1 minute read

If you’re looking to create a fast, free, and customizable blog without relying on third-party platforms, using Jekyll and GitHub Pages is a great option. This setup allows you to host a static site directly from a GitHub repository — no servers, no databases, and no monthly fees.

🚧 Basic Steps to Create Your Blog

  1. Install Required Tools
  2. Set Up a Jekyll Project
    jekyll new my-blog
    cd my-blog
    bundle install
    
  3. Choose a Jekyll Theme

    One of the most popular and polished themes is Minimal Mistakes.

  4. Add Your Theme

    Add the Minimal Mistakes theme via Gem:

    # in Gemfile
    gem "minimal-mistakes-jekyll"
    

    And in _config.yml:

    theme: minimal-mistakes-jekyll
    
  5. Customize Content
    • Use Markdown files (.md) to create posts and pages
    • Update _config.yml to set your site title, description, and navigation
    • Use folders like _posts, _layouts, and _includes to organize content
  6. Deploy with GitHub Pages
    • Push your site to a GitHub repo
    • Enable GitHub Pages in repository settings (usually set branch to main or gh-pages)
    • Your blog will be live at: https://yourusername.github.io/your-repo-name

🌟 About Minimal Mistakes

Minimal Mistakes is a powerful, clean, and highly customizable Jekyll theme. It supports:

  • Multiple layouts and page types
  • Built-in support for SEO, social sharing, and comments
  • Responsive design with mobile-friendly UX
  • Easy configuration with YAML files

It’s perfect for personal blogs, portfolios, or documentation websites. Check it out here: Minimal Mistakes Demo


✅ Final Thoughts

Creating a blog with Jekyll and GitHub Pages is a great way to learn web development basics while owning your content. With a theme like Minimal Mistakes, you can focus more on writing and less on design and infrastructure.