How To Upload HTML Files To WordPress: 3 Easy Methods

Usually, WordPress gives you everything you need to build a website, right out of the box. You can create posts, pages, and even use pre-designed templates with your theme. You don’t need to upload custom HTML files because WordPress has built-in tools to design and organize your content.

You can also use page builder plugins to make unique landing pages without a single line of code. These tools help you design pages that fit your goals, whether you’re attracting visitors from Google, email newsletters, or social media.

But sometimes, you may want to go beyond what WordPress offers by default. You may need to upload an HTML file to verify your WordPress site with a service, like Google Search Console. Or you may want to use a custom-built page that isn’t part of your WordPress theme. You could also bring over pages from a previous website built using plain HTML.

That’s why it helps to know how to upload HTML files to WordPress. This guide explains the most reliable ways to do it. Whether you’re working with a landing page, a verification file, or a full static site, you’ll learn how to add HTML content without breaking anything on your website.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Upload HTML files to WordPress using the Media Library, File Manager, or FTP. You may also embed files or add a link to them using WP blocks.
• Media Library and WordPress blocks are best for single files.
• File Manager offers better control for uploading multiple individual HTML files.
• Use FTP to upload folders with HTML files.
• Place files in the right directory to avoid errors.
• Use a child theme or staging site for theme-level changes.
• Test HTML files before uploading to ensure they work properly.

What is an HTML File?

An HTML file tells a web browser how to display a web page. It uses special Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) tags to structure content into headings, paragraphs, images, and links. When you open a webpage in your browser, you see the result of the browser reading and showing the content from an HTML file.

HTML files are often used in basic websites that don’t rely on a content management system (CMS). These are called static websites because the content on the page doesn’t change unless you manually update the file. WordPress, on the other hand, builds dynamic pages. This means it pulls content from a database and uses templates to display it based on what a visitor wants to see.

Why Upload HTML Files to WordPress?

WordPress is dynamic, but there are times when you may still need to upload an HTML file. For example, you may want to:

• Add a landing page designed outside of WordPress.
• Find out how to upload HTML to WordPress to verify your site with third-party tools.
• Share a downloadable file that’s written in HTML.
• Bring in pages from an old static website.
• Upload a standalone HTML file to test designs or features without affecting your live site.

So, while WordPress handles most things for you, knowing how HTML files work and when to use them can give you more control over your website.

How to Upload an HTML File to WordPress

In this section, we show you three ways to upload HTML files to WordPress:

1. Using WordPress Dashboard.
2. Using cPanel File Manager.
3. Using an FTP Client (e.g., FileZilla).

Use WordPress Dashboard

This is the simplest way to upload HTML files to WordPress. You can upload multiple files through the Media Library and use them later in your posts or pages. However, if you want to embed an HTML file within a post or page, you can use the built-in WordPress blocks.

Embed HTML Files’ Content in Posts or Pages

If you want the HTML file content to show inside a post or page, you’ll need to copy the actual HTML code. This method is great when you want to embed HTML content (like forms, tables, or custom layouts) and have it render within the page.

To do this in the Gutenberg Editor, go through the following steps:

Open your post or page in the editor. Navigate to where you wish to add the HTML file’s content, type /custom html, and click the Custom HTML block once it appears.

Now, paste your HTML code inside it. You may also click Preview from the toolbar to see how it looks on the front end.

Then, click Save to apply changes to your post or page. Here’s how it appears based on our provided HTML code:

Add HTML File to WordPress Post or Page

To upload and link to a file (including .html) for users to download or view separately, use the File block. This approach is ideal for sharing an HTML file as a downloadable item or letting users open it in a new or current tab.

Open the post or page in the editor, then scroll to the spot where you want to add the HTML file link. Type /file and choose the File block to add it to your page or post.

Click Upload to select your HTML file. Once it’s uploaded, click Save in the top-right corner to save changes.

Here’s how it looks when you upload an HTML file to WordPress using the File block:

Note: If using a Classic Editor plugin, open your post, switch to Code view, and then paste your HTML code. However, if you want visitors to download or view an HTML file, click Add Media, choose your file, and insert it as a link.

Use WordPress Media Library

Previously, we discussed using the File block to quickly add and link an HTML file inside a post or page; however, this method is for those who wish to manage files first and use them later in posts or pages. However, the Media Library won’t render HTML files inside your post. It only hosts the file, and users must click a link to open or download it.

How to upload HTML files to WordPress Media Library:

Go to Media → Add Media File, click Select Files, and upload HTML file(s) just like any image or PDF. Once uploaded, you’ll see the file(s) in your media library with a public URL.

Now, go to a post (or page), insert the File block as we did in the previous section. This time, click Media Library.

Choose your file and click Select.

These methods are quick but are not ideal for every situation. You can’t upload a complete folder with linked CSS, images, or JavaScript, only a single HTML file. Also, WordPress may block certain scripts in your code for security reasons.

If your HTML file needs extra files (e.g., stylesheets or scripts) or if it’s part of a full layout, then using the WordPress Admin Dashboard alone might not be enough. In this case, use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or your hosting panel, which we cover next.

Use cPanel File Manager

If your web hosting account comes with cPanel, you can upload HTML files directly using the File Manager. It’s a simple tool that lets you manage your WordPress website files and folders directly from your web browser.

Here’s how to do it using the Hosted.com cPanel:

First, login to cPanel and navigate to Files → File Manager.

In File Manager, you’ll see a list of folders. Find the folder called public_html. This is your website’s root directory, where most of your WordPress files live. If you’re uploading a file for your main site, this is the right place.

For a subdomain or an addon domain, open the folder linked to that WordPress site. Then, click Upload at the top.

When the new tab opens, click Select File to choose the HTML file(s) from your computer, or drag and drop them here. After the upload, return to the folder, and you’ll see your file there.

Remember, if your HTML page needs other files like CSS or images, upload those too, and ensure all the links inside the HTML file are correct.

Once the files are uploaded, check and test file permissions. To do this, right-click your uploaded HTML file and select Change Permissions. The number should be 644, which means the file is readable by the web browser and can’t be changed by others.

Now, open a new browser tab and type your domain name followed by the file name. For example, if your file is sample-page1.html, go to yourwebsite.com/page.html to see it in action.

Using File Manager is a quick way to upload HTML files. You have full control over where the file is placed and can manage other parts of your site. But if you need to upload a folder with multiple HTML files, you must create the folder in the right location first and then upload your files into the folder. That’s where an FTP client comes in; it is a better and more flexible option. Let’s go to the following section.

Use an FTP Client

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) moves files between your local computer and your website’s server. One of the most popular FTP clients is FileZilla, which is free and easy to use. If you haven’t configured your WordPress site yet, refer to the following guide:

– How to Configure a Website in an FTP Client (FileZilla)

After that, open FileZilla and enter your FTP credentials (username, host, port, and password) to connect to your web server. Then, click Quickconnect.

If everything’s correct, your website files will be visible on the right side of the screen. Now, browse through the folders and open public_html if you want the HTML file to be available at your main domain. Otherwise, move to the required folder.

On the left side of FileZilla, find a folder containing HTML files on your computer. Right-click it and choose Upload. The folder will transfer to your server and appear in the selected folder.

To ensure the upload worked, open your browser and go to the file’s URL. For example, if you uploaded a folder named HTMLFiles having 2 HTML files (sample-page1.html and sample-page2.html), type the following in the address bar:

yourwebsite.com/HTMLFiles/sample-page1.html

If the file opens correctly, you’re done. If not, double-check the file name and location in FileZilla.

Choose the Best Method for Your Needs

Now that you’ve learned 3 different ways to upload HTML files to WordPress, it’s time to pick the method that fits your needs. Each option has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your comfort level and how often you plan to upload files.

If you’re a beginner and sometimes need to upload a simple HTML file, the WordPress Dashboard method is the easiest. It doesn’t require any extra software or technical knowledge. However, this method won’t work well for files that depend on other assets like CSS or JavaScript.

For more control, using cPanel File Manager is a great middle ground. You don’t need to install anything and can upload multiple files directly to your WordPress website’s root folder. It’s ideal for users with access to cPanel, who feel confident browsing through folders and making simple changes.

However, if you wish to move folders with multiple HTML files in one go, choose FTP with FileZilla, which gives you full access to your site’s files and folders. You can upload large file sets, organize content, and make changes quickly. It’s perfect if you’re working on projects that involve custom designs or frequent updates.

To sum it up:

• Use the WordPress dashboard for simple uploads and quick tasks.
• Choose cPanel File Manager if you want more control without accessing the WordPress admin dashboard and installing tools.
• Go with FTP if you wish to upload folders containing HTML files. It’s also useful if you have no access to your hosting account.

Pick the method that feels right for you. Once familiar with it, uploading HTML files will be easy and stress-free.

Best Practices for Managing HTML Files in WordPress

Once you upload HTML files to WordPress site, it’s important to manage them the right way. A little organization now can save you time and prevent problems later.

First, always upload your HTML files into clear and dedicated folders. Instead of dropping everything into the main root directory, create a folder inside public_html; for example, call it /custom-html or /landing-pages. This keeps your files neat and makes it easier to find them when needed.

It’s a good idea to backup your website before you make any changes or upload files. Backups protect your site if something goes wrong, like broken pages or file errors. Many hosts offer one-click backup tools, or you can use a plugin like UpdraftPlus to save your site safely.

It’s also a good idea to track what you upload. When you leave random files all over your site, this can get messy fast. Keep a simple list or use clear names for your files and folders. This helps avoid confusion later, especially if you manage multiple HTML files.

After uploading any external files, monitor your website’s performance and security. Large files, broken code, or unsafe scripts can slow your site or cause errors. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to check loading speed or Wordfence for basic security scans.

By following these best practices, you’re not just uploading HTML files to WordPress, you’re managing your site like a pro. Organization, regular backups, and simple tracking ensure that your HTML files help your site and do not hurt it.

Troubleshoot Common Issues

While uploading HTML files to WordPress is usually simple, you might have a few problems. Knowing how to fix them will save time and keep your site running smoothly.

One common issue is the error, File type not permitted. WordPress blocks specific file types for security reasons. If you see this message when trying to upload your file through the Media Library, don’t worry. You can fix it by installing a plugin like File Upload Types By WPForms, which lets you allow various files so you can upload them without errors.

Another issue is getting a 404 error (ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND in Chrome) when you want to open the uploaded file in your browser. This usually means the file isn’t in the right folder or the file name was incorrectly typed in the URL. Double-check that the file was uploaded to the correct directory and ensure there are no typos in the web address.

Sometimes, an HTML file uploads successfully but doesn’t display properly. You may see broken layouts or missing images. This often happens when the HTML file depends on other files, such as CSS or JavaScript, that weren’t uploaded, or the file paths inside the HTML are incorrect. Ensure all linked files are also uploaded and the paths match their locations on the server.

Lastly, don’t ignore security risks when uploading external files. HTML files can include scripts, and when those scripts come from untrusted sources, they may harm your site. Only upload files that you or your developer have created. Avoid adding scripts you don’t understand, and back up your site before uploading anything new.

If you keep these issues in mind and know how to fix them, you’ll avoid common mistakes and ensure your HTML files work the way you want.

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