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Building a Static Website Using Publii and Netlify

Static websites are a great choice for many use cases—they are fast, secure, and easy to maintain. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to build a static website using Publii and deploy it on Netlify.

What is Publii?

Publii is a free, open-source desktop application that makes it easy to create and manage static websites without needing to code. It’s designed with simplicity in mind, providing a user-friendly interface where you can build your website locally on your computer. Once you’re happy with your site, you can publish it with a few clicks.

Why Use Publii?

  • User-Friendly: No coding required, making it accessible for beginners.
  • Offline Editing: You can build and edit your site offline, perfect for when you’re on the go.
  • Secure: Static sites are inherently more secure because they don’t rely on a database.
  • Customizable: Publii offers themes and customization options to make your site unique.

What is Netlify?

Netlify is a cloud platform that provides hosting services for static websites. It’s known for its simplicity, powerful features, and generous free tier, making it an ideal choice for deploying your Publii site.

Why Use Netlify?

  • Free Hosting: Netlify offers free hosting with generous limits, perfect for small to medium-sized sites.
  • Continuous Deployment: Automatically deploy your site from a Git repository.
  • Custom Domain: Easily add a custom domain to your site.
  • SSL Certificates: Free SSL for your site, ensuring security and trust.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building and Deploying Your Site

1. Install Publii

First, download and install Publii from the official website. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

2. Create Your Site

  • Launch Publii: Open the app and click on “Create New Website.”
  • Choose a Theme: Select a theme that fits your needs. Publii offers a variety of free themes, and you can customize them to suit your style.
  • Add Content: Start adding your content—create pages, blog posts, and other elements as needed.

3. Customize Your Site

Publii allows for extensive customization. You can:

  • Edit the theme settings: Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts.
  • Add plugins: Extend functionality with plugins like SEO optimization and analytics.
  • Preview your site: Use the built-in preview feature to see how your site will look once published.

4. Configure Deployment Settings

Once your site is ready, you’ll need to configure the deployment settings to connect with Netlify.

  • Go to Settings > Server: Choose “Netlify” as your server type.
  • Enter your Netlify credentials: You’ll need an API token from your Netlify account. Generate this token by logging into Netlify and navigating to your user settings.
  • Configure the options: Set up your deployment preferences, such as the build command (if needed) and the directory where the site files are stored.

5. Deploy to Netlify

  • Publish your site: Click the “Sync Your Website” button in Publii. This will automatically deploy your site to Netlify.
  • Verify your deployment: Head over to your Netlify dashboard to see your newly deployed site. It should be live and accessible via the Netlify-provided URL.

6. Custom Domain and SSL

If you have a custom domain, you can link it to your Netlify site:

  • Add Domain: Go to the Domain settings in Netlify and add your custom domain.
  • Configure DNS: Follow the instructions to update your DNS settings with your domain registrar.
  • Enable SSL: Netlify will automatically provision an SSL certificate for your domain.

Conclusion

Building and deploying a static website has never been easier thanks to tools like Publii and Netlify. Whether you’re a developer or just getting started, this combination offers a powerful yet simple solution to creating a fast, secure, and beautiful website. Give it a try, and you’ll have your site up and running in no time!