Guide
How to make your website live
Last updated: 21 June 2026
“How do I make my site live?” usually means one thing: you have a finished website — HTML, CSS, images, or an export from a builder or AI tool — and you want it on the real internet, with a proper URL anyone can open. You don’t need a server, FTP, or a build pipeline. You can make it live for free in a couple of minutes. Here’s exactly how with MakeMySiteLive.
What you’ll need
- ✓Your finished website files, with an index.html as the homepage.
- ✓A way to create a .zip archive (built into Windows and macOS).
- ✓An email address to create a free account — no credit card.
Steps
- 1
Gather your site into one folder
Put every file your site needs — index.html, your CSS, JavaScript, and images — into a single folder. The index.html at the top is the page visitors see first.
- 2
Create a ZIP
Compress that folder into one .zip file. On Windows: right-click → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder. On macOS: right-click → Compress. A single wrapping folder is fine — it’s detected automatically.
- 3
Create a free account
Sign up for MakeMySiteLive. Every account includes one permanent free site, so there’s nothing to pay to get your site live.
- 4
Pick your address and upload
Create a site, choose a free yourname.makemysitelive.com subdomain, and upload your ZIP. It’s validated, scanned, and published as a new version.
- 5
Your site is live
Your website is online at your subdomain with free HTTPS in under two minutes. Share the link — or connect your own custom domain on a paid site whenever you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
What does “make my site live” actually mean?
It means publishing your website files to a public web address so anyone can open them in a browser. With MakeMySiteLive you do that by uploading a ZIP of your files — they’re hosted and served over HTTPS at a real URL in minutes.
How long does it take to go live?
Usually under two minutes. After you upload your ZIP it’s validated, scanned for malware, and published as a version, and your URL works immediately.
Is making my site live really free?
Yes — every account gets one permanent free site with a free subdomain and free SSL. The free site shows a small MakeMySiteLive badge. Extra sites and custom domains are paid.
Can I use my own domain instead of a subdomain?
Yes. On a paid site you can point your own domain (like www.yourbrand.com) with a single CNAME record, and SSL is issued and renewed automatically. See the custom-domain guide for the steps.
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