Guide

How to Put a Website Online in About a Minute (No Server, No Git)

You have an index.html, or a folder with one in it. Here is the shortest honest path from that folder to a link you can text to someone.

Published Oct 16, 2026 · 5 min read

Short version: zip the folder so index.html sits at the top level, drop the ZIP on droply.so, pick a name, and your site is live at your-name.droply.page. Everything below is about getting those steps right the first time.

What counts as a "static" website

A static site is a set of files the browser can open on its own: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images and fonts. If you can double-click index.html on your computer and the page works, it is static. That covers most landing pages, portfolios, event pages, prototypes, exported Figma or Framer sites, and pages made with ChatGPT or Claude.

What it does not cover: anything that needs a server running code, like a PHP contact form, a WordPress install, or a Node app with a database. Those need a different kind of host.

Step 1: Get the folder into shape

Before uploading, open the folder and check three things:

  1. There is a file called index.html, all lowercase. This is the page people see when they open your link.
  2. Links between files are relative. images/logo.png works anywhere.C:\Users\me\Desktop\site\images\logo.png only works on your laptop.
  3. File names match exactly. Your computer may treat Logo.PNG andlogo.png as the same file. Web servers do not.

Step 2: Zip it the right way

The most common mistake is zipping the folder instead of its contents. If you right-click a folder called my-site and compress it, the ZIP containsmy-site/index.html, one level too deep.

Instead, open the folder, select everything inside it, and compress that selection:

  • Mac: select all files, right-click, then Compress.
  • Windows: select all files, right-click, then Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder(on Windows 11 it is Compress to ZIP file).

Not sure? Our free ZIP Inspector shows what is inside a ZIP without uploading it. You want to see index.html at the top of the list, not inside a folder.

If your site is a single HTML file with everything inline, skip the ZIP and upload the HTML file directly.

Step 3: Upload and name it

  1. Go to droply.so and type the name you want, for example sara-portfolio. That becomes sara-portfolio.droply.page.
  2. Drag the ZIP (or HTML file) onto the upload box.
  3. Confirm your email or sign in with Google. It takes a few seconds and means the site is tied to an account, so you can update or remove it later.

The link works as soon as the upload finishes. HTTPS is on by default.

Step 4: Check it on your phone

Open the link on your phone before you send it anywhere. Phones are where broken image paths and missing <meta name="viewport"> tags show up first. If something looks off, our article on fixing a broken uploaded site walks through the usual causes.

Updating the site later

You do not need to create a new link for every change. In your dashboard, open the project and useUpdate to upload a new version. The address stays the same, so anyone who already has the link sees the new version.

How big can it be?

On the free plan you get one live project with up to 10 MB of files, which fits most hand-written sites. Image-heavy portfolios usually need a paid plan: Starter covers 100 MB, Plus covers 1 GB and adds custom domains and password protection. If your images are large, run them through the Image Compressor first. It often cuts the total size in half.

FAQ

Can I use my own domain?

Yes, on Plus and above. You add a CNAME record at your domain registrar and point it to Droply. The custom domain help article has the exact steps.

Does it work with React, Vue or Vite projects?

Yes, as long as you upload the built output (usually the dist orbuild folder), not the source code.

Do visitors need an account?

No. Anyone with the link can open the site unless you add a password.

Have a folder ready? It can be online before your coffee cools.

Upload your site →