How to Use Netlify

Netlify takes a Git repository and turns it into a live website with a public URL, rebuilding automatically every time you push new code. If you've ever manually uploaded files to a web host after every change, this is the workflow that replaces that entirely: push to Git, and the site updates itself.

Step 1: Connect your repository

From your Netlify dashboard, click Deploy project (or Add new site) and choose your Git provider, GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. Netlify asks for permission to access your repositories, then you pick the one you want to deploy.

Step 2: Configure the build settings

Netlify usually detects your framework automatically (Next.js, Astro, plain HTML, and most static site generators are recognized out of the box) and pre-fills the build command and publish directory. Review these before continuing; a wrong publish directory is the single most common reason a first deploy shows a blank page.

Step 3: Deploy

Click Deploy site. Netlify pulls your repository, runs the build command, and publishes the result to a generated URL (something like random-name-123.netlify.app). You can rename this subdomain or attach your own custom domain afterward from the site settings.

Step 4: Let it auto-deploy

Once connected, every push to your main branch triggers a new build and deploy automatically. Netlify also builds a preview deploy for every pull request, so you (or a reviewer) can click through and see the actual change live before merging it.

The alternative: drag-and-drop

If you don't want to connect Git at all, Netlify's Deploy zone lets you drag a folder of already-built static files directly into the browser and get a live URL immediately. It's a genuinely useful shortcut for a quick one-off site, but you lose the automatic rebuild-on-push behavior that makes Netlify worth using long-term.

Frequently asked questions

Is Netlify free to use?

Yes, the free tier covers a generous amount of bandwidth and build minutes for personal projects and small sites; team features and higher usage require a paid plan.

Can I use my own domain name?

Yes, you can point an existing domain at your Netlify site, or buy one directly through Netlify, and SSL certificates are provisioned automatically at no extra cost.

What happens if a build fails?

Your previous successful deploy stays live. Netlify shows the build log for the failed attempt so you can see exactly which step broke, and your site never goes down because of a bad build.