oh thanks i understood
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i finished basic css and now i am just
helping anyone in it
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Ive been watching the video you provided 
So do I need to use Git for GitHub or can I just make all my commits on GitHub and use them in that?
You can technically add your files right on GitHub without having to touch the command line.
You can also edit those files right on GitHub.
However, if you are interested in becoming developer I would highly suggesting learning how to use a version control software like git.
It might be intimidating at first but it is really important to know.
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ok got you. I got to the whole SSH part and it seemed a little confusing but I’ll power through it.
It is normal to be confused at first.
I think the best thing to do is to create a couple of practice repos.
You can always delete them later.
You can follow along with a video or use the github docs.
Then once you have done it a few times you will start to feel more comfortable.
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Ok thanks.
So basically to launch a website live, I would add my repository to Git Hub Pages. Then hand that url they provide over to a DNS provider?
Just making sure I understand the process for the sake of my original post 
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There is a place on the repo settings to add your custom domain.
When you do that it will create a CNAME file in the root directory of your project.
Then you will contact your domain provider so they can set the CNAME records to your domain.
I used this article when I was launching my first site.
https://hossainkhan.medium.com/using-custom-domain-for-github-pages-86b303d3918a
Depending on your domain provider you can also speak with a tech specialist on how to get setup.
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Just wanted to add that there is a distinction between a web domain name and a web host. Typically you purchase a domain name and then purchase a hosting plan. They can be with the same company, but they don’t have to be.
There are some really cheap hosting plans out there. I think I’m paying like $5 a month and my host gives 1 month free if paying up front for the year.
Back in the day hosting and domain names were pricey. Now they are very cheap for the most part.
When I had a business, the domain name alone was like $150yr + $100/yr for hosting, and I had 2 domain names pointing to one site, so like $400/yr. My how things have changed.
I’m using namecheap for my domain name (I think my name was about $9/yr) and TotalChoice Hosting Silver Plan (Virtual Shared Hosting) for my host. Mainly because I had a site hosted by them for 12yrs, so I am familiar with them. But there’s tons of other options out there.
Anyways, if you decide at some point you want to upload content to your own site instead of associating it with another existing service like github, purchase a cheap web host plan. Doesn’t need to be full feature plan, you won’t be getting a lot of traffic to start. Later on you can upgrade your plan if you want to open an ecommerce site or something that needs more space/bandwidth.
Files are typically uploaded to your host through FTP using an FTP client. A lot of hosts provide management tools like cpanel as well for managing your site, uploading files, setting permissions on directories, installing databases, scripts, wordpress, etc.
Maybe you want the full experience of how it would be done in “the real world” on a commercial site. Or maybe that’s not what you want to do right now. But I thought it was worth mentioning because eventually you might want to move towards something like that once you outgrow dependence on codepen, github, which are more useful for sharing code & projects that others can use and participate.
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Wow, that’s expensive! 
I am glad things have changed.
I pay $90 per year for bluehost.
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Yeah, this was early 2000s. So many more less expensive options these days! Probably even cheaper ones than mine, but my host offers unlimited pop email accounts which is included in my plan. I didn’t want to have to pay extra elsewhere for me@mydomain.com
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Wow, that is very shocking to me that they wouldn’t know their own business.
GoDaddy used to just sell domain names, but they also offer hosting services now I think.
Nobody knows everything, but like WOW, thats the business they’re in.
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I was going to post the same thing. Everyone always over look step 1 when giving instructions.
Step 1: get a hosting plan.
Step 2. Put your files on your hosting plan. IF you didn’t build using your domain or relative links, you’ll have to replace all instances of the temporary domain name with the correct domain name.
Step 3. Connect your domain to the hosting plan (unless your provider already did this.)
Step 4: install packages, if necessary.
Step 5: re-setup, re-connect database, if you have one.
Step 6: test, debug, repeat, repeat, repeat… They never deploy fully on the first try
What is missing from tuscannypolk’s description is what was used to build the program. If it’s node.js (or similar architecture,) then you need to make sure you have node.js on your hosting plan AND all the dependent packages.
PLUS, if you have a database, you have to re-create your database on the hosting plan AND re-connect your database, unless you use a deployment tool (I’ve never used one.)
I create an environment settings file that contains all the information that changes when switching between environments, such as live and testing., such as domain name, path, logins. It is kept outside public_html so it doesn’t get changed when I deploy.
All of these steps need to be done even if you use WordPress to build locally then deploy. With WordPress, however, you can buy a tool to do the hard parts for you.
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Good points… I was giving the generic rundown, but yes, definitely check what backend services your host provides and understand their pricing BEFORE purchasing to save some post purchase grief later on.
Not all of them provide or offer the same tools/services, or charge extra for certain things on an “add-on” basis.
Thanks for elaborating on that!
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I think part of the issue is that you were a little vague on what kinds of website you were interested in building.
When I first read your post, I assumed you were interested in putting some of your personal projects online and not using tools like codepen.
That is why I had suggested github pages.
But if you are interested in building real world applications for clients then you will have follow the advice of @a_aramini and @lisatwin1 .
Based on previous posts made by @tuscannypolk , I think it is just vanilla javascript.
But my main point is, it would help if you were more specific about what you are looking to achieve 
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Well, you technically addressed the issue. Meets the stated requirements and is a “free as in beer” option. 
I just brought up the purchased host option because it gives them a way to see how it would be done when working at a company or hosting and managing your own.
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I think I just replied in the wrong spot anyways. It wasn’t meant to be in response to your remark, lol.
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Ohh no worries.
I just jumped to the conclusion that they were interested in creating live version of personal projects.
But I should have asked if this was for client work because then your answer would have been better 
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Probably better that they start out the way you suggested. I remember learning all the setup, how it all works and trying to learn CSS 1.0 or whatever and looking up HTML and trying to run a business for the first time. A lot of things to juggle and melt the brain lol
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https://codepen.io/TuscannyCodes/full/jOBLaMg
So basically to help try to clear up confusion, I would like to know how I would go about making this site live if I wanted to do it for myself or a client. The site is built with HTML, CSS and vanilla Javascript.
But really I just wanted to know how to make any site live and public. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks so much for all the information 
I think right now, the GitHub Pages will work best for me.
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