How can I change the default page / document?

Create a .htaccess file, include the below information into it and upload it to the public_html directory. If you cannot create a .htaccess file because you are using Windows, simply name it htaccess and rename the file after it is uploaded with your ftp client.


DirectoryIndex filename.html


This would cause filename.html to be treated as your default page, or default directory page. You can also append other filenames to it. You may want to have certain directories use a script as a default page, that is not a problem either.


DirectoryIndex filename.html index.cgi index.pl default.htm



In some cases the default file does not exist and you will wanto to have the default page be a URL or address. In such a case use the following: 


RewriteRule ^/?$ /home [L,R=301]

/home being the URL you would like to set as the default address for the domain.



  • 564 Users Found This Useful

Was this answer helpful?

Related Articles

My index page does not load - Why not?

Filenames are case sensitive. Be sure you have an index filename all in lower case. Examples are...

Change your Websites Favorite Icon

How to change your website's icon for your internet browser. Create a 16x16 pixel icon image...

SSL - Creating a CSR in Windows 2003

Creating the CSR IIS Windows 2003 or 2000 Server: From Administrative Tools, run the Internet...

How can I tell how much disk space I have available?

To see how much disk space you have available, go to your control panel and on the left side of...

My site was hacked

This typically occurs when you are running a script/app on your website which is out-dated and...