Guide
Full sites vs microsites
Last updated: 26 June 2026
MakeMySiteLive now supports two publishing modes. Full sites are for complete website folders uploaded as a ZIP. Microsites are for one-page HTML files that need to go live quickly. Both get a live HTTPS URL and version history, but they are designed for different jobs. This guide explains what each mode includes, what is intentionally limited, and which one to choose.
What you’ll need
- ✓Use a full site when you have a folder or ZIP with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, fonts, or multiple pages.
- ✓Use a microsite when you have one standalone .html or .htm file and want the fastest publish path.
- ✓Pick based on the files you have today, not the project name. A landing page with many assets is still a full site.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Full site | Microsite |
|---|---|---|
| Upload format | ZIP with index.html, folders, assets, scripts, images, fonts, and PDFs | One .html or .htm file |
| Best for | Portfolios, builder exports, docs, agency sites, multi-page projects | Quick demos, tiny landing pages, waitlists, event pages, experiments |
| Size model | 50 MB storage per site, plus assigned storage blocks | 3 MB HTML file limit |
| Updates | Upload a new ZIP or roll back to an older version | Upload/edit one HTML file and publish a new version |
| Custom domains | Available on paid sites | Not included |
| Password protection | Available on paid sites | Not included |
| PWA settings | Available for full sites | Not shown |
| Dashboard limit display | Shows real free and paid slot usage | Shows infinity in the UI, with fair-use protection for unusual activity |
Steps
- 1
Choose a full site for complete website exports
Full sites accept a ZIP upload. The ZIP can contain index.html, CSS, JavaScript, images, fonts, PDFs, and nested folders. This is the right choice for builder exports, portfolios, documentation, agency pages, and AI-generated websites with multiple assets.
- 2
Choose a microsite for a single HTML file
Microsites accept one .html or .htm file, up to 3 MB. They are useful for quick one-page demos, tiny landing pages, waitlists, event pages, announcements, and experiments where everything is inside one HTML file.
- 3
Understand what both modes share
Both full sites and microsites get a makemysitelive.com subdomain, HTTPS, live status, version history, rollback, dashboard management, and delete controls. Both can be published from the dashboard, and both create immutable versions when updated.
- 4
Know what full sites support that microsites do not
Full sites support ZIP redeploys, storage allocation, custom domains on paid sites, password protection, branding controls, PWA settings, and larger file trees. Microsites intentionally stay smaller and simpler: single HTML upload or edit, lightweight storage, and no PWA settings.
- 5
Use microsites for speed, not for every project
Microsites are best when the whole page can live in one HTML file. If you need separate asset folders, multiple pages, custom domains, password protection, PWA settings, or larger uploads, create a full site instead.
- 6
Watch for upcoming gaps
The main missing pieces to consider next are clearer in-dashboard education, more examples for AI-generated single-file pages, and richer public docs around limits. The core publish, edit, redeploy, version, and rollback flows are already wired.
Frequently asked questions
Are microsites unlimited?
Microsites are designed to feel lightweight, so the dashboard shows an infinity symbol instead of asking you to manage a fixed slot count. Very high or unusual usage may still be limited by fair-use protections; if you are publishing legitimate microsites and hit a limit, contact support and we can help.
Can a microsite use CSS and JavaScript?
Yes, if the CSS and JavaScript are inside the same HTML file or loaded from external URLs. If the page depends on local CSS, JS, image, or font files, use a full site ZIP instead.
Can I turn a microsite into a full site later?
The simplest path is to create a new full site and upload a ZIP version of the project. Microsites and full sites use different upload models so the dashboard keeps them separate.
Do microsites get custom domains or PWA settings?
No. Microsites are intentionally small and fast. Custom domains, password protection, and PWA settings belong to full sites.
Which one should I use for an AI-generated website?
If the AI tool produced one complete HTML file, use a microsite. If it produced a folder with index.html, styles, scripts, and assets, ZIP the folder and use a full site.
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