Simple Static Websites With GitHub Pages

Over the last few months, I’ve noticed that I’ve created a few quick and dirty websites using GitHub Pages. And when I mentioned the latest one on Twitter yesterday, a friend asked if I could take the time to explain how I did it. Which, of course, I’m very happy to do.

Do you mind sharing the knowledge in a step-by-step instructions, please?

— Mohammad S Anwar (@cpan_author) August 25, 2018

Let’s start with a couple of caveats. Firstly, GitHub Pages is a service provided by GitHub (the clue is in the name). If you’re not comfortable with the idea of source code control, Git and GitHub then GitHub Pages probably isn’t the best place for you to host your simple static websites. Secondly, GitHub Pages were originally introduced to enable Open Source Software projects to have a quick and easy way to create a good-looking website to market their wares. I’m not sure how happy GitHub is that people are using their services to host free websites. So please don’t take liberties with their generosity. If you’re planning to create a site that will be heavily visited or that you will make a load of money from, then please look elsewhere for hosting.

With that all out of the way, perhaps I should explain what GitHub Pages are.