How to Host a Static Website for Free Using GitHub Pages

Hosting a website no longer requires expensive servers or complicated configurations. With GitHub hosting, anyone can publish a static website for free using GitHub Pages.

Whether you want to showcase a portfolio, publish documentation, or experiment with web development, this guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you launch your site without prior experience.

You’ll learn how to create a GitHub repository, upload your site files, enable GitHub Pages, and even connect a custom domain.

What is a Static Website?

Static vs. Dynamic Websites

Static websites consist of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that are delivered directly to the user’s browser without any server-side processing. Unlike dynamic websites, they do not use databases or backend languages like PHP.

Why Choose Static Websites?

Fast loading times
More secure (no backend to exploit)
Easier to host
Ideal for portfolios, documentation, blogs, and landing pages

Introduction to GitHub Hosting

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a platform primarily used for version control and collaborative software development. GitHub Pages is a service offered by GitHub that allows users to host static websites directly from a GitHub repository.

What is GitHub Hosting via GitHub Pages?

GitHub Pages takes the files in a public GitHub repository and publishes them to a website. This means your HTML, CSS, JS, and media files become a live website—at no cost.

Benefits of GitHub Hosting

Completely free for public repositories
Built-in support for Jekyll
HTTPS support
Integration with Git for version control
Custom domain support

Getting Started with GitHub Hosting

Step 1: Create a GitHub Account

Go to github.com and register for a free account. You’ll need this to create repositories and use GitHub Pages.

Step 2: Install Git on Your Computer

While optional, Git makes managing your project files easier. Download it from git-scm.com and follow the installation instructions for your OS.

Step 3: Set Up Git on Your Local Machine

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your@email.com"

Creating and Preparing Your Repository

Step 4: Create a New Repository

Go to GitHub.
Click the “+” icon in the top right corner and select “New repository.”
Name the repository in the format yourusername.github.io.
Choose “Public.”
Initialize with a README (optional).

Step 5: Add Your Website Files

Option A: Upload Files Directly via GitHub

Click on “Add file > Upload files”
Upload index.html, style.css, and any JS or image files

Option B: Use Git Locally

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/yourusername.github.io
cd yourusername.github.io
# Add your HTML/CSS/JS files here

Commit and push your changes:

git add .
git commit -m "Add website files"
git push origin main

Enabling GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages settings page showing the source branch and custom domain configuration

Step 6: Configure GitHub Pages

Go to your repository settings
Scroll down to the Pages section
Under “Source,” select the main branch and root folder /
Click “Save”

GitHub will deploy your website at https://yourusername.github.io

Step 7: Wait for Deployment

It may take a minute or two. Once deployed, visit your new website at the link provided.

Optional: Using Jekyll with GitHub Pages

What is Jekyll?

Jekyll is a static site generator that integrates seamlessly with GitHub Pages. It allows you to build blogs and documentation easily using Markdown.

Step 8: Enable Jekyll Theme

Add a file named _config.yml with the following:

theme: minima

Push the file to your repository. GitHub will rebuild your site using the selected theme.

Step 9: Use Markdown Files

You can create .md files inside the root or _posts/ folder:

---
title: "Welcome"
layout: default
---

This is a sample page.

Customizing Your Website

Add CSS and JavaScript

Include styles and scripts:

<link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
<script src="script.js"></script>

Organize Folder Structure

/assets for images and media
/css, /js for scripts and stylesheets

Recommended folder structure for a static website using GitHub hosting, including assets, css, and js folders

Connecting a Custom Domain

Step 10: Purchase a Domain

Buy from providers like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains.

Step 11: Point Domain to GitHub Pages

Go to your domain registrar’s DNS settings
Add a CNAME record pointing to yourusername.github.io

Step 12: Add CNAME File in Your Repository

Create a CNAME file and add your domain name:

www.yourcustomdomain.com

GitHub will use this file to redirect the Pages site to your domain.

Securing Your Site with HTTPS

GitHub Pages supports HTTPS by default. In Settings > Pages, ensure “Enforce HTTPS” is checked.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Site Not Showing?

Check if index.html is present
Confirm correct branch is selected in Pages settings
Allow time for DNS propagation if using a custom domain

Styles Not Loading?

Make sure paths are relative or start from /
Ensure file extensions are correct

Deployment Errors?

Check GitHub Pages build logs or switch to a simpler theme/config first.

Optimizing for SEO

Use Proper HTML Structure

Start with semantic tags like <header>, <main>, <footer>

Add Meta Tags

<meta name="description" content="Free static website hosting using GitHub Pages">

Enable Sitemap

Use Jekyll plugins or external tools to generate sitemap.xml

Use Meaningful File Names and URLs

Use short, descriptive paths and titles.

Analytics and Monitoring

Add Google Analytics

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=YOUR_ID"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());
  gtag('config', 'YOUR_ID');
</script>

Alternatives to Google Analytics

Plausible Analytics
Fathom Analytics

Real-World Use Cases

Developer Portfolios

Perfect for showcasing resumes and project showcases.

Technical Documentation

Use markdown with Jekyll for readable documentation.

Static Blogs

Combine Jekyll with markdown to maintain a personal blog.

Event Pages

Great for creating conference, seminar, or meetup pages.

Best Practices

Commit Often

Use meaningful messages and document your changes.

Use Branches

Experiment with features or new layouts in separate branches.

Backup Your Site

Clone repositories locally to keep a local copy.

Keep Repos Organized

Use folder structure and naming conventions.

Alternatives to GitHub Hosting

Netlify

Drag and drop interface, GitHub integration.

Vercel

Ideal for frontend frameworks like Next.js.

Firebase Hosting

Good for apps with a backend, includes CDN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GitHub hosting really free?

Yes, GitHub Pages is free for public repositories with no hidden charges.

Can I host a WordPress site on GitHub Pages?

No. GitHub Pages supports only static content, not PHP or MySQL.

Can I use a custom domain with GitHub Pages?

Yes, GitHub allows full support for custom domains and HTTPS.

Is there a limit on bandwidth or storage?

There are soft limits (1GB repo, 100GB bandwidth/month), but suitable for most users.

Final Thoughts

GitHub hosting through GitHub Pages empowers anyone to publish static websites effortlessly and at zero cost. With tools like Jekyll, integrated version control, and HTTPS support, it’s a professional-grade hosting solution accessible to beginners. Whether you’re building a portfolio, documentation hub, or learning web development, this guide equips you with everything you need to publish your site confidently.