How to Publish an HTML Website with GitHub Pages

TL;DR

Publish an HTML website by uploading its project files to a public GitHub repository, enabling GitHub Pages for the branch containing the code, and naming the main page index.html. GitHub then provides a public address, while a registered custom domain can be connected through DNS settings. Read on for the exact upload structure, publishing steps, and fixes for common loading problems.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• GitHub Pages is a free service that publishes website files from a public GitHub repository, making it suitable for beginners who want other people to access an HTML and CSS project through the internet.
• A repository is the location where the website's files are stored on GitHub. Free GitHub Pages publishing requires the repository to be public, while the transcript states that choosing a private repository requires a fee.
• The correct upload method is to drag the files and folders inside the project directory into the repository. Uploading the enclosing project folder creates an unnecessary extra folder that can interfere with the expected website structure.
• GitHub Pages publishing is activated from the repository settings by opening the Pages section and selecting the branch that contains the website code. GitHub then processes those files and makes them accessible through a public GitHub Pages address.
• An index.html file is the default page GitHub Pages looks for when a visitor opens a directory without specifying a filename. Renaming the intended main page to index.html allows the website to load directly from its base address.
• Relative file paths work online in the same general way they work on a local computer. If an HTML document references a CSS file inside a particular folder, the uploaded repository must preserve that folder and file structure.
• A custom domain is an easier address for visitors to remember than the default GitHub Pages URL. The process requires registering an available domain through a domain registrar and then linking that domain to the published website.
• A DNS record links a domain name to the IP address of the computer running GitHub's web server. After the record is configured, a browser can resolve the custom domain, contact GitHub's server, request the website files, and display the returned HTML.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you publish an HTML website with GitHub Pages?

Create or sign in to a GitHub account, make a public repository, and upload the files and folders from inside the website’s project directory. Commit the files, open the repository’s Pages settings, and select the branch containing the code. After GitHub processes the project, the site becomes available at the address shown in the settings.

Q: Does GitHub Pages publish an HTML website for free?

Yes, the lesson describes GitHub Pages as a free service when the website files are stored in a public repository. It also states that choosing a private repository requires paying a fee.

Q: Which website files should be uploaded to GitHub?

Upload the complete contents of the project folder, including the HTML files, CSS files, images, and supporting folders used by the site. Open the project folder and drag its contents into the repository rather than uploading the enclosing folder, which would create an unnecessary extra directory.

Q: How do you enable GitHub Pages for a repository?

Open the repository settings and go to the Pages section. Select the branch that contains the website code and keep the folder option at its default setting. GitHub will process the files and display the public website address when publishing is ready.

Q: Why does a GitHub Pages website show a not found page?

A not found page can appear when the address does not specify an HTML filename and the repository lacks an index.html file. The page may still load when its actual HTML filename is added to the address. Rename the intended main page to index.html and wait for GitHub to publish the change.

Q: Why should the main webpage be named index.html?

GitHub Pages looks for index.html when someone opens a website directory without specifying a file. Naming the main page index.html allows the site to load directly from its shorter base address instead of requiring the HTML filename in the URL.

Q: How do CSS files work after an HTML website is published?

CSS files are loaded online through the same relative paths used by the local project. If the HTML points to a stylesheet inside a CSS folder, that folder and file must remain in the corresponding location in the repository. Preserving the project structure keeps those file references working.

Q: How do you connect a custom domain to GitHub Pages?

Register an available domain through a domain registrar, then open the registrar’s DNS settings and add the records needed to direct the domain to GitHub’s server. Configure the repository to use that custom domain. After the DNS changes take effect, visitors can use the domain instead of the default GitHub Pages address.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• GitHub Pages provides a beginner-friendly way to publish an HTML and CSS project for free. Create or sign in to a GitHub account, make a public repository, upload the contents of the project folder, and commit the files. Upload the contents directly rather than enclosing them in an unnecessary parent folder.

• Publishing is enabled from the repository's Pages settings by selecting the branch containing the website files. GitHub then processes the project and provides a public address based on the account name and repository name. The deployment may take a few moments before the site and later file changes become available online.

• A custom domain requires purchasing an available name from a domain registrar and connecting it to GitHub's server through DNS records. The registrar's DNS settings determine where requests for that domain are sent. The lesson also covers using a www subdomain and enabling free HTTPS SSL encryption for the published website.