Guide
How to host a portfolio website for free
Last updated: 21 June 2026
Your portfolio is often the first thing a client or recruiter sees, so it needs to be live, fast, and on a clean URL — without paying for hosting you don’t need. If you have your portfolio as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (hand-built or exported from a builder or AI tool), you can put it online for free in a couple of minutes. Here’s how.
What you’ll need
- ✓Your portfolio files, with an index.html as the homepage.
- ✓A way to create a .zip archive (built into Windows and macOS).
- ✓An email address to create a free account — no credit card.
Steps
- 1
Get your portfolio ready
Put your portfolio files — index.html, CSS, images, and any PDFs like your résumé — into one folder. The index.html is the page visitors land on.
- 2
Create a ZIP
Compress the folder into a single .zip. On Windows: right-click → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder. On macOS: right-click → Compress.
- 3
Create a free account
Sign up for MakeMySiteLive. Every account includes one permanent free site — enough to host a portfolio at no cost.
- 4
Upload and pick your URL
Create a site, choose a subdomain like yourname.makemysitelive.com, and upload your ZIP. It’s scanned and published in under two minutes.
- 5
Share it (and add your domain later)
Your portfolio is live with free HTTPS — put the link on your CV and LinkedIn. Connect a custom domain like yourname.com on a paid site whenever you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is hosting a portfolio really free?
Yes. Every account gets one permanent free site with a free subdomain and free SSL. The free site shows a small MakeMySiteLive badge. A custom domain needs a paid site.
Can I host my résumé PDF too?
Yes. Include the PDF in your ZIP and link to it from your page — it’s served like any other file.
Can I use my own domain for my portfolio?
Yes, on a paid site: point your domain with a single CNAME record and SSL is issued automatically. See the custom-domain guide for the steps.
Will a builder or AI-generated portfolio work?
Yes, as long as it’s static HTML/CSS/JS with an index.html at the root. Export it, ZIP it, and upload.
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