A small pre-upload check avoids most first-deploy problems. Use this list whenever you deploy a website from a ZIP file.

Before you compress

  • Use the finished files. For a static site, that means the generated output folder, not source files that still need a build tool.
  • Put the entry point at the root. Use index.html for a static site or the correct public PHP entry point for a PHP project.
  • Include every asset. Fonts, images, CSS, JavaScript, and downloads referenced by the site must be present.
  • Remove secrets. Do not include private keys, production passwords, or real .env files.

After you upload

  • Open the preview URL.
  • Check the home page and at least one nested page.
  • Check image, stylesheet, and script requests in the browser.
  • Test on a phone or narrow browser window.
  • Connect your custom domain only after the preview works as expected.

Keep the ZIP file you deployed alongside its project version or release note. If a later update breaks a page, you will know exactly what changed and can republish a known-good archive.