Question: What is public_html? Print

Answer :

public_html is the main web root directory where you upload the files you want to be publicly accessible on your website. Any file placed inside this folder can be viewed by visitors through a web browser.

On GHFS Hosting (using Plesk), the equivalent public directory is usually:

However, many users still refer to it as public_html because this is the traditional name used by cPanel and many hosting platforms.

1. What Does public_html Do?

Everything inside public_html (or /httpdocs/ on Plesk) is available on the internet.

Example:

If you upload index.php inside /httpdocs/, it becomes visible at:

If you create a folder:

It becomes:

2. public_html vs. httpdocs (GHFS Hosting)

GHFS Hosting uses Plesk, so the main web directory is:

Comparison:

Functionally, they are the same.
Only the name differs.

3. What Should Be Stored in public_html?

You should upload:

• Website files (index.php, index.html, style.css, etc.)

• WordPress or other CMS files

• Images and assets

• JavaScript & CSS files

• Application files your site needs to run

4. What Should NOT Be Stored in public_html?

For security reasons, never store:

• Backups

• Configuration files with passwords

• Private documents

• Raw database dumps (.sql)

• SSH keys

• Sensitive data

These should be placed outside the public directory.

5. Subdomains and Their public_html Equivalents

Every subdomain gets its own folder.

Example:

Subdomain:

Folder:

Or similar, depending on configuration.

Each subdomain has its own "public_html" area.

6. What Happens If I Upload Files Outside public_html?

Files uploaded outside the web root:

• Cannot be accessed via browser

• Are invisible to visitors

• Are useful for private storage only

Example:

Uploading to /private/ folder will NOT display on the website.

7. When to Contact GHFS Hosting Support

Contact support if:

• You are unsure where to upload your website

• Your website is not loading after uploading files

• You want to change the document root

• You accidentally deleted the httpdocs folder

• You want to secure directories outside the public area

Support can help guide you or restore folders if needed.