How to Add a Custom Domain to GitHub Pages

Adding a custom domain to your GitHub Pages site gives it a professional look and enhances your brand identity.

Step-by-step guide to configure a custom domain for GitHub Pages.

This guide will help you configure a custom domain (e.g., www.example.com) for your GitHub Pages website.

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Why Use a Custom Domain?

• Improves branding and credibility.
• Enhances SEO rankings.
• Allows multiple projects under one domain (e.g., blog.example.com, docs.example.com).
• Provides better control over website URLs.

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Prerequisites

Before you proceed, ensure you have:

• A GitHub Pages site already set up.
• A custom domain purchased from a registrar (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare).
• Access to your DNS settings via your domain provider.

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Step 1: Configure GitHub Pages

1. Open your GitHub repository.
2. Navigate to Settings > Pages.
3. Under Custom domain, enter your domain name (e.g., www.example.com).
4. Click Save, and GitHub will suggest DNS records.

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Step 2: Update DNS Records

To connect your domain to GitHub Pages, configure your DNS records with your registrar.

For Root Domain (example.com):

• Add A Records pointing to GitHub Pages IP addresses:

  Type	Name	Value	TTL
  A	@	185.199.108.153	Auto
  A	@	185.199.109.153	Auto
  A	@	185.199.110.153	Auto
  A	@	185.199.111.153	Auto

For Subdomain (www.example.com):

• Add a CNAME record:

  Type	Name	Value	TTL
  CNAME	www	your-github-username.github.io	Auto

📌 Example: If your site is hosted at yourusername.github.io, your CNAME should point www to yourusername.github.io.

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Step 3: Add a CNAME File in Your GitHub Repository

1. In your GitHub repository, go to the root directory.
2. Create a new file named CNAME.
3. Inside the file, add your custom domain (e.g., www.example.com).
4. Commit and push the file.

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Step 4: Enable HTTPS (Optional but Recommended)

• Go to GitHub Settings > Pages.
• Check the Enforce HTTPS box.
• GitHub will generate an SSL certificate (may take some time).

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Troubleshooting Tips

Issue: Domain Not Working

✅ Double-check DNS records and propagation status (DNS Checker). ✅ Ensure the CNAME file in your repository is correct. ✅ Allow some time for DNS propagation.

Issue: SSL Certificate Not Available

✅ Enable Enforce HTTPS in GitHub Pages settings. ✅ Wait for GitHub to generate the certificate. ✅ Remove any conflicting SSL settings from your registrar.

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Conclusion

Adding a custom domain to GitHub Pages is a simple yet essential step to enhance your website's professionalism and accessibility. Follow these steps, and your custom domain will be live in no time!

🚀 Try it out and elevate your GitHub Pages site today!