Easy Ways to Add a Download Link to a File on Your Website

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Upload a file and add a button that visitors can use to download the file

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using HTML

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Using WordPress

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Using Weebly

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Using Wix

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Using GoDaddy

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Video

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Q&A

Offering download links for files through your website is a common desire, and there are a couple of ways to do it. Sites that offer website-building tools, such as WordPress, Weebly, Wix, and GoDaddy, offer easy ways to add a download button to a page and link it to a file you upload. If you build your own site from scratch, you can create download links using simple HTML code for files hosted on your server. This wikiHow article teaches you how to add a downloadable file to a webpage on your website.

Quickly Add a Download Link

Use the syntax “<a href="https://www.fileurl.com/path-to-file/examplefile2.zip" download>Link text</a>” to add a download link in HTML. Website builders like WordPress, Wix, and Weebly have their own options for adding a download button to a page and linking it to a file.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using HTML

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You'll be adding your download link to an HTML web page. If you don't have an existing site, you can create a basic HTML page to test out the download link.
2
Open a folder on your server for both the page and the file. The easiest way to link a file is by placing the file in the same folder as the page's HTML file. Use the control panel file manager or the file browser in your FTP program to navigate to the folder containing the HTML file you'll be adding the link to.
- Your FTP client should already be configured to connect to your web server since you've uploaded your site there before. If it isn't, see How to Use FTP for instructions on configuring your FTP client to connect to your server.
- If your web server has an online control panel, you can access your server files directly through the web management interface. You'll be able to access this when you sign into your site as an administrator. Once you're in the control panel, select the "File Manager" option.
- If you created your website using a website creation tool like WordPress, Weebly, or Wix, see the platform-specific instructions in the methods below.
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3
Upload the file you want to create a link to. You can upload pretty much any type of file, from PDF files to ZIP files. Note that some servers may limit the size of the file you are allowed to upload, and large files can eat through your allotted bandwidth pretty quickly. Browsers may block potentially malicious files from being downloaded by your visitors, such as EXE or DLL files.
- To upload files using your FTP program, drag the file into the folder in the FTP window that you want to upload it to. It will begin uploading immediately. Your upload speeds will typically be much slower than your download speeds, so it may take a while to completely upload the file.
- If you are using the virtual control panel file manager, click the "Upload" button at the top of the window. Browse your computer for the file you want to upload. Large files may take a while to upload to your server.
- You may want to compress the file into zip before uploading it. This will save space and reduce lag on your website. It will also allow you to organize multiple files into various folders.
Once the file is uploaded, you'll need to add the link to it on your web page. Open the HTML file that you want to add the link to. You can double-click it in the control panel file manager to open it in the built-in page editor. If you're using FTP, right-click the HTML file on your server and use "Open With" to open it in your code or text editor.
Place your cursor in the spot in the code that you want to insert your download link. This could be in the body of a paragraph, at the bottom of a page, or anywhere else.
6
Add the code for the link. Enter the following HTML5 code for your download link. This will start the download immediately for users after they click the link. As long as the file to be downloaded is in the same folder as the HTML file, you just need to use the name and extension. If the file is located in another folder, you'll need to include the folder structure.^{[1]
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```

<a href="examplefile.pdf" download>Link text</a>

<a href="https://www.url.com/path/to/file/examplefile2.zip" download>Link text</a>
```
- The <a> download attribute does not work in Safari, Internet Explorer, or Opera Mini. Users with these browsers will open the file in a new page and have to save it manually.^{[2]
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7
Create a download button instead of a link. You can use an image instead of text to create the download link. This requires a button image already on your web server.
```
<a href="examplefile.pdf" download>
	<img src="/images/downloadbutton.jpg">
</a>
```
8
Rename the downloaded file. If you define the <a> download attribute, you can change the name of the file when someone downloads it. This can make it easier for users to identify files that they download from you.
```
<a href="083116sal_rep.pdf" download="August 31 2016 Sales Report">Download the report</a>
```
Once you're satisfied with your code, save the changes to your HTML file and reupload it if necessary. You'll be able to see your new download button live on your website.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using WordPress

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If you use WordPress to manage and publish your website, you can use the built-in tools to add a download link to any of your pages. Log into your WordPress dashboard using the admin account.
2
Open the page you want to add a download link to. To do so, click Post in the menu bar to the left. Then click Edit below the draft you want to edit. Click Add post at the top to create a new page.
3
Click the Plus + icon where you want to place the download link. This will open a menu of items you can insert into the page.
4
Click File. It has an icon that resembles a folder. This will open a menu that allows you to select a file to add as a download link.
5
Click Upload. It’s the first option that’s available when you click the option to insert a file. This allows you to upload a file from your computer.
- If you want to add a link to a file you already uploaded to your website, click Media library instead. Then select the file you want to upload.
6
Select the file you want to upload. Navigate to the file you want to upload and click it to select it. Then click Open. This uploads the file and adds a download link to your page.
- If you have a WordPress blog at WordPress.org, you may not be allowed to upload certain file types, such as zip or executable files.
- You may want to compress the file into a zip before uploading it. This will save space and reduce lag on your website. It will also allow you to organize multiple files into various folders.
- Certain files, such as PDFs and images, may display in a window in the center of the page. If you don’t want to display the PDF or image in your page, click the toggle switch next to “Show inline embed” in the menu to the right.
- If you want to change the name of the file, click the blue text next to the “Download” button. Then enter a name for the file.
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Publish or save the page as a draft. If you are ready to publish the page, click Publish in the upper-right corner. If you are not ready to publish the page, click Save draft at the top of the page.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Weebly

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Log in to the Weebly site and open your web page in the Weebly editor.
2
Select the page you want to add a download link to. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the menu bar to the left to select the page you want to add a link to.
3
Click Add section. It’s at the bottom of the menu bar to the left. This allows you to add a new part to your page.
4
Select Button. It’s in the menu to the left. This will add a new button with some text and a description.
- You can choose the button format using the option below the “Button” option in the menu bar.
5
Edit the button text. To do so, first double-click on the new button section to open it. Then click the header text to give the button a title. Then click the small text to add a brief description. Then click the button to change the text in the button.
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Select the button. This displays link options in the menu bar to the left.
7
Click Add Link. It’s in the menu bar to the left, below the “Button” option.
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Select File Link. Use the drop-down menu below “Link to” to select “File Link.” This allows you to upload a file that the button links to.
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Drag and drop the file you want to link to. Use File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac to navigate to the file you want to link to. Then drag and drop it into the window in the center of the screen.
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Click Save. It’s in the upper-right corner of the Window. This saves the download link to the file.^{[3]
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After uploading the file, the link will be ready to use. Click Publish in the upper-right corner to push your changes to the live site. Your visitors will now be able to click the link and download the file.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Wix

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If you use Wix to create and manage your site, log in to the Wix website and load your webpage in the site editor.
2
Select the page you want to add a link to. Use the drop-down menu next to “Home” in the upper-left corner to select the page you want to add a link to. To add a new page, select Manage pages at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Then click the icon that resembles a sheet of paper to add a new page.
3
Click the Plus [[Image:|techicon|x30px|alt=]] button. This is the “Add Elements” button. It’s at the top of the menu to the left.
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Click Button. It’s the third option in the menu. This allows you to select and add a button.
5
Select a button you want to use. There are a variety of buttons you can select. They are categorized below the “Button” sub-menu on the left side. Click a button image to add it to your page.
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Click the button image. This displays some options above the button.
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Click the Link icon. It’s the icon that resembles a chain link above the button. If you don’t see this option, click Change file instead.^{[4]
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8
Click Upload Media. It’s in the upper-left corner of the window. This allows you to upload a file you can link to.
- Alternatively, you can select a file you already uploaded to your website.
9
Drag and drop a file into the window. Use File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac to navigate to the file you want to upload. Once the file is uploaded, click it to choose it.
10
Click Upload file. It’s in the lower-right corner. This links the file to the button.
- Click the Gear icon above the button to change the button title or select a new image. You can also turn on Indexing so that the button file appears in Google search results.
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Publish the page. When you are ready to do so, click Publish in the upper-right corner to publish the page to your website.^{[5]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using GoDaddy

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If you used the GoDaddy site builder, log in to the GoDaddy website. Then click Websites + Marketing. Click Manage next to your website. Then click Manage website..
2
Click the page you want to add a download link to. You can select your different pages in the menu to the right.
3
Click the Plus icon [[Image:|techicon|x30px|alt=]] where you want to add a download link. This adds a new section to your page.
4
Click File & Web. It’s in the menu bar to the right. This allows you to upload a file that you can link to.
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Click Files. This allows you to add a button layout and select a file to link to.
6
Click Add below a button layout. This adds the layout to your page.
7
Customize the button layout. You can use the options in the menu to the right to choose an accent color as well as change the background color. You can also change the title of the download button and add a description.
8
Add a file to the button. To do so, click Add at the bottom-right corner of the menu to the left. Then select the files you want to add from your computer and click Open. This will upload the file and link it to the button.
- Once the file is uploaded, you can change the file name by clicking the filename text and entering a new name.
9
Click Done. It’s at the top of the menu bar to the right. This adds the button to your page.
10
Publish your page. When you are ready to publish your page, click Publish at the top of the page.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Does a hyperlink mean that I have to have the file on the server?

Community Answer

No, a hyperlink is just something that redirects you to a link, it does not mean that the file needs to be on the server for it to be redirected.

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What would be the best method to have a PDF download link from one of my YouTube posts?

Community Answer

If you put it in the description of the video, the link will be available to your viewers.

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How do I find a website builder?

Philip okugbe

Community Answer

There are a lot of drag and drop site builders online such as Yola, Weebly, Wix, etc.

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