Not a pretend one. A real site, on the real internet, at your own address like yourname.com. You don't need to know how to code. You need this page and an AI app.
00 / the shortcut
Don't want to read? Copy this.
Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. Fill in your idea at the bottom. Your AI will walk you through every step on this page, one at a time.
the whole thing, in one prompt
I want to make a real website and put it online at my own domain name (like mysite.com), today. I'm a beginner, so explain everything in simple words and walk me through it ONE step at a time. Wait for me to say "done" before you move on.
Here's the plan:
1. PLAN IT: Ask me what my site is for, who it's for, and what should be on it. Then write a markdown file that describes the site.
2. BUILD IT: Build the site as a single index.html file. Put the whole file in one code block. Tell me how to save it on my computer.
3. GITHUB: Help me make a free GitHub account, create a new repository, and upload my index.html using the GitHub website (no coding tools).
4. VERCEL: Help me make a free Vercel account by signing up with GitHub, then import my repository so my site goes live on a free .vercel.app link.
5. DOMAIN: Help me pick a good domain name and buy it from a registrar like Cloudflare, Porkbun or Namecheap. Warn me about renewal prices and extras I don't need.
6. CONNECT IT: Help me add my domain in Vercel, then add the DNS records Vercel shows me at my registrar (usually an A record and a CNAME record).
7. UPDATE IT: Show me how to change my site later. When I edit the file on GitHub, Vercel updates the site automatically.
Before each step, tell me in one or two sentences what it is and why it matters. If my screen looks different from what you describe, ask me what I see.
My website idea: [DESCRIBE YOUR IDEA, e.g. a page for my lawn care business]
Tip: if you're using an app on a computer, open this page and your AI side by side.
01 / the big picture
Four pieces. That's all a website is.
Every website you've ever visited works like this. Once you see it, it's not scary anymore.
📄Your filesThe website itself. Usually one file called index.html. AI writes it for you.
→
🐙GitHubStores your files safely online and remembers every version.
→
▲VercelTakes your files from GitHub and puts them on the internet.
→
🌐Your domainThe address people type, like yourname.com. Points to Vercel.
Think of it like a store.
Your files are the products. GitHub is the warehouse. Vercel is the store building. Your domain is the street address on the sign.
02 / the words, explained
What these things are, and why you want them.
free
What is GitHub?
A website that stores your project's files online. Every time you change something, it saves a new version, so you can always go back. It's where almost every programmer in the world keeps their work.
Why use it:
Never lose your work. It lives online, not on one laptop.
Undo anything. Every version is saved.
It's your portfolio. Employers look at GitHub. It shows you build things.
It connects to Vercel. Change a file, and your site updates by itself.
ask your AI
Explain what GitHub is and why beginners should use it, in simple words. What's a "repository" and what's a "commit"? Use an everyday example.
about $10–20 a year
What is a domain?
Your website's address, like google.com or aictuallyhelp.com. You rent it by the year. Without one, your site still works, it just has a longer free address like yoursite.vercel.app.
Why get one: it looks professional, it's easy to remember, and it goes on business cards, flyers and resumes. You can also get a matching email address later.
ask your AI
Give me 20 domain name ideas for [YOUR SITE OR BUSINESS]. Short, easy to spell, easy to say out loud. Mostly .com. Tell me which 3 you'd pick and why.
free for personal sites
What is Vercel?
A service that puts your website on the internet (that's called hosting). You connect it to GitHub once. After that, every time your files change on GitHub, Vercel updates your live site in about a minute. You never touch a server.
Why use it: it's free for personal projects (the “Hobby” plan), it's fast, and it gives you a secure https:// link automatically.
ask your AI
Explain what website hosting is and what Vercel does, in simple words. How does Vercel work with GitHub?
Where to buy a domain
Any of these work. Search the name you want, check the price, buy it. You'll look up your domain on whichever one you pick.
Check the renewal price (what it costs next year), not just the first-year deal. Skip extras like paid email, “SEO tools” or site builders. You don't need them. Free privacy protection is normal now.
0 / 6 done
03 / step by step
Do it yourself, one step at a time.
A computer is easiest for this (a library computer works great). Check off each step as you go. This page remembers your progress.
1
step 1 · 15 min · free
Build your site with AI
Describe what you want. The AI writes the whole website as one file.
prompt
I want a simple, modern website for [YOUR IDEA]. Ask me questions one at a time about what should be on it. Then build it as a single index.html file that works on phones. Put the whole file in one code block.
When the AI gives you the code, tap Copy on its code block.
Open a plain text editor: Notepad on Windows, or TextEdit on Mac (in TextEdit, choose Format → Make Plain Text first).
Paste. Save it as index.html exactly. Put it in a new folder called my-website.
Double-click index.html. It opens in your browser. That's your website! It's just only on your computer for now.
Want changes?
Tell the AI: “Make the title bigger and change the color to green. Give me the full updated file in a code block.” Then save over the old file.
2
step 2 · 10 min · free
Put it on GitHub
This stores your site online so Vercel can find it. Everything happens on the GitHub website. No special tools needed.
Go to github.com/signup and make a free account. Pick a professional username. It shows up in your links.
Click the + at the top right → New repository. (A repository, or “repo,” is just a project folder on GitHub.)
Name it something like my-website. Leave it Public. Check Add a README file. Click Create repository.
In your new repo, click Add file → Upload files. Drag in your index.html.
Scroll down and click Commit changes. (A commit = saving a version.)
stuck? ask your AI
I'm trying to upload my index.html file to a new GitHub repository using the website. I'm stuck. Here's what I see on my screen: [DESCRIBE IT]. What do I click next?
3
step 3 · 5 min · free
Connect Vercel to GitHub, and go live
This is the moment your site goes on the real internet.
Go to vercel.com/signup. Choose the Hobby (free) plan and click Continue with GitHub. Say yes when GitHub asks for permission.
Click Add New… → Project.
Find your my-website repo and click Import. Don't see it? Click the option to adjust GitHub permissions and give Vercel access to that repo.
Leave the settings as they are (Framework: Other is fine). Click Deploy.
Wait about a minute. 🎉 You get a link like my-website.vercel.app. Open it on your phone. It's live. Anyone in the world can see it.
From now on:
Every time you change a file on GitHub, Vercel updates your site automatically. You never have to do this step again.
4
step 4 · 10 min · about $10–20/year
Buy your domain
Optional, but this is what makes it feel real. Pick a registrar from the list above.
Search for the name you want. If it's taken, try a small change, or ask your AI for ideas.
Check the renewal price. Add it to your cart. Skip the extras.
Pay and make your account. Keep this login safe. You'll need it in the next step.
prompt
I want to buy the domain [NAME.com]. What should I watch out for at checkout? Which extras can I skip? What's a fair price for the first year and for renewal?
5
step 5 · 10 min (+ waiting) · free
Connect your domain to Vercel
You're telling the internet: “when someone types my domain, send them to my site on Vercel.” You do that with DNS records, which are like forwarding instructions.
In Vercel, open your project → Settings → Domains. Type your domain (like yourname.com) and click Add. Add the www version too if it asks.
Vercel shows you the exact records to add. Keep that tab open.
In another tab, log into where you bought your domain. Find DNS settings (sometimes called “Manage DNS” or “DNS Records”).
Add the records Vercel showed you. Usually they look like this:
DNS records (typical)
Type
Name / Host
Value / Points to
A
@
76.76.21.21
CNAME
www
cname.vercel-dns.com
Important:
If Vercel shows you different values, use Vercel's. They're specific to your site. Delete any old A record for @ that points somewhere else.
Save. Go back to Vercel and wait. It can take a few minutes, sometimes up to a day or two. When it shows a green check, you're done.
Type your domain into any browser. 🎉 That's your website. The lock icon (https) is set up automatically.
stuck? ask your AI
I'm connecting my domain from [REGISTRAR, e.g. Porkbun] to my Vercel project. Vercel says to add these records: [PASTE WHAT VERCEL SHOWS]. Walk me through adding them on [REGISTRAR], step by step.
6
step 6 · 2 min · free forever
Change it whenever you want
Your site isn't finished. It grows with you. Here's how to update it:
Ask your AI for the change, and get the full updated file in a code block.
On GitHub, open your repo → click index.html → click the pencil ✏️ (Edit).
Select all the old code, delete it, paste the new code. Click Commit changes.
Wait about a minute. Refresh your site. Updated. ✨
prompt
Here's my current website code. Change it so that [WHAT YOU WANT CHANGED]. Give me the FULL updated file in one code block, not just the changed part.
[PASTE YOUR index.html]
🌐
You have a real website.
Put the link on your resume, your business card, your social media. You built that. Next idea?