I built a React website and deployed it on Render using the free plan, but the deployed URL only shows the default "Welcome to Render" page instead of my actual site. The site works as expected locally in Google Chrome. Do I need to buy hosting or a GoDaddy domain, or is there something wrong with my deployment configuration?
5 Answers
You don’t need GoDaddy or separate hosting just to make the site work. Check how the Render service was created. A client-side React app should usually be deployed as a Static Site, with a build command such as `npm ci && npm run build`. The publish directory depends on your setup: Vite commonly uses `dist`, while Create React App commonly uses `build`. Also verify that Render is building the correct repository and branch, then review the latest deploy log for errors.
You can use the free Render-provided URL while testing. Buying a custom domain is optional and won’t fix an incorrect deployment configuration. DNS only matters after you decide to connect your own domain.
The free plan can take a little time to wake up after inactivity, especially if you’re using both a frontend and backend. That can make the first request slow, but it should not cause the Render welcome page to appear permanently.
Since it’s a React app, make sure the build completes successfully and that the static output folder is configured correctly. If the app uses client-side routing, you may also need a rewrite rule that sends all routes to `index.html`.
If you’re seeing the default Render welcome page, the service may be pointing to the wrong project, branch, root directory, or publish folder. Confirm that the generated build files are being deployed instead of the default placeholder page.
That makes sense for the delay, but I’ll check the service and build settings because the welcome page is still showing.