If you need to make quick changes to your website content, layout, or styling, edit HTML files directly in cPanel is a fast and efficient method.

cPanel includes a built-in File Manager with an HTML Editor and Code Editor that allow you to make live changes to your files without needing an external program or FTP.

Edit HTML Files in cPanel

This KB assumes that you have logged in to your cPanel Dashboard – either via the Domains.co.za Dashboard, or online.

1. In cPanel, scroll down to Files and click File Manager. This tool lets you browse all your website files and directories.

2. Double-click on the public_html folder. This is the root directory of your primary website.

Locate your HTML File

3. Locate the HTML file you wish to edit. Most homepage files are named index.html or index.htm.

4. Once you find the HTML file, right-click on it and choose either:

1. Edit (opens in a basic text editor).
2. HTML Editor (for a visual WYSIWYG-style editor).
3. Code Editor (for colour-coded code editing).

Edit HTML Files

5. Modify your HTML as required. You can add or update content, change headings, update links, images, or embed additional elements such as forms or videos. For styling changes, ensure you adjust the <style> tags or linked CSS files accordingly.

6. After making your changes, click Save Changes (in the top-right of the editor). Then click Close to exit the editor.

Additional Information

Using HTML Editor vs Code Editor

The HTML Editor is visual and ideal for beginners. The Code Editor is better for developers who prefer to work directly with source code.

Permissions and Access for HTML

Ensure your user account has the necessary permissions to edit files. Some files may be locked or owned by another user or application.

Can’t See Hidden File?

If you can’t see .htaccess or other hidden files, click Settings (top-right in File Manager) and click Show Hidden Files (dotfiles).

General HTML Information

• Always Back up Your Files: Before making any changes, it’s strongly recommended to download a copy of the original file or back up your full website. Mistakes in HTML can break your site’s layout or functionality.
• Editing Other File Types: You can use the same method to edit .php, .css, .js, and other web-related files via the Code Editor.
• Instant Changes: Edit HTML files will make in File Manager are live immediately; there is no need to re-upload or redeploy your website.
• Restoring Files: If something goes wrong, and you backed up your original file, you can restore it by uploading the original HTML file back to the same directory via File Manager.
• Editing on Subdomains or Addon Domains: If your site is hosted in a subdomain or addon domain, navigate to the correct folder (e.g., /subdomain, /addon-domain.com) under your home directory.

Login to Domains.co.za Account

1. Go to the Domains.co.za website Account Login page.

2. Enter your Email and Password and click the Sign In button.

3. You will see the Domains.co.za Dashboard, displaying the Manage Account menu on the left and your Account Information, Account Overview and Open Support Tickets on the right.

Login to cPanel from your Domains.co.za Dashboard

4. Click on Manage Services to view the sub-dropdown menu and select the hosting package for the domain you want to work with – in our example we are using Web Hosting.

5. Click the Manage button to the right of the domain name you want to access.

6. The display will now show Product Information, Quick Manage, Resource Usage and Site Statistics for that domain name.

7. Under Product Information, scroll down to Control Panel, which will display cPanel to the right, and click on the Login button.

8. The cPanel Dashboard will now be displayed.

Login to cPanel Dashboard via the cPanel Website

1. Visit your cPanel URL, either supplied to you through your web host or via other sign-up methods.

2. Enter your Email

3. Then enter your Account Password and click cP Log in.