A Complete Guide - Web Designing Website Deployment using GitHub Pages and Netlify

Last Updated: 03 Jul, 2025   
  YOU NEED ANY HELP? THEN SELECT ANY TEXT.

Web Designing Website Deployment using GitHub Pages and Netlify

GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages is a free web hosting service that serves websites directly from your GitHub repository. It's a great starting point for beginners and small projects. Here's how to deploy your website using GitHub Pages:

1. Prepare your website:

  • Structure your files: Organize your project files, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other assets, into a specific directory structure.
  • Version control: If you haven’t already, initialize a GitHub repository for your website. This allows you to track changes and collaborate with others effectively.

2. Create a new GitHub repository:

  • Login or sign up: Ensure you have an account on GitHub.
  • Create a new repository: Click on the ‘New’ button, give your repository a name (e.g., username.github.io for a personal site), and optionally initialize with a README file.

3. Upload your files:

  • Upload files: Drag and drop your project files into the GitHub repository.
  • Commit changes: Use GitHub’s interface or a local Git client to commit your files.

4. Set up GitHub Pages:

  • Settings tab: Navigate to the Settings tab in your repository.
  • GitHub Pages section: In the Pages section, set the Source to the branch where your website files are hosted (usually main or master).
  • Automatic deployment: Each time you push a commit to this branch, GitHub Pages will automatically deploy the new changes.

5. Visit your live site:

  • URL: Once configured, GitHub Pages will generate a URL for your website (e.g.,
  • Custom domain (optional): You can also set up a custom domain by adding a CNAME file to your repository.

Netlify

Netlify is another powerful platform for deploying static websites and web applications. It not only offers free hosting but also additional features like continuous deployment, build plugins, and a generous free tier.

1. Prepare your website:

  • Structure your files: Organize your project files as before.
  • Version control: Ensure you have a Git repository ready.

2. Create a new Netlify account:

  • Sign up: Go to the Netlify website and sign up for an account using your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket credentials.

3. Connect your repository:

  • Add new site: Click on ‘New site from Git’ and select your hosting provider (GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket).
  • Select repository: Pick the repository containing your website files.

4. Configure build settings:

  • Base directory: Specify the folder where your project files are located (if applicable).
  • Publish directory: Indicate the folder containing the final build files (where your index.html is located).
  • Build command (optional): If your project uses a static site generator (like Jekyll, Hugo, Gatsby), enter the necessary build command.

5. Deploy your website:

  • Deploy: Click on ‘Deploy site’. Netlify will automatically build and deploy your project.
  • Access your live site: Once deployed, Netlify will provide you with a URL to access your live website (e.g.,

6. Customize deployments:

  • Settings: Access the settings of your deployed site to make changes like setting up a custom domain, enabling continuous deployment, or adding environment variables.
  • Build hooks: Use build hooks to trigger rebuilds when specific changes are detected.
  • Asset optimization: Netlify offers built-in asset optimization tools to enhance the performance of your site.

Key Differences

  • Ease of Use: GitHub Pages is simpler and ideal for beginners. Netlify, while more complex, offers more advanced features.
  • Features: Netlify provides additional features such as continuous deployment, serverless functions, and detailed analytics.
  • Cost: GitHub Pages is free with limited features. Netlify also offers a generous free tier with limited builds and bandwidth, but scales up with paid plans.

Conclusion

Both GitHub Pages and Netlify are powerful tools for deploying web designs. Your choice depends on the complexity of your project, your technical expertise, and your specific requirements. GitHub Pages is an excellent starting point for smaller projects or personal sites, while Netlify offers a more comprehensive suite of features suitable for professional-grade deployments.

Online Code run

🔔 Note: Select your programming language to check or run code at

💻 Run Code Compiler

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Implement Web Designing Website Deployment using GitHub Pages and Netlify

Example Website Content

First, let's create a simple HTML website. Create three files named index.html, styles.css, and script.js.

index.html:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Beginner's Website</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
    <header>
        <h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
    </header>
    <main>
        <p>This is a simple example website for beginners to learn web design and deployment.</p>
    </main>
    <footer>
        <p>&copy; 2023 My Website</p>
    </footer>
    <script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

styles.css:

body {
    font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
    margin: 0;
    padding: 0;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    min-height: 100vh;
    background-color: #f4f4f4;
}

header, footer {
    background-color: #333;
    color: #fff;
    text-align: center;
    padding: 1em 0;
}

main {
    flex: 1;
    padding: 20px;
    text-align: center;
}

script.js:

console.log("This is a simple script file.");

1. Deploying using GitHub Pages

Step 1: Create a GitHub Account

If you don’t already have a GitHub account, sign up at GitHub.

Step 2: Create a New Repository

  1. Go to your GitHub homepage and click on the "+” icon in the upper-right corner and select “New repository”.
  2. Name the repository something like my-website.
  3. Make sure it’s Public (free) and initialize with a README.md file. Click “Create repository”.

Step 3: Clone the Repository to Your Local Machine

  1. On the repository page, click the green "Code" button and copy the URL.
  2. Open your terminal/command prompt and run the command: 
    git clone
  3. Navigate into the cloned directory: 
    cd my-website

Step 4: Add Your Website Files to the Repository

  1. Copy the index.html, styles.css, and script.js files from your local computer into the my-website folder.
  2. Stage the changes, commit them, and push to GitHub: 
    git add .
git commit -m "Add basic website files"
git push -u origin main

Step 5: Setup GitHub Pages

  1. Go to your repository on GitHub.
  2. Click on "Settings" (gear icon).
  3. Scroll down to the "Pages" section.
  4. Set the source to main and the root to /, then click "Save".
  5. Wait a minute, then look for the URL provided in the "Pages" section. It should look something like

2. Deploying using Netlify

Step 1: Create a Netlify Account

If you don't already have a Netlify account, sign up at Netlify.

Step 2: Connect Your GitHub Repository to Netlify

  1. Go to your Netlify dashboard.
  2. Click "Sites" in the left-hand menu.
  3. Click “New site from Git”.
  4. Choose “GitHub” from the list of providers.
  5. Authenticate with GitHub and select the my-website repository you created earlier.
  6. Click “Deploy site”.

Step 3: Configure Netlify (Optional)

In most cases, Netlify will detect the site configuration automatically. However, you can manually set up the build settings if necessary:

  1. Click on the site name in your Netlify dashboard.
  2. Navigate to “Site settings”.
  3. Go to “Build & deploy” > “Build settings”.
  4. Set the publish directory to /, or leave it as the default.
  5. Optionally, you can add build commands if your site requires them.
  6. Click "Save" and "Deploy site".

Step 4: Your Site is Live

Once the build is successful, Netlify will provide a live URL for your website, usually in the form of

Summary

Congratulations, you have successfully deployed a simple website using both GitHub Pages and Netlify! Here’s a quick recap:

  • GitHub Pages: Use this for static websites with simple content. It’s free and easy to set up, especially for small projects.
  • Netlify: Provides more features such as continuous deployment, custom domains, and SSL for free. It’s a good choice if you plan to expand your website in the future or if you require more flexibility in your hosting environment.
 YOU NEED ANY HELP? THEN SELECT ANY TEXT.

Top 10 Interview Questions & Answers on Web Designing Website Deployment using GitHub Pages and Netlify

Top 10 Questions and Answers on Web Designing and Website Deployment Using GitHub Pages and Netlify

1. What is GitHub Pages and how does it compare to Netlify?

Netlify, on the other hand, is a comprehensive platform for front-end web development and static site hosting. It offers continuous deployment, automated builds, pre-built asset optimization, and integrations with various build tools and services. Netlify also provides free SSL certificates, custom domains, and CDN integration. While GitHub Pages focuses more on static content, Netlify offers a broader solution for more complex projects.

2. How do I deploy a simple website using GitHub Pages?

Answer: Deploying a simple website using GitHub Pages is straightforward. Here's a quick guide:

  1. Create a new repository on GitHub or use an existing one. For a user site, the repository name must be <username>.github.io.
  2. Add your website files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to the repository.
  3. Go to the repository’s settings, find the "GitHub Pages" section, and select the branch you want to deploy (usually main or master).
  4. GitHub Pages will automatically build and publish your site. You can view your live site at

3. How do I use Netlify to deploy a website?

Answer: To deploy a website using Netlify, follow these steps:

  1. Create an account on Netlify.
  2. Connect your GitHub account via Netlify, or upload your files manually.
  3. Click on 'New site from Git' and choose your GitHub repository.
  4. Set the build command and specify the publish directory, such as npm run build and /dist respectively.
  5. Click 'Deploy site'. Netlify will build and deploy your website.
  6. After deployment, you can access your site using a Netlify subdomain (like xyz.netlify.app).

4. Can I deploy a single-page application (SPA) on GitHub Pages or Netlify?

Answer: Yes, both GitHub Pages and Netlify can host single-page applications. However, there's a minor caveat with GitHub Pages:

  • With GitHub Pages, you may encounter a "404 Not Found" error when refreshing the page or accessing a direct link because GitHub Pages doesn't support client-side routing by default. To resolve this, include a 404.html file in your project that redirects users to your index.html.
  • Netlify handles SPA routing out of the box, so you don't face any issues with URL changes or page refreshes.

5. How do I add a custom domain with GitHub Pages and Netlify?

Answer: GitHub Pages:

  1. Add a CNAME file in your repository’s root directory with your custom domain name.
  2. Go to your domain registrar or DNS manager, add a CNAME record pointing to <username>.github.io.
  3. In the GitHub repository settings under GitHub Pages, add your custom domain.
  4. GitHub Pages will handle SSL automatically for custom domains.

Netlify:

  1. Go to your Netlify site dashboard, then click on 'Domain management'.
  2. Click 'Add custom domain', follow the prompts to configure your DNS settings.
  3. Add a CNAME record in your DNS manager pointing to <your-site>.netlify.app.
  4. Netlify will automatically manage SSL for your custom domain.

6. What are the main limitations of GitHub Pages?

Answer: GitHub Pages has some limitations:

  • Support is limited to static sites.
  • Custom 404 error pages need special handling.
  • Limited build and development integrations compared to Netlify.
  • Slower deployment and build times for larger projects.
  • Limited control over server configurations and redirects.

7. What are some integrations and features of Netlify?

Answer: Netlify offers numerous integrations and features:

  • Continuous Deployment: Automatically redeploys when new code is pushed to your repository.
  • Asset Optimization: Automates image compression, JavaScript minification, and more.
  • Form Handling: Integrated forms without backend code.
  • Netlify Functions: Serverless backend functions.
  • Identity Management: User account management and authentication.
  • Preview Deployments: Creates a temporary deployment for every pull request.
  • CDN Caching: Speeds up content delivery.
  • SSL Certificate Management: Free SSL for custom domains.

8. How can I deploy a React app using Netlify?

Answer: To deploy a React app using Netlify:

  1. Create a new React project or use an existing one (npx create-react-app my-app).
  2. Push your project to a GitHub repository.
  3. Log in to Netlify, connect your GitHub account, and choose your repository.
  4. In build settings, set the build command to npm run build and the publish directory to build.
  5. Click 'Deploy site'. Netlify will automatically build and deploy your React app.
  6. After deployment, your site is accessible via a Netlify subdomain.

9. How can I deploy a Jekyll site on GitHub Pages?

Answer: To deploy a Jekyll site on GitHub Pages:

  1. Create a new repository on GitHub.
  2. Add a _config.yml file with basic Jekyll settings.
  3. Add markdown files for your static content.
  4. Go to the repository settings, under "GitHub Pages" select main or master branch.
  5. GitHub Pages will build and host your Jekyll site. You can access it with
  6. Remember to exclude the _site folder from your repository using .gitignore.

10. What are some best practices for deploying websites using GitHub Pages or Netlify?

Answer: Best practices for website deployment include:

  • Version Control: Use Git for version control and collaboration.
  • Documentation: Maintain clear documentation for setup and build processes.
  • Testing: Test your website before deployment for bugs and performance.
  • Environment Variables: Store sensitive keys and configurations in environment variables.
  • Automated Builds: Leverage continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines.
  • Performance Optimization: Optimize assets, use lazy loading for images, and enable caching.
  • SEO: Ensure your site is optimized for search engines with relevant metadata.
  • Security: Use HTTPS, keep dependencies updated, and secure custom domains.

You May Like This Related .NET Topic

📥 Download Code ▶️ Watch Online 📖 Read Description

Login to post a comment.