How can I change the default page / document?

The default page (also called the directory index) is the file that loads when someone visits a directory on your website without specifying a filename. By default, the web server looks for index.html or index.php, but you can change this to any file you want.

01. How to Change the Default Page

Method 1: Rename your file

The simplest approach is to rename your main page to index.html (for static HTML) or index.php (for PHP). The web server looks for these filenames first, so no configuration changes are needed.

Method 2: Use .htaccess

If you want to keep your filename as-is, add a DirectoryIndex directive to the .htaccess file in the directory where your page lives:

DirectoryIndex home.html

You can list multiple filenames in order of priority:

DirectoryIndex home.html index.html index.php default.html

The server tries each file from left to right and serves the first one it finds.

Method 3: Via cPanel

cPanel has an "Indexes" tool under Advanced that lets you configure directory behavior. However, the .htaccess method gives you more control and is the preferred approach.

02. Removing the Ultra Web Hosting Default Page

If you still see the Ultra Web Hosting "Under Construction" default page, you need to either delete or replace the index.html file that came with your account. See Removing the Under Construction Default Page for step-by-step instructions.

Quick Recap

1. Rename your file to index.html or index.php - Simplest approach
2. Or use DirectoryIndex in .htaccess - DirectoryIndex mypage.html
3. Multiple fallbacks are supported - List files in priority order
4. Works per-directory - Each directory can have its own default
5. Delete the default index.html if you still see the Ultra Web Hosting page

Website configuration basics · Last updated March 2026 · Browse all General articles