a Hostinger account and choose a hosting plan.

Why: You need an account and hosting plan to allocate server resources, storage, and domain services. Hostinger offers Shared Hosting, WordPress Hosting, and Cloud Hosting. Shared is cheapest for starters; Cloud scales better.

Steps:

  1. Visit hostinger.com and click Sign Up.
  2. Choose a plan (Single Shared, Premium, Business, or Cloud).
  3. Select billing period and add domain if required.
  4. Complete payment and open hPanel (Hostinger control panel).

Commands/examples: none required for registration.

Expected outcome: You have an active Hostinger account, a selected hosting plan, and access to hPanel.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Payment failed: verify card/billing address, try PayPal or another card.
  • Promo code not applied: re-enter code before checkout or contact support via live chat.
  • Plan limits unclear: check storage, bandwidth, databases in plan details before purchase.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 2:

Register or connect a domain and configure DNS

Action: Buy a domain via Hostinger or connect an external domain and configure DNS records.

Why: A domain name maps to your site. Proper DNS setup ensures visitors reach your server and email systems work.

Steps:

  1. If buying domain on Hostinger, complete registration in hPanel > Domains.
  2. To use an external domain, go to hPanel > Domains > Connect Domain and copy Hostinger nameservers.
  3. In your domain registrar, set Hostinger nameservers or add A record pointing to Hostinger server IP.
  4. Add or verify an A record for “@” and a CNAME for “www” pointing to your domain.

DNS example (hostinger IP replace with your IP):

  • A @ 123.45.67.89
  • CNAME www yourdomain.com

Expected outcome: Domain resolves to Hostinger; propagation can take 5 minutes to 48 hours.

Common issues and fixes:

  • DNS not propagated: wait up to 48 hours; use dig or whois to check records.
  • Wrong IP: confirm server IP in hPanel > Accounts.
  • Nameserver changes slow: clear local DNS cache (Windows: ipconfig /flushdns; macOS: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache).

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 3:

Choose site type and install platform (WordPress or static)

Action: Decide between WordPress or static HTML/CSS/JS and install the chosen platform.

Why: WordPress is fast for content-driven sites and plugins; static sites are faster and lower-cost for simple pages.

WordPress quick install via hPanel:

  1. hPanel > Website > Auto Installer > WordPress.
  2. Fill in site title, admin username, password, and install location.
  3. Log in via yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Static site via File Manager:

  1. hPanel > Files > File Manager.
  2. Upload index.html, styles, scripts to public_html or www folder.

Example static index.html:

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
 <meta charset="utf-8">
 <title>My Hostinger Site</title>
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
 <h1>Hello from Hostinger</h1>
 <p>Simple static site deployed via Hostinger File Manager.</p>
 <script src="app.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

html served at your domain root.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Blank page after upload: ensure files in public_html/index.html and file permissions set to 644.
  • WordPress install returns errors: check PHP version in hPanel and set compatible version (PHP 7.4+ recommended for many plugins).
  • Database connection errors: verify DB name, user, and password in wp-config.php or redo installer.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 4:

Upload files using FTP or hPanel File Manager

Action: Upload website files and manage them using Hostinger File Manager or FTP/SFTP.

Why: FTP/SFTP provides robust file transfer for development workflows; File Manager is quick for occasional edits.

Steps for FTP:

  1. In hPanel > Accounts > FTP Accounts, create an FTP user and password.
  2. Connect with an FTP client (FileZilla, WinSCP).
  3. Upload files to public_html or www.

SFTP example (use in terminal):

sftp ftpuser@server_ip
put index.html
put -r assets

File Manager steps:

  1. hPanel > Files > File Manager.
  2. Upload archive or single files; extract if needed.

com.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Permission denied: set correct permissions (files 644, directories 755).
  • FTP connection refused: ensure correct host (server IP or ftp.domain.com) and port 21 for FTP or 22 for SFTP.
  • File not updating: clear browser cache or disable caching plugin temporarily.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 5:

Secure your site - SSL, backups, and basic hardening

Action: Enable SSL, configure daily backups, and apply basic security hardening.

Why: SSL encrypts traffic and improves SEO; backups protect against data loss; hardening reduces compromise risk.

Steps:

  1. hPanel > SSL > Activate Free SSL (Let’s Encrypt) for your domain.
  2. hPanel > Backups > Schedule daily or weekly backups if available (or use a plugin for WordPress).
  3. For WordPress: hPanel > WordPress > Security or install a plugin like Wordfence. For static sites, limit access to admin panels and use strong passwords.

Expected outcome: Site accessible over https://, scheduled backups in place, basic security policies applied.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Mixed content warnings: update internal links from http:// to https:// or use a plugin to force HTTPS.
  • SSL activation failed: check domain resolves before enabling SSL.
  • Backup storage full: rotate backups and download critical backups to local storage.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 6:

Optimize performance and caching

Action: Enable caching, use CDN, and optimize images and assets.

Why: Faster load times improve user experience and SEO. Hostinger provides caching tools and supports Cloudflare CDN.

Steps:

  1. hPanel > Advanced > Caching: enable built-in cache (if available) or install caching plugin for WordPress such as LiteSpeed Cache or W3 Total Cache.
  2. Enable Cloudflare via hPanel > Domains > Cloudflare or sign up at cloudflare.com and change nameservers.
  3. Compress images using tools like ImageOptim or tinypng.com and serve next-gen formats (WebP).
  4. Minify CSS/JS via build tools (npm scripts) or plugins.

Commands/examples for local image optimization (npm example):

Expected outcome: Page load times reduced, caching active, global CDN distribution.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Cache serving old content: clear cache in hPanel and in plugins after changes.
  • CDN not showing updates: purge CDN cache or set proper cache-control headers.
  • Minified CSS breaks layout: test on staging before deploying.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 7:

Configure email, analytics, and backups

Action: Set up professional email, analytics tracking, and confirm backup/restore procedures.

Why: Professional email builds trust; analytics provide visitor insights; backups ensure recovery.

Steps:

  1. Email: hPanel > Emails to create mailbox or use external services (Gmail Workspace). Configure MX records if using external providers.
  2. Analytics: Install Google Analytics or privacy-friendly Matomo. For WordPress, use plugin or add tracking code to header.
  3. Test backup restore: perform a test restore in hPanel or restore database and files from a downloaded backup.

Expected outcome: Working email boxes, analytics collecting data, and verified backup restore process.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Email deliverability problems: set SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records in DNS.
  • Analytics not tracking: ensure the tracking code is added beforeand that bot filters are not blocking.
  • Restore fails: confirm backup integrity and correct file paths for restoration.

⏱️ ~10 minutes

Testing and Validation

How to verify it works with checklist

Checklist:

  1. Visit yourdomain.com and confirm secure connection (padlock icon).
  2. Test common pages: homepage, contact page, blog post, and admin login.
  3. Use online tools: GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights to test performance.
  4. Check DNS propagation via dig or mxtoolbox.com.
  5. Send and receive a test email if mailboxes are set up.
  6. Confirm scheduled backups show recent entries in hPanel and perform a test restore on a staging folder.

Run these checks after deployment and after major changes to ensure availability, security, and performance. Use an incognito browser window to avoid cache artifacts and test from multiple devices.

Common Mistakes

3-4 pitfalls and how to avoid them

  1. Uploading to the wrong directory: ensure files go to public_html or www. A common mistake is uploading to a subfolder; confirm the index file is at the domain root.

  2. Forgetting to enable SSL: this causes mixed content or insecure warnings. Always enable HTTPS immediately and update internal links.

  3. Not backing up or testing restores: backups without restore tests give false security. Schedule backups and perform a restore on a staging folder to verify.

  4. Overloading with plugins or heavy assets: too many plugins slow WordPress. Use essential plugins only and optimize images and scripts. Test performance after each plugin installation.

FAQ

Do I Need to Buy a Domain From Hostinger?

You can buy a domain from Hostinger or use an existing domain. If you keep a domain at another registrar, update nameservers or add Hostinger A records to connect it.

Can I Switch Plans Later If Traffic Grows?

Yes. Hostinger lets you upgrade from Shared to Cloud or VPS hosting. Upgrades migrate your account resources; check plan details and contact support for assistance.

How Do I Restore a Backup If Something Breaks?

Use hPanel > Backups to locate the backup, then choose files or databases to restore. For WordPress, restore wp-content and the database first, then test the site in a staging environment.

Is Wordpress Safer than a Static Site?

WordPress is flexible but needs regular updates and plugins to remain secure. Static sites are simpler and have fewer attack vectors. Choose based on content needs and maintenance capacity.

How Long Does DNS Propagation Take?

DNS changes can propagate in minutes but may take up to 48 hours globally. Most changes are visible within a few hours; use propagation checkers to track.

Can I Use Git Deployment on Hostinger?

Yes. Hostinger supports Git via hPanel > Advanced > Git and allows SSH access on some plans. Use Git to push code to a repository and deploy to the public folder.

Next Steps

After your site is live and validated, focus on content, SEO, and growth. Add analytics goals, create a content publishing calendar, and set up social sharing. For ecommerce, install a secure payment plugin and test transactions.

Plan regular maintenance: plugin and core updates, monthly performance audits, and quarterly backup drills. Continuous incremental improvements will grow traffic and conversions.

Further Reading

Sources & Citations

Tags: hostinger website hosting wordpress html tutorial
Ryan

About the author

Ryan — Web Development Expert

Ryan helps beginners and professionals build amazing websites through step-by-step tutorials, code examples, and best practices.

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