Guide
A free GitHub Pages alternative — without Git
Last updated: 21 June 2026
GitHub Pages is a popular way to host static sites for free, but it assumes you’re comfortable with Git and a repository workflow. If you just want your site online without that — or you need password protection and easy rollback, which GitHub Pages doesn’t offer — MakeMySiteLive is a free alternative: upload a ZIP and you’re live. Here’s how to switch.
What you’ll need
- ✓Your site files (or your GitHub Pages repo contents) with an index.html at the root.
- ✓A way to create a .zip archive (built into Windows and macOS).
- ✓A free MakeMySiteLive account.
Steps
- 1
Get your site files
Use the same static HTML/CSS/JS you’d push to a gh-pages branch or /docs folder. Make sure there’s an index.html at the top level.
- 2
Build first if your site is generated
If you use Jekyll, Hugo, Astro, or similar, run the build locally to produce the static output folder. You’ll upload the built files, not the source.
- 3
ZIP it
Compress your site (or build output) into a single .zip archive.
- 4
Create a free account and upload
Sign up, create a site, pick a subdomain, and upload the ZIP. No repository, no Actions, no gh-pages branch — it’s live in about two minutes.
- 5
Add what GitHub Pages lacks
On a paid site you can password-protect the site, connect a custom domain with automatic SSL, and roll back to any previous version with one click.
Frequently asked questions
Why use MakeMySiteLive instead of GitHub Pages?
If you don’t want a Git workflow, or you need password protection and one-click rollback (which GitHub Pages doesn’t offer), MakeMySiteLive lets you upload a ZIP and go live — with free SSL on every site. See the full GitHub Pages comparison.
Is it free like GitHub Pages?
Yes — every account gets one permanent free site with a free subdomain and free SSL. Custom domains and password protection are on paid sites.
Can I host a Jekyll or Hugo site?
Yes. Build it locally and upload the generated static files (with an index.html). MakeMySiteLive serves static output; it doesn’t run the build the way GitHub Pages’ Jekyll integration does.
Can I keep my custom domain?
Yes. On a paid site, point your domain with a CNAME record and SSL is issued automatically — no manual certificate setup.
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