Dean Hipkiss

Free website hosting with GitHub Pages

Published: January 10, 2025

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GitHub Pages - Hosting for Free!

When you're ready to build and host a website, there are many options to consider. You might wonder: Should I use a website generator? Can I write the code myself? Or maybe even use AI to create the site? Then, there's the question of hosting: Where will I host it? Will it cost money, and if so, will those costs change over time?

One hosting option worth considering, especially if you're comfortable writing your own code and want a cost-effective solution, is GitHub Pages.

What is GitHub Pages?

GitHub Pages offers free web hosting straight from your GitHub repository, giving you a fast, no-fuss way to launch static websites. Perfect for developers, designers, or anyone wanting to get a site live without the headaches of server management. Whether it's a portfolio, blog, or project showcase, GitHub Pages lets you focus on what matters, your content!

If you're a hobbyist, small business owner, or just need a simple website, this is the perfect solution. No more complicated setups—just push your code to GitHub and voilà, your site is live. It’s quick, easy, and, best of all, completely free!

Why choose GitHub Pages?

Here are some reasons why GitHub Pages might be the right fit for you:

  1. Free Hosting

    • Cost-effective: GitHub Pages offers free hosting for static websites. You can host personal projects, portfolios, or documentation without paying for hosting or a domain (if you use GitHub’s default subdomain).
    • No Server Maintenance: Since GitHub Pages only hosts static content, you don’t need to worry about managing servers or dealing with server-side technology.

  2. Easy Setup

    • Quick Deployment: Setting up a GitHub Pages site is simple. Just push your code to a GitHub repository and enable GitHub Pages in the settings. The platform will take care of most of the hosting automatically.
    • No Complex Configuration: You can build your site using just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, no need for backend technology or databases.

  3. Custom Domains

    • Free Subdomain: GitHub Pages provides a free subdomain (e.g., username.github.io).
    • Easy Customization: You can also connect your own domain (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com) with straightforward setup.

  4. Version Control and Updates

    • Version Control: Your site is tied to your GitHub repository, meaning automatic versioning and collaboration.
    • Automatic Updates: Every push to your repo instantly updates your site.

  5. Secure and Reliable

    • HTTPS Support: Free HTTPS encryption ensures secure connections for visitors.
    • Reliability: GitHub’s infrastructure handles uptime and delivery.

  6. Perfect for Documentation and Portfolios

    • Open Source Projects: Great for hosting project documentation, landing pages, or guides.
    • Portfolios and Personal Sites: Showcase your work with minimal effort.

  7. Supports Client-Side Frameworks

    • Works with React, Vue.js, Angular, and other static site setups.
    • Supports build tools like Webpack or Create React App.

  8. Built-in Automation

    • GitHub Actions: Automate building and deploying your site with CI/CD pipelines.

Use Cases for GitHub Pages

  • Personal Websites/Portfolios: Showcase your work, skills, and projects.
  • Project Documentation: Host docs for open-source or personal projects.
  • Blogs: Use Jekyll or other static site generators.
  • Landing Pages: Build fast landing pages for products or services.
  • Small Business Websites: Affordable and easy solution for small businesses.

Limitations of GitHub Pages

  • Static Content Only: No server-side processing or databases (like PHP, Node.js).
  • Customization: Limited flexibility compared to full-featured hosts.
  • Storage: Max 1 GB per site.
  • Bandwidth: Soft limit of 100 GB/month.
  • Account Limit: One user or organization site per GitHub account.
  • Public Repository: Free hosting requires your repo to be public.

GitHub Pages offers free, simple web hosting for static websites directly from your GitHub repository. It's perfect for small businesses, personal sites, portfolios, documentation, and blogs. It's quick to set up, secure, and cost-effective.

For information on how to get started, visit my blog post:
👉 How to host a website on GitHub Pages