Launch your static site for free with GitHub Pages in minutes

GitHub Pages transforms your GitHub repository into a live static website in minutes, with zero hosting costs. Ideal for portfolios, documentation, and project demos, it supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks like React and Vue—perfect for developers who want to showcase their work without managing servers.

Why developers choose GitHub Pages for static sites

GitHub Pages is a free static site hosting service integrated with GitHub. It automatically converts your repository’s files into a live website, making it a favorite among developers who already host code on GitHub. Unlike traditional hosting, it doesn’t run backend services like PHP or Node.js, but it excels at frontend projects, documentation, and portfolios.

While larger applications often require separate backend hosting, GitHub Pages remains a reliable option for the frontend layer. Many developers pair it with services like Render or Netlify for dynamic functionality while keeping the frontend on GitHub Pages.

Step-by-step: Publish your first website on GitHub Pages

1. Create a GitHub account (if you don’t have one)

Begin by signing up for a free GitHub account at github.com. Once logged in, you’re ready to set up your first repository.

2. Set up a new repository for your site

Click New to create a repository.
Name it using a clear convention, such as your-username.github.io or project-landing-page.
Set the repository to Public to enable GitHub Pages.
Click Create repository to finalize.

Your live URL will follow this format: `

3. Add your website files to the repository

Your project only needs a few core files to launch. Start with index.html and expand with style.css or script.js as needed.

A minimal index.html might look like this:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>My Static Site</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Welcome to my GitHub Pages site</h1>
    <p>Built with HTML, CSS, and free hosting.</p>
    <script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

You can upload files directly through the GitHub web interface or push them using Git from your local machine.

4. Push your files using Git

Open your terminal in the project folder and run:

git init
git add .
git commit -m "Add initial website files"
git branch -M main
git remote add origin 
git push -u origin main

Replace your-username and repository-name with your actual GitHub username and repository name.

5. Enable GitHub Pages in your repository settings

Navigate to your repository on GitHub.

Click Settings > Pages (in the left sidebar).
Under Build and deployment, select Deploy from a branch.
Choose the main branch and the /root folder.
Click Save to trigger the deployment.

GitHub will build and publish your site automatically.

6. Open your live website

After a brief delay, your site will go live. Check the Pages section in Settings for the direct URL. It will look like: `

Key tips for smooth deployment

Use proper file paths

File paths in GitHub Pages are case-sensitive and relative to your repository’s root. For example:

To link to style.css in the same folder, use: href="style.css"
To reference an image in an images folder, use: src="images/logo.png"

Avoid absolute paths like C:/Users/name/project/image.jpg, as they only work locally.

Troubleshoot common issues

404 errors? Confirm index.html exists in the root and is spelled correctly (not Home.html or index.htm).
CSS or images not loading? Double-check paths and case sensitivity. logo.png and Logo.png are treated as different files.
Changes not appearing? Refresh your browser, clear cache, or wait a minute as GitHub Pages may need time to update.

Connect a custom domain (optional)

GitHub Pages supports custom domains. After purchasing a domain, update your DNS settings to point to your GitHub Pages URL. This replaces the default your-username.github.io address with something like yourdomain.com.

When to use (and avoid) GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages is perfect for:

Personal portfolios and resumes
Project landing pages
Documentation sites (like Javadoc or MkDocs)
Frontend demos and prototypes

Avoid it for projects needing backend logic, databases, user authentication, or server-side processing. In those cases, consider platforms like Render, Vercel, Netlify, or AWS.

Start publishing today

GitHub Pages offers a fast, secure, and cost-free way to launch static websites directly from your code repository. Whether you're a beginner testing a personal project or a seasoned developer sharing documentation, it eliminates the complexity of traditional hosting.

With just a GitHub account, a few HTML files, and a few minutes of setup, your website can be live online—ready to share with the world.

AI summary

GitHub Pages kullanarak statik web sitelerinizi ücretsiz ve kolayca yayınlayın. Adım adım kılavuz ve en iyi uygulamalar burada.