Public Hosting (Web Hosting)

Public Hosting (Web Hosting) mode allows your site to operate as a public-facing web server, securely serving files via HTTPS without requiring login or any specific API, protocol, or app.

Common Use Cases

Public Hosting mode is simple to set up, serves over HTTPS, supports custom domains via edge platforms, and reaches regions where traditional file-sharing services are blocked. The use cases below illustrate how customers put it to work.

Software and Technology

Software companies use Public Hosting to distribute files to a variety of audiences.

Distribute software files, updates, and patches with version-controlled URL systems where endpoints like /latest/ redirect to the current version, so users always access the most recent build. Files.com itself uses Public Hosting to publish updates to some of our client apps.

Development teams serve API documentation, SDKs, and code samples publicly, giving developers direct HTTPS access to those resources.

Healthcare and Professional Services

Healthcare providers share intake forms, educational materials, and appointment preparation guides through clean, memorable URLs.

Legal firms publish standard contracts, disclosure forms, and regulatory documents so clients can retrieve paperwork directly.

Professional training organizations distribute certification materials, course content, and compliance training resources, giving learners reliable access without a login system.

Marketing and Media

Marketing departments share press kits that give media outlets direct access to high-resolution images, logos, and promotional materials. Companies run centralized brand asset distribution systems that provide partners and vendors with consistent branding materials.

Simple promotional sites or product showcases that don't require interactivity work well on Public Hosting. Digital catalogs containing product information, price sheets, or specification documents can be shared with prospects and partners directly.

Event Management

Event organizers use Public Hosting to reduce the complexity of event participation.

Create resource hubs that share speaker biographies, presentation slides, and event schedules with attendees before, during, and after events.

Simplify registration by providing direct access to event forms, venue maps, and attendee information.

E-commerce and Retail

Host product manuals, warranty information, and troubleshooting resources so customers can find answers without contacting support.

Share product data feeds with partners or marketplace platforms to automate inventory synchronization.

Provide direct access to return and exchange forms to reduce friction in customer service workflows.

International and Localization

Global companies serve localized manuals, compliance documents, and region-specific content using edge routing, so users automatically receive materials for their location.

Distribute marketing materials adapted for different markets, keeping messaging consistent while respecting local preferences and regulations.

File Types Supported

Your folder in Public Hosting mode can serve any type of file and MIME type. These include html, xml, css, javascript, images, videos, music/sound files, pdfs, text files, and many more.

Public Hosting mode does not support any server-side scripting or databases, such as PHP, .NET, or JSP. To serve a website with dynamic content, use Javascript that retrieves data from an external source. This approach is called JamStack.

Public Hosting Domain

Your site uses an entirely different domain for public hosting mode as a security measure. Public hosting mode enables the hosting of any content, including Javascript that could potentially execute in a web browser. To avoid CSRF attacks, this Javascript is isolated away from your site's primary domain. Because Public Hosting uses the separate [subdomain].hosted-by-files.com domain rather than your account domain, your main site is protected.