How to publish your site

This guide is for teammates who publish websites using Site Deployer. You only use the website in your browser — no git, command line, or other tools.

If something does not match what you see on screen, ask your team admin.

Before you start

You need:

1. The Site Deployer link from your admin (for example https://deploy.yourcompany.com).

2. Your project — you will pick it from a dropdown in the tool.

3. Your deploy password for that project (one password per project). Keep it private.

4. Your finished site folder — the folder that already contains your live website files.

What your folder should look like

Upload the built, ready-to-view website, not the raw project your developer edits.

It should include:

• An `index.html` file (your home page)
• CSS, JavaScript, images, and other assets your site needs

Typical folder names: dist, build, public, or a folder your developer exported for you.

Do not upload:

• A .zip file (upload the folder inside it instead)
• Source code folders like src unless your developer said that is the finished site
• Random files mixed in from elsewhere on your computer

Tip: Double-click index.html in the folder. If it does not open a working page in your browser, ask your developer for the correct folder before you deploy.

Step-by-step

1. Open Site Deployer

Go to the link your admin shared. You should see “Put your site on the internet.”

You can also open Deploy guide from that page if you need these instructions again.

2. Choose your project (step 1 on the form)

Open the Project dropdown and select your site (for example “Marketing Site” or “Solar Comms Map”).

If your project is not listed, stop and contact your admin.

If you see Current live site under the dropdown, that link is where the site is on the internet today. After a successful deploy, your new version replaces what visitors see at that address.

3. Enter your deploy password (step 2)

In Deploy password, type the password for this project.

• Passwords are different per project.
• If the password is wrong, you will see an error — check caps lock and ask your admin if you are unsure.

4. Add a version name (step 2)

In Version name, write a short label you will recognize later, for example:

• March homepage update
• New pricing page
• Fixed contact form

This is only a label for you and your team inside Site Deployer — use something you would understand weeks later.

5. Add your site files (step 3)

Add your folder in either of these ways:

Choose folder

1. Click Choose folder (above the dashed box or use your browser’s file picker when you click the box).

2. Select the folder that contains index.html.

3. Confirm when the browser asks to upload all files in that folder.

Drag and drop

1. Open the folder on your computer.

2. Drag the entire folder onto the dashed box (Drag your site folder here).

When files are added, you will see a count such as “42 files · 1.2 MB”.

To start over, click Clear.

6. Deploy

Click Deploy to production.

While it runs, the button and status area will show what is happening, for example uploading files or waiting for the site to go live. You may see a progress bar during upload.

This usually takes under a minute. Large sites can take longer.

7. Check your site

When you see Deployment complete, click the link shown.

• Open it in a new tab and check the main pages.
• If something looks wrong, contact your developer before deploying again — you may have chosen the wrong folder.

What “Deploy to production” means

Each successful deploy replaces the live website visitors see. There is no separate preview link in this tool.

Only deploy when you are ready for people to see the change — like clicking Publish.

Common problems

“Invalid project or password”

• Check you selected the right Project.
• Re-type the Deploy password carefully.
• Ask your admin if you are unsure of the password.

“Please fill in the project, password, and version name.”

• Make sure the project is selected, the password is filled in, and Version name is not empty.

“Please add the folder with your site files.”

• You have not added a folder yet. Use Choose folder or drag-and-drop.

Upload or file errors

• The folder may be empty.
• Make sure index.html is inside the folder you selected, not only in a parent folder.
• Try Clear, then add the folder again.

The site goes live but looks broken

• You may have uploaded the wrong folder (source files instead of the built site).
• Ask your developer which folder to use, then deploy again with the correct one.

“Deployment timed out” or “Something went wrong”

• Wait a few minutes and check Current live site (or the link from your last successful deploy).
• If the site did not update, try deploying again.
• If it still fails, contact your admin with the error message on screen.

My project is not in the dropdown

• Contact your admin — only projects they have set up appear in the list.

Good habits

• Deploy when someone can help if something breaks.
• Use clear version names.
• Always open the live link after a deploy and click through the site.
• Do not share deploy passwords in public chat — use your company’s secure way to share secrets.

When to ask for help

Contact your admin or developer if:

• Your project is missing from the list
• You forgot your deploy password
• The live site looks wrong after a deploy and you are sure you used the right folder
• You are not sure which folder to upload

Quick checklist

Before you click Deploy to production: