By default, you tin can build pages and create content inside WordPress without ever having to upload any custom HTML files. That's because the WordPress cadre comes with built-in content types. In add-on, the WordPress theme you apply will likely have its ain set of pre-designed page templates that you can take advantage of to create a unique website that meets your needs.

Beyond that, there are enough of WordPress landing page plugins you can use to create customized folio templates for site visitors to country from search results, email campaigns, and even social media.

So really, there is very little demand to upload HTML files to WordPress because, usually, everything yous demand to format your website is already there. That said, there are some reasons why you'd desire to know how to upload an HTML file to WordPress, some of which go beyond uploading a template for blueprint purposes.

That'due south why in this mail, I'll show yous how to upload HTML files to WordPress. I'll as well discuss in detail why you lot'll desire to have this skill, so no matter what, you're prepared.

What is an HTML File?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language and was outset developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990. In curt, HTML is the code used to create electronic documents on the net, which are better known as webpages. In fact, every webpage you run across on the net was written using HTML code.

The HTML code on your site's spider web pages are responsible for making sure your content's text and images are formatted in the correct fashion.

Without HTML, web browsers would not empathize the way to visually display the structure of your website for users. However, with the right HTML code creating the foundation for your webpages, and a little CSS lawmaking for adding in some blueprint elements, your website appears perfectly for site visitors.

What is an HTML Template?

So, you lot know that HTML is the code responsible for creating the structure of unmarried webpages on the internet.

But what is an HTML template?

An HTML template is a pre-designed set of HTML files that include things like text, images, and support files for font styles and Javascript. In other words, an HTML template is a pre-made parcel of HTML code that you lot tin easily upload to your website and use.

When you use an HTML template on your WordPress website, you upload the file and plug in the text and images you want the template to brandish on the front cease of your site.

It's of import to recollect that HTML templates are different than WordPress themes:

  • WordPress Themes: fifty-fifty though you lot plug in text and images into WordPress themes, they are responsible for the look and experience of your entire website. Many element changes inside your site'southward theme are global, meaning they apply to your entire website.
  • HTML Templates: these are standalone aught files that you upload to your website individually. They simply affect the expect and feel of a single webpage on your website. In other words, changes y'all make to one uploaded HTML template volition merely affect that webpage.

Unfortunately, many people don't understand the differences between themes and HTML templates and use the terms 'theme' and 'template' interchangeably.

Why You Would Demand to Upload an HTML File to WordPress

In that location are a few specific reasons why y'all might want to upload an HTML file to WordPress:

    1. You Take Your Favorites: if you lot were using a great HTML template on an old website and wanted to use it on your new site, yous might want to upload the template to your new site rather than re-do the entire thing. This will salvage you time and ensure information technology looks exactly the aforementioned.
    2. You lot Want a Custom Page Layout: if your electric current WordPress theme doesn't support a specific page layout, you can upload an HTML file with the design you lot want and customize information technology as needed.

Lastly, yous might need to verify your WordPress website with Google Search Panel and desire to employ the recommended method of uploading a Google HTML verification file to do and then.

The way your website appears in search engines, specially a big one like Google, plays a function in your success as a website owner.

That's why tools like Google Search Console exist. With Google Search Console, you guarantee that Google will index and rank your site in relevant search results, all in the hopes of making it to the showtime page.

Google Search Panel as well provides you data almost your current SERPs (search engine effect pages), so you tin can ameliorate your SEO efforts and earn more than clickthroughs to your site.

The thing is, to employ Google Search Console, you need to verify your WordPress website. And it just so happens that one of the all-time ways to do this is to upload a Google HTML verification file.

Now, let's have a look at the dissimilar ways to upload an HTML file to WordPress.

1. Method: How to Upload HTML File to WordPress in the WordPress Dashboard

The first method for uploading an HTML file to WordPress we'll look at involves the WordPress dashboard.

You'll demand nothing more than than the backend of your website and an HTML template to complete this process since you'll exist uploading the HTML file directly through a post, page, or the Media Library.

To upload an HTML file through a post or page, insert a 'File' block in the Gutenberg Editor. Then, click Upload to upload the HTML file.

Upload HTML file in Gutenberg
Upload HTML file in Gutenberg

Here's what it looks like if you've disabled Gutenberg and are using the Classic Editor. But click Add Media and so Upload to upload your HTML file.

Cull the HTML file you desire to upload and and so click Insert into post. Doing this inserts the link of the file into the mail or page and automatically saves information technology to your Media Library.

Upload HTML file in Classic Editor
Upload HTML file in Classic Editor

You can skip uploading the HTML file to a post or folio in WordPress and upload it directly to your Media Library. Click Media Library in the WordPress dashboard, then Add together New, and choose the HTML file from the place you have information technology saved (e.m., your computer, difficult drive, or external storage).

Keep in mind, you might run across an error when you upload your HTML file while using Gutenberg. This is what information technology will wait like:

File type not permitted
File blazon not permitted

Check hither for detailed instructions on how to set up the "Deplorable, This File Type Is Non Permitted for Security Reasons" Fault in WordPress.

2. Method: How to Upload HTML File to WordPress Using an FTP Customer

Uploading HTML files through the WordPress dashboard is the most straightforward method. However, for big templates fabricated up of multiple files, information technology'south best to employ an FTP client such equally FileZilla.

Using an FTP client is as well helpful for times you lot want to work locally on a test site before pushing whatever changes you lot make to your live site. This volition forestall any unnecessary reanimation if something goes incorrect.

To first, always create a backup of your website first because yous never know what the HTML file might do when you lot upload it to your site.

Next, open your FTP customer.

Now you lot'll need to connect to your web host account by entering your FTP credentials. This information is usually found in your web hosting account. If y'all have trouble finding information technology, reach out to your host and have them help y'all.

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If you use Kinsta hosting, kickoff log into your MyKinsta account and click on Sites in the dashboard and and so on Info to get the credentials needed.

sftp details
Get your SFPT details in MYKinsta

When yous do this, y'all should run across your credentials under SFTP/SSH. You'll need your username, password, and port.

sftp details username password port
SFTP details

Hither'southward the information you're going to need to enter into FileZilla:

  • Host: your site's domain name preceded by "sftp://". For instance, you'll demand to enter sftp://www.mysite.com.
  • Username: from your MyKinsta dashboard
  • Password: from your MyKinsta dashboard
  • Port: from your MyKinsta dashboard

This is what it will look like at the summit of the FileZilla screen:

Logging into FileZilla
Logging into FileZilla

Later you lot've entered your credentials, click Quickconnect.

Now information technology'south fourth dimension to upload the HTML file from your computer to WordPress. Starting time by navigating to your website's root folder (which contains the wp-content folder, the wp-config.php file,etc.) on the right side.

So, go to the left side and detect the HTML file you lot have saved. When you discover it, correct-click it and select Upload to add it to your website. To encounter all hidden files in Filezilla follow this short tutorial.

HTML file uploaded
HTML file uploaded

You lot'll see the file has successfully been uploaded to WordPress. To cheque to make certain it is visible on your website, type your website'due south URL into your browser and add together the proper noun of the HTML file to the end. For instance, it might expect similar www.mywebsite.com/html-file.

When yous do this, you lot'll be redirected to the new webpage you lot've created with the HTML file.

3. Method: How to Upload HTML File to WordPress Using cPanel

The terminal method nosotros're going to share with you involves using cPanel and the File Manager to upload an HTML file to WordPress.

Start by logging into your hosting account'southward cPanel and accessing the File Managing director.

FileManager in cPanel
FileManager in cPanel

In one case you're in the File Manager, yous have two options:

    1. Create a New Folder: create a new folder in your site'due south root binder to upload your HTML file to.
    2. Upload to Root Folder Direct: rather than create a new binder, upload the HTML directly to WordPress. If this is how you want to do it, unzip the HTML file where you have information technology saved, change the index.html folder to something new, and then rezip the file to proceed uploading to WordPress. If you lot don't, the HTML template will override your site's homepage.

For this example, we'll create a new folder since there are a few added steps when yous exercise this.

Create a New Folder and Upload an HTML File to WordPress

First, navigate to the root folder of your website (which contains the wp-content folder, the wp-config.php file,etc.). So click New Folder.

Selecting New Folder from File Manager settings

Proper name your new folder and click Create New Folder.

Creating a new folder in cPanel
Creating a new folder in cPanel

Double click on the binder you merely created then click Upload to select your HTML file.

Upload button
Upload button

One time this is washed, you'll run across your zipped HTML file in the binder.

Zipped HTML file
Zipped HTML file

At present you need to unzip the HTML file past right-clicking and selecting Extract.

Extract HTML file
Excerpt HTML file

When the modal window pops up, click Extract Files to finish the unzipping procedure. When the HTML file has been unzipped, you'll see all the dissimilar files included in the template. Recollect this means you'll see things like CSS, font style files, images, and JavaScript.

Extracted HTML files
Extracted HTML files

Now all y'all take to do to make sure the HTML template and files were uploaded is type your site's URL into the browser and add the new folder's proper noun to the stop.

If you lot run across a 404 error, don't worry. This is a common WordPress error and can exist resolved hands.

If your server doesn't support redirection, and the index.php file is not redirected on loading the URL in your browser, you'll run across a 404 error afterward uploading your HTML files.

To fix this, stay within the File Manager and admission your .htaccess file by double-clicking it. And then, add the following code and save your changes:

          RewriteRule ^(.*)index\.(php|html?)$ /$1 [R=301,NC,Fifty]        

This code volition redirect your index.php file and load it in the browser.

Need to upload whatsoever HTML file to your WordPress site? This in-depth guide shows you how to do it easily. ⬆📂 Click to Tweet

Summary

WordPress is the most used Content Management organisation around because it gives website owners the flexibility needed to create unique websites that stand out from the competition. Being able to upload an HTML file to WordPress using whatsoever of the above-mentioned methods is just another example of how WordPress caters to the needs of site owners and gives them the freedom to customize their sites as needed.

Plus, knowing how to upload an HTML file to WordPress is just a good skill to have in case the need arises. After all, you never know when you might come across an HTML template yous love or demand a certain blazon of page layout that your theme doesn't back up.


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